(3) 4-6 Helping Dogs series. Each of these winning volumes features a different kind of working dog, first summarizing the main jobs they perform, the best breeds for a task, length of training, and famous dogs who have performed these roles. The books then profile a couple of real on-the-job dogs and detail how each canine was trained. Appealing color photos and closing discussion questions accompany each entry. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Helping Dogs titles: Search and Rescue Dogs on the Job, Sled Dogs on the Job, Detection Dogs on the Job, and Therapy Dogs on the Job.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Weird and Unusual Animals series. Colorful close-up photographs accompany simple but choppy text introducing readers to the giant semi-aquatic rodent. Brief descriptions explore the capybara's appearance, diet, habitat, behavior, and challenges for survival. "Weird but True" sidebars and boldfaced science terms reinforce the main text and encourage further exploration. Includes a basic anatomy chart. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Big Dogs series. Short, choppy sentences give basic information about these giant breeds including origins, behavior, needs, and lifespans. Excellent photographs on the right of each spread show dogs at rest, at play, and with children. Left-hand text pages are decorated with pawprints and, strangely, bubbles. A size comparison to a baby elephant and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Dogs titles: Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, and Mastiffs.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Big Dogs series. Short, choppy sentences give basic information about these giant breeds including origins, behavior, needs, and lifespans. Excellent photographs on the right of each spread show dogs at rest, at play, and with children. Left-hand text pages are decorated with pawprints and, strangely, bubbles. A size comparison to a baby elephant and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Dogs titles: Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, and Mastiffs.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Big Dogs series. Short, choppy sentences give basic information about these giant breeds including origins, behavior, needs, and lifespans. Excellent photographs on the right of each spread show dogs at rest, at play, and with children. Left-hand text pages are decorated with pawprints and, strangely, bubbles. A size comparison to a baby elephant and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Dogs titles: Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, and Mastiffs.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(3) K-3 Great Outdoors series. These simply written primers on outdoor recreation succeed in introducing young readers to each experience, including the equipment and clothing required for the sport, general instructions, safety and emergency procedures, and the best venues or locales for it. Color photos with descriptive captions and question-and-answer sidebars complement the brief but informative texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Outdoors titles: Canoeing, Duck Hunting, Rock Climbing, Camping, Freshwater Fishing, and Hiking.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Great Outdoors series. These simply written primers on outdoor recreation succeed in introducing young readers to each experience, including the equipment and clothing required for the sport, general instructions, safety and emergency procedures, and the best venues or locales for it. Color photos with descriptive captions and question-and-answer sidebars complement the brief but informative texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Outdoors titles: Canoeing, Duck Hunting, Rock Climbing, Camping, Freshwater Fishing, and Hiking.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Great Outdoors series. These simply written primers on outdoor recreation succeed in introducing young readers to each experience, including the equipment and clothing required for the sport, general instructions, safety and emergency procedures, and the best venues or locales for it. Color photos with descriptive captions and question-and-answer sidebars complement the brief but informative texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Outdoors titles: Canoeing, Duck Hunting, Rock Climbing, Camping, Freshwater Fishing, and Hiking.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Sharks series. Dynamic underwater photographs combine with simple but choppy texts to explore different shark species. Brief descriptions and clear images introduce readers to each shark's appearance, behavior, habitat, and challenges for survival. Additional question-and-answer sidebars, captions, and boldfaced science terms reinforce the main text and encourage further exploration. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Sharks titles: Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Great White Sharks.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Sharks series. Dynamic underwater photographs combine with simple but choppy texts to explore different shark species. Brief descriptions and clear images introduce readers to each shark's appearance, behavior, habitat, and challenges for survival. Additional question-and-answer sidebars, captions, and boldfaced science terms reinforce the main text and encourage further exploration. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Sharks titles: Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Great White Sharks.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: The Science Behind Natural Phenomena series. Each volume explores intriguing natural Earth events through detailed descriptions and extended explanations of the causes or scientific principles underlying the phenomena. The topics--ranging from the familiar (clouds, thunder, icebergs) to the curiosity-evoking (auroras, exploding lakes, brinicles)--seem arbitrarily chosen, but the information about each is interesting, scientifically accurate, and accompanied by helpful photographs and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: The Science Behind Natural Phenomena titles: The Science Behind Wonders of the Water and The Science Behind Wonder of the Sky.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Tiny Dogs series. These cheery volumes provide brief information about the title "tiny dogs," including appearance, size, temperament, and life span. The texts, while easy to read, can be vague or repetitive (e.g., Pomeranians and Boston terriers are both "loving pets"; Yorkies are "sweet, loyal pets"). The large, bright stock photos will grab dog lovers' attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Tiny Dogs titles: Boston Terriers, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Tiny Dogs series. These cheery volumes provide brief information about the title "tiny dogs," including appearance, size, temperament, and life span. The texts, while easy to read, can be vague or repetitive (e.g., Pomeranians and Boston terriers are both "loving pets"; Yorkies are "sweet, loyal pets"). The large, bright stock photos will grab dog lovers' attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Tiny Dogs titles: Boston Terriers, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Tiny Dogs series. These cheery volumes provide brief information about the title "tiny dogs," including appearance, size, temperament, and life span. The texts, while easy to read, can be vague or repetitive (e.g., Pomeranians and Boston terriers are both "loving pets"; Yorkies are "sweet, loyal pets"). The large, bright stock photos will grab dog lovers' attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Tiny Dogs titles: Boston Terriers, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Sports Illustrated Kids: Fantasy Sports Math series. With lots of color photographs, charts, and quizzes, these optimistic introductions to fantasy sports explain key game concepts and how to manipulate the variables to create a winning team. It's much easier to learn the real sport than it is to understand these difficult-to-follow overviews with their dizzying number of fantasy leagues and scoring rules. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Sports Illustrated Kids: Fantasy Sports Math titles: Fantasy Football Math and Fantasy Baseball Math.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 A+ Books: Awesome Asian Animals series. These large books use simple texts, impressive photos, colorful graphics, and basic organization to introduce "awesome" Asian mammals. The language is mildly engaging ("Roar!"; "Munch! Munch!"), though information occasionally feels superficial ("Camels look somewhat like alpacas and llamas. That's because they are part of the same animal group"). Each book includes Common Core critical-thinking questions. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these A+ Books: Awesome Asian Animals titles: Camels Are Awesome![cf1[, Orangutans Are Awesome!, and Bengal Tigers Are Awesome!.