(4) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Powers. This picture book biography of a young George Washington traces some of the events that shaped the future president, especially his surveying experience in the wilderness at the age of sixteen, which readied him for new challenges. St. George sometimes fictionalizes Washington's thoughts for dramatic effect, but the text is lively and engaging; Powers's stylized illustrations are somewhat stiff. Bib.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Powers. "Snow falls, ice grips, forest sleeps; / Wait, worms, wait." Through the seasons, worms gradually help to decompose a bag of garbage. This tale of natural recycling is told in a brief, simplistic text and bold, sometimes confusing illustrations. An informative final page about worms and recycling helps readers more clearly understand the cycles of decomposition portrayed in the story.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Powers. On a trip to Hawaii, a woman and her granddaughter trade explanations for the magnificent volcanoes and their eruptions. The narrative weaves together descriptions of the geological processes with stories of the goddess Pele, ultimately illustrating their compatibility. The bright watercolors are more effective at illustrating the legend than the science.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford