(4) K-3 Illustrated by Victor Juhasz. When the King and Queen of England visit in June 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt decides to introduce them to an American picnic staple: the hot dog. Juhasz's caricature figures range from giggle-worthy (the Queen eats hers with a fork and knife) to odd and unflattering (poor Eleanor). Kimmelman's amusing historical story delicately explains the Great Depression and touches on soon-to-follow WWII.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Victor Juhasz. Brief poems, a few of which impart usable information, are paired with sidebars that tell of ancient Roman history, customs, and culture. Crosshatched caricature illustrations display scenes of fighting, reclining, and learning, in addition to highlighting ancient Roman architecture.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Victor Juhasz. From "A is for Ancient Greece" to "Z is for Zeus," poems for each letter of the alphabet focus on Greek myths. Sidebars on most pages round out the broadly sketched verses ("Escaping Circe and the Sirens' song, / the one-eyed giant, the cannibal throng, / Odysseus sailed the restless sea, / home to Ithaca and Penelope"). Cartoonish drawings (some unfinished-looking) display the action. Glos.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Victor Juhasz. "J is for Judicial branch-- / For justice, judge, and jury. / Those who do not break the law / never have to worry." An alphabetical format organizes information from Amendment to Zeitgeist. The prose information presented in sidebars is more far sophisticated than the forced rhymes. Cartoon illustrations echo newspaper editorial style, and a specific appendix encourages participation in government.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian