The Horn Book Guide

Bruce's Big Fun Day

(3) K-3 World of Reading series. In their entertaining first easy reader, Mouse Nibbs has a mission: put a smile on the face of ill-tempered bear-caregiver Bruce. Breakfast in bed (and syrup in fur), a picnic (ants in the sandwiches), etc.--"Big Fun Day" is a bust for Bruce...or is it? As always, Higgins's sight-gag-filled art allows readers to look past Bruce's furrowed unibrow to the cuddly pushover underneath.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

Owen, Ruth

Under the Sea

24 pp. | New Forest | March, 2011 | Library ISBN 978-1-84898-378-6 $24.25

(4) K-3 My Reading Library: Wonderful World series. In this high-interest, low-level series entry, vibrant photos do most of the work to introduce children to undersea animals. The one-hundred-word text, while intentionally spare, could have provided more narrative continuity; it's all a little random from spread to spread. However, the youngest readers are likely to enjoy identifying undersea life in this colorful and accessible early reader. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

Owen, Ruth

Snappy Sharks

24 pp. | New Forest | March, 2011 | Library ISBN 978-1-84898-377-9 $24.25

(4) K-3 My Reading Library: Wonderful World series. In this high-interest, low-level series entry, vibrant photos do most of the work to introduce children to sharks. The one-hundred-word text, while intentionally spare, could have provided more narrative continuity; it's all a little random--and exclamation point–heavy!--from spread to spread. However, the youngest readers are likely to enjoy learning about sharks through this colorful and accessible early reader. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

Owen, Ruth

Blast Off!

24 pp. | New Forest | March, 2011 | Library ISBN 978-1-84898-380-9 $24.25

(4) K-3 My Reading Library: Wonderful World series. In this high-interest, low-level series entry, vibrant photos do most of the work to introduce children to space exploration. The one-hundred-word text, while intentionally spare, could have provided more narrative continuity; it's all a little random from spread to spread. However, the youngest readers are likely to enjoy learning about space through this colorful and accessible early reader. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

Owen, Ruth

Hungry Bugs

24 pp. | New Forest | March, 2011 | Library ISBN 978-1-84898-379-3 $24.25

(4) K-3 My Reading Library: Wonderful World series. In this high-interest, low-level series entry, vibrant photos do most of the work to introduce children to insects' eating habits. The one-hundred-word text, while intentionally spare, could have provided more narrative continuity; it's all a little random from spread to spread. However, the youngest readers are likely to enjoy learning about bugs through this colorful and accessible early reader. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

Bennett, Leonie

Dinosaur Babies

24 pp. | Bearport | August, 2007 | Library ISBN 978-1-59716-544-0 $19.96

(4) K-3 I Love Reading: Dino World! series. This emergent-reader series covers the physical and behavioral characteristics, habitats, and diets of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Facts are presented concisely in three to five sentences on most spreads. Pronunciations, along with clear textual and visual comparisons ("Seismosaurus...was longer than three school buses") are strengths. Vivid, realistic creatures stand out against blurred landscapes that aren't always accurate. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Love Reading: Dino World! titles: Amazing Dinosaur Facts, Dinosaur Babies, Dinosaur Fossils, Dinosaur Hunting, Fighting Dinosaurs, Flying Giants, Really Big Dinosaurs and Other Giants, and Swimming Giants.