(3) K-3 In this friendly, engaging narrative, Arnosky shares Western wonders from his nature-watching trips. The first-person text informs readers about animals, plants, and landscapes of the prairie and desert, as well as topics such as parts of a saddle and cattle brands. Soft pencil drawings and acrylic paintings recreate the western scenes.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Edith Rosenbaum brings a pig-shaped music box aboard the Titanic. On the night of the boat's sinking, she refuses to get in a lifeboat until a sailor mistakes her bundle (the pig) for a baby and throws it into a boat full of children. Rosenbaum jumps in and distracts them with the pig's music. Affecting illustrations help tell a fresh story from Titanic lore.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. In this story, illustrated with lighthearted cartoons, eleven-year-old John Jacob and his father transport the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia into hiding during the British siege of 1777. The frame of the story--John Jacob telling his siblings about the adventure and swearing them to secrecy--seems unnecessary. The historical note is useful in relating fiction to facts.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) 4-6 This gallery features portraits of fifty historical and contemporary, well-known and lesser-known writers, labor leaders, artists, environmentalists, political activists, reporters, and politicians who spoke out about what they believed. Portraits are accompanied by dates, occupations, and quotes; biographical information is appended. While allowing more space for the inspired paintings, the minuscule typeface is hard to read.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) 4-6 Using sources such as Glenn's own memoir and the transcript from the Friendship 7 flight, this dramatized history chronicles Glenn's boyhood through his flight aboard the shuttle Discovery at age seventy-seven. In a dull design, the dutiful text is uninterrupted by art (except for a final ten-page illustrated section), making this fairly slow going. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) YA Understanding Literature series. Though instructive as to biography and literary analysis, these books are overambitious in the number of sophisticated novels and stories addressed. Illustrated with photos and reproductions, topics include influences, plot and character development, themes, and literary devices. Sidebars explain literary terms and offer historical information. List of works, reading list, source notes, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Understanding Literature titles: A Student's Guide to Nathaniel Hawthorne and A Student's Guide to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) K-3 First Facts: Materials series. In this simple introduction to glass, topics include ingredients, melting and molding, crystal, flat and curved, colored glass, and recycling. Color photos accompany the somewhat scattershot text. A "Glassblower's Skills" activity instructs readers to collect a "gob" of cold honey on a chopstick. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 In five related tales set in the African savanna, Morris the crocodile and his best friend Billy the tortoise, along with their families and friends, enjoy summer down at the waterhole. Choosing swimming apparel, playing games, daredevil dives, and other delightfully illustrated activities will remind families of summer days by the water.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 World of Biomes series. This series emphasizes the interconnectedness of wildlife and plant life through discussion of biome climate, individual species and communities of animals, and plants. Striking, colorful photography and attractive design are highlights. Diagrams show food chains and other connections within the biome. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Biomes titles: The Forested Taiga, The Frozen Tundra, The Temperate Forest, and The Tropical Rain Forest.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 World of Biomes series. This series emphasizes the interconnectedness of wildlife and plant life through discussion of biome climate, individual species and communities of animals, and plants. Striking, colorful photography and attractive design are highlights. Diagrams show food chains and other connections within the biome. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Biomes titles: The Forested Taiga, The Frozen Tundra, The Temperate Forest, and The Tropical Rain Forest.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 World of Biomes series. This series emphasizes the interconnectedness of wildlife and plant life through discussion of biome climate, individual species and communities of animals, and plants. Striking, colorful photography and attractive design are highlights. Diagrams show food chains and other connections within the biome. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Biomes titles: The Forested Taiga, The Frozen Tundra, The Temperate Forest, and The Tropical Rain Forest.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 World of Biomes series. This series emphasizes the interconnectedness of wildlife and plant life through discussion of biome climate, individual species and communities of animals, and plants. Striking, colorful photography and attractive design are highlights. Diagrams show food chains and other connections within the biome. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Biomes titles: The Forested Taiga, The Frozen Tundra, The Temperate Forest, and The Tropical Rain Forest.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) K-3 First Facts: From Farm to Table series. A stilted but easy-to-read text briefly traces the commercial process of making ice cream from milking cows to purchasing the finished product in a store. Relevant color photos are well placed, and "Fun Fact" sidebars mostly live up to their name. A recipe for making ice cream in bags is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) K-3 First Facts: Our Physical World series. This random overview contains clear, simple explanations and photographs to illustrate some of the basic principles of motion such as force, friction, and action and reaction (Isaac Newton is briefly introduced). A final chapter mentions safety. A motion experiment involving a balloon and a straw is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This engaging introduction to the subject uses an informative, lively design to address colonial life, the Declaration of Independence, the war, Washington's farewell to the troops, and more. Murky photos include a horn book, a chamber pot, and weapons. Sidebars discuss such topics as roles of women and the mail system. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(3) 4-6 United States Presidents series. This useful biography covers the childhood, West Point years, and the military and Civil War career of the general, as well as his two terms as president, his family, his decline, and his legacy. Photographs and reproductions of source documents add historical interest, and anecdotes enhance readability. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) YA Understanding Literature series. Though instructive as to biography and literary analysis, these books are overambitious in the number of sophisticated novels and stories addressed. Illustrated with photos and reproductions, topics include influences, plot and character development, themes, and literary devices. Sidebars explain literary terms and offer historical information. List of works, reading list, source notes, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Understanding Literature titles: A Student's Guide to Nathaniel Hawthorne and A Student's Guide to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk