(4) 4-6 Explore 360 series. Illustrated by Somchith Vongprachanh. Readers learn about ancient Egypt through the lens of the life, death, entombment, and archaeological discovery of the famous Egyptian pharaoh. While the book provides a wealth of information and historical background, Tutankhamun-specific discussion only appears midway through. A multitude of pictures, text boxes, and sidebars make the pages feel cluttered but are nonetheless valuable for bringing the history to life.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Somchith Vongprachanh. The famous ancient Roman city, destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, is explored both in the book and through an included CD-ROM. Many of the better-known and preserved locations within the city are discussed in detail, with illustrations and photos of the sites and artifacts bringing the city to life but cluttering the spreads. The "virtual 3D tour" offers limited interactivity.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Somchith Vongprachanh. From the early stages of Titanic's planning and construction to the ship's amenities to the dramatic accident and eventual sinking, every detail of the historic ship is presented--visually and with informative text and firsthand accounts--for you-are-there exploration. Illustrations include archival photographs and stunningly crisp digital re-creations of objects and scenes. Includes a CD for virtual "3D tours."

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen