(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. The question-and-answer format of this series detracts from the magical quality of the myths themselves, but some of the background information, the sidebars that describe word origins, and "mythic links" between cultures are intriguing. The sketchy illustrations add little to the volume, which is also illustrated with reproductions of art from around the world. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Using a question-and-answer format, Davis explains basic and less-well-known facts about mummies in ancient Egypt and elsewhere. The book contains much good information, and Schindler's small pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations help explain concepts and set the scene. But without a table of contents, index, or much obvious organization, this book is suited only for browsing. Timeline.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. A question-and-answer approach is used in these books about two Americans, taking the reader from their subjects' early lives through adulthood. In addition to the accomplishments of each and the effect they had on American history, Davis includes little-known details of their lives. The cluttered format includes sidebars, drawings and archival photographs. Timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Don't Know Much About titles: Don't Know Much about Rosa Parks and Don't Know Much about Thomas Jefferson.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Sergio Martinez. A question-and-answer approach is used in these books about two Americans, taking the reader from their subjects' early lives through adulthood. In addition to the accomplishments of each and the effect they had on American history, Davis includes little-known details of their lives. The cluttered format includes sidebars, drawings and archival photographs. Timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Don't Know Much About titles: Don't Know Much about Rosa Parks and Don't Know Much about Thomas Jefferson.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. Basic information about Lincoln's life, his presidency, and the Civil War is related in an accessible if somewhat forced question-and-answer format ("What was the Fugitive Slave Act?"; "What tragedy befell the Lincolns in 1862?"); sidebars contain supplemental information. The book features historical reproductions and black-and-white illustrations. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Pedro Martin. A breezy style and cartoon illustrations belie the solid, clearly presented information on dinosaurs. Using a question-and-answer format, Davis covers when and how the dinosaurs lived, how they looked, how we know about them, and what mistakes paleontologists have made over the years. The timeline focusing on dinosaur discoveries from 1824 on is of special note. Unfortunately, there is no bibliography.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Rob Shepperson. A contrived question-and-answer format provides information about Washington's life ("What was George like as a young man?"), the Revolutionary era ("What the heck was a Hessian?"), and American history ("What was the Sedition Act?"). Supplemented by information boxes, reproductions, and cartoony art, the book will attract browsers despite its choppy style and hit-and-miss humor. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Sergio Martinez. A broad overview of Sitting Bull's life and times is explored in a contrived question-and-answer format. Some of the questions are silly ("Were Sitting Bull's parents named Mr. and Mrs. Bull?") or awkwardly phrased to suit the Q-and-A style, but the pencil illustrations, information boxes, and reproductions will draw browsers to the somewhat choppy volume. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Renee Andriani. This book introduces useful information about the people who moved to the North American West from 1840 to 1890. In a sometimes forced question-and-answer format, Davis balances facts such as routes and equipment with intangibles such as the courage the pioneers evinced, as well as the plight of the Native Americans they displaced. Cartoon-style illustrations and sidebars accompany the text. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. This book's gimmicky FAQ format follows a chronological--and reasoned--approach to U.S. history. Whether writing about native people, presidents, or popular culture, Davis balances attitudes of the period and more current interpretations. Sidebars, primary quotations, black-and-white photos, cartoons, and timelines both enrich and clutter the text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Don't Know Much About series. Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Using a question-and-answer ("Did the Pilgrims have a doctor?") and true-or-false ("The Pilgrims called their harvest feast 'Thanksgiving'") format, Davis provides information on topics ranging from the first Thanksgiving to Pilgrim children's chores. Lively, detailed color sketches illustrate the text, and sidebars offer lesser-known tidbits. The jokey tone is sometimes engaging but often forced.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much series. Illustrated by Tom Bloom. Early chapters convey general information about geography, weather, natural disasters, and maps, followed by individual chapters devoted to each of the seven continents. The forced question-and-answer format ("How are deserts like desserts?" Because they can be either hot or cold), the jokey tone of the text, and the accompanying comic illustrations hamper the effectiveness of the overcrowded volume. A time line is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Don't Know Much series. Illustrated by Pedro Martin. This book uses a sometimes forced question-and-answer format to impart basic facts about the planets, stars, and space exploration. The text, accompanied by comic color artwork, occasionally employs weak humor.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Don't Know Much series. Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. This book provides deep, wide-ranging coverage of the planets, stars, and space exploration, along with black-and-white illustrations, poorly reproduced photos, and information boxes containing biographical profiles. The text occasionally employs weak humor. A time line is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Don't Know Much series. Illustrated by Renee Andriani. The states are introduced in alphabetical order, usually one per page, with each entry listing the state's nickname, capital, flower, bird, and year it entered the union. Other information is presented in a sometimes clumsy question-and-answer format ("Where in Kentucky can you find eyeless fish and blind beetles?"). The text also contains some weak jokes, which is in keeping with the accompanying cartoonlike illustrations.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta