(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jared T. Williams. Catie, canine concierge at Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel, visits Quebec City with her doggie counterpart from the Château Frontenac. The story has minimal plot, but tourists or locals of either city may enjoy finding familiar landmarks in the illustrations (though the pictures don't always match the text).

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jared T. Williams. Pup Catie gets work at Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel after poor eyesight prevents her from becoming a service dog. She longs "to do great things," and when a guest loses her teddy bear, Catie eagerly sniffs it out. The illustrations give Catie plenty of personality, but the human figures are less effective and some of the scenes look unfinished.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Turnstone Rain Forest Pilot series. In this compelling introduction, readers follow scientists as they study bats on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Lively descriptions of the scientists' equipment and techniques make the text interesting and informative. Color photos of the scientists at work and "notebook" style sidebars allow the reader to vicariously participate in bat research. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) 4-6 Turnstone Ocean Explorer Book series. The quest to explore the depths of the ocean is concisely related in a volume that focuses on Alvin, the submersible vehicle used to map undersea mountain ranges, examine hydrothermal vents, and find the Titanic. The text also touches on more recent developments involving remote operated vehicles and their potential for future underwater exploration. The text is clear; the color photos only sometimes are. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Turnstone Ocean Pilot Book series. Photographs by David Brenner & Christopher Knight. Readers are taken on board the Atlantis, an oceanographic research vessel. The text describes daily shipboard duties, tells about the crew's mission to study hydrothermal vents, and details an ocean floor visit by the submersible Alvin. Illustrated with color photos (too few from the Alvin dive), this overview makes a sound introduction to the subject matter. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta