(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. A simple sentence or two of text on left-hand pages face detailed full-page paintings of more than eighteen woodpeckers worldwide on the right. Each numbered and labeled plate corresponds to an afterword that contains a fact-filled paragraph with more information on the bird (distribution, habitat, food, special capabilities, etc.). Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill and interest. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. One simple sentence of text faces a detailed full-page painting of an animal or features (e.g., hawksbill turtle, high tide vs. low tide) of seashore habitats around the world. Each numbered plate corresponds to an afterword containing a paragraph about the feature and further information. Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill; repeating labels would improve coordination of text and afterword. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. A simple sentence or two of text on left-hand pages face detailed full-page paintings of eighteen marine mammals from around the world on the right. Each numbered and labeled plate corresponds to an endnote that contains a fact-filled paragraph with more information on the animal's physical features, habitat, food, etc. Another accessible introduction from the Sills for new nonfiction readers. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. One simple sentence of text faces a detailed full-page painting of a feature (e.g., a narwhal, Antarctic hair grass) of a polar region, both Arctic and Antarctic. Each numbered plate corresponds to an afterword containing a paragraph about the feature and further information. Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill; repeating labels would improve coordination of text and afterword. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. A simple sentence or two of text on left-hand pages face detailed full-page paintings of more than eighteen parrots worldwide on the right. Each numbered and labeled plate corresponds to an afterword that contains a fact-filled paragraph with more information on the bird (distribution, habitat, food, special capabilities, etc.). Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. One simple sentence faces a full-page, detailed painting of distinguishing features (plants, animals, products, etc.) of a type of forest, including boreal, temperate, and tropical. Each numbered plate corresponds to an afterword containing facts about the highlighted forest. Though slight in the main text, information expands with the reader's skill; unfortunately, labeling could be clearer. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. One simple sentence of text faces a full-page, detailed painting of an ocean feature, from geology to plants, with an emphasis on animals. Each numbered illustration corresponds to an afterword containing additional facts about such topics as zones, temperatures, and food. Easily accessible initially, the information expands with the reader's skill, though the labeling could be better. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. In each spread, one simple sentence faces a full-page, detailed painting of a hummingbird. Each plate, numbered and labeled with the specific bird's name, corresponds to an afterword that contains a fact-filled paragraph with information such as distribution, habitat, food, and special capabilities for the pictured animal. The main text is easily accessible for young readers, while older kids will also be interested in the back matter. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. In each spread, one simple sentence of text faces a full-page, detailed painting of a type of grassland, from savannah to steppe, including appropriate animals or plants. The illustrations, numbered and labeled, correspond to fact-filled paragraphs in the afterword with more information about distribution, habitat, and food. The labeling could be better, but overall it's a useful offering. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. On each spread, one simple sentence of text ("Some raptors capture prey in the air") faces a detailed full-page painting of a bird from the raptor order. Each picture, numbered and labeled with the bird's name, corresponds with a fact-filled paragraph in the afterword with more information about that bird's habitat, food, special capabilities, etc. An accessible and attractive presentation.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. Simple, descriptive (if information-light) writing accompanies seventeen finely detailed full-page illustrations of mountain habitats on five continents. The text emphasizes similarities and variation among the locations and touches on the animals that live in each. Appended thumbnails and brief paragraphs provide more facts. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. One or two sentences or phrases on each left-hand page offer fairly sophisticated yet accessible information about the lives and behaviors of penguins. Right-hand pages feature detailed paintings of different penguins in their appropriate habitats. Appended thumbnails are accompanied by further information. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. Each spread includes simple text on the left-hand page that defines or describes wetlands and a watercolor painting on the right. The panoramas help children see how the wetlands habitat is an ecosystem involving interdependence and a balance of native animals and plants. The main text doesn't provide much information; thumbnails at the back include expanded paragraphs. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. Each right-hand page features a finely detailed full-page watercolor illustration of rodents in their habitats. Left-hand pages include simple descriptive text accessible to young readers ("Rodents live almost everywhere"). The variety of species and their importance to the balance of nature are emphasized. Thumbnails at the end are accompanied by more detailed paragraphs of information. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. Full-page paintings of desert scenes from around the world introduce this habitat and its inhabitants to young readers. A simple sentence on each facing page offers minimal information: e.g., "Deserts are dry places that get very little rain." The text doesn't provide much information; more facts about the illustrations are included at the back of the book. Website. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. "Mollusks have soft, moist bodies with no bones." One factual line of text per spread is accurately illustrated in watercolors that show the animals in various underwater, mud-filled, and land-based habitats. A six-page afterword provides additional information above the reading level of the main text. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. Working on a few levels, the spare text informs readers about characteristics of crustaceans in general while the realistic illustrations picture specific crustaceans identified by name. Crabs, lobsters, barnacles, crayfish, and more demonstrate featured characteristics highlighted in the text. For the more advanced reader an informative afterword ends the book.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. In this introductory book, fifteen finely detailed watercolor plates of different arachnids command the reader's attention. Each facing page contains a short sentence or phrase that gives a key bit of information about that arachnid. At book's end, small black-and-white reproductions of the plates are offset by additional facts. The result is an information-rich book with an elegantly uncluttered main text.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. A very simple guide, this well-labeled, artistic book features a detailed watercolor on one page, usually one type of fish in its habitat, and by a short informative sentence on the facing page; for example, "Fish protect themselves in many ways" is beside a painting of two porcupine fish. An afterword gives more details about each subject.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Sill. On each page, set in ample white space, is a simple sentence about amphibians and their habits ("Amphibians have soft, moist skin," "Most amphibians spend part of their lives in water"). On the facing page are realistic, detailed full-page paintings of amphibians in their natural habitats. The afterword includes additional information on the species pictured, but has a lackluster design.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam