(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Gaber. "A little Red Hen lived in a house, / with a frisky dog, a cat, and a mouse." This retelling of the classic story about the hard-working hen who teaches her lazy friends a lesson has an unusual, lilting rhythm. The work benefits from Gaber's colorful, folksy, gently humorous pastel illustrations, modernized with subtle cut-paper effects.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Find Out About series. Illustrated by Tim Hutchinson. These well-organized books offer information such as the geography, history, culture, and primary language of each country; a large number of words in its language are presented throughout, both as vocabulary and conversation. The spiral-bound volumes include a foldout map and tabbed dividers for easy access to information. The simple, colorful drawings and uncluttered design further contribute to ease of use. Review covers these Find Out About titles: Italy, France, and Spain.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Find Out About series. Illustrated by Tim Hutchinson. These well-organized books offer information such as the geography, history, culture, and primary language of each country; a large number of words in its language are presented throughout, both as vocabulary and conversation. The spiral-bound volumes include a foldout map and tabbed dividers for easy access to information. The simple, colorful drawings and uncluttered design further contribute to ease of use. Review covers these Find Out About titles: Italy, France, and Spain.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Find Out About series. Illustrated by Tim Hutchinson. These well-organized books offer information such as the geography, history, culture, and primary language of each country; a large number of words in its language are presented throughout, both as vocabulary and conversation. The spiral-bound volumes include a foldout map and tabbed dividers for easy access to information. The simple, colorful drawings and uncluttered design further contribute to ease of use. Review covers these Find Out About titles: Italy, France, and Spain.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) PS Illustrated by Terry Denton. In this slight story, chaos rules after a pair of bloomers falls on a cow's head during her regular Saturday morning walk. A chase ensues, during which a wedding is disrupted and three sailors almost drown. Undaunted, the smiling cow goes along her merry way. The cartoonish black-ink and watercolor illustrations set the silly scene.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) PS Brother and sister trucks leave their home at the edge of the junkyard to search for fuel. They find a beautiful gas station and are subsequently trapped by the Wicked Winch. Luckily, clever Hansel has left a trail of bolts, and their father rescues the pair. In Gordon's third fairy tale starring trucks, his animation-inspired illustrations again take center stage.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dean Griffiths. Most of the cows on Charlie Johnson's farm are happy to graze peacefully, but Lucille wants more: she longs to run like Thunder the racehorse. Lucille gets her chance (by mistake) when she stumbles into a race at the county fair. She soon tires, but the cheering crowd inspires her to finish. Humorous realistic illustrations support the book's never-give-up-on-your-dream message.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) K-3 Translated by Michelle Maczka. Illustrated by Frauke Weldin. When an old lazy wolf types a young sheep a letter hoping to lure the "small, tender and fluffy" meal to him, the two become pen pals. Luckily, Mama Sheep intervenes. The illustrations are rendered in soft brush strokes and friendly colors that make even the conniving wolf appear likable, lightening the creepy undertone beneath Wolf's intentions.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Philomena O'Neill. Two clever pet bunnies escape from their cage every night to clean the house so their young owners will have more playtime during the day. The soft watercolor and pencil illustrations depicting the rabbits doing such chores as folding laundry and washing dishes are a hoot. A chart of vocabulary words from the story is included.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) PS Illustrated by Loretta Lopez. "I say uno and you say one. / Our Christmas posada will be a lot of fun!" So begins this bilingual counting book about a traditional Spanish Christmas celebration in which guests "beg"--by singing--to be let into the party. This simple book introduces only a few Spanish words but is bolstered by the text's rhythm.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) PS Illustrated by Keiko Motoyama. When a young prince refuses to use his potty, the king and queen are advised to get him a puppy. Through patiently teaching the puppy the proper place to pee, the prince is miraculously potty trained, too. Lively pictures offset the arch tone of the unlikely story.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) PS Illustrated by Doug Cushman. After lulling the zookeepers to sleep, a marimba-playing monkey and the other animales party at the zoo. Most of the text in this lively alphabet book is in English, but each page includes a Spanish word (usually the name of an animal) that is a cognate. At times the generally rhythmic text is jarringly offbeat. A translation and pronunciation guide is included.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Find Out About series. Illustrated by Tim Hutchinson. This well-organized book offers information on China's geography, history, culture, and language; a large number of Chinese words are presented throughout, both as vocabulary and conversation. The spiral-bound volume includes a foldout map and tabbed dividers for easy access to information. The simple, colorful drawings and uncluttered design further contribute to ease of use.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 This third book in the series opens with ten-year-old Jackson taking a clipping of a special rose that grows in the cemetery. Roses have always meant bad luck for Jackson, and his "doom-and-gloom" friend Reuben thinks a ghost is haunting him. The story is suspenseful without being too scary, and the satisfying ending doesn't try to overexplain the curse.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Arthur Howard. Mrs. Teaberry is always baking for her neighbors, so to return the favor Mr. Putter offers to serve tea to her knitting club. Too bad yarn makes Tabby the cat crazy! The popular series returns with another installment of easy-to-read sentences, a familiar cast of characters drawn with a loose silliness, and gentle humor.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan