(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ginnie Hsu. Maurer (Samuel Morse, That's Who!) introduces shy Claudia Alta Taylor, who grew up to become Lady Bird Johnson. From Johnson's childhood in Texas through her term as First Lady in the late 1960s, this biography provides a well-rounded look at a public figure who worked hard to overcome her shyness. Johnson wasn't only a president's wife; she was also an accomplished businesswoman and passionate environmental advocate. Hsu's sunny illustrations burst with enthusiasm, especially in portraying the urban beautification that Johnson spearheaded. Three pages at book's end include more details about Johnson's legacy, her business venture, and six "fun facts." A reading list is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Super Simple Engineering Projects series. This series clearly explains engineering principles through hands-on projects. Six-page introductions define each engineered structure, briefly describing its construction, uses, and different types. Five or six activities follow, and "Digging Deeper" sidebars expand on the science involved. Simple directions, inexpensive materials lists, and plenty of helpful photographs make this series a good choice for budding engineers. Each book concludes with a three-question quiz. Glos. Review covers these Super Simple Engineering Projects titles: Engineer It! Bridge Projects, Engineer It! Canal Projects, Engineer It! Dam Projects, Engineer It! Road Projects, Engineer It! Skyscraper Projects, and Engineer It! Tunnel Projects.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Engineering Marvels series. These books provide brief accounts of major engineering feats--three transportation marvels and three iconic structures. Each book includes the project's purpose, how it was built, personnel involved, and physical challenges encountered. Archival and recent photographs give insight into the construction process. The lackluster texts are enhanced with sidebars providing statistical data and examples of similar projects. A short quiz is included in each title. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Marvels titles: Building Route 66, Building the Channel Tunnel, Building the Panama Canal, Building the Empire State Building, Building the Golden Gate Bridge, and Building the Hoover Dam.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) PS A journey along a highway allows for alphabetical connections to road signs, including A for airport, D for detour, O for one way, etc. A few that are altered to fit the content are a stretch (Q for quack is a duck crossing sign). The crisp digital illustrations in bold road-sign colors are dramatically stark.

Reviewer: Liane Behrens

(4) PS Illustrated by Jannie Ho. A boy notices all the roadwork, repairs, and beautification efforts going on out his window as his mother drives them to his grandmother's house. The text's rhymes, while bouncy, are nothing special ("People at work / here and there, / Fixing things up / everywhere"). The motion-filled art, busy but under control, features perpetually smiling characters.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Richard Walz. This lively picture book provides background on America's transportation history. "Things are just fine the way they are," some people claimed, but wagon wheels gave way to train engines, which moved aside for Ford Model Ts, promising personal independence. Each advancement reflects the increasing demand for speed and comfort and--today a priority--energy efficiency. Colorful, relevant illustrations depict the shifting scenes. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) YA Building America, Then and Now series. These books highlight the histories, construction, and impact of four mammoth American development projects that changed the communities around them. Photos, maps, and informative sidebars supplement the densely detailed writing. American history buffs will find these volumes useful for doing research. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Building America, Then and Now titles: The Hoover Dam, The Eisenhower Interstate System, The Empire State Building, and New York's Central Park.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah McMenemy. Unable to cross the street, Agatha May Walker plants herself, in an easy chair, in the middle of traffic. This forces everyone to slow down, changing Rushmore Boulevard into a pedestrian paradise. Boldly composed mixed-media illustrations and the text's incorporation of different fonts offer feelings of both turbulence and calm, taking readers from a frenetic place to a relaxed setting.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) 4-6 Harness's lively narrative follows Boone's life as he journeys through frontier lands of North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, battling Indians and helping settle the wilderness. Intricate illustrations (some muddy) and an extensive timeline of world events that runs along the bottom of each page contribute to the story but complicate the format. A chronology of Boone's life is appended. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Covering a wide range of topics--from the pop culture of Route 66 to the creation of the U.S. Constitution--in an open and inviting page design, these books offer glimpses into America's past. The emphasis on visual primary sources (posters, photographs, maps) as well as the easily readable if unexciting text makes the information accessible to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: How Did This Happen Here?, The Birth of a State, Crooks, Cowboys, and Characters, Designing America, and Route 66.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(3) PS Illustrated by Tammie Lyon. After driving into town on bumpy land, Farmer Dibble requests a road. The book proceeds to describe and show readers the signage, workers, and trucks required to get the job done. The youngest readers will relish the abundant onomatopoeia ("Rumble, rumble!"), older kids will appreciate learning the trucks' proper names, and both will admire the attentive watercolors.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Start to Finish series. Large photographs and brief texts characterize these books designed for beginning readers. The simplistic style fails to yield much depth, and some topics are more complex than can be adequately explained in the format. Overall, each book offers the most basic information about production of an everyday object or structure. Glos., ind. Review covers these Start to Finish titles: From Idea to Book, From Cloth to American Flag, From Cement to Bridge, From Metal to Airplane, From Tree to House, and From Rock to Road.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg