(4) PS Illustrated by Jenny Mattheson. Mrs. O'Leary's cow sparks trouble in this expanded version of the song "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" (likely better known to grandparents than to kids). Mattheson's bright oil paintings help mitigate the scary situation ("and as the flames crept near, / We feared that she would roast"); thanks to some brave firefighters, the barn is the only casualty.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Little Joe the frog wants to be on the go, whether with a scooter, wagon, or tricycle. But the other frogs are too busy with their family reunion to play with him. Young-at-heart Grandma, who has her own set of wheels, may be Joe's salvation. The rhymes are uninspired, but the bright illustrations add to the playful atmosphere.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Illustrated by William Low. Barron's earnest, wordy tale of a boy, Pico, is inspired by the moai, the giant stone faces of Easter Island. Pico is unimpressed by them until a tsunami hits, and he is saved from drowning by a statue. Low's digital illustrations mimic paintings and make effective use of light, but they are occasionally muddy.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Wimmer. Subdued yet striking oil paintings accompany poetic text to portray something wondrous: Jackie Robinson stealing home during the 1955 World Series. Inset boxes on each page relate (in tiny print) a more detailed history of how Robinson helped desegregate major-league baseball. Read the narrative first for its beautiful simplicity, then go back for the facts. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. On each page of these simple books, a large photograph accompanies one or two sentences of text, providing a basic overview of a natural resource. The easy-to-read text describes the resource, where it's found, how it's used, and what options there are for conservation. These books will be useful in elementary science units. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Earth's Resources titles: Using Air, Using Coal, Oil, and Gas, Using Rocks, Using Soil, and Using Water.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. On each page of these simple books, a large photograph accompanies one or two sentences of text, providing a basic overview of a natural resource. The easy-to-read text describes the resource, where it's found, how it's used, and what options there are for conservation. These books will be useful in elementary science units. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Earth's Resources titles: Using Air, Using Coal, Oil, and Gas, Using Rocks, Using Soil, and Using Water.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. On each page of these simple books, a large photograph accompanies one or two sentences of text, providing a basic overview of a natural resource. The easy-to-read text describes the resource, where it's found, how it's used, and what options there are for conservation. These books will be useful in elementary science units. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Earth's Resources titles: Using Air, Using Coal, Oil, and Gas, Using Rocks, Using Soil, and Using Water.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. This early science book discusses what plants are, how they grow, and what they're used for. The last few pages address conservation and how we can use plants in sustainable ways. Photos and clear page layouts aid comprehension and make the easy-to-read text appropriate for both classroom use and independent reading. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. On each page of these simple books, a large photograph accompanies one or two sentences of text, providing a basic overview of a natural resource. The easy-to-read text describes the resource, where it's found, how it's used, and what options there are for conservation. These books will be useful in elementary science units. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Earth's Resources titles: Using Air, Using Coal, Oil, and Gas, Using Rocks, Using Soil, and Using Water.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. On each page of this simple book, a large photograph or diagram accompanies one or two sentences. The easy-to-read text explains what fossils are, how they are formed, and who studies them. This book provides a basic overview of what fossils can tell us about the past. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Exploring Earth's Resources series. On each page of these simple books, a large photograph accompanies one or two sentences of text, providing a basic overview of a natural resource. The easy-to-read text describes the resource, where it's found, how it's used, and what options there are for conservation. These books will be useful in elementary science units. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Earth's Resources titles: Using Air, Using Coal, Oil, and Gas, Using Rocks, Using Soil, and Using Water.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) 4-6 Arresting digital satellite and telescopic photos of the planets and their moons are bound to elicit "wow"s from even the most reluctant students. The amazing photos are accompanied by detailed yet accessible text that explains everything from the bodies' compositions to temperatures, orbits, and environments. This updated edition includes current thoughts on Pluto and the discovery of possible planet Eris. Ind.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 This book gives information about planets, stars, and other astronomical marvels. Many rhymes are weak ("Y is for the yellow stars / like our own great Sun / Z is for the zodiac / now our alphabet is done"); factual paragraphs are more detailed and informative. Some diagrams help explain the science, and striking photos add a sense of wonder. Glos.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mark Elliott. "I'm the new kid. I am tuf." Or so he'd like everyone to believe. Through a class writing project, mad-at-the-world Dexter (who's living with his grandma while his father undergoes cancer treatment) revises his story as his attitude changes. Dexter has an authentic voice that will connect with readers who've had similar experiences, or who know a not-so-tough-after-all kid like him.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kirsten Carlson. Hirschi shows that seasons change in the ocean, too, as plants such as kelp and animals from humpback whales to zooplankton grow and develop throughout the year. The fluid prose too often sacrifices clarity in favor of literary devices. Realistic paintings illustrate the text. Reproducible "Food Web Cards" are included, and further expository text is appended.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) PS Illustrated by Susan Eaddy. "Little fish, brave in the sea, / swish your tail, swim home to me." In this fanciful flight of sensory overload, fish, anemones, and various sea creatures cavort across the pages. The simple rhyming text seems beside the point: the words are hardly noticeable, as they're surrounded by meticulously crafted (if jarringly bright) sculpted-clay illustrations.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) 4-6 This rollicking Kentucky tale, full of strange events and characters, is as peculiar as it is wonderful. Newly thirteen, Magpie has to leave her family's mountain to return her brother's missing foot, save the moon from goblins, and end an age-old feud. Keehn's heroine is unique, and readers will root for her on her odd quest.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) PS Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. The pleasant poem, originally part of a collection published in 1959, moves month to month, describing the year from a little girl's viewpoint. Playful mixed-media illustrations use color and clever perspectives to add energy to the slight text. Simple but satisfying, the book will bring smiles to the faces of young children and the grownups who read to them.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Renée Graef. Tall-drink-of-water Paul Bunyan becomes smitten with larger-than-life Lucette (complete with her giant cow, Nel, to pal around with Babe). But Lucette is no pushover, and she'll have nothing to do with Paul unless he proves himself worthy. This clever tall tale, written in an authentic and playful voice, incorporates an environmental message. Graef's folksy illustrations add warmth and humor.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Lydia Monks. Indie Kidd means well and is only trying to help (finding a dog a home in Good and turning her stepbrother cool in Friends), but things don't work out as she planned. Indie's Briticisms may confound some readers, though most will likely be able to figure out meaning from context. Playful black-and-white illustrations add to the fun. Review covers these titles: Indie Kidd: How to be Good(ish) and Indie Kidd: Oops, I Lost My Best(est) Friends.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver