(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Excellent close-up photographs enhance an exclamation-point-heavy and fanciful text describing a wood duck's habitat, diet, and life cycle: a mother cares for her eggs and raises the newly hatched ducklings, then the young birds grow up and start their own families. Appended pages elaborate on other egg-laying animals and the physical adaptations of wood ducks; a "Let's Be Ducklings" activity is also included.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Vibrant color photographs of exotic flora and fauna accompany this beginner's survey of the rainforest. A sometimes overly fanciful text ("mossy-furred sloths hang still as statues") introduces plants and animals unique to this habitat, with additional facts scattered throughout. Back matter includes an exploration of rainforest layers, a world map, and "Hide-and-Seek" and "Name That Food" activities.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Explore My World series. The life cycle of an oak tree unfolds in simple yet attention-grabbing text and a nice variety of excellent photographs: close-ups of squirrels eating acorns, a sprouting acorn, green and red leaves, nesting birds, flowers on a mature tree, and more. Final pages explain tree growth, the many animals sheltering in oaks, other tree seeds, and instructions for making a leaf rubbing.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Simple sentences highlight facts about clouds, weather, and animals' need for water. Readers are encouraged to use their imaginations when looking at clouds. While easy to read, the vocabulary is also interesting and relatable, though Delano tries too hard for lyricism ("...playing hide-and-seek with the moon and stars"). The bold, bright, dramatic photographs fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. Cloud-watching tips are appended.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Overly fanciful language ("the butterfly is ready to take off, to fly, to flash like a jewel in the sunlit sky") somewhat hampers an otherwise straightforward nature book. There's a focus on life cycle, though many additional topics are addressed, including diet, camouflage, and predators. Bold, bright photographs, many lively action shots, fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. Activities are included.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Overly fanciful language ("wiggly, wriggly baby frogs, also known as pollywogs") and exclamations somewhat hamper an otherwise straightforward nature book. There's a focus on life cycle, though many additional topics are addressed, including diet, camouflage, and predators. Bold, bright photographs, many lively action shots, fill the pages. Contrasting headings, fonts, and captions bolster readability. "Sing Like a Frog!" instructions are included.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Lori Epstein. In engaging anecdotal prose, Delano introduces Washington's Mount Vernon plantation, focusing on conditions and lives of his slaves. Each chapter contains period art, staged photographs of historical reenactors, and a detailed profile of a specific slave. Most fascinating here is the presentation of Washington's evolving, revolutionary opinion on slavery, culminating in a provision for their freedom in his will. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(2) 4-6 Delano's well-written narrative starts with examples of changes seen by scientists (shrinking glaciers, changing animal migration) then moves to thorough explanations of the underlying science. Subsequent chapters consider ecological consequences of climate change and steps humans can take to reduce the impact of excessive energy consumption. Informative captions accompany photographs illustrating the results of global warming around the planet. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009

(3) 4-6 This book covers Sullivan's life, from her horrific childhood to her education at the Perkins Institution for the Blind to her first job as Helen Keller's teacher and beyond. Delano skips lightly over some complexities (including Sullivan's troubled marriage) but shapes the basic facts into a concise and readable narrative. The many photos help make an accessible work even more inviting. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) 4-6 After chronicling childhood events, Delano moves into unfamiliar territory, providing a lucid description of Einstein's work that places each theory in a historical context, and concludes with the impact of this work on modern science. The design, with sepia-toned photographs and hand-lettered quotations, creates an attractive if static package; it is the clear expository text that is notable. Chronology, source notes, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2005