(4) 4-6 Understanding Global Issues series. The problems of car-based transportation, along with public-transportation and city-planning solutions, are discussed in this thorough overview of an under-explored topic. Sidebars, minibiographies, graphs, charts, and color photos break up the text, although the design remains rather dreary. Back matter includes a timeline, "concept web," quiz, and websites. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Understanding Global Issues series. Chapters on hydropower, wind farms, and solar/photovoltaic arrays discuss various types of renewable energy, although purists may argue with the book's preference for large-scale government projects over microprojects. Sidebars, career profiles, "key concepts," charts, and color photos add to the presentation (despite the somewhat dreary design). Back matter includes a timeline, "concept web," quiz, and websites. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Dog Breeds series. These slim volumes provide basic facts about retrievers and German shepherds, including their life cycle, the care they need, and the kinds of work they can do. Each book also includes an activity about dogs for readers to try. Attractive photographs show the variety of dogs, but the texts are somewhat choppy and occasionally repetitive. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Dog Breeds titles: German Shepherds and Retrievers.]

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 Built for Success series. Bell traces the histories of two American corporations from their origins (pharmacist John Pemberton's Coca-Cola formula, Henry Ford's Quadricycle) through the present. The books explain how these businesses achieved global success and acknowledge both their philanthropic activities and missteps (e.g., new Coke). Photos of Ford autos and reproductions of Coke ad campaigns increase appeal. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Built for Success titles: The Story of Coca-Cola and The Story of Ford.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Built for Success series. Bell traces the histories of two American corporations from their origins (pharmacist John Pemberton's Coca-Cola formula, Henry Ford's Quadricycle) through the present. The books explain how these businesses achieved global success and acknowledge both their philanthropic activities and missteps (e.g., new Coke). Photos of Ford autos and reproductions of Coke ad campaigns increase appeal. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Built for Success titles: The Story of Coca-Cola and The Story of Ford.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Sacred Texts series. Colorful strips of symbolic patterns adorn the pages and accent the informative text boxes that supplement the brief chapters of these books. Contemporary translations of Scripture further enhance the discussion of the historical and present-day significance of the holy writings. The clear, captioned black-and-white and color illustrations (photos and historical art) provide additional background. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Sacred Texts titles: The Bible and Christianity and The Torah and Judaism.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 21st Century Science series. Attempting to explain genetics research and then present some of the resulting ethical issues, this book accurately introduces chromosomes, DNA, meiosis, gene splicing, cloning, medical applications, and the like. But some of the text is dense, perhaps necessarily for the short-paragraph format. Photos and diagrams colorfully supplement the text. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Sacred Texts series. Colorful strips of symbolic patterns adorn the pages and accent the informative text boxes that supplement the brief chapters of these books. Contemporary translations of Scripture further enhance the discussion of the historical and present-day significance of the holy writings. The clear, captioned black-and-white and color illustrations (photos and historical art) provide additional background. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Sacred Texts titles: The Bible and Christianity and The Torah and Judaism.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Both books offer basic information about these two animals. The choppy text does attempt to make the information accessible to young readers: "A lion may eat 70 pounds (32 kg) of meat in one meal. That is the same as eating 280 large hamburgers." The color photographs enhance the text. Recommended websites are scattered throughout; a quiz and related addresses are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Elephants and Lions.]

Reviewer: Arianne Vanni

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Both books offer basic information about these two animals. The choppy text does attempt to make the information accessible to young readers: "A lion may eat 70 pounds (32 kg) of meat in one meal. That is the same as eating 280 large hamburgers." The color photographs enhance the text. Recommended websites are scattered throughout; a quiz and related addresses are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Elephants and Lions.]

Reviewer: Arianne Vanni

(3) K-3 Human Body series. Four short chapters introduce and describe these systems, their functions, and how to care for them. An activity demonstrating a previously stated fact concludes each book. Full- and half-page color photos on each spread and generous white space will attract young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Human Body titles: The Skeletal System and The Muscles.]

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Great Inventions series. This book connects the simple mathematics of counting stones and the abacus with the evolution of increasingly complex calculating methods. Pascal's 1643 mechanical calculator and adding machines are part of the story, as well as transistors and the microchip. The poor, confusing design is compensated for by a brief logical text and better-than-average photos. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Human Body series. Four short chapters introduce and describe these systems, their functions, and how to care for them. An activity demonstrating a previously stated fact concludes each book. Full- and half-page color photos on each spread and generous white space will attract young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Human Body titles: The Skeletal System and The Muscles.]

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Dog Breeds series. These slim volumes provide basic facts about retrievers and German shepherds, including their life cycle, the care they need, and the kinds of work they can do. Each book also includes an activity about dogs for readers to try. Attractive photographs show the variety of dogs, but the texts are somewhat choppy and occasionally repetitive. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Dog Breeds titles: German Shepherds and Retrievers.]

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Hot Science series. A brief overview of robots and mechanical humans in legend and literature is followed by a fact-based survey of the role robotics plays in today's world. The bland text touches on robots used on factory assembly lines, in warfare, and in space exploration. Illustrated with color photos and reproductions, the book also addresses the current limitations of, and possible future advances in, robotics. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Year of Festivals series. After a brief introduction to the religion, each book elaborates on the historical background, symbolic artifacts, activities, and recipes associated with a festival. Jewish highlights the three pilgrim festivals, and Buddhist differentiates between the different schools of thought. The format is attractive: text boxes, color maps, drawings, and color photos. Festival calendar, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Year of Festivals titles: Buddhist Festivals throughout the Year and Jewish Festivals throughout the Year.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Year of Festivals series. After a brief introduction to the religion, each book elaborates on the historical background, symbolic artifacts, activities, and recipes associated with a festival. Jewish highlights the three pilgrim festivals, and Buddhist differentiates between the different schools of thought. The format is attractive: text boxes, color maps, drawings, and color photos. Festival calendar, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Year of Festivals titles: Buddhist Festivals throughout the Year and Jewish Festivals throughout the Year.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Country File series. Double-page spreads focus on various topics, including Kenya's land, resources, education, and government. While the coverage is superficial, the text is straightforward, and effective use of topical maps and charts enhances understanding of the material. Sidebars, related websites, and color photos on each spread add interest. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Uncovering History series. Illustrated by Manuela Cappon & Manuela Cappon. Offering a patchwork look at the cultures they present, these books treat nine subtopics, ranging from Celtic burial to a Roman kitchen. Each double-page spread contains a paragraph and numerous captioned illustrations, including photographs and finely detailed art. Several transparent overlays afford exterior/interior views of such features as homesteads and burial sites. Ind. [Review covers these Uncovering History titles: Everyday Life in Ancient Rome and Everyday Life of the Celts.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Uncovering History series. Illustrated by Manuela Cappon & Manuela Cappon. Offering a patchwork look at the cultures they present, these books treat nine subtopics, ranging from Celtic burial to a Roman kitchen. Each double-page spread contains a paragraph and numerous captioned illustrations, including photographs and finely detailed art. Several transparent overlays afford exterior/interior views of such features as homesteads and burial sites. Ind. [Review covers these Uncovering History titles: Everyday Life in Ancient Rome and Everyday Life of the Celts.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian