(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Where I Live series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Each volume in this series focuses on a particular geographic area, from a local neighborhood to an entire continent. In the slight framing stories, young characters learn about their region, studying landmarks, government, and community; bubbles throughout share facts. Despite the sometimes awkward delivery, this series presents a useful approach for social studies curricula. Reading list, websites. Glos, ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Where I Live titles: This Is My Continent, This Is My Country, This Is My Neighborhood, This Is My State, and This Is My Town.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Where I Live series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Each volume in this series focuses on a particular geographic area, from a local neighborhood to an entire continent. In the slight framing stories, young characters learn about their region, studying landmarks, government, and community; bubbles throughout share facts. Despite the sometimes awkward delivery, this series presents a useful approach for social studies curricula. Reading list, websites. Glos, ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Where I Live titles: This Is My Continent, This Is My Country, This Is My Neighborhood, This Is My State, and This Is My Town.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Alike and Different series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. After attending his neighbor's bat mitzvah, David, who's Christian, is interested in learning about other religions. Friend Sophia's family isn't religious, but she likes helping others. Fahmi's Muslim family has their own special celebrations. His babysitter tells him about Buddhism. Accompanied by cheerful cartoon illustrations, this is an appealing if limited introduction. An activity encouraging helpfulness is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Ms. Ling's class solves mysteries involving missing ice and disappearing puddles. Mr. Davis's class observes wind and temperature patterns to learn about forecasting. Though the fictional stories are slight and the illustrations cartoony, both books present accessible introductions to their topics and to using the scientific method. A related activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns titles: When Will it Rain? and Why do Puddles Disappear?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Nature's Patterns series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Mr. Cruz's class takes a beginning look at astronomy. Their teacher emphasizes observation and demonstrates relationships among the earth, sun, and moon with a globe and flashlight. Though the fictional story is slight and the illustrations cartoony, this book presents an accessible introduction to patterns in astronomy. The volume concludes with a related activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: My Healthy Habits series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. "Mighty Matthew" (in a superhero cape) relates the dangers of accidentally ingesting "harmful substances" around the home. Secret agent Sophie advises not talking to strange men in vans and telling a teacher about playground bullying. After playing "Mud Monsters," Caleb's germophobe mom insists he take a bath before dinnertime. The exaggeratedly cartoony illustrations add some liveliness to what are basically PSAs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: My Healthy Habits titles: Be Aware!, Poison Alert!, and Take a Bath!.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: My Healthy Habits series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. "Tuna salad? Yuck!" begins picky-eater narrator Lucas in this book about trying new--and "healthful!"--foods. Dad and Lucas take a tour of the grocery store, where they learn all about the five food groups, steering clear of cookies and opting for raisins instead. Exaggeratedly cartoony illustrations show an ever-smiling Lucas happily changing his ways. It's unrealistic, but kids may glean some good-food facts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: My Healthy Habits series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. "Mighty Matthew" (in a superhero cape) relates the dangers of accidentally ingesting "harmful substances" around the home. Secret agent Sophie advises not talking to strange men in vans and telling a teacher about playground bullying. After playing "Mud Monsters," Caleb's germophobe mom insists he take a bath before dinnertime. The exaggeratedly cartoony illustrations add some liveliness to what are basically PSAs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: My Healthy Habits titles: Be Aware!, Poison Alert!, and Take a Bath!.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Our American Symbols series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Framed by purposeful stories set in classrooms with diverse students, these books explore national landmarks and symbols while also providing synopses of the various related American history topics and trivia inquisitive young historians will enjoy. Slick, cartoony illustrations contribute to the series' chipper tone. Each book includes an activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our American Symbols titles: Can We Ring the Liberty Bell?, Can You Sing "The Star-Spangled Banner"?, Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?, What Is Inside the Lincoln Memorial?, Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?, and Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Our American Symbols series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Framed by purposeful stories set in classrooms with diverse students, these books explore national landmarks and symbols while also providing synopses of the various related American history topics and trivia inquisitive young historians will enjoy. Slick, cartoony illustrations contribute to the series' chipper tone. Each book includes an activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our American Symbols titles: Can We Ring the Liberty Bell?, Can You Sing "The Star-Spangled Banner"?, Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?, What Is Inside the Lincoln Memorial?, Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?, and Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Holidays and Special Days series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Children from different cultural groups describe their families' celebrations. Information about the occasions is included in the simplistic stories, but text boxes provide more details than the young narrators do. Bright, cheerful illustrations will draw readers to these introductions. Birthday focuses on U.S. customs but mentions other traditions. An activity concludes each volume. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Holidays and Special Days titles: Brandon's Birthday Surprise, Chelsea's Chinese New Year, and Marco's Cinco de Mayo.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Holidays and Special Days series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Emma's story reflects her family's African American and Russian American heritage (no mention that Russian Orthodox Easter usually falls on a different date than other Christian sects). Rashad and his Muslim family observe Ramadan. Sarah prepares for her role in asking the "Four Questions." Bright, cheerful illustrations will draw readers to these simple introductions; text boxes provide more details than the young narrators do. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cloverleaf Books: Holidays and Special Days titles: Emma's Easter, Rashad's Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and Sarah's Passover.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Fall and Winter Holidays series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Children narrate contrived stories introducing the customs involved in these four cultural holidays. Sidebars with dry text provide more straightforward information and facts about each celebration. The pictures (from various illustrators) are cheesy but cheerful. Each book includes an appealing holiday-specific activity, such as a turkey cookie recipe and instructions for making a Kwanzaa drum. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fall and Winter Holidays titles: Daniela's Day of the Dead, Grace's Thanksgiving, and Hailey's Halloween, and Kevin's Kwanzaa.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Fall and Winter Holidays series. Illustrated by Holli Conger. Children narrate contrived stories introducing the customs involved in these four cultural holidays. Sidebars with dry text provide more straightforward information and facts about each celebration. The pictures (from various illustrators) are cheesy but cheerful. Each book includes an appealing holiday-specific activity, such as a turkey cookie recipe and instructions for making a Kwanzaa drum. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fall and Winter Holidays titles: Daniela's Day of the Dead, Grace's Thanksgiving, and Hailey's Halloween, and Kevin's Kwanzaa.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(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) 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) 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) 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) 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