(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Kids Can Cook! series. Step-by-step recipes follow safety and cooking tips in these offbeat cookbooks. Campfire includes fire-specific tips and is organized by cooking method (in foil, skillet, or Dutch oven); Disgusting includes ideas for snacks, entrees, sides, and desserts, and recommends presenting mainstay foods in kid-appealingly gross ways (e.g., "Maggoty Chili"). Both include photos of completed dishes, quirky facts, and "Try This!" alterations. Reading list. Review covers these Edge Books: Kids Can Cook! titles: Campfire Chef and Disgusting Eats.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Kids Can Cook! series. Step-by-step recipes follow safety and cooking tips in these offbeat cookbooks. Campfire includes fire-specific tips and is organized by cooking method (in foil, skillet, or Dutch oven); Disgusting includes ideas for snacks, entrees, sides, and desserts, and recommends presenting mainstay foods in kid-appealingly gross ways (e.g., "Maggoty Chili"). Both include photos of completed dishes, quirky facts, and "Try This!" alterations. Reading list. Review covers these Edge Books: Kids Can Cook! titles: Campfire Chef and Disgusting Eats.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. Six previously published Pup and Hound stories are gathered in this collection (includes Pup and Hound Move In, 2004; Pup and Hound Stay Up Late, 2005; Pup and Hound in Trouble, 2005; Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg, 2007). The enjoyable stories' simple repetitive rhymes will encourage beginning readers. The expressive crayon illustrations add context clues and give the dogs personality.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by John Mantha. This easy reader biography accurately (if superficially) presents Marie Curie's life and achievements. Her birth in Poland, employment and schooling in Paris, marriage to Pierre, groundbreaking study of radiation, and resultant Nobel Prize are covered, as are her later professorship, continuing work, and death. Soft-toned illustrations, some awkwardly stiff, support the narrative.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Jon Mantha. This rags-to-riches story of the escape artist begins with his childhood and outlines many of the stunts for which he became famous, leading to his early death. Somewhat stiff illustrations help readers envision his elaborate illusions and appreciate their impact. Four bulleted additional facts ("Dogs were Harry and Bess's favorite pets") are appended. Sources are lacking.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Text was chopped and story lines trimmed to transform these previously published Lu and Clancy books into easy readers. In Magician (previously The Vanishing Cat), the dog detectives nab a larcenous cat; in Drop of Doom (originally The Carnival Caper), the canines sniff out thieves at a carnival. Each lightweight story features mildly amusing illustrations and directions for a magic trick. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: The Disappearing Magician and The Drop of Doom.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Stephens. Kids will love the weird facts they learn in these easy-reader adaptations of Animals in Motion and Animals Eating. After a brief introduction, Hickman describes the ways different animals interact with nature. Though the books end too abruptly, the writing includes just the right level of detail and vocabulary throughout. Realistic illustrations help readers visualize the information. Review covers these title: How Animals Eat and How Animals Move.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Stephens. Kids will love the weird facts they learn in these easy-reader adaptations of Animals in Motion and Animals Eating. After a brief introduction, Hickman describes the ways different animals interact with nature. Though the books end too abruptly, the writing includes just the right level of detail and vocabulary throughout. Realistic illustrations help readers visualize the information. Review covers these title: How Animals Eat and How Animals Move.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. Pup and Hound return in these simple, enjoyable rhyming stories. The friends suspect Cat of stealing shiny things in Thief. As they follow her, however, they discover the real culprit--a magpie. In Egg, Pup and Hound care for an egg and are surprised when a turtle hatches from it. Expressive pencil-crayon illustrations create a gentle environment. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Pup and Hound Catch a Thief and Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. Pup and Hound return in these simple, enjoyable rhyming stories. The friends suspect Cat of stealing shiny things in Thief. As they follow her, however, they discover the real culprit--a magpie. In Egg, Pup and Hound care for an egg and are surprised when a turtle hatches from it. Expressive pencil-crayon illustrations create a gentle environment. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Pup and Hound Catch a Thief and Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Text was chopped and story lines trimmed to transform these previously published Lu and Clancy books into easy readers. In Magician (previously The Vanishing Cat), the dog detectives nab a larcenous cat; in Drop of Doom (originally The Carnival Caper), the canines sniff out thieves at a carnival. Each lightweight story features mildly amusing illustrations and directions for a magic trick. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: The Disappearing Magician and The Drop of Doom.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Kids Can Do It series. A dozen weatherproof projects inspired by nature will entice advanced crafters. Some materials and equipment (needle-nose pliers, steel cable straps) may require a shopping trip. But the easy-to-follow directions and bright illustrations show just how to complete the shimmering (and tuneful) bugs, birds, spiders, and snails to hang outdoors or in a window.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Kids Can Do It series. Illustrated by Jane Kurisu. Despite the book's title, many of the materials (e.g., beads, vinyl, eyelets, clasps) for these sixteen projects (including bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, and an anklet) won't be readily available at home and will need to be purchased at a craft or hardware store. The instructions are generally easy to follow, supported by helpful step-by-step illustrations. Templates are included.

Reviewer: Marika Hoe

(4) K-3 Multicultural Crafts Kids Can Do! series. Each book contains ten simple craft projects that can be made from commonly found materials (e.g., yarn, straws). The directions are clear and easy to follow, although some of the crafts are uninspired. Hispanic is more generally culturally oriented (projects include piñatas and maracas), while African links its projects with famous people (for George Washington Carver: peanut shells used as planters). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Multicultural Crafts Kids Can Do! titles: African-American Crafts Kids Can Do! and Hispanic-American Crafts Kids Can Do!

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Stephens. These colorful, appealingly simple books explain animal defense strategies and sensory talents. Readers learn how an elephant's ears keep it cool, and how a hognose snake plays dead--dripping blood and all. Realistic painted illustrations allow for close-up examinations, and use some surprising perspectives, such as a frog's-eye-view, sure to engage young readers. Both books end too abruptly, without tying the information together. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: How Animals Use Their Senses and How Animals Defend Themselves.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Stephens. These colorful, appealingly simple books explain animal defense strategies and sensory talents. Readers learn how an elephant's ears keep it cool, and how a hognose snake plays dead--dripping blood and all. Realistic painted illustrations allow for close-up examinations, and use some surprising perspectives, such as a frog's-eye-view, sure to engage young readers. Both books end too abruptly, without tying the information together. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: How Animals Use Their Senses and How Animals Defend Themselves.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Marisol Sarrazin. In both books, Sam the puppy thinks she will have fun playing human games (like dress-up in Next Door and sandcastle-building in Seaside) but realizes that puppy pursuits are best for her. The pastel illustrations accompanying the somewhat choppy texts range from serviceable to cutesy. Early readers who love dogs may be entertained by Sam's adventures. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Sam at the Seaside and Sam Goes Next Door.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Marisol Sarrazin. In both books, Sam the puppy thinks she will have fun playing human games (like dress-up in Next Door and sandcastle-building in Seaside) but realizes that puppy pursuits are best for her. The pastel illustrations accompanying the somewhat choppy texts range from serviceable to cutesy. Early readers who love dogs may be entertained by Sam's adventures. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Sam at the Seaside and Sam Goes Next Door.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Multicultural Crafts Kids Can Do! series. Each book contains ten simple craft projects that can be made from commonly found materials (e.g., yarn, straws). The directions are clear and easy to follow, although some of the crafts are uninspired. Hispanic is more generally culturally oriented (projects include piñatas and maracas), while African links its projects with famous people (for George Washington Carver: peanut shells used as planters). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Multicultural Crafts Kids Can Do! titles: African-American Crafts Kids Can Do! and Hispanic-American Crafts Kids Can Do!

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Kids Can Do It series. Illustrated by Esperança Melo. After an introduction to knitting basics, different stitches are described and illustrated. The ten projects that follow can be attempted by either a beginner or more advanced knitter. The projects are kid-friendly (sassy scarf, silly slippers) and can be completed in a reasonable amount of time. The detailed color illustrations and photographs effectively guide readers through the step-by-step process.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford