(4) K-3 DK Readers series. Short sections of text, leveled for "reading alone" and accompanied by lots of photos, introduce an inspiring group of women with noteworthy accomplishments, including scientists, athletes, artists, and business figures, both past and present. A diverse range of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities is represented. The biographical details are cursory, but they may spark further interest in specific individuals. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Debora Pearson

(3) K-3 DK Readers series. This book introduces beginning readers to the history and basics of coding and computers using accessible language and details. Glossy pages feature appealing graphics and bright photographs in a clear, organized layout. Four short chapters broken up by additional sidebar spreads keep the information bite-size and easily digestible. A brief appended coding quiz and literacy tips for parents are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. On each spread, vivid full-color photographs are accompanied by accessible but superficial beginning-reader text to introduce a different jungle animal. The most substantive of the information highlights animals' physical adaptations (e.g., "a tarantula feels the ground shake with its hairy legs"). Labels in the photographs alternately support this emphasis and appear arbitrary (do readers really need a label for the "ground"?). Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. Two-page chapters combine with a character profile, a "Pilot's Log," a captioned photo sequence, and more to chronologically track droid BB-8's travels over the course of The Force Awakens. Only Star Wars fans will recognize the straight-from-the-movie images and will be equipped with the background information and name exposure necessary to decode the semi-challenging level-2 ("beginning to read") text. Quiz appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 DK Readers series. Six substantive chapters describe natural wonders from around the world, ranging from Mount Everest and the Sahara Desert to less-well-known formations such as Australia's Twelve Apostles. Accompanied by excellent photos, the text, leveled for "reading alone," offers nuanced explanations of the landscapes' features. Labeled diagrams and mock news articles expose readers to additional nonfiction formats. Quiz and map appended. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. In a text leveled for "beginning to read alone," five chapters explain castles' historic role as defense mechanisms, emphasizing how design evolved to protect knights, monks, and villagers in wartime. Political circumstances such as the Crusades are mentioned but largely unexplained. Well-placed, often captioned photographs introduce unfamiliar structures. Dynamic formatting (including diagrams and a mock news article) introduce additional nonfiction features. Quiz appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 DK Readers series. The stories of daring and bravery of single-handed sailors throughout history run side-by-side with technical information about navigation, nautical equipment, and weather. The book is careful to profile the feats of women, men, and children who are driven by the passion to sail alone. Although the sidebars sometimes distract from the main text, this is a solid introduction to the sport. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) 4-6 DK Readers series. Information about chocolate, including facts about the cacao tree, the history of chocolate, and chocolate production, are presented in an easy-to-read format illustrated with plenty of photos, historical reproductions, and some art. Boxed asides offer additional details, e.g., on accessories such as the molinillo mixing stick and the European chocolate pot. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. In serviceable prose, Jenner relates the milestones in the Wright brothers' lives, from their childhood in Dayton, Ohio, to their success at Kitty Hawk and the worldwide accolades that followed. Very basic principles of flight are explained, and sidebars--some relevant, others not--offer additional data. Photos, color art, and a few diagrams illustrate the book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. Intended for independent readers, this romanticized profile covers Ali's personal life, anti-war and civil rights work, and involvement with the Nation of Islam, but focuses on his boxing career. The readable text is supplemented by brief sidebars and color photographs of historic bouts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 DK Readers series. A black widow, a water spider, and a house spider are among the six arachnids introduced in this brief volume. Although the first-person text, in which each spider describes itself, can be silly ("I'm big and hairy. So what? Spiders cannot shave," says the tarantula), the book does provide a fair amount of factual material and is accompanied by clear photographs. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 DK Classic Readers series. Illustrated by Nick Harris. With simplified texts and using many of the same illustrations and photos as the original editions, these two tales are repackaged for younger readers (Robin Hood is geared toward more "proficient" readers). Margin notes with background information are somewhat intrusive. Although these versions lack the depth of fuller retellings, children new to reading can tackle these abridged versions on their own. Glos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) K-3 DK Classic Readers series. Illustrated by Nilesh Mistry. With simplified texts and using many of the same illustrations and photos as the original editions, these two tales are repackaged for younger readers (Robin Hood is geared toward more "proficient" readers). Margin notes with background information are somewhat intrusive. Although these versions lack the depth of fuller retellings, children new to reading can tackle these abridged versions on their own. Glos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen