(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Wilson. Krebs takes children on an adventure through the Amazon rainforest with the help of some native creatures and sprightly rhymes: "'Jump,' chatter monkeys. 'Or swing if you dare. / We'll hang by our tails and then leap through the air.'" Bright, colorful mixed-media illustrations fill the pages. Information about the Amazon rainforest, native peoples, creatures, and conservation is appended.

Reviewer: Alissa C. Salamone

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty. A brief rhyming text, accompanied by brilliant-hued acrylic art, describes how children take part in the Peruvian festival of Inti Raymi, honoring the sun god. The lengthy back matter includes a description of Inti Raymi as well as other festivals; the history and people of Peru, Machu Picchu, and the Andes; plus a map and miscellaneous country facts.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Valeria Cis. The narrator's grandpa, also known as "the Beeman," carefully tends his backyard hives, the denizens of which readers meet throughout the course of the story. The text's verse follows a House-That-Jack-Built rhythm. Extensive back matter describes in detail the information introduced more generally in the main text. Cheerful acrylic illustrations provide additional energy and help demonstrate the story's facts.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Wilson. A group of contemporary Egyptian children visits some major tourist sites: the pyramids of Giza, the temple at Abu Simbel, Cairo, and more. The simple rhyming text is accompanied by bright mixed-media illustrations. Appended material (mostly about ancient Egypt) is written for older children but would give teachers and parents background information to share with the primary audience.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) PS Illustrated by Grazia Restelli. In singsongy rhyme, two visitors spend a week roaming the Galápagos Islands. "On Thursday, skipping lava crabs, / With shells of brilliant red, / Find food that hides in ebbing tides / Across the lava bed." Colorful collages of cut paper and natural materials provide nearly tangible texture. Extensive endnotes about the Galápagos, animals pictured, and Charles Darwin are included.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. "We all went on safari, / when the day had just begun. / We spied a lonely leopard. / Arusha counted one. moja." Ten Maasai children take turns counting wildlife on the African plain; the Swahili number follows. Well thought out, with visually striking watercolor images, the book ends with appendices on Tanzania's animals, the Maasai, Swahili names, Tanzania, and Swahili counting.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Melissa Iwai. In verse that, though not cumulative, recalls the rhythms of "The House That Jack Built," the narrator briefly describes his beekeeper grandfather's equipment, the roles of different bees in the hive, and the activities surrounding honey-making season. Illustrated with generally attractive if generic acrylic paintings, the book is a cheerful introduction to beekeeping.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert