(4) 4-6 Freaky Facts About... series. This scattered book presents a variety of facts to illuminate the world of arachnids. The busy double-page spreads include close-up photographs, cartoons, and "That's Weird" text boxes. There's no linearity; bits and pieces of information jump from one topic to the next. Readers interested in browsing can drop in anywhere for a quick bite. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Tired of the bad reputation given to them by humans, the arthropods ("insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes") attempt to sort out what makes them unique, though they (just as often) reinforce their negative images. Cartoon illustrations add levity to the factual text, but the busy pages are overwhelming to the eye. A quiz is included at the end. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Picture That! series. This book explores the history of battles and weapons by studying works of art (mostly paintings). Four sections cover ancient through modern warfare. Each section introduces several art pieces and gives general information about the battle depicted, followed by a closer look at details in each piece. This provides an interesting if somewhat basic look at the evolution of warfare. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Busy, colorful pages recount the historical, social, and political sides of clothing, hair, hats, and shoes, from legal and moral issues such as wearing fur to dangerous practices like cinched waists and bound feet. Towering hair, hats, heels and undergarments through the ages are among the featured trends. Ever-fluctuating ideas of beauty and body image are also explored. Reading lists, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 From ancient times to the present day, this book describes competitive activities played on land, water, and in the air for skill, entertainment, shock factor, and monetary gain. The topic of racing, for example, covers the ordinary (horse), the exotic (camel), and the absurd (snail). Busy, colorful pages provide facts that are sufficiently engaging for leisure reading. Reading lists, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 This book offers some new insights about the history of humans' relationship with sharks. Topics include sharks' reputations as fearsome creatures, monsters, and gods; different species of sharks, both tiny and huge; and sharks as endangered species--and as food. Though the information can be scattered, short paragraphs will hold readers' attention. Photographs are interspersed with the cartoony illustrations. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Blue Zoo Guides series. After a brief introduction that presents similarities and differences between reptiles and amphibians, double-page spreads discuss the habitat, habits, diet, and young of forty-three creatures (thirty-three reptiles, ten amphibians). Cartoons comparing the size of each animal to a child are effective in showing scale. Striking photographs accompany each spread (although some look out of focus). Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Blue Zoo Guides series. After a brief introduction that presents five ocean-animal categories (fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates), double-page spreads discuss the habitat, habits, diet, and young of forty-three sea creatures. Cartoons comparing the size of each animal to a child are effective in showing scale. Striking photographs accompany each spread (although some look out of focus). Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 4-6 "Deep-fried grasshoppers make a tasty, crunchy snack! Mmmmmm." This is just one of the exotic delicacies offered in this entertaining book of foods and manners from times and cultures far and near. The busy layout includes photos that provide shock value--a fistful of fat grubs, a fresh catch of field rats. The introduction warns against trying these cuisines. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Snappy text and busy pages cover the practice of medicine throughout the ages. Research and breakthroughs, mistakes and misconceptions--including the medicinal use of goat dung and pelican droppings (ancient Rome and Egypt, respectively)--as well as important discoveries are presented. Part entertainment and part information, this book makes an agreeable contrast to more traditional texts on the topic. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 In this slight introduction to nine dinosaurs (from [f2]Stegosaurus to T. rex), each single- or double-page spread features basic information about each animal, such as what it ate, when it lived, its dimensions, and a few facts about its habits. The detailed illustrations, pronunciations, and "Dig This" text boxes enhance the adequate presentation. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Escalones series. These books present information about their subjects through a busy combination of reasonably translated Spanish text, photographs, and illustrations. The format has child appeal, but each informational book is marred by a long fictional story oddly inserted toward the end. Ind. Review covers these Escalones titles: Animales salvajes, Bajo el mar, De aquí para allá, Hogares de animales, and Mi cuerpo y yo.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Escalones series. These books present information about their subjects through a busy combination of reasonably translated Spanish text, photographs, and illustrations. The format has child appeal, but each informational book is marred by a long fictional story oddly inserted toward the end. Ind. Review covers these Escalones titles: Animales salvajes, Bajo el mar, De aquí para allá, Hogares de animales, and Mi cuerpo y yo.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Escalones series. These books present information about their subjects through a busy combination of reasonably translated Spanish text, photographs, and illustrations. The format has child appeal, but each informational book is marred by a long fictional story oddly inserted toward the end. Ind. Review covers these Escalones titles: Animales salvajes, Bajo el mar, De aquí para allá, Hogares de animales, and Mi cuerpo y yo.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Escalones series. These books present information about their subjects through a busy combination of reasonably translated Spanish text, photographs, and illustrations. The format has child appeal, but each informational book is marred by a long fictional story oddly inserted toward the end. Ind. Review covers these Escalones titles: Animales salvajes, Bajo el mar, De aquí para allá, Hogares de animales, and Mi cuerpo y yo.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Escalones series. These books present information about their subjects through a busy combination of reasonably translated Spanish text, photographs, and illustrations. The format has child appeal, but each informational book is marred by a long fictional story oddly inserted toward the end. Ind. Review covers these Escalones titles: Animales salvajes, Bajo el mar, De aquí para allá, Hogares de animales, and Mi cuerpo y yo.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Familiar images associated with various countries (Spain's bullfights, France's Eiffel Tower, Australia's kangaroos) are employed by the six artists who illustrate this book's six sections, one for each inhabitable continent (Antarctica is omitted). Simplified topographic maps are overlaid with translucent sheets that provide political boundaries of countries, their names, and their capitals. The targeted age group will find this book's typeface difficult to decipher.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Picture That! series. Reproduced on double-page spreads, paintings by such artists as Bingham, Catlin, Homer, and Remington are used to discuss life in the American West, including information about Native Americans. The text describes each painting, gives historical context, and provides details that a casual observer might miss. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Picture That! series. Basic history about the era of knights--including how and where they lived, how they waged war, and what they did for entertainment--is pictured in famous works of art with details enlarged and captioned. The clearly written text explains the art, giving information about the era. Reproductions include paintings, an illustrated shield, and the Bayeux Tapestry. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Conceived by the Peace Child International organization and written and illustrated by teens from around the world, this book dissects the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a United Nations document ratified by 191 of 193 members (the U.S. is a holdout). This timely offering is well organized but overwhelming: busy pages overflow with poems, testimonials, photos, and artwork that deserve a gentler format. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram