(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Three serviceable titles about baseball's biggest contemporary stars will appeal to fans and reluctant readers. Because they focus primarily on active players, the books are already outdated (e.g., Shortstops precedes A-Rod's recent trade and history-making contract). Generous color photos and drawings enhance every page. Home Run Heroes is written at an easier level than the other series titles. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. This entry follows the series format, with each double-page spread devoted to an aspect of baseball and illustrated with copious photographs and drawings. Most aspects of the game are afforded a surprisingly high level of detail, with attention paid to related topics such as softball, Little League, and the game's growing international presence. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. This entry follows the series format, with each double-page spread devoted to an aspect of baseball and illustrated with copious photographs and drawings. Most aspects of the game are afforded a surprisingly high level of detail, with attention paid to related topics such as softball, Little League, and the game's growing international presence. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. This biography for newly independent readers focuses on the first Hispanic baseball player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The readable Spanish text, accompanied by black-and-white and color photos, tells of Clemente's childhood in Puerto Rico, his leap to the Major Leagues, his fight against prejudice, and his humanitarian efforts to help the poor. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elena Abos Alvarez-Buiza

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Manning introduces readers to one of football's most talented young quarterbacks. Rumbling introduces some of the sport's most famous running backs, past and present. With its singular focus, Manning provides a bit more detail than Running Backs and is targeted for kids at a slightly lower reading level. Lots of color photos add appeal to the books, sure to interest young fans. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Dorling Kindersley Readers titles: Peyton Manning and Rumbling Running Backs.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Manning introduces readers to one of football's most talented young quarterbacks. Rumbling introduces some of the sport's most famous running backs, past and present. With its singular focus, Manning provides a bit more detail than Running Backs and is targeted for kids at a slightly lower reading level. Lots of color photos add appeal to the books, sure to interest young fans. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Dorling Kindersley Readers titles: Peyton Manning and Rumbling Running Backs.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 1-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Kids who enjoyed the live action film but are unfamiliar with the comic-book series will appreciate these introductory volumes. The books, although somewhat redundant, explain how high school student Peter Parker became Spider-Man and describe the various superhuman skills he possesses. The busy format, jammed with text, color illustrations from the comics, and supplemental marginalia, may confuse early readers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. The large print and many captioned illustrations (color photos and drawings) will appeal to younger readers, as will the topic. Six short chapters tell about various sea disasters, from the defeat of the Spanish Armada to the Exxon Valdez. Information boxes throughout the book provide additional facts but may be somewhat distracting to newly independent readers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. The simply written volume recounts several notable mountaineering expeditions, including George Mallory's ill-fated effort to climb Mount Everest and Edmund Hillary's 1953 conquest of that mountain. Illustrated with color artwork and photos, the book presents supplemental information in the margins which, while interesting, disrupts the flow of the text. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. With a somewhat stilted text geared toward newly independent readers, this book offers an introductory biographical sketch of Abraham Lincoln. Text boxes provide additional related information. Archival photographs and reproductions are combined with undistinguished illustrations. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Ganeri's simple descriptions and explanations avoid complex vocabulary yet provide comprehensive coverage of the main concepts in volcanic activity--volcanic eruptions, types of volcanoes, and the rocks that are formed. Classic examples from Hawaii, Italy, and Iceland are featured. The photographs illustrate the text concepts well but are occasionally oddly cropped to fit into the layouts.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Guided by their teacher, three young riders, two girls and a boy, prepare for and compete in a horse show. The easy-reader text follows their events (walk, trot, and canter; gymkhana; and jumping) and includes information on horse care and four different breeds, all shown in clear color photos. Occasional sidebars add further facts on safety and horse care. Ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Though the texts are dull and information is limited, beginning readers will get a sense of what a day is like for four workers: Jack, a builder; Lisa, a dancer; Rob, a firefighter; and Jan, a teacher. Boxed, labeled pictures help with reading comprehension, and a clock is frequently shown, indicating the passage of time. Set against white backgrounds, the photos are obviously staged.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 1-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Kids who enjoyed the live action film but are unfamiliar with the comic-book series will appreciate these introductory volumes. The books, although somewhat redundant, explain how high school student Peter Parker became Spider-Man and describe the various superhuman skills he possesses. The busy format, jammed with text, color illustrations from the comics, and supplemental marginalia, may confuse early readers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. As a young dolphin grows, he leaves his mother and goes off with older dolphins to feed. Sometimes his life is quiet and fish are plentiful, but at other times the fish seem to be hiding and killer whales lurk in the waters. The story, which conveys little sense of drama, is accompanied by photographs. The text's short, choppy sentences are easy to read and provide simple facts about dolphins. A picture glossary is appended.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. "The space shuttle uses rocket engines to blast off. When the rocket engines fall away, the shuttle plane flies into space." This beginning reader features a brief text and glossy color photographs of space vehicles, equipment, and planet surfaces. No great substance here, but there's just enough information to send a child searching for more.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. The two biographies focus on each star's major football accomplishments without going into much depth and with little information about their personal lives. Heroes reflects on memorable Super Bowl players and games; Upsets describes dramatic NFL victories. A graphically busy combination of illustrations and color and black-and-white photos supplement the readable texts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. The two biographies focus on each star's major football accomplishments without going into much depth and with little information about their personal lives. Heroes reflects on memorable Super Bowl players and games; Upsets describes dramatic NFL victories. A graphically busy combination of illustrations and color and black-and-white photos supplement the readable texts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Written in simple language, this basic outline of Joan of Arc's life manages to convey a balanced view of the enigmatic saint. Factual asides in the margins expand on points in the text but tend to interrupt the narrative flow and are sometimes of limited relevance. Black-and-white and color illustrations from current and archival sources illustrate the book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam