(3) K-3 Photographs by Mike Taylor. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, tells the story of its formation and composition. Factual sidebars provide additional scientific information about stars, light, dark matter, and other elements of the universe. The well-captioned illustrations combine photographs of starry skies from a human perspective, views of distant galaxies, and artists' interpretations of what the far reaches of the universe may look like.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karel Hayes. Three children follow golden retriever Willy into the snowy outdoors, seeing not only his paw prints but also those of animals he's tracked. Delicate illustrations of a snow-covered forest include accurate animal tracks and woodsy borders. The spare text uses repetition effectively in this book for nature lovers.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. This series entry focuses on how scientists approach the phenomenon of whale strandings. After a fascinating description of whales' evolution, the book examines humans' devastating impact on cetaceans. Hodgkins concludes with how rescuers' efforts have assisted researchers. The engagingly designed pages are enhanced by well-captioned photographs; the four chapters are subdivided to make the information-dense text manageable. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2008

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by True Kelley. Hodgkins does an admirable job connecting complex ideas for an easy-to-understand explanation of flight. After a quick aerodynamics lesson, she covers such topics as people's attempts to mimic birds and how jets fly. The cheery, colorful illustrations depict movement well (though they're less helpful in portraying the difficult concepts of lift, drag, and thrust). A paper airplane experiment is appended.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jim Sollers. The survival techniques of animals that inhabit a beach intertidal zone are introduced through a repeated phrase, a few facts in parentheses, and colorful close-up illustrations (although each animal is unique, many of their adaptations are similar). The focus is squarely on the animals, with only brief explanations of the tidal zone and tides.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(2) 4-6 This book thoroughly and evenhandedly discusses the complex relationships between human and animal inhabitants of the suburbs. Describing the range of animals in suburbia, Hodgkins considers the effects of urban sprawl on the environment and of the adaptation of animals to humans (and vice versa). Proposed solutions to animal population management are realistic. Decorative photos are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2000