(3) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by Chris Molan. This adaptation of the first half of the classic story (Good Wives is not included) preserves the flavor of the novel by following the plot closely and retaining much of Alcott's original prose. Informative sidebars offer information about the Alcotts and customs of the time, and a few double-page spreads featuring captioned photos provide background material.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by James Mayhew. Although the background information offered in sidebars and a few double-page spreads--in the series style, with many captioned photographs and pictures--helps establish a context for the classic story, the unattractive artwork detracts from the presentation. The garish colors will not draw children to the fantastic tale about Marie's adventures with the Christmas Nutcracker.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by Julek Heller. Abridgments of two famous novels preserve each book's most compelling incidents, but the brevity of each precludes much of the original's richness. Notes and informational sidebars throughout provide story comment and historical context, but clutter the book design and are distracting. The watercolor illustrations for Crusoe and the oil paintings for 20,000 Leagues nicely suit each story's mood and setting.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by Tudor Humphries. Published spring 1998. King Arthur is a good introduction to the legends and the few facts surrounding King Arthur. Aladdin gives lively retellings of several of the tales of The Arabian Nights. Both volumes are laid out in recognizable Eyewitness style, with numerous photographs, reproductions, and sidebars in addition to the illustrations; though interesting, the information is ultimately distracting.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(3) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by Nilesh Mistry. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by Paul Wright. Abridgments of two famous novels preserve each book's most compelling incidents, but the brevity of each precludes much of the original's richness. Notes and informational sidebars throughout provide story comment and historical context, but clutter the book design and are distracting. The watercolor illustrations for Crusoe and the oil paintings for 20,000 Leagues nicely suit each story's mood and setting.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute