(4) 4-6 Closer Look At series. Illustrated by Carolyn Scrace. While there's not much depth, these overviews feature plants and animals that comprise ecosystems within biomes: from canopy to rivers in Rain Forest, from seashore to ocean floor in Seas. Each cleanly designed double-page spread includes a brief paragraph, two text boxes, illustrations that portray the density of life in each area, and photographs of selected animals. Human impact is also considered. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Closer Look At titles: Rain Forest and Seas & Oceans.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Closer Look At series. Illustrated by Carolyn Scrace & Mark Bergin. While there's not much depth, these overviews feature plants and animals that comprise ecosystems within biomes: from canopy to rivers in Rain Forest, from seashore to ocean floor in Seas. Each cleanly designed double-page spread includes a brief paragraph, two text boxes, illustrations that portray the density of life in each area, and photographs of selected animals. Human impact is also considered. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Closer Look At titles: Rain Forest and Seas & Oceans.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Closer Look At series. Illustrated by Bill Donohoe & Tony Townsend. While there's not much depth, this overview presents standard facts, mainly about the astronomical bodies in the solar system as well as spacecraft and satellites. Each cleanly designed double-page spread includes a brief paragraph, two text boxes, large illustrations, and smaller color photographs of planets, the moon and sun, and space technology. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Closer Look At series. Illustrated by Gerald Wood. In an odd approach to the subject, this overview takes a random from-the-top-down approach. Starting with mountains and moving to soil and the animals that burrow in it, the book then veers into a discussion of sewers, underground trains, and mines, before returning to the earth's geological layers. Each double-page spread contains several facts, along with color illustrations and photographs. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Closer Look At series. Grasslands discusses types of grasslands, grasses as food, and the impact of farming and ranching. Deserts looks at plant and animal life, archaeological finds, and deserts around the world. The cramped design, which includes sidebars and small, captioned color photos and artwork, make these books visually confusing. Packed with information, the books lend themselves to browsing. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) 4-6 Closer Look At series. Grasslands discusses types of grasslands, grasses as food, and the impact of farming and ranching. Deserts looks at plant and animal life, archaeological finds, and deserts around the world. The cramped design, which includes sidebars and small, captioned color photos and artwork, make these books visually confusing. Packed with information, the books lend themselves to browsing. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Closer Look At series. The authors provide concise information about the causes of volcanoes and earthquakes, the geologists who study them, historical events, and both the benefits and hazards of the phenomena. Each book, while explaining many examples, favors recent American events to illustrate scientific concepts. Color diagrams are detailed and accurate, though a bit small, as are the photographs. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Closer Look At series. The authors provide concise information about the causes of volcanoes and earthquakes, the geologists who study them, historical events, and both the benefits and hazards of the phenomena. Each book, while explaining many examples, favors recent American events to illustrate scientific concepts. Color diagrams are detailed and accurate, though a bit small, as are the photographs. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.