(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Space Adventures series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. This series combines bright, cartoony illustrations with slight framing stories both imaginative and fact-filled. In each title, a child narrates his or her imagined outer space adventure, including astronomical facts about the destination. The illustrations depict diverse characters of both genders. While contrived, the series' balance of science with fantasy is successful enough. Each book includes a simple activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf books: Space Adventures titles: To Mars!, To Planet Earth!, To the Stars!, To the Moon!, and To the Sun!.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Space Adventures series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. This series combines bright, cartoony illustrations with slight framing stories both imaginative and fact-filled. In each title, a child narrates his or her imagined outer space adventure, including astronomical facts about the destination. The illustrations depict diverse characters of both genders. While contrived, the series' balance of science with fantasy is successful enough. Each book includes a simple activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf books: Space Adventures titles: To Mars!, To Planet Earth!, To the Stars!, To the Moon!, and To the Sun!.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. Ms. McLean's class goes on a zoo field trip; Mr. Andre's class walks in the park and nearby woods. In both outings, the students observe similarities in nature. Though the fictional stories are slight and the illustrations cartoony, both books present accessible introductions to their topics and to using the scientific method. Each book concludes with a related activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns titles: Do Chicks Ask for Snacks? and Do Trees Get Hungry?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. These slight overviews introduce the plant (in Dirt) and animal inhabitants of these environments in simple sentences and vivid photographs. The scattershot texts share random observations, including "We eat some roots" and "Tree frogs jump." The choppy texts are occasionally misleading, but these books would work as simple reading exercises. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Little Pebble: What's in There? titles: What's in a Tree; What's in the Dirt?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Monster Buddies series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. Popular monsters made famous in movies and folklore are explored in these slim volumes perfect for young ones dying to learn about their favorite creepy characters. Facts include multicultural origins and variations (no sources are cited for such information) along with how to defeat these ghouls. Slick digital cartoons contribute to the friendly feel. There are four other fall 2014 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monster Buddies titles: I'm a Midnight Snacker!, I'm Fearsome and Furry!, I'll Haunt You!, and I'm Undead and Hungry!.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Money Basics series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. This series features stories in which kids and their families learn about earning and saving money, buying and selling, and other personal finance issues. Although some of the math can get confusing, the realistic situations, well-explained concepts, and cartoony (if slick) illustrations are welcoming. Each book includes a related activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Money Basics titles: Brody Borrows Money, Gabriel Gets a Great Deal, Lily Learns About Wants and Needs, Kyle Keeps Track of Cash, Ella Earns Her Own Money, and Shanti Saves Her Money.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Money Basics series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. This series features stories in which kids and their families learn about earning and saving money, buying and selling, and other personal finance issues. Although some of the math can get confusing, the realistic situations, well-explained concepts, and cartoony (if slick) illustrations are welcoming. Each book includes a related activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Money Basics titles: Brody Borrows Money, Gabriel Gets a Great Deal, Lily Learns About Wants and Needs, Kyle Keeps Track of Cash, Ella Earns Her Own Money, and Shanti Saves Her Money.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Community Helpers series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. In each book introducing a community-benefitting career, schoolchildren meet one adult to learn about his or her job; information includes the training required to become a firefighter, doctor, etc., daily routines, and primary responsibilities. The content is inclusive and up-to-date but delivered through vapid stories. Peppy computer-generated cartoons are amateur. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Community Helpers titles: Let's Meet a Fire Fighter, Let's Meet a Librarian, Let's Meet a Police Officer, Let's Meet a Veterinarian, Let's Meet a Construction Worker, Let's Meet a Dentist, Let's Meet a Doctor, and Let's Meet a Teacher.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Community Helpers series. Illustrated by Mike Moran. In each book introducing a community-benefitting career, schoolchildren meet one adult to learn about his or her job; information includes the training required to become a firefighter, doctor, etc., daily routines, and primary responsibilities. The content is inclusive and up-to-date but delivered through vapid stories. Peppy computer-generated cartoons are amateur. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Community Helpers titles: Let's Meet a Fire Fighter, Let's Meet a Librarian, Let's Meet a Police Officer, Let's Meet a Veterinarian, Let's Meet a Construction Worker, Let's Meet a Dentist, Let's Meet a Doctor, and Let's Meet a Teacher.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Moran. Professor P. Poopdeck discusses types of animal waste ("Rabbit pellets, raccoon tubes, / Owl whitewash, and wombat cubes") and how that waste is used by animals ("Termites...poop to make a mighty mound") or humans ("The Mongol yurt...is often sealed with dung of yak"). Amusing cartoonlike art illustrates the humorous, informative text.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander