(3) 4-6 Sleepover Secrets series. Most sleepover participants can come up with their own fun, but this series could provide inspiration. Activities include creating covered cork boards to experimenting with clothes. Tweens will appreciate the easy-to-follow directions for activities that encourage creativity. Helpful tips/advice accompany a lively mixture of illustrations and photos. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sleepover Secrets titles: Beauty Blitz, Bedroom Makeovers, Cool Crafts, Fun and Games, and Wardrobe Makeovers.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Sleepover Secrets series. This volume suggests ideas for sleepover-party food, from spiced popcorn to no-bake cookies. The book starts by addressing "What to eat" (nachos with TV? full sit-down meal?) and "Where to eat" (bedroom? dining room?). Eight easy-to-follow recipes encourage healthy eating (nachos notwithstanding). Helpful tips/advice accompany a lively mixture of illustrations and photos. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Sleepover Secrets series. Most sleepover participants can come up with their own fun, but this series could provide inspiration. Activities include creating covered cork boards to experimenting with clothes. Tweens will appreciate the easy-to-follow directions for activities that encourage creativity. Helpful tips/advice accompany a lively mixture of illustrations and photos. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sleepover Secrets titles: Beauty Blitz, Bedroom Makeovers, Cool Crafts, Fun and Games, and Wardrobe Makeovers.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Sleepover Secrets series. Most sleepover participants can come up with their own fun, but this series could provide inspiration. Activities include creating covered cork boards to experimenting with clothes. Tweens will appreciate the easy-to-follow directions for activities that encourage creativity. Helpful tips/advice accompany a lively mixture of illustrations and photos. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sleepover Secrets titles: Beauty Blitz, Bedroom Makeovers, Cool Crafts, Fun and Games, and Wardrobe Makeovers.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Sleepover Secrets series. Most sleepover participants can come up with their own fun, but this series could provide inspiration. Activities include creating covered cork boards to experimenting with clothes. Tweens will appreciate the easy-to-follow directions for activities that encourage creativity. Helpful tips/advice accompany a lively mixture of illustrations and photos. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sleepover Secrets titles: Beauty Blitz, Bedroom Makeovers, Cool Crafts, Fun and Games, and Wardrobe Makeovers.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) K-3 Adventure Sports series. In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Adventure Sports series. In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Adventure Sports series. In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Adventure Sports series. In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Adventure Sports series. In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Adventure Sports series. In clear, engaging narratives that emphasize the dangers of adventure sports as well as the thrills, these books introduce training and equipment for each sport and discuss the challenges. The layouts can be unfocused, as text in various fonts and sizes vies with many photos, illustrations, fact sidebars, and quick "Thrill Seeker" bios. Still, adventurous kids will be inspired. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Adventure Sports titles: Canoeing and Kayaking, Caving, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Skiing and Snowboarding.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Sleepover Secrets series. Most sleepover participants can come up with their own fun, but this series could provide inspiration. Activities include creating covered cork boards to experimenting with clothes. Tweens will appreciate the easy-to-follow directions for activities that encourage creativity. Helpful tips/advice accompany a lively mixture of illustrations and photos. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sleepover Secrets titles: Beauty Blitz, Bedroom Makeovers, Cool Crafts, Fun and Games, and Wardrobe Makeovers.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 How to Be... series. Aspiring actors can work on improvisation, character development, costuming, and makeup; would-be circus performers can practice such activities as juggling, plate spinning, and clowning. Both books include step-by-step pictures and diagrams for eight activities. The approach is random, but the volumes may spark beginners' interest. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these How to Be... titles: An Actor and A Circus Star.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 How to Be... series. Young artists can try their hand at eight projects, including painting patterns, printmaking, collage, cartooning, computer art, and face painting. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by pictures and diagrams. The random approach means nothing is covered in depth, but beginners will get a sampling of different techniques. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 How to Be... series. After covering some "starter skills," this book provides eight recipes for kids to try, including soup, lamb curry, burgers, baked apples, and cookies. The recipes may be challenging for beginners, and experienced cooks will want a more substantial cookbook. Step-by-step drawings accompany the instructions. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 How to Be... series. Aspiring actors can work on improvisation, character development, costuming, and makeup; would-be circus performers can practice such activities as juggling, plate spinning, and clowning. Both books include step-by-step pictures and diagrams for eight activities. The approach is random, but the volumes may spark beginners' interest. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these How to Be... titles: An Actor and A Circus Star.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 How to Be... series. Craft-loving kids should enjoy these eight projects, which include origami, salt-dough sculptures, and puppets. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by pictures and diagrams; most of the crafts use common items, but some activities require adult help. The approach is random, but the volume may spark interest in handicrafts. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 How to Be... series. Amateur magicians can practice eight straightforward tricks using playing cards, rubber bands, coins, sleight-of-hand, paper, and the power of the mind. The book includes step-by-step pictures and diagrams for the random collection of tricks. A "starter skills" spread introduces the material. The volume may spark beginners' interest. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Big Beasts series. This introduction to sharks covers various species' physical characteristics and adaptations, diet, behavior, and habitat. The presentation is formulaic, but plenty of colorful photographs support the accessible text, which includes kid-pleasing details: "The first babies to hatch gobble up the other eggs." The volume concludes with a "BIG Facts" spread that provides additional information. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Big Beasts series. These books introduce large mammals, covering physical characteristics and adaptations, diet, behavior, habitat, and care of young. The presentation is formulaic, but plenty of colorful photographs support the accessible texts, which include kid-pleasing details: "Hippos sprint faster than a human..."; camels' "pee is a thick syrup..." Each volume concludes with a "BIG Facts" spread providing readers with comparisons and additional information. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Beasts titles: Camel, Dolphin, Hippo, Kangaroo, Lion, and Panda.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn