(4) 4-6 Countries in Our World series. These volumes provide very general introductions to their title countries. Topics include geographical, economic, environmental, cultural, and political issues, positive and negative, faced by the citizens; useful spreads look ahead to 2020. Abundant photographs (of varying relevance) and sidebars highlight important facts and people. The volumes will be quickly dated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries in Our World titles: Egypt in Our World and Kenya in Our World.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Countries in Our World series. These volumes provide very general introductions to their title countries. Topics include geographical, economic, environmental, cultural, and political issues, positive and negative, faced by the citizens; useful spreads look ahead to 2020. Abundant photographs (of varying relevance) and sidebars highlight important facts and people. The volumes will be quickly dated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries in Our World titles: Egypt in Our World and Kenya in Our World.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Countries Around the World series. Both volumes contain a broad spectrum overview of their respective country. Topics explored relate to historical, geographical, environmental, social, political, and cultural details. Photos, maps, and sidebars provide additional insight. The information is truncated, but the books may be useful for school reports. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries Around the World titles: India and Iran.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Exploring Tough Issues series. These well-organized books examine their subjects in depth--no mean feat, given the length of the books and how unwieldy and complex the subjects are. Well-chosen (if not always well-reproduced) photos feature both individuals known for their social action or deviance and everyday people who unite to work for what they think is right. Abuse and Refugees list relevant resources. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Tough Issues titles: Why Do People Abuse Human Rights?, Why Are People Refugees?, Why Are People Terrorists?, and Why Do People Commit Crime?

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Changing Face Of series. Photographs by Jenny Matthews. After an introduction to the area and key facts, chapters superficially focus on history, land, climate, and natural resources, as well as changes in population, work and home life, and the environment. Small photos and "In Their Own Words" text boxes (purported quotes from citizens) enhance the overview. Map,reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 What's It Like to Live In...? series. This country snapshot briefly covers such topics as landscape, transportation, weather, housing, industry, and festivals. Newly independent readers will garner some basic information from the simple, easy-to-read text and minimally captioned color photos, but, overall, the presentation is slight. A scrapbook section of random "things you might find in Jamaica" and list of Jamaican words are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo