(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Marc-Etienne Peintre. This fascinating book examines the role of color throughout human history: natural and synthetic sources, dye trades, cultural meanings, etc. Organized by color and further by specific shade (e.g., purples are subdivided into puce, Tyrian purple, and archil), each spread is illustrated in that shade. That saffron started a medieval war, that copper patina is the color verdigris, and so on--young readers will learn a ton. Ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ana Djordjevic. Each double-page spread features a planet, asteroid, nebula, or other astronomical object (plus the ISS and the Webb Space Telescope), in order of its distance from Earth. A list of stats for each covers size, weight, surface temperature, and other attributes. Large illustrations with a retro aesthetic, diagrams, and text boxes provide additional information for a browsable, if somewhat crowded, presentation. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 STEAM Stories series. Illustrated by Magalí Mansilla. In this STEAM-endorsing series of picture books, Suzy and Max use problem-solving skills to build playground equipment, race go-karts, and rebuild a robot. Using trial and error, they explore science and technology to achieve their goals, occasionally helped by an adult. Additional STEAM information is provided on the last two pages. The stories are pretty basic, but the kids' can-do attitudes will inspire the youngest scientists and engineers. Websites. Review covers these STEAM Stories titles: The Backyard Build, The Great Go-Kart Race, and Robot Repairs.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 STEAM Stories series. Illustrated by Magalí Mansilla. In this STEAM-endorsing series of picture books, Suzy and Max use problem-solving skills to build playground equipment, race go-karts, and rebuild a robot. Using trial and error, they explore science and technology to achieve their goals, occasionally helped by an adult. Additional STEAM information is provided on the last two pages. The stories are pretty basic, but the kids' can-do attitudes will inspire the youngest scientists and engineers. Websites. Review covers these STEAM Stories titles: The Backyard Build, The Great Go-Kart Race, and Robot Repairs.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 STEAM Stories series. Illustrated by Magalí Mansilla. In this STEAM-endorsing series of picture books, Suzy and Max use problem-solving skills to build playground equipment, race go-karts, and rebuild a robot. Using trial and error, they explore science and technology to achieve their goals, occasionally helped by an adult. Additional STEAM information is provided on the last two pages. The stories are pretty basic, but the kids' can-do attitudes will inspire the youngest scientists and engineers. Websites. Review covers these STEAM Stories titles: The Backyard Build, The Great Go-Kart Race, and Robot Repairs.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 What on Earth? series. Illustrated by Pau Morgan. With the series' trademark hands-on, holistic approach to learning, this book introduces robots through poetry, history, computer science, project instructions, and coding games. Color-coded sections urge readers to "explore" the science concepts, "create" a robot-inspired project, and "investigate" via simple experiments. The muted palette in the appealing digital illustrations and a slightly curled font underscore the book's gentle tone. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 This useful guide contains fifty-two magic tricks and also informs readers how to plan and structure a magic show, rehearse for it, and keep the audience involved. Banfield, a young magician with a contagious smile, presents each trick via color photographs of himself, close-ups of coins/cards, and brief explanations. It's sure to give young would-be magicians a head start on achieving success. Glos.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Readers interested in hair braiding will appreciate this well-designed instruction manual, organized into categories such as "School Hair" and "Party Hair." Each spread's verso shows the finished style and identifies the difficulty level and required materials; the recto has clear instructions and photos of each step (featuring primarily, but not exclusively, Caucasian models). The approachable package makes complicated-looking braids seem (hair)do-able.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Familiar stories from both the Old and New Testaments are briefly described to introduce a related craft: a dove with Noah's Ark, shepherds with the Nativity, etc. Clearly illustrated step-by-step directions, simple equipment (e.g., glue, scissors), and easily available materials (cardboard boxes, felt, googly eyes) make the sturdy craft book accessible and welcoming to a range of crafting skill levels.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Clearly illustrated step-by-step directions and simple equipment (e.g., glue, straws, scissors) help turn common household paper items into toys, decorations, masks, and headgear (tiaras, mouse ears, etc.). Paper plates and bowls may be easier to find than some of the specialized boxes required in Cardboard, but both volumes include a nice variation of projects for a range of crafting skill levels. Review covers these titles: 51 Things to Make with Cardboard Boxes and 51 Things to Make with Paper Plates.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Familiar stories from both the Old and New Testaments are briefly described to introduce a related craft: a dove with Noah's Ark, shepherds with the Nativity, etc. Clearly illustrated step-by-step directions, simple equipment (e.g., glue, scissors), and easily available materials (cardboard boxes, felt, googly eyes) make the sturdy craft book accessible and welcoming to a range of crafting skill levels.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nick Shepherd. These books "trace" technology and transportation innovations "back to the beginning" of human history with a gimmicky timeline that snakes from upper left to lower right of each double-page spread. The books strictly impose this time-linear structure as cartoony digital illustrations in a limited palette mark seminal events (and digressions). A final summarizing timeline asks readers to imagine what's next. Glos., ind. Review covers these titles: Follow the Link: A Journey Through Technology and Follow the Link: A Journey Through Transportation.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nick Shepherd. These books "trace" technology and transportation innovations "back to the beginning" of human history with a gimmicky timeline that snakes from upper left to lower right of each double-page spread. The books strictly impose this time-linear structure as cartoony digital illustrations in a limited palette mark seminal events (and digressions). A final summarizing timeline asks readers to imagine what's next. Glos., ind. Review covers these titles: Follow the Link: A Journey Through Technology and Follow the Link: A Journey Through Transportation.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) PS Illustrated by Tracey Tucker. These books provide a series of jaunty rhymes about animals doing many unusual things, from camels playing guitars in a band to killer whales driving cars on the ocean floor. There's no overarching story, but fans of nonsense verse should enjoy the playful chaos. Slick, psychedelic illustrations contribute to the zany atmosphere. Rhyming activities and facts about animals are appended. Review covers these titles: Topsy Turvy Animals and Topsy Turvy Ocean.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) PS Illustrated by Tracey Tucker. These books provide a series of jaunty rhymes about animals doing many unusual things, from camels playing guitars in a band to killer whales driving cars on the ocean floor. There's no overarching story, but fans of nonsense verse should enjoy the playful chaos. Slick, psychedelic illustrations contribute to the zany atmosphere. Rhyming activities and facts about animals are appended. Review covers these titles: Topsy Turvy Animals and Topsy Turvy Ocean.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Haslam. With a vintage-Disney feel in its brightly colored illustrations and jaunty font, this nonfiction book for young readers introduces transportation history with spreads dedicated to each mode, including bicycles, cars, trains, space travel, and more. The broad focus means each subject gets a cursory, rosy-hued treatment. Back matter includes a matching game and a quiz but no sources.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 What on Earth? series. Illustrated by Pau Morgan. This colorful, charmingly illustrated exploration of bees encourages a hands-on, holistic approach to learning, combining poetry, myths, history, scientific explanations, and project instructions. Color-coded sections urge readers to "explore" the science concepts, "create" a bee-inspired poem or projects (e.g., a life cycle–themed board game), and "investigate" via simple experiments. The muted palette and slightly curled font further the book's gentle tone. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 What on Earth? series. Illustrated by Pau Morgan. This colorful, charmingly illustrated exploration of wind encourages a hands-on, holistic approach to learning, combining poetry, myths, history, scientific explanations, and project instructions. Color-coded sections urge readers to "explore" the science concepts, "create" a wind-inspired poem or projects such as a pinwheel, and "investigate" via simple experiments. The muted palette and slightly curled font further the book's gentle tone. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Duncan Beedie. With memory techniques by Tracy Packiam Alloway, PhD. In each two-spread sequence, friendly cartoon figure Explorer Ben gathers ten items that he needs for a (paper-thin) adventure, then loses an increasing number of them in a mildly comical way. The book's purpose revolves around the serviceable included "Memory Tips," which help readers identify the items that Ben has lost and build new memorization skills. Tips for parents and a memory quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 These themed picture-puzzle adventures provide readers with early map and math practice. Lively cartoon illustrations show fantastical scenes scored into coordinates, which help guide the collection of randomly arranged animals and objects. Busy pages focus visual attention and reinforce basic directional skills under the guise of having fun. Review covers these titles: Find Your Way in the Jungle and Find Your Way Under the Sea.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo