(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

(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

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Kim LaFave. Previously published as picture books, these editions for newly independent readers contain friendly illustrations that depict the day-to-day work of two community helpers. Each book uses a fictional story about a kid to convey general information. Firefighters concludes with some additional facts about preventing fires and keeping safe in both house and apartment fires. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Firefighters and Postal Workers.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Kim LaFave. Previously published as picture books, these editions for newly independent readers contain friendly illustrations that depict the day-to-day work of two community helpers. Each book uses a fictional story about a kid to convey general information. Firefighters concludes with some additional facts about preventing fires and keeping safe in both house and apartment fires. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Firefighters and Postal Workers.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. As Pup explores the farm in Trouble, Hound rescues him from precarious situations. In Late, Pup plays with an opossum all night and sleeps all day. The rhymes make these simple humorous stories enjoyable to read, and the warm crayon illustrations provide additional clues--particularly important in Trouble, which is more dependent on the pictures for comprehension. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Pup and Hound in Trouble and Pup and Hound Stay up Late.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. As Pup explores the farm in Trouble, Hound rescues him from precarious situations. In Late, Pup plays with an opossum all night and sleeps all day. The rhymes make these simple humorous stories enjoyable to read, and the warm crayon illustrations provide additional clues--particularly important in Trouble, which is more dependent on the pictures for comprehension. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Pup and Hound in Trouble and Pup and Hound Stay up Late.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. In Detective, Franklin the turtle helps his animal friends find their lost baseball. In Pumpkin, he hopes to win a ribbon in the Fall Fair but instead helps his sister earn a ribbon for her costume. The stories, adapted from the TV series, will hold beginning readers' attention, but the cartoony art suffers from a lack of cohesion. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Franklin the Detective and Franklin's Pumpkin.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. In Detective, Franklin the turtle helps his animal friends find their lost baseball. In Pumpkin, he hopes to win a ribbon in the Fall Fair but instead helps his sister earn a ribbon for her costume. The stories, adapted from the TV series, will hold beginning readers' attention, but the cartoony art suffers from a lack of cohesion. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Franklin the Detective and Franklin's Pumpkin.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Kim LaFave. Previously published as picture books, these editions for newly independent readers contain friendly illustrations that depict the day-to-day work of two community helpers. Each book uses a fictional story about a kid to convey general information. Police concludes with some additional facts and "Ways to Stay Safe" tips. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: Garbage Colelctors and Police Officers.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow