(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Haslam. Very basic information about the human body is introduced in double-page spreads. Beginning with the skin ("Skin stretches over your fingers...It mends cuts and scrapes"), moving through major organs, senses, and ending with life stages, the approachable, large-font text is accompanied by bright, humorous cartoon illustrations. A picture "summary" and word quizzes are appended; the jacket is a foldout poster.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Inside My Body series. Double-page spreads begin with questions related to the human muscular or digestive system. The answers, in the form of short paragraphs, bulleted lists, labeled diagrams and schematics, charts, and captioned photos, pack a surprising amount of information into relatively uncluttered pages. A final spread reiterates major points. Sidebars debunk common misconceptions, give practical advice, and add quirky facts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside My Body titles: How Do My Muscles Get Strong? and Why Do I Burp?

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. This book presents one hundred facts about fossils and archaeology. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volume's snippets just may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. This book presents one hundred facts about extinct and endangered animals and the process of extinction. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volume's snippets just may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. Each of these books presents one hundred facts about the title pets. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volumes' snippets just may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind. Review covers these 100 Things You Should Know About titles: Dogs & Puppies and Cats & Kittens.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. This book presents one hundred facts about the human body, beginning with a fetus's development in the womb. The text touches on growth, body systems, skin, muscles, nutrition, and general health; the volume's snippets may entice readers to seek further information. Busy pages are packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 How It Works series. Illustrated by Alex Pang. Machines, vehicles, and other structures are presented on busy double-page spreads. Captioned photographs and diagrams appear with schematic-type cutaway diagrams of the objects (sometimes hard to interpret due to lack of fine detail and printing across the page gutter). Additional text boxes explain the mechanics of various related items (e.g., lights, propellers, solar cells), engineering concepts, historical facts, and the like. Glos., ind. Review covers these How It Works titles: Aircraft, Cars, Trucks, and Bikes, Emergency Vehicles, and Energy and Power.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 How It Works series. Illustrated by Alex Pang. Machines, vehicles, and other structures are presented on busy double-page spreads. Captioned photographs and diagrams appear with schematic-type cutaway diagrams of the objects (sometimes hard to interpret due to lack of fine detail and printing across the page gutter). Additional text boxes explain the mechanics of various related items (e.g., lights, propellers, solar cells), engineering concepts, historical facts, and the like. Glos., ind. Review covers these How It Works titles: Aircraft, Cars, Trucks, and Bikes, Emergency Vehicles, and Energy and Power.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 How It Works series. Illustrated by Alex Pang. Machines, vehicles, and other structures are presented on busy double-page spreads. Captioned photographs and diagrams appear with schematic-type cutaway diagrams of the objects (sometimes hard to interpret due to lack of fine detail and printing across the page gutter). Additional text boxes explain the mechanics of various related items (e.g., lights, propellers, solar cells), engineering concepts, historical facts, and the like. Glos., ind. Review covers these How It Works titles: Aircraft, Cars, Trucks, and Bikes, Emergency Vehicles, and Energy and Power.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 How It Works series. Illustrated by Alex Pang. Machines, vehicles, and other structures are presented on busy double-page spreads. Captioned photographs and diagrams appear with schematic-type cutaway diagrams of the objects (sometimes hard to interpret due to lack of fine detail and printing across the page gutter). Additional text boxes explain the mechanics of various related items (e.g., lights, propellers, solar cells), engineering concepts, historical facts, and the like. Glos., ind. Review covers these How It Works titles: Aircraft, Cars, Trucks, and Bikes, Emergency Vehicles, and Energy and Power.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. These books present one hundred facts (most randomly selected and presented) about endangered animals or the environment, in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Though not particularly helpful on their own, the volumes' snippets may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations. Ind. Review covers these 100 Things You Should Know About titles: Saving the Earth and Endangered Animals.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. This book presents one hundred facts (most randomly selected and presented) about the polar regions, in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Though there are some problems with fact checking, the volume's snippets may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are packed tight with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations. Ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover a wide range of scientific developments and theories, including radiation, sundials, and Albert Einstein's work. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they do little to explain the difficult concepts presented. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of body systems and human life. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though the unflattering drawings of people stand out as unscientific alongside so many detailed diagrams. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Science Library series. Wild Animals includes many different categories, from mammals to birds, fish to worms. Animal Life is arranged by the ways animals move, eat, sleep, communicate, reproduce, and otherwise interact with their environments. Each busy double-page spread includes tidbits of information complemented by many illustrations and cross references; the organization of these British imports (metric measurements intact) could be less complicated. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Library titles: Animal Life and Wild Animals.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Science Library series. This book covers different body functions and systems including the five senses, joints, muscles, nerves, sleep, and reproduction. Each busy double-page spread includes tidbits of information complemented by many illustrations and cross references; the organization of this British import (metric measurements intact) could be less complicated. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Science Library series. Wild Animals includes many different categories, from mammals to birds, fish to worms. Animal Life is arranged by the ways animals move, eat, sleep, communicate, reproduce, and otherwise interact with their environments. Each busy double-page spread includes tidbits of information complemented by many illustrations and cross references; the organization of these British imports (metric measurements intact) could be less complicated. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Library titles: Animal Life and Wild Animals.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Changes in... series. As our population grows, so does the demand on Earth's resources. Simple facts, well-defined concepts, and suggestions for readers about how to make a difference combine with photographs to provide an adequate introduction to human ecology. With the book's focus on raising awareness, the lack of resources for further research limits its objective. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Changes in... series. As demands on Earth's resources escalate, animals and their habitats are affected. Simple information, well-defined concepts, and suggestions for readers about how to make a difference combine with photographs to provide an adequate introduction to animal habitats. With the book's focus on raising awareness, the lack of resources for further research limits its objective. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Changes in... series. Simple facts, well-defined concepts, and suggestions for readers about how to make a difference combine with photographs, a map, and diagrams to provide an adequate introduction to changing climate and weather patterns. With the book's focus on raising awareness, the lack of resources for further research limits its objective. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale