(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. This book's draw is its plentiful close-up photographs of a wide variety of animals: from cats to spiders to hammerhead sharks. Two-page chapters provide cursory information about senses, color, hair, eyes, mouths, and more. The main text is superficial but supplemented by captions and text boxes. Good for browsing. A free digital download provides further information. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Scholastic explora tu mundo series. A straightforward Spanish-language-edition introduction to birds covers everything from types of feathers to flightless fowl. The simple text is easy to read and highlights unique and interesting (if superficial) facts. Bright, appealing photos showcase the variety of species; a cheery overlapping layout keeps the eye engaged; and cardstock pages are suited to the audience. A free digital companion book can be downloaded. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(3) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. From habitat to diet, a wide variety of facts about dolphins are presented. Beginning readers will marvel at dazzling underwater photographs of pods at play and will devour information about the mammals' "super senses" and unique behaviors. Simple text and sidebars sprinkled on thick pages make this book engaging and approachable. A free digital companion book can be downloaded. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Heavy cardstock pages suit the young audience targeted by this introduction to birds. Subtopics such as beaks, feet, and feathers are presented in colorful double-spreads, with one main photo and several smaller ones, all captioned. Coverage is worldwide, though that's made clear only in the downloadable digital companion. Facts (e.g., a bird's hollow bones) are accurate and interesting, if sometimes partial. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. This well-organized presentation introduces rainforest plant layers, then concentrates on animals of the three main rainforest areas--Central and South America, Africa, and Australasia--concluding with threats to this diminishing resource. Lavishly illustrated with breathtaking photos, the book also has charts and informative captions. Though the spreads favor breadth over depth, a digital download for further information is available. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Tinged by only a bit of sensationalism, this introduction to weather components and extreme occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards presents clear information in accessible bytes. Colorful, helpful visuals on each spread (some of which are cluttered) include diagrams, dramatic photos, and text boxes with facts and "eyewitness" anecdotes; running footers offer sometimes tangential information. A free digital book is available for downloading. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Beginning with a clear definition of reptiles and their unique characteristics, subsequent chapters focus on three subgroups (tuataras excluded). Well-captioned bold photographs, insets, and diagrams combine with a sparse text, allowing each busy double-page spread to provide a detail-rich exploration. A concluding interview with a wildlife explorer enhances this inviting book. A free digital companion book provides additional enhancement. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Both simple books present animals' stages of growth and development; Animal Babies focuses on young animals' maturation and care. Spreads have headings, some general ("Feeding time"), some more specific ("Egg to chick"). Colorful photographs of varying sizes, sidebars, and basic diagrams accompany the text. Sometimes the material is more complicated than the short sentences can convey. A digital companion download is available. Glos., ind. Review covers these Scholastic Discover More titles: See Me Grow and Animal Babies.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Clearly organized, accurate information--found in short paragraphs, captions, and labels--forms the core of this busily designed but accessible book. Colorful art includes photos, digital reconstructions, and some drawings. Headings, thoughtful questions, and some paleontologists’ contributions round out the presentation, which notes remaining questions and explains how conclusions were reached. A pronunciation guide is provided for the featured dinosaurs. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Clearly organized, accurate information--found in short paragraphs, captions, and labels--forms the core of this busily designed but accessible book. Greatly magnified photos, pages of collections, and sequences of processes such as metamorphosis help extend the text. Focused explanations concern, for example, distinctions between butterflies and moths. Headings, superlatives, thoughtful questions, some surprising facts, and a pronunciation guide round out the presentation. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Scholastic Discover More series. Both simple books present animals' stages of growth and development; Animal Babies focuses on young animals' maturation and care. Spreads have headings, some general ("Feeding time"), some more specific ("Egg to chick"). Colorful photographs of varying sizes, sidebars, and basic diagrams accompany the text. Sometimes the material is more complicated than the short sentences can convey. A digital companion download is available. Glos., ind. Review covers these Scholastic Discover More titles: See Me Grow and Animal Babies.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian