(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Rose Cowles. The authors (editors of the bimonthly kids' publication YES Mag) here liken scientists to detectives, recasting topics such as the discovery of DNA's structure as successfully solved scientific mysteries. Additional research "cases," biographies of scientists, and hands-on projects help break up the pages. The mixed-media illustrations capture the light tone of the text, while photographs help add verisimilitude.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. Touching briefly on topics such as brain anatomy and development, genius, prodigies, savants, learning styles and disabilities, IQ measurement, and intelligence in animals, Romanek attempts to define the concept of intelligence. Cartoon drawings, catchy headings, and informal language help readers breeze through. Seven "You Try It" sections provide hands-on activities. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. A description of a 1958 experiment in sensory deprivation introduces a quirky exploration of our senses. The informal text includes anecdotes, anatomy lessons, and some medical history. Eight activities and other simple experiments inspire hands-on experience with the concepts introduced--e.g., trying to thread a needle with one eye closed demonstrates the importance of depth perception. Cartoony illustrations appear throughout. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rose Cowles & Rose Cowles. Awkwardly written couplets relate the saga of Fanny and her friends--hockey players not considered good enough to join their town's A Team. The kids practice figure skating instead, then challenge the A Team to a game in which salchows, lutzes, and fancy footwork enable them to defeat their rivals. Cowles's illustrations make the characters look cartoonish but capture the action on the ice.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles & Rose Cowles. The story of a girl who sneezed every few minutes for nearly three years sets the tone for this introduction to harmful microbes. Bits of medical history, immunology, hygiene, and eight "You Try It" hands-on activities combine with cartoons and anecdotes. Unfortunately, the colloquial language occasionally veers too close to the ungrammatical: "People...call these ones germs." Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. A wide range of information--including facts about dreaming, circadian rhythms, and disorders such as narcolepsy--is presented via colloquial prose and colorful comic illustrations. Although the book lacks documentation, it still serves as a solid introduction, accessibly explaining the science of sleep and including seven "You Try It" activities that demonstrate these concepts. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. Facts about genes and cloning are loosely grouped into four chapters covering what effect genes have on heredity, the structure and analysis of DNA, genetic mutations, and cloning. Three "Science Detective" sections cover important researchers in the field. The exaggerated collage cartoons match the breezy anecdotal style of the short chapters and text boxes. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. These books explain basic physiological information on the brain and digestive systems, relate it to everyday life and experience, and include intriguing (though undocumented) facts and anecdotes. Simple activities help demonstrate the concepts discussed in the texts. The chatty, colloquial prose and comic illustrations make these two volumes accessible and fun to read. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. These books explain basic physiological information on the brain and digestive systems, relate it to everyday life and experience, and include intriguing (though undocumented) facts and anecdotes. Simple activities help demonstrate the concepts discussed in the texts. The chatty, colloquial prose and comic illustrations make these two volumes accessible and fun to read. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rose Cowles. Six fractured fairy tails, er--tales, are retold from a dog's perspective. The familiar stories, injected with an offbeat, sometimes off-putting, sense of humor, include "Little Red Riding Hound" and "The Doberman's New Clothes." Two hip, wiseacre cats, who think their exclusion from the stories is a "cons-purr-acy," keep up a running commentary on the action. The colorful illustrations reveal a cast of costumed canines.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute