(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Alike and Different series. Illustrated by Christine M. Schneider. The students in Manuel's class report on special foods their families eat. Tony and Ms. Chen talk about noodles from Italy and China. Lara's Jewish family eats challah bread. Manuel's abeula's salsa is made from tomatoes--like Tony's sauce. Accompanied by cheerful cartoon illustrations, this is an appealing if simplistic introduction to cultural differences. A salsa recipe is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns series. Illustrated by Christine M. Schneider. Ms. Ling's class solves mysteries involving missing ice and disappearing puddles. Mr. Davis's class observes wind and temperature patterns to learn about forecasting. Though the fictional stories are slight and the illustrations cartoony, both books present accessible introductions to their topics and to using the scientific method. A related activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns titles: When Will it Rain? and Why do Puddles Disappear?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns series. Illustrated by Christine M. Schneider. The kids in Ms. Sampson's class learn that "different materials [are used] for different purposes" and find patterns ("something that happens again and again") when they locate objects made of similar materials. Though the story is slight and the illustrations cartoony, this accessible presentation will help young readers learn about observation and testing, introducing them to the scientific method. An activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Money Basics series. Illustrated by Christine Schneider. 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 Christine Schneider. 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