(2) 4-6 A unique and amusing encyclopedia of general scientific topics from master draftsman Macaulay, geared to a slightly younger audience than the author's The Way Things Work books. Divided into five sections, the book explores topics that fall under the headings of matter, life, energy, forces, and Earth and space, all with detailed illustrations and diagrams--and all of which include woolly mammoths (and the occasional elephant shrew). As in the previous books, Macaulay uses tongue-in-cheek humor to model everything from the states of matter, to types of cells, to the properties of color and radiation. In one illustration, a number of mammoths work assembly-line-type machines representing the different functions and parts of the human digestive system. The variety of ways mammoths are employed throughout is highly entertaining and effectively lightens topics that might otherwise feel dry. A detailed index will allow young readers to jump to subjects of interest, making this a worthwhile (if quirky) addition to any reference collection.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(3) K-3 This introduction to microorganisms is not just about bacteria but also viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa; most are discussed in terms of their relationships to humans, from beneficial gut bacteria to dangerous viruses that cause us to get sick. Coverage is well organized with color-coded page borders. Illustrations include micro-photographs and comical anthropomorphized cartoons. A timeline of important discoveries is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 This richly illustrated encyclopedic volume covers a wide array of presidential topics but none very deeply. The first section offers brief profiles of American presidents through Trump; each one- or two-spread segment includes scanty background information, a "data file" of key facts, and a sidebar with interesting trivia. Additional sections cover notable First Ladies, governmental functions, historical events, and more. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 This browsable compendium serves up random trivia on eighty wide-ranging subjects. Each busy, colorful double-page spread focuses on a topic, including earth science, plants, animals, communication, water, philosophy, ancient civilizations, movies, helicopters, and much more. Crisp photos compete for attention with thirteen numbered bits of information about that topic plus the gimmicky fact #13 ½ (a.k.a fourteen), which "busts a myth and tells you the total truth." Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 With clear instructions and concise explanations, this guide introduces the Python coding language, supporting learners as they install the appropriate version, learn basic skills, and create increasingly advanced projects. The clean layout, direct language, and appropriate full-color graphics make the lessons accessible and alleviate potential frustration. A project reference section is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Books series. In association with the Smithsonian. Filled with such images as George Washington's false teeth and Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star, this browsable introduction to the U.S. presidents (here newly updated) features captioned archival photographs and reproductions of campaign posters, political cartoons, and newspaper headlines on every busy page. Report writers will need to supplement the superficial information. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Also written by Rona Skene. Highlighting the challenges and achievements of one hundred–plus women worldwide in various fields and from different eras, this colorful guide is arranged into accessible categories such as "Clued-up Creatives," "Super Scientists," and "Leading Ladies." The wealth of information, more for some women than others, is creatively displayed in a busy but engaging layout adorned with photographs, illustrations, and sidebars. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. Short sections of text, leveled for "reading alone" and accompanied by lots of photos, introduce an inspiring group of women with noteworthy accomplishments, including scientists, athletes, artists, and business figures, both past and present. A diverse range of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities is represented. The biographical details are cursory, but they may spark further interest in specific individuals. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Debora Pearson

(3) K-3 DK Readers series. This book introduces beginning readers to the history and basics of coding and computers using accessible language and details. Glossy pages feature appealing graphics and bright photographs in a clear, organized layout. Four short chapters broken up by additional sidebar spreads keep the information bite-size and easily digestible. A brief appended coding quiz and literacy tips for parents are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 This browsable collection of simple experiments across six disciplines emphasizes scientific practices, with commentary throughout that focuses on traits such as curiosity, creativity, and persistence. Additional spreads with scientific facts and profiles of famous scientists and their contributions are included. The cheerful cartoonlike illustrations and photographs of the steps in each experiment liven up the presentation. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Books series. In association with the Smithsonian, this new updated scrapbook follows the chronology of U.S. presidential history to peek in at the life and times of each First Lady through Melania Trump. Portraits, photos of some of the outfits on display at the Smithsonian, artifacts of the elections, and special mementos are scrambled together on the busy pages. While superficial, this is suitable for browsing. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 This volume offers step-by-step illustrated instructions for cardboard engineering projects ranging from easy to extremely complex (several with more than twenty steps to completion). The projects, including cardboard tube owls, masks, games, a castle, and geodesic dome, call for varying weights of cardboard, glue, tape, etc. Some templates are included at book's end; few projects can be completed without adult help.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Owen Gildersleeve. Nine color-coded sections introduce the human body, beginning with the smallest components (cells and DNA) and moving on to the functional organ systems, reproductive process, and a final section on aging. Color photos, X-rays, and micrographs are clearly captioned and labeled, but the multi-dimensional cut-paper illustrations add visual wow to the well-designed volume. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. On each spread, vivid full-color photographs are accompanied by accessible but superficial beginning-reader text to introduce a different jungle animal. The most substantive of the information highlights animals' physical adaptations (e.g., "a tarantula feels the ground shake with its hairy legs"). Labels in the photographs alternately support this emphasis and appear arbitrary (do readers really need a label for the "ground"?). Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 This revised second edition highlights details of children's school lives around the world. Organized by continent, the large-format book features maps pinpointing where each child lives, along with lots of scrapbook-style photographs of the child's school, classroom, and activities. The short snippets of accompanying text contain enough information to provide introductory insight into education across cultures. Ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 This newly updated edition highlights details of forty-four children's lives around the world. Grouped mainly by continent, the engaging, large-format book features maps pinpointing where each child lives along with multiple photographs of each child's family, community, home, favorite food, hobbies, etc. The clear and concise accompanying text contains well-balanced, browsable information that provides introductory insight into the similarities and differences between cultures. Glos.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. Two-page chapters combine with a character profile, a "Pilot's Log," a captioned photo sequence, and more to chronologically track droid BB-8's travels over the course of The Force Awakens. Only Star Wars fans will recognize the straight-from-the-movie images and will be equipped with the background information and name exposure necessary to decode the semi-challenging level-2 ("beginning to read") text. Quiz appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 DK Readers series. Six substantive chapters describe natural wonders from around the world, ranging from Mount Everest and the Sahara Desert to less-well-known formations such as Australia's Twelve Apostles. Accompanied by excellent photos, the text, leveled for "reading alone," offers nuanced explanations of the landscapes' features. Labeled diagrams and mock news articles expose readers to additional nonfiction formats. Quiz and map appended. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. In a text leveled for "beginning to read alone," five chapters explain castles' historic role as defense mechanisms, emphasizing how design evolved to protect knights, monks, and villagers in wartime. Political circumstances such as the Crusades are mentioned but largely unexplained. Well-placed, often captioned photographs introduce unfamiliar structures. Dynamic formatting (including diagrams and a mock news article) introduce additional nonfiction features. Quiz appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 This laudatory look at Disney covers the company's history, from Walt's birth to the anticipated 2016 opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Trivia about major films and TV shows and about the creation of theme parks is featured. Using a visually appealing layout, including color photos and movie stills, this coffee table book will appeal most to nostalgic adults. Any discussion of controversial topics is omitted. Timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester