(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Our Universe series. Illustrated by John Wallace. With one clear, informative sentence per page, Bauer gives young readers solid introductory information about our closest neighbor in the universe. Wallace's uncluttered illustrations are welcoming and help with reading comprehension. For example, "our moon lights up our night sky, but it has no light of its own," accompanies a simple, clear diagram of light from the sun bouncing off the moon toward earth. Specialized vocabulary words such as satellite and gravity appear in a glossary preceding the main text to prepare young readers for success. A page of "Interesting Facts" concludes this accessible title. The series also includes Earth and Mars.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. This easy-reader introduction to the world's first national park offers an overview of the animals and special natural features found there. With slight in-context definitions, it will be most useful when shared with an adult who can explain such terms as geyser, petrified, and fumarole. Child-friendly art helps illustrate the information. A page of "interesting facts" is appended.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. For children gaining confidence in reading, the stories of the presidential heads on Mount Rushmore and of America's most famous river--the Mississippi--will be enjoyable reading that might make kids want to visit these landmarks. Bauer's writing is succinct, factual, and interesting--especially with the support of Wallace's simple, unfussy illustrations. Additional information is included at the end of each text. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America titles: The Mighty Mississippi and Mount Rushmore.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. The story of how the Statue of Liberty came to the United States, who constructed it, and how schoolchildren throughout America contributed to the building of its foundation is told in easy-to-read sentences. Some sophisticated vocabulary (pedestal, structure, unveiled) may challenge readers, but unfussy watercolor illustrations support the text with picture cues. Seven "interesting facts" about the statue are appended.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. For children gaining confidence in reading, the stories of the presidential heads on Mount Rushmore and of America's most famous river--the Mississippi--will be enjoyable reading that might make kids want to visit these landmarks. Bauer's writing is succinct, factual, and interesting--especially with the support of Wallace's simple, unfussy illustrations. Additional information is included at the end of each text. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America titles: The Mighty Mississippi and Mount Rushmore.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. Beginning readers will enjoy this introductory look at the mountain range, its wildlife, and the people who have lived there. The watercolor illustrations are adequate but less effective than the simple, evocative text. The last page contains more information on the mountains' history and geography.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 These thirty simple verses, arranged from morning to night, include such contributors as Eleanor Farjeon, Robert Louis Stevenson, Clyde Watson, and Margaret Wise Brown, as well as some less familiar poets. The inviting, spacious design features delicate, somewhat naive watercolors that range from whimsical to humorous. A helpful seven-word glossary at the beginning of the book defines a few Briticisms (pips, wellies).

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by John Wallace. "Plants use wind to carry their seeds." These easy readers explore a single science topic in a basic but informative way, all the while encouraging new readers with repeated words and short sentences. The pleasant illustrations provide contextual clues. Additional facts about wind and snow are appended. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Snow and Wind.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by John Wallace. "Plants use wind to carry their seeds." These easy readers explore a single science topic in a basic but informative way, all the while encouraging new readers with repeated words and short sentences. The pleasant illustrations provide contextual clues. Additional facts about wind and snow are appended. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Snow and Wind.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 MathStart series. Illustrated by John Wallace. In Bigger, siblings fighting over the size of their rooms learn the concept of area. In Sassafras, cousins line up by age for a photo and learn about ordering cardinal numbers. In Car Wash, a baseball team raises cash for new uniforms and learns about counting money. Spirited images, Murphy's wit, and simple math problems played out in familiar settings make these series books painlessly educational. [Review covers these MathStart titles: Bigger, Better, Best!; One...Two...Three...Sassafras!; and Sluggers' Car Wash.]

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) PS Illustrated by John Wallace. Twenty-four poems describe a baby's many moods and activities during the course of a day. The babies are sometimes messy, sometimes fussy, but overwhelmingly sweet. The pastel-colored watercolors for these tepid rhymes are appropriately gentle, but bland.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) PS Illustrated by John Wallace. Tired and slightly grumpy, Mommy tries to put her baby down for a nap and soon is asleep herself. The rhythmic, alliterative text tells the gentle tale in a way that will captivate even a wide-awake toddler. Soft ink and wash illustrations capture Mommy's harried state and the sleepy bliss that she and her baby finally find together.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin