(4) K-3 Big Time series. These biographies briefly introduce readers to each top athlete, including sections on the star's childhood, early sports interest, and career highlights, concluding with a few generic, unsourced quotes. The clean design features a full-page photo on each spread. The simple texts can be uninspired (e.g., "Stephen likes spending time with his family"), but they're appropriate for young fans. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Time titles: Alex Morgan, Andrew Luck, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Stephen Curry.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes series. These books for beginning readers profile four professional male athletes. Large color photographs provide glimpses into each player's youth (e.g., little Stephen Curry sitting on his NBA dad's lap during a game) and current careers (e.g., Aaron Rodgers and family after the 2011 Super Bowl), but the biographical information is minimal. A timeline runs along the bottom of the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes titles: Aaron Rodgers, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Stephen Curry.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 SportsZone: Playmakers series. Each athlete profile written for newly independent readers begins with a short action anecdote. After some brief family and childhood background, the bulk of each adulatory biography deals with the development of the athlete from rookie to seasoned professional; charitable and community-building behaviors are briefly mentioned. Color photos help to personalize the rather bland narratives. Facts and quotes are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Playmakers titles: Michelle Wie, Maya Moore, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Rory McIlroy.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 World Soccer Legends series. Generously filled with a variety of large color photographs, maps, statistics, and game action, these busy volumes are engaging scrapbooks for world soccer fans. The stiffly written texts offer a mix of history, biography, and personal details on fan favorites. All but U.S. Men's and World Cup include a board game on the endpapers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these World Soccer Legends titles: FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Messi, Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Stars of the World Cup, U.S. Men's Team, and Zlatan.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Goal! Latin Stars of Soccer series. The international soccer stars highlighted in these small-trim, quick biographical profiles have all overcome injuries, family pressures, and professional challenges to become world-class athletes. Supplemented with color photos and a listing of each star's career highlights and awards, the well-written narratives effectively weave subjects' personal stories and athletic achievements into bios that will inform and inspire young soccer fans. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Goal! Latin Stars of Soccer titles: Soccer Star André Iniesta, Soccer Star Kaká, Soccer Star Robinho, Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer Star Lionel Messi, and Soccer Star Ronaldinho.

Reviewer: Jack Forman