(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Robert Meganck. Thirty-six poems in a variety of forms, paragraphs of information (in smaller-size type), and friendly (realistic but with hints of humor) digital illustrations together provide an effective cross-curricular introduction to spiders' appearance, behaviors, physiology, diet, and defenses. The poems' observations are sometimes lighthearted, sometimes thoughtful, and always enhance details in the accompanying text. Observation tips ("Spider hunt!"), suggested books and websites, notes on poetic forms, identification of species featured in the illustrations, size comparisons, and a glossary are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Robert Meganck. Nineteen poems (in various forms) accompanied by bright digital illustrations provide information both whimsical and scientific about inhabitants of the brown food web--the layer of leaves and soil where organic matter breaks down and plants grow. Each poem is accompanied by a smaller-print scientific explanation. Suggested experiments, critter size comparisons, and notes on poetic forms round out this information-packed poetry volume. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler