(4) 4-6 Dabble Lab: Take Making to the Next Level 4D series. Readers will need batteries, LEDs, resistors, a breadboard, and wires to conduct the experiments in this collection. Once equipped, they can explore series and parallel circuits and switches. Step-by-step directions on how to assemble the set-ups are further detailed in helpful photographs. Facts and explanations scattered throughout provide minimal scientific content; the "4D" feature is an online video portal. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Dabble Lab: Junior Makers 4D series. With a focus on the construction element, these makerspace projects allow young tinkerers (third graders and up) to explore sound, magnetism, gravity, and other physical science topics. Each project features useful photographs, clear instructions, and valuable "why it works" explanations (given by a cheesy anthropomorphized hammer). Readers with the Capstone 4D app can access videos that provide further illustration and views of finished projects. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Dabble Lab: Junior Makers 4D series. Introducing electronics, this book's beginner makerspace projects allow young tinkerers (third graders and up) to experiment with apparatuses such as lights, circuits, and motors. Each project features useful photographs, clear instructions, and valuable "why it works" explanations (given by a cheesy anthropomorphized battery). Readers with the Capstone 4D app can access videos that provide further illustration and views of finished projects. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 DC Super Heroes: Science Behind Superman series. This book explains the differences between Superman's powers of flight and real airborne inventions and wildlife. Basic science and engineering vocabulary elucidates the principles that allow airplanes, helicopters, and animals to take flight. Additional fact sidebars accompany the main text. Generic drawings of Superman characters often feel unnecessary beside the more relevant diagrams and photos of inventions and animals. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Young Engineers series. These titles introduce engineering concepts through explanatory texts interspersed with instructions for relevant hands-on activities. While discussing the basics of building or flight, each book features a strong organization and clear layout. While mostly helpful, some labeling of the stock photographs could be clearer, as could some of the instructions for the activities. Simple photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Engineers titles: Building Structures and Towers and Building Vehicles that Fly.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 Young Engineers series. These titles introduce engineering concepts through explanatory texts interspersed with instructions for relevant hands-on activities. While discussing the basics of building or flight, each book features a strong organization and clear layout. While mostly helpful, some labeling of the stock photographs could be clearer, as could some of the instructions for the activities. Simple photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Engineers titles: Building Structures and Towers and Building Vehicles that Fly.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Shaping Materials series. Properties of materials are explored through clear explanatory text, photos, and activities. Both books look at materials that are elastic, those that don't spring back from stretching or squashing, and brittle materials that break under those conditions. The included activities are easy to perform and use everyday items. Inviting additions to primary-grade STEM curricula. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Shaping Materials titles: Squash It! and Stretch It!.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Shaping Materials series. Properties of materials are explored through clear explanatory text, photos, and activities. Both books look at materials that are elastic, those that don't spring back from stretching or squashing, and brittle materials that break under those conditions. The included activities are easy to perform and use everyday items. Inviting additions to primary-grade STEM curricula. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Shaping Materials titles: Squash It! and Stretch It!.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 DC Super Heroes: Science Behind Batman series. These books show how the Caped Crusader's high-tech gadgets and vehicles are reflective of real-life technologies. Introducing new readers to science and engineering vocabulary, they explore the real-world uses of grappling hooks, smoke grenades, jet engines, helicopters, and more. Generic drawings of Batman characters sometimes feel unnecessary when the photos of real inventions are more useful. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Science Behind Batman titles: The Science Behind Batman's Tools and The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Batman Science series. These books introduce materials science and engineering vocabulary through the features of Batman's highly engineered suits and vehicles. These comic-book creations are compared to their real-life technological equivalents to show the purpose of body armor, night vision scopes, weapons detection systems, and more. Generic Batman graphics feel superfluous on spreads featuring more useful photographs of the real stuff. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Batman Science titles: Batsuits and Capes and Batmobiles and Batcycles.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Graphic Library: STEM Adventures series. Illustrated by Pop Art Properties. In a contrived story with a dynamic graphic-novel format, superhero scientist Max Axiom presents a simplified description of the science and technology behind cell phones and other radio devices, including the insides of a phone, the sending and receiving of radio waves, and the cellular grid system that transmits signals. Additional facts are included at book's end. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford