(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II series. This series provides readers with insights beyond the usual recounting of battles and politics commonly found in juvenile WWII resources, focusing instead on more personal aspects of the war and on anecdotes of heroism. Maps and archival images enrich the clear, informative texts; periodic "Hero Highlight" and "STEM Highlight" sidebars provide interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II titles: D-Day Invasion, World War II Resistance Fighters, Navajo Code Talkers, World War II Spies and Secret Agents, Attack on Pearl Harbor, and Japanese American Internment Camps.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Primary Source Explorers series. These introductory texts emphasize primary sources in the telling of history. Photographs of the modern-day locations, historical documents, maps, and paintings enhance the texts, which detail each individual's voyages, his place in the age of exploration, and broader historical context. Frequent questions encourage readers to make modern connections and question the morality of the explorer's choices. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Primary Source Explorers titles: A Journey with Christopher Columbus, A Journey with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, A Journey with Hernán Cortés, A Journey with Sieur de La Salle, A Journey with Henry Hudson, and A Journey with Juan Ponce de León.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Primary Source Explorers series. These introductory texts emphasize primary sources in the telling of history. Photographs of the modern-day locations, historical documents, maps, and paintings enhance the texts, which detail each individual's voyages, his place in the age of exploration, and broader historical context. Frequent questions encourage readers to make modern connections and question the morality of the explorer's choices. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Primary Source Explorers titles: A Journey with Christopher Columbus, A Journey with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, A Journey with Hernán Cortés, A Journey with Sieur de La Salle, A Journey with Henry Hudson, and A Journey with Juan Ponce de León.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kim Smith. A backpack-wearing cartoon boy invites readers to join him on a varied trip around the world, visiting friends in thirteen countries and partaking in bustling events such as Carnival and Botswana Day. Each spread shows a map with the country's animals and informative insets depicting the boy's host family; a flag; and scenes of food, architecture, or activities. A final spread reviews the trip.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin & Esperança Melo. This newly updated book presents an account of the Canadian flag's history, from a multitude of banners flown over different territories and provinces to the easily recognized maple leaf flag of today. The effort necessary to create a common flag for such diverse regions is emphasized. Peppy illustrations depict historical events with a light tone. Suggestions for activities are appended. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Looking Glass Library: Cultural Holidays series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Ramadan explains the rituals, customs, and meanings behind the traditional Muslim month of fasting, as well as giving some background on Islam. The tone of Christmas is slightly different, with explanations of Santa left nebulous, and a discussion of both religious and secular holiday customs. Cheerful illustrations of round-faced revelers support the limited texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking Glass Library: Cultural Holidays titles: Ramadan and Christmas.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) YA Essential Health: Strong, Beautiful Girls series. Friends, body image, and sexuality are among the topics discussed in this series. Although the books try admirably to be frank about issues plaguing teens, the didactic tone may turn girls off; boxed queries intended to make readers think about their own lives sound like reading comprehension questions. The many photos of a variety of young women are placed on the purple-heavy pages. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Health: Strong, Beautiful Girls titles: Do You Love Me?, Frenemies, Is This Really My Body?, Out of the Dark, and This Is Me.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) K-3 Looking Glass Library: Cultural Holidays series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. The stories behind each celebration, its significance, and traditions are presented in straightforward but limited texts. Bright, cheery illustrations of round-faced revelers help readers visualize the experiences. Cinco includes recipes and a song; Chinese has a song and a calendar. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking Glass Library: Cultural Holidays titles: Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Cinco de Mayo.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) YA Essential Events series. These books examine seminal events in American history. Each gives background information and discusses the people involved. The writing is straightforward, and readers will find these books useful for reports. The many sidebars are informative and interesting, though the design is crowded. Archival photographs and drawings enhance the text. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Events titles: The Battle of the Little Bighorn, Hurricane Katrina, The Great Chicago Fire, The Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 In this sentimental story, a father reads a bedtime story about animal babies and their parents to his little girl. The double-page spreads include four lines of verse plus an additional line spoken from animal parent to little one ("Panda whispers, 'Dream of climbing'"; "Lemur whispers, 'Hold on tight'"). The text's gentle rhythm is an apt match for the soft, realistic illustrations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Hands-on Ancient History series. Three short chapters provide a slight overview of an ancient civilization, including a bit about everyday life and typical leisure activities. A fourth chapter presents a recipe, instructions for two craft projects, and an activity. The text is more a collection of random facts than a cohesive unit. Photos of artifacts and archival pictures appear on every page. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hands-on Ancient History titles: The History and Activities of Ancient China, The History and Activities of the Islamic Empire, The History and Activities of Ancient Egypt, The History and Activities of the Roman Empire, The History and Activities of the Aztecs, and The History and Activities of Ancient Greece.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Sports Palaces series. This in-depth look includes information on stadium location, funding, and design--from bathrooms (the Tennessee Titans' stadium has more women's restrooms than men's) to oversized pirate ships (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' stadium resembles a theme park). Serious football enthusiasts will enjoy the details, but the dry text and mediocre color photos won't keep the attention of the casual fan. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Illustrated with color photographs of stock cars, trading cards, and other memorabilia, this accessible guide provides helpful tips for young collectors. The clearly written text supplies information on card-grading, attending collecting shows, visiting race shops, and buying off the Internet, and also suggests uses for extra common trading cards. Extensive lists of fan clubs, manufacturers of collectibles, and museums are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 The long history of baseball card collecting is traced in a volume that discusses assessing a card's condition, includes tips for buyers, warns against counterfeit and repackaged cards, and devotes a chapter to describing how a real card company is run. The accompanying color reproductions will appeal to both sports fans and card collectors. A list of team addresses is also included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Game Plan series. These overviews of international soccer and NASCAR racing discuss winning strategies and highlight the roles played by various team members (including soccer coaches and NASCAR pit crew workers). Anecdotes about specific participants and their careers provide additional insight, and the inclusion of many women soccer players is particularly welcome. The photos are sometimes grainy. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Game Plan series. These overviews of international soccer and NASCAR racing discuss winning strategies and highlight the roles played by various team members (including soccer coaches and NASCAR pit crew workers). Anecdotes about specific participants and their careers provide additional insight, and the inclusion of many women soccer players is particularly welcome. The photos are sometimes grainy. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 These books cover ways in which human activity is negatively affecting the earth and its inhabitants. Simple suggestions of ways readers can help reverse the destruction of trees, water, and quiet are included. The full-page color photographs have helpful captions but sometimes are more decorative than illustrative. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of Brother Sun," this attractive picture book celebrates the natural world with song. The double-page spreads feature the months of the year: in each, full-page illustrations of nature scenes face a prayer, which is one stanza of the song included at the book's end. Elaborate borders--each one unique--frame the verse like a wreath, forming a lovely presentation.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Game Plan series. These two randomly organized vignettes highlight different aspects of the games, discussing field positions, game strategies, history, and information about and advice from star players, though readers not already conversant with the sports will be at a disadvantage. The color and black-and-white photos accompanying the texts will draw fans in. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Game Plan series. These two randomly organized vignettes highlight different aspects of the games, discussing field positions, game strategies, history, and information about and advice from star players, though readers not already conversant with the sports will be at a disadvantage. The color and black-and-white photos accompanying the texts will draw fans in. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman