(4) 4-6 Africa series. Captioned illustrations and maps accent these African countries' struggles with ethnic and political unrest and health and environmental challenges. For easy access, "Quick Facts" summarize the geography, economics, and population information. Readers will have to search the texts to find any positive aspects of these countries. There are eight other spring 2005 books in the series. Reading list, recipes, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Africa titles: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Visual Geography series. A dry but informative text combines with color photographs, maps, and sidebars to provide a comprehensive study of the country's geography, history, government, people, culture, and economy. These books are intended to be used with a designated website with up-to-date information for the report-driven reader. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Visual Geography titles: Ivory Coast in Pictures and Ghana in Pictures.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the World series. These accessible surveys emphasize the political, social, economic, and environmental issues of three African nations. Each book, with a readable text, discusses its subject's climate, history, government, economy, educational system, and religious and artistic traditions. Maps, color photographs, a page of basic facts, and a culturally representative recipe round out the titles. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram