(4) K-3 First Facts: Your Favorite Authors series. These brief biographies of three beloved children's authors are well suited to newly independent readers. There's not much depth, but the accessible texts give young fans basic information about each subject as well as a bit of insight into what inspires him or her. The profiles are accompanied by color photographs; the unflattering illustrated cover portraits are unfortunate. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: Your Favorite Authors titles: Mo Willems, Dav Pilkey, and Barbara Park.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Who Wrote That? series. Serviceable and detailed but sometimes plodding, these biographies provide extensive information about their subjects' works; since Sendak lacks the illustrator's art, the analysis of his picture books suffers, although the narrative includes controversies. Each volume includes many photos and quotes from interviews. These titles are useful mainly for author report research. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Who Wrote That? titles: Barbara Park and Maurice Sendak.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee