(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

(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