(4) PS Illustrated by Alexander Girard. This reissue introduces young readers to a wealth of color and to the art of mid-twentieth-century designer Girard: twenty-six images of his designs and textiles, a painting, and some wooden toys. Each double-page spread is individually arresting, with art on the right and large, multicolored text on the left; the rhymes are clunky and forgettable. More useful for adults than for preschoolers.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo. The second adventure of Wilmer Dooley, aspiring scientist, finds him among stiff competition at the state science fair...and smack in the middle of an evil mind-control experiment. DeWitt balances humor and mystery, smart kids and clueless adults, with particular skill, and while the plot contains few surprises, newly independent mystery readers will happily follow along. Dramatic full-page black-and-white illustrations open the chapters.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo. Aspiring scientist Wilmer Dooley seeks the answer to why his sixth-grade class is suddenly hyperactive, including his beloved Roxie. The third-person narrative is punctuated with Wilmer's journal entries, giving readers some breathing room amidst chaotic action, and while the mystery's solution seems rote (too much sugar), DeWitt's humor will appeal to many readers, as will the comic chapter-opening illustrations.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) YA Like the book's authors, sisters Sophia and Ava London are YouTube sensations from their how-to videos. Now in L.A. launching a makeup line, they attend fabulous parties, canoodle with celebrities, etc. The prologue hints at a climax that is still undeveloped by book's end; readers who eat up the girlie slang, glittery fashion, and glitzy setting will look for answers in the sequel.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Most Daring Raids in History series. These books present detailed accounts of military rescue missions: Entebbe, 1976 Uganda; West Africa, 2000 Sierra Leone; Iranian Embassy, 1980 London; and World War II, 1944 France. Military history aficionados will appreciate the well-researched texts. Others may be overwhelmed by technical terms, the unappealing format, and dense, tiny type. Maps, sidebars, and archival photographs add interest. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these The Most Daring Raids in History titles: Entebbe: The Most Daring Raid of Israel's Special Forces, Counterterrorism in West Africa: The Most Dangerous SAS Assault, Rescue at the Iranian Embassy: The Most Daring SAS Raid, and The Most Daring Raid of World War II: D-Day--Pointe-du-Hoc.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sun Young Yoo. A shoemaker dies, leaving her daughter a pair of beautifully crafted red shoes. An envious queen gives the girl three days to surrender her shoes--or her feet will be cut off. Though the text needs copyediting, its girl-power spin on the original Hans Christian Andersen tale is creative. The black-and-white pen-and-ink art--roomy, flowing, fastidious--on creamy paper is seductive.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jim Fowler. Molly and her best friend Albertina share the same dearest wish for a pet. In a chapter book that realistically captures a familiar domestic drama, when the girls hatch a plot to get the pets they wish for, it doesn't happen exactly as planned. Short chapters, breezy dialogue, and likable characters make this a good choice for transitional readers. Black-and-white drawings appear throughout.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Indian Nations series. Introducing a Native American nation, each volume begins with a creation story and includes chapters on tribal history, government, religion, family, and contemporary life. A static design includes average-quality color and black-and-white photos, which accompany the solid, if dry, texts. Native recipes, prayers, games, and a chronology are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. These small, square books present brief, easy-to-read introductions to two topics: the different ways various animals see the world around them, and life in and around freshwater wetlands and saltwater marshes. Clear color photographs provide visual definitions for the terminology presented in the text. Picture glossaries are included at the back of each book. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. Limbs discusses how different animals use their arms, legs, paws, wings, or flippers. Noses contrasts various noses, with emphasis on the elephant's trunk. Forests is a simple introduction to different types of forests and their inhabitants. All three volumes are illustrated with clear, colorful photos. A photo glossary reviews new terms in each book. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. This brief look at snails and slugs discusses different varieties, how they move, what they eat, how big or small they are, and which ones end up on dinner plates. Clear photos help convey the scale of these familiar creatures; a photo glossary reviews new terms. This is a slight but generally informative volume. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. This small, square book covers the formation of rainbows and provides tips on when and where to look for them. The color photographs are not as good as those in other books in the series, and the picture glossary offered at the back of the book adds little. Otherwise, the book is a useful, easy-to-read introduction to the topic. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. These small, square books present brief, easy-to-read introductions to two topics: the different ways various animals see the world around them, and life in and around freshwater wetlands and saltwater marshes. Clear color photographs provide visual definitions for the terminology presented in the text. Picture glossaries are included at the back of each book. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. Illustrated with clear photos, Wind offers a mostly informative discussion of a familiar topic. Because of the simple format, however, some concepts are given short shrift. Waterfall also makes good use of the photographic format, although the loosely focused discussion is more of a quick tour of waterfalls around the world than anything else. A photo glossary reviews new terms introduced in both books. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. These small, square books present brief, easy-to-read introductions to two topics: the different ways various animals see the world around them, and life in and around freshwater wetlands and saltwater marshes. Clear color photographs provide visual definitions for the terminology presented in the text. Picture glossaries are included at the back of each book. Ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. These small, square books present brief, easy-to-read introductions to two topics: the different ways various animals see the world around them, and life in and around freshwater wetlands and saltwater marshes. Clear color photographs provide visual definitions for the terminology presented in the text. Picture glossaries are included at the back of each book. Ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. This small, square book provides a brief, easy-to-read introduction to the basic physical characteristics of crustaceans (including lobsters) and mollusks (such as clams). Close-up color photographs present each shellfish species examined, and a picture glossary offered at the back of the book offers an adequate summary. Ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(4) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. This small, square book covers the formation of rainbows and provides tips on when and where to look for them. The color photographs are not as good as those in other books in the series, and the picture glossary offered at the back of the book adds little. Otherwise, the book is a useful, easy-to-read introduction to the topic. Ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. This small, square book provides a brief, easy-to-read introduction to the lives of rats and mice, including where they live and what they eat. Close-up color photographs show the various rodents mentioned, and the picture glossary offered at the back of the book provides an adequate summary. Ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) K-3 Rookie Read-About Science series. This small, square book provides a brief, easy-to-read introduction to a host of birds that are unable to fly, including ostriches, penguins, and emus. The flightless birds are presented in clear color photographs, and a picture glossary is offered at the back of the book. Ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander