(3) PS Our World series. Illustrated by Netsanet Tesfay. In this slice-of-life board book, a young dark-skinned girl and her father rise to the promise of a new day in Ethiopia, break bread (literally — they eat chechebsa, an Ethiopian torn flatbread), then spend a pleasant day at Entoto Natural Park, where horse-riding and hide-and-seek are on the agenda. The doting pair returns home to enjoy dinner with Mom and the girl’s older brother, and when it’s slumbertime, Dad looks happy as a clam reading his daughter a bedtime story. Habtemariam’s characters and Tesfay’s depiction (colorful childlike illustrations offer interesting details) of the city of Addis Ababa exude bonhomie. Ethiopian social practices (like eating with one’s hands from a communal plate and the Habesha coffee ceremony) are casually woven into the story. A pictorial glossary of Amharic words concludes this winsome offering.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This straightforward series gently describes difficult realities of the world through examples and language that will resonate with young children. Each volume explains why or how situations such as war or acts of racism might occur, the "people who help," and how children can better understand the issues and process associated anxieties. Soft, emotive art underscores the reassuring tone. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Children in Our World titles: Global Conflict and Racism and Intolerance.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This straightforward series gently describes difficult realities of the world through examples and language that will resonate with young children. Each volume explains why or how situations such as war or acts of racism might occur, the "people who help," and how children can better understand the issues and process associated anxieties. Soft, emotive art underscores the reassuring tone. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Children in Our World titles: Global Conflict and Racism and Intolerance.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Robotics in Our World series. With clear text, strong organization, and appropriate photographs, this high-interest series introduces branches of robotics to newly independent readers. Each book straightforwardly explains the history and current uses of particular types of robots and keeps a rosy outlook on these technological advancements. Bright page colors add to the books' visual appeal without being distracting. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Robotics in Our World titles: Factory Robots and Drones.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Robotics in Our World series. With clear text, strong organization, and appropriate photographs, this high-interest series introduces branches of robotics to newly independent readers. Each book straightforwardly explains the history and current uses of particular types of robots and keeps a rosy outlook on these technological advancements. Bright page colors add to the books' visual appeal without being distracting. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Robotics in Our World titles: Factory Robots and Drones.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. Using relatable language and explanations, this volume sensitively explores the plight of refugees and migrants. The coverage includes why and how people leave their home country, refugee camps, asylum seekers, and the complicated process of determining where a refugee will ultimately live; suggestions for how to help are also provided. Kai's muted, reassuring illustrations enhance the lucid prose. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This compassionate exploration of poverty uses gentle, age-appropriate language. Kai's muted illustrations blend well with relatable explanations of how and why people end up suffering from hunger and poverty and the effect this has on families. The lucid text also discusses the ways in which charitable organizations provide aid and makes suggestions for how young readers can help. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Our World: The Next 100 Years series. In this graphic introduction to energy technologies, fictional "futurist" Luna Li and companions tour a present-day coal plant; travel twenty-five years into the future to examine the state of natural gas, wind, solar, and other power technologies; then jump to 2120 to look at possible future technologies. The comic-panel illustrations featuring cutting-edge technologies add interest to a contrived frame story. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 First Facts: Water in Our World series. Some basic concepts regarding how water we use is purified and how it gets to our faucets and drinking fountains are superficially explained in simple, large-print sentences illustrated with photos and diagrams; fact boxes provide deeper information on some pages. Water conservation is urged toward book's end, and an easy experiment and critical thinking questions are also provided. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 First Facts: Water in Our World series. Some basic concepts--such as where water comes from, how it collects in aquifers, and why we can't drink ocean water--are superficially explained in simple, large-print sentences illustrated with photos and diagrams; fact boxes provide deeper information on some pages. Water conservation is urged toward book's end, and an easy experiment and critical thinking questions are also provided. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Our World: The Next 100 Years series. Fictional "futurist" Luna Li tours the Air and Space Museum for highlights of past space exploration, then transports herself and a companion to a hologram-based future in which NASA explores unexamined bodies in the solar system, commercial space flight exists, and planets' natural resources can be exploited. The comic-like panel illustrations featuring cutting-edge space technologies add interest to a contrived frame story. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Our World of Faith series. This series outlines various world religions through the voices of young people, including Herbert, a Christian who lives in Uganda, and Yuranan, a Buddhist from Thailand. Each volume illustrates key scriptures, places of worship, rites of passage, rituals, and holidays, but the coverage doesn't go into any depth. The accessible texts are enhanced with engaging photos in a lively design. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our World of Faith titles: Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Countries in Our World series. These volumes provide very general introductions to their title countries. Topics include geographical, economic, environmental, cultural, and political issues, positive and negative, faced by the citizens; useful spreads look ahead to 2020. Abundant photographs (of varying relevance) and sidebars highlight important facts and people. The volumes will be quickly dated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries in Our World titles: Egypt in Our World and Kenya in Our World.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Countries in Our World series. These volumes provide very general introductions to their title countries. Topics include geographical, economic, environmental, cultural, and political issues, positive and negative, faced by the citizens; useful spreads look ahead to 2020. Abundant photographs (of varying relevance) and sidebars highlight important facts and people. The volumes will be quickly dated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries in Our World titles: Egypt in Our World and Kenya in Our World.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Countries in Our World series. These volumes provide very general introductions to their title countries. Topics include geographical, economic, environmental, cultural, and political issues, positive and negative, faced by the citizens; useful spreads look ahead to 2020. Abundant photographs (of varying relevance) and sidebars highlight important facts and people. Some of the information is dated (e.g., Italy lists Berlusconi as Prime Minister and U.K. lists Gordon Brown). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries in Our World titles: Germany in Our World, Italy in Our World, and United Kingdom in Our World.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow