(3) K-3 Raintree Perspectives: Rock On! series. Basic, coherently organized questions about minerals are answered in detail, covering their formation, classification, common types, the rocks in which they can be found, and their importance to humans. The numerous color photographs provide important information that is highlighted by helpful captions; "Rock Solid Facts!" text boxes feature unusual mineral facts. A classic crystal-formation activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Raintree Perspectives: Rock On! series. Basic, coherently organized questions about fossils are answered in detail, covering the processes by which living things are fossilized, where they are found, major types (including dinosaurs and fossil fuels), and the features that paleontologists note to explain ancient life. Color photographs, helpful diagrams, boxes of additional "Rock Solid Facts!", and a classic fossil-making activity are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Big Countdown series. Facts about the human body and its many parts are presented in terms of numbers, such as the amount of cells, hairs, bacteria, and bones; the time it takes to digest food or grow a baby; and the sizes of all the various organs. All these facts are crammed onto colorful but busy layouts, along with illustrations and a few photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Big Countdown series. Facts about geology and geography are presented through numbers that measure them, including topics such as atmospheric temperatures and geographic distances; geologic time; the lengths of rivers and depths of the ocean; and the amounts of sand, water, and people on earth. Each crowded two-page spread is filled with colorful illustrations of the features and a few small photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Big Countdown series. An emphasis on numbers frames this presentation of the classification of animal life. The crowded layouts, illustrated with colorful graphics of animals and a few small photographs, use numbers to highlight facts such as the ages and sizes of species, distances that some animals migrate, numbers of offspring, and the like. The facts are interesting, although sometimes arbitrary. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Science Biographies series. Each of these readable and engaging texts highlights basic facts about the title scientist's early life and interests before examining the success and significance of each man's key inventions. Well-captioned archival photographs support the texts, enhancing the appeal for young readers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Biographies titles: Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Dream It, Do It! series. With the suggestion of keeping an invention journal for inspiration and collecting thoughts and pictures, this is a simple guide to the process of taking an idea through to an innovation. Full-color photographs complement the well-organized text, which uses appropriately challenging words and concepts and offers journaling prompts throughout. Back matter includes a guided board game–creating activity. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Extraordinary Women series. Each of these books profiles a highly prominent woman, covering her current role and accomplishments, past achievements, education, and early years. Lots of photographs, captions, and text boxes help to break up the accessible text but contribute to a busy look. "Then and Now" boxes consider how each has contributed to changing views on women in public life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extraordinary Women titles: Michelle Obama and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Show Me Science series. In a successful series entry, Green walks us through the "Ultimate Pet Show," describing how dogs, cats, and horses evolved from the wild and are bred to encourage the emergence of certain traits in each species' breeds. Explanations are clear, specific, and supported by simple diagrams and engaging photos of our animal companions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Ultimate Adventurers series. This small-format title highlights risk-taking aviators--of airplanes, space shuttles, jet packs, hot air balloons, and more--and their aeronautical achievements. Readers will applaud their courage or question their sanity (or both). Browsers and aspiring aviators may relish the tidbit-style information, but tiny print and photos and a crowded layout diminish the book's usefulness. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Ultimate Adventurers series. This small-format title highlights cyclists, swimmers, mountaineers, kayakers, snowboarders, and other athletes who push themselves to the extremes of human limitation in pursuit of their achievements. Readers will applaud their courage or question their sanity (or both). Browsers and armchair athletes may relish the tidbit-style information, but tiny print and photos and a crowded layout diminish the book's usefulness. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Dream It, Do It! series. This simple guide is intended for children interested in independent creative writing. Skills introduced include brainstorming, how to organize ideas, expanding characters, basic composition structures, and editing. Color photographs and well-organized text promote a cheerful can-do attitude toward the process of writing and becoming an author. Back matter includes a guided book-making activity. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Extraordinary Women series. Each of these books profiles a highly prominent woman, covering her current role and accomplishments, past achievements, education, and early years. Lots of photographs, captions, and text boxes help to break up the accessible text but contribute to a busy look. "Then and Now" boxes consider how each has contributed to changing views on women in public life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extraordinary Women titles: Michelle Obama and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Science Biographies series. Each of these readable and engaging texts highlights basic facts about the title scientist's early life and interests before examining the success and significance of each man's key inventions. Well-captioned archival photographs support the texts, enhancing the appeal for young readers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Biographies titles: Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Infographics series. Explaining that an infographic is a picture (graph, chart, map) that provides information, these simple introductions offer arbitrary examples. Animal compares, for instance, different animals' weight, physical features, speed, diet, and lifespans. Population compares stats on gender, age, life expectancy, language, education, and religion. Readers will come away with a basic understanding of the tools. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Infographics series. Explaining that an infographic is a picture (graph, chart, map) that provides information, these simple introductions offer arbitrary examples. Animal compares, for instance, different animals' weight, physical features, speed, diet, and lifespans. Population compares stats on gender, age, life expectancy, language, education, and religion. Readers will come away with a basic understanding of the tools. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Becka Moor. Finding the back door open, Rusty enjoys a day outdoors, rolling in the mud, visiting the butcher shop, and splashing in the fountain. Flip the book over to experience Rusty's big day out from his owner's perspective. Though slight in plot, dog lovers will appreciate Rusty's innocent antics. Retro illustrations are lively and help keep the book from being gimmicky.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Adapted to Survive series. Clear, concise description along with interesting facts makes these animal-adaptation books strong picks. Independent readers can easily gather information from the text, compelling photographs, captions, and "Did You Know?" sidebars. "Challenge" questions at the end will expand understanding, and an activity asking students to imagine their own unique climbing or camouflaged animal adds a level of creative thinking. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Adapted to Survive titles: Animals That Climb and Animals That Hide.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Adapted to Survive series. Clear, concise description along with interesting facts makes these animal-adaptation books strong picks. Independent readers can easily gather information from the text, compelling photographs, captions, and "Did You Know?" sidebars. "Challenge" questions at the end will expand understanding, and an activity asking students to imagine their own unique climbing or camouflaged animal adds a level of creative thinking. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Adapted to Survive titles: Animals That Climb and Animals That Hide.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Fantasy Science Field Trips series. "To get to the space station, we have to travel in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft." Through short chapters, "Did You Know?" boxes, and captioned photos, readers take an armchair journey to the International Space Station. This overview provides basic information about space travel and life aboard the ISS--though it's a fairly random presentation. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn