(4) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Cristina Pritelli. A dialogue (in different typefaces) between a Venetian boy and a fictional scribe relates episodes from Marco Polo's travels. While the text, accompanied by intriguing paintings in muted tones, focuses more on the nature of "truth" in storytelling than on the adventures themselves, the handsome book could inspire further research on Marco Polo's life and exploration.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Cristina Pritelli. This rich collection gives readers a sampling of Lewis's poetic versatility. Included are humorous nature poems, moving ones about people such as Rosa Parks and about places such as the Okeefenokee Swamp, riddle poems, and thought-provoking verses. Pritelli's understated illustrations add relevance without overpowering or detracting from the poems--although they are sometimes hard to read against dark backgrounds.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Maria Cristina Pritelli. Presented as entries in a young sailor's journal, brief verses chronicle Captain Cook's first famous circumnavigation of the globe on the Endeavour. Full-page paintings and smaller sketches are delicately composed but frequently dramatic in effect; the text is observant in a travelogue-ish way but neither characterful nor very informative. However, this would be a handsome supplement to a unit on exploration.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton