(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eugenia Mello. he narrator here is dust from North Africa speaking directly to its destination, the Amazon rainforest. Poetic text meditates on the way Africa and South America were once joined: "Millions of years ago, no ocean lay between us. You and I were one. And then slowly, slowly, great forces tore us apart, creating seven continents surrounded by vast oceans." They are still connected by dust that blows continuously from the Sahel across the Atlantic to the Amazon, where it provides nutrients that support the Amazon basin's lush growth. Glorious digitally rendered double-page spreads echo the text's mood, mixing the particulars of cram-cram grass and baobab trees with expressionistic imagery that reinforces a sense of flow. Illustrations of landscapes and animals in warm earth tones with pops of bright color and nuance in their textures and shading will enchant many young readers. The vivid vocabulary and soothing cadence of the text are pleasing, if light on specifics; extensive back matter provides some thoughtful support for ecologically minded children and caregivers.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Humans and Our Planet series. This series, aimed at third and fourth graders, discusses ways in which humans impact the natural environment, focusing mainly on pollution and the pressures of human development on animals and the atmosphere. After outlining many of the negative effects, each book's final chapter presents practical options for readers to help. Color photographs and diagrams clearly convey the severity of the problem. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Humans and Our Planet titles: Humans and Earth's Atmosphere and Humans and Other Life on Earth.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Stickmen's Guides to This Incredible Earth series. Illustrated by John Paul de Quay. In this series, stick figures travel through the layers of our planet's atmosphere, earth, and sea. In places such as the troposphere, grasslands, and sunlight zone, the stickmen skim over physical science principles, plant and animal life, and human activities (e.g., space exploration, mining). Beneath the unnecessary stick-figure gimmick are helpful information and diagrams in a neatly organized presentation, though the tiny type is off-putting. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Stickmen's Guides to This Incredible Earth titles: Stickmen's Guide to Earth's Atmosphere in Layers, Stickmen's Guide to Mountains and Valleys in Layers, and Stickmen's Guide to Oceans in Layers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Everyday Earth Science series. Each volume asks and answers three or four questions about earth science, from straightforward ("What Is a Cloud?") to potentially complex ("What Is Light?"). None of the answers, however, moves beyond the simplest definition. The accompanying photographs and diagrams vary in quality; some help explain the concepts, while others are merely decorative. A hands-on activity is included in each book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Everyday Earth Science titles: What Makes It Rain?, What Is the Difference Between Clouds and Fog?, What Causes a Rainbow?, What Makes the Sky Blue?, What Is a Solstice?, and Why Does Earth Have Seasons?

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Proteger nuestro planeta series. The cover photographs sum up the common message in this series: the world is a mess, and it's all our fault. Pollution, deforestation, endangered species, and global warming are explained through clear Spanish texts, dramatic photographs, and a doomsday approach that may either worry kids or make them feel preached to. Nevertheless, they'll learn enough facts and terminology to become convincing environmentalists. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Proteger nuestro planeta titles: Aire contaminado, Bosques en peligro, Calentamiento global, La vida silvestre en peligro de extinción, and Océanos y ríos contaminados.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(4) K-3 Protect Our Planet series. Worldwide challenges to our planet's health are introduced in brief but often challenging (and occasionally preachy) texts. These books will be starting points for learning about endangered animals, deforestation, the effects of pollution, changes being made to counteract damage, and how individuals can make a difference. Large-size photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Protect Our Planet titles: Disappearing Forests, Disappearing Wildlife, Global Warming, Oceans and Rivers in Danger, and Polluted Air.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) YA Our Fragile Planet series. Although their titles and initial chapters focus on traditional earth science content, each lengthy, textbooklike volume turns to the negative impact humans have on the earth's air, water, and land, detailing climate change and the effects of pollution and overuse. Some hope for the future is presented in each final chapter. Color illustrations and photographs are few and far between. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Fragile Planet titles: Atmosphere, Climate, Geosphere, Hydrosphere, and Oceans.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Earth's Spheres series. Vogt provides thorough and well-organized explanations of major concepts and theories in geology, geophysics, planetary science, and meteorology at a level appropriate for sophisticated middle-grade readers. Particularly useful are the color diagrams and illustrations that help readers with the temporal and spatial demands of the geological content. Additional text boxes provide typical supplementary information on scientists and tangential science concepts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Earth's Spheres titles: The Atmosphere, Earth's Core and Mantle, and The Lithosphere.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Fantastic Forces series. These books explain scientific forces in a kid-friendly way using interesting and varied examples. Each concept is first introduced then followed up with experiments and/or demonstrations. Despite some vague or incomplete and sometimes repetitive information, the text effectively explains complicated scientific concepts. Dynamic photographs and other graphic materials help support the science. "Amazing Facts" and brief biographies of scientists are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fantastic Forces titles: Friction and Resistance, Gravity, Air and Water Pressure, and Speed and Acceleration.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) PS World Around Us series. This series uses a question-and-answer approach to provide information for pre-readers. Questions a young child might ask (e.g., "How deep is an ocean?") guide each text. Most of the answers are too brief and simple to satisfy a curious preschooler, but the books do offer a good starting point for shared reading. Colorful photos provide added interest. Glos., ind. Review covers these World Around Us titles: What Is a Forest?, What Is a River?, What Is an Ocean?, and What Is the Sky?.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) 4-6 Measuring the Weather series. In this meteorology series, different aspects of measuring and forecasting the weather are examined in volumes suitable for researchers and young weather trackers alike. Measurement tools and systems used by professional meteorologists are explained and adapted for student experimentation. Each volume is clearly illustrated with color photos and charts. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Measuring the Weather titles: Cloud Cover, Forecasting the Weather, Precipitation, Temperature, and Wind and Air Pressure.]

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) YA Burroughs's dense, interconnected essays explain the complex interactions that create Earth's climate and show why scientists' ability to predict large-scale changes remains tentative, while emphasizing the importance of such predictions. Despite the tiny type, the book's organization, myriad details, and logical cross-referencing system make it a valuable resource. Photos and diagrams provide dramatic support for the text. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie E. Stallcup

(3) 4-6 Rauzon introduces young readers to the earth's atmosphere, describing in clear language the layers of the atmosphere and their importance to life on the planet. He also defines the jet stream, the causes of winds, and other weather features. The colorful, captioned photographs present crisp images of wind and layers of air.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford