(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Where I Live series. Illustrated by Doreen Mulryan. 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) 1-3 Illustrated by Doreen Mulryan Marts. In her third story, Frannie convinces the town that the new fancy French restaurant is serving bugs (they're actually escargot). In the process, she meets a food critic and writes a couple of her own reviews, one pre-bug-fiasco, one (retraction) after tasting the snails. Frannie (and Junie B.) fans may giggle at her made-up words and malapropisms; others will find them annoyingly cutesy.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Doreen Mulryan Marts. Frannie is young but business-minded: her resumé and business cards are good to go; she's also disaster-prone. During a class trip to a radio station, she takes over for the missing host. Answering listener call-in questions, she very nearly up-ends the local mayoral election. Frannie is an appealingly determined character, even if her exploits are less than believable.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute