(3) 1-3 Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker series. Beatrice and her best friend, Lenny, launch Operation Upside, distributing classroom recognition awards for being kind, warm, or (in the case of their third-grade teacher) the most strict. When one award falls into the wrong hands, Beatrice's efforts to recover the certificate lead to an unexpected friendship development. Lively, exaggerated eggshell-blue drawings enliven every spread of this humorous school story.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil series. In a series that explores soil science, these accessible volumes explain how organic and inorganic substances enrich soil, how animal behavior contributes to its composition, and the differences between dirt and soil (e.g., plants can't grow in dirt). Well-labeled close-up photos and diagrams enhance the accessible texts. A "Science Lab" section at the end of each book contains a related soil experiment. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil titles: Dirt or Soil, How Do Animals Help Make Soil, and What's Soil Made Of?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil series. In a series that explores soil science, this accessible volume describes different soil types, including rusty, sticky, and volcanic. Well-labeled close-up photos and diagrams enhance the brief text, which explains the make-up of (e.g., rocks, organic matter, iron) and uses for (adobe houses, peat bogs) various soils. The "Science Lab" section contains a soil experiment. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil series. In a series that explores soil science, these accessible volumes explain how organic and inorganic substances enrich soil, how animal behavior contributes to its composition, and the differences between dirt and soil (e.g., plants can't grow in dirt). Well-labeled close-up photos and diagrams enhance the accessible texts. A "Science Lab" section at the end of each book contains a related soil experiment. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil titles: Dirt or Soil, How Do Animals Help Make Soil, and What's Soil Made Of?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil series. In a series that explores soil science, these accessible volumes explain how organic and inorganic substances enrich soil, how animal behavior contributes to its composition, and the differences between dirt and soil (e.g., plants can't grow in dirt). Well-labeled close-up photos and diagrams enhance the accessible texts. A "Science Lab" section at the end of each book contains a related soil experiment. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil titles: Dirt or Soil, How Do Animals Help Make Soil, and What's Soil Made Of?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil series. In a series that explores soil science, this accessible volume explains the importance of nutrient-rich soil for the growth of healthy plants as well as how plants actually use soil; composting and farming are briefly touched on. Well-labeled close-up photos and diagrams enhance the text. The "Science Lab" section contains a soil experiment. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 1-3 Down Girl and Sit series. Illustrated by Mike Reed. Dogs Down Girl and Sit learn what happens when they leave fences behind while vacationing with their owners. At a dude ranch they meet Git Along, who explains about the ranch's varmints, including prairie dogs and and "ugly dogs" (coyotes). As in the pups' other adventures, this one features lots of silly jokes, some light adventure, and loads of fun.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 1-3 Down Girl and Sit series. Illustrated by Mike Reed. Along with friends Sit and Hush, average pet dog Down Girl tries and tries to train her master, Rruff, to understand that cats are bad and dogs just want food and attention, but it's awfully hard work. Young readers will be amused by this gentle canine story's dog's-eye-view of the world, accompanied by humorous illustrations.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin