(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Melanie Siegel. Each book in this series features a fictional story in which the title student duo produces a writing project. Colorful cartoon illustrations (of ranging quality) combine with perky, helpful narration to show how the multicultural cast of students organize, write, and revise; pictures, format, and tone seem aimed at an audience too young for some of the projects. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Isabella and Ivan Build an Interview, Seth and Savannah Build a Speech, Ben and Bailey Build a Book Report, Leah and LeShawn Build a Letter, Bridget and Bo Build a Blog, and Evan and Erin Build an Essay.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) K-3 All Aboard Poetry Reader series. Illustrated by Melanie Siegel. A recipe for how to avoid homework, the teacher's directions for the class picture ("Uncross your eyes, Freddy"), and the principal's April Fool's joke all provide material for these pleasantly rhyming poems. Both the verses and the illustrations (the runaway rat of the title poem makes cameos throughout) use plenty of humor to appeal to beginning readers.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley