(4) 4-6 Basher Basics series. Written by Mary Budzik. In this chatty small-trim primer, genres, parts of a story, devices, and more are concisely defined and then introduce themselves: Horror warns "I'll give you the chills!"; Structure calls itself "Plot's conscience." Anthropomorphizing these concepts textually and in the manga-style illustrations may confuse young readers, but the field-guide format is fairly easy to navigate. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Basher Basics series. Written by Dan Green. The comprehensive coverage of space exploration introduces readers to missions (both historic and recent), their scientific or technical goals, and a few related science concepts. Although the descriptions in the pun-heavy field guide–like entries are informative, the stylized illustrations, in which concepts and spacecraft are transformed into manga characters, are an awkward fit. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford