(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of force (Pom-Pom) and measurement (Wind). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Make a Pom-Pom Flyer and How to Make a Wind Speed Meter.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of force (Pom-Pom) and measurement (Wind). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Make a Pom-Pom Flyer and How to Make a Wind Speed Meter.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: My Body Systems series. Two short sections followed by a "Keeping Healthy" conclusion present very basic information about health and the human body. Simple texts comprised of three or four sentences face full-color photos of active kids. Three final questions help readers review the facts presented in each formulaic book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: My Body Systems titles: My Immune System and My Muscular System.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: My Body Systems series. Two short sections followed by a "Keeping Healthy" conclusion present very basic information about health and the human body. Simple texts comprised of three or four sentences face full-color photos of active kids. Three final questions help readers review the facts presented in each formulaic book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: My Body Systems titles: My Immune System and My Muscular System.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans series. Using short, simple sentences and engaging photos, this early-reader biography introduces the Chinese American figure skater. Key moments in Kwan's professional life are covered briefly and chronologically, accompanied by a cumulative timeline. Ample white space around the text and large pictures make for an attractive and supportive layout for new readers. This series fills a gap for children's biographies about Asian Americans. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans series. Using short, simple sentences and engaging photos, this early-reader biography series introduces famous Asian Americans, filling a gap in children's biographies. Key moments in each subject's professional life are covered chronologically and accompanied by a cumulative timeline. Ample white space around the texts and large pictures make for attractive and supportive layouts for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans titles: Tammy Duckworth and Yo-Yo Ma.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans series. Using short, simple sentences and engaging photos, this early-reader biography series introduces famous Asian Americans, filling a gap in children's biographies. Key moments in each subject's professional life are covered chronologically and accompanied by a cumulative timeline. Ample white space around the texts and large pictures make for attractive and supportive layouts for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans titles: Tammy Duckworth and Yo-Yo Ma.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: An Astronaut's Life series. Rustad uses short, simple sentences appropriate for beginning readers in her cursory explanations of what it takes to become an astronaut (Becoming) and the daily activities of astronauts on space stations (Life). Full-page photographs show modern astronauts training in planes and underwater, and in space conducting scientific experiments--though familiar needs such as eating, bathing, and sleeping receive more attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: An Astronaut's Life titles: Becoming an Astronaut and Life in Space.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: An Astronaut's Life series. Rustad uses short, simple sentences appropriate for beginning readers in her cursory explanations of what it takes to become an astronaut (Becoming) and the daily activities of astronauts on space stations (Life). Full-page photographs show modern astronauts training in planes and underwater, and in space conducting scientific experiments--though familiar needs such as eating, bathing, and sleeping receive more attention. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: An Astronaut's Life titles: Becoming an Astronaut and Life in Space.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Understanding Differences series. These revised volumes introduce the topic of physical disabilities as experienced by children. Each book describes the featured disability, relates how it occurs, and shows kids involved in various activities (e.g., a deaf child feeling his smartphone vibrate). The bland texts are accompanied by photos of disabled children, often interacting happily with able-bodied kids. A related publisher's app is available. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review includes these Understanding Differences titles: Some Kids Are Blind and Some Kids are Deaf.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Understanding Differences series. These revised volumes introduce the topic of physical disabilities as experienced by children. Each book describes the featured disability, relates how it occurs, and shows kids involved in various activities (e.g., a deaf child feeling his smartphone vibrate). The bland texts are accompanied by photos of disabled children, often interacting happily with able-bodied kids. A related publisher's app is available. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review includes these Understanding Differences titles: Some Kids Are Blind and Some Kids are Deaf.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of liquid density (Rainbow), gases (Rocket), and molecules (Balloon). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Build a Fizzy Rocket, How to Make a Liquid Rainbow, and How to Make a Mystery Smell Balloon.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of liquid density (Rainbow), gases (Rocket), and molecules (Balloon). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Build a Fizzy Rocket, How to Make a Liquid Rainbow, and How to Make a Mystery Smell Balloon.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun series. With descriptive directions and large, clear photographs, each appealing volume takes readers step-by-step through a simple experiment then explains the science behind it. A few materials may be hard to find, and the target audience will need adult help, but the concrete examples lend themselves well to the concepts of liquid density (Rainbow), gases (Rocket), and molecules (Balloon). Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Hands-On Science Fun titles: How to Build a Fizzy Rocket, How to Make a Liquid Rainbow, and How to Make a Mystery Smell Balloon.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Meet Desert Animals series. Beginning readers are superficially introduced to the life and behavior of armadillos, including their physical characteristics, habitat, diet, and how they protect themselves from predators. The abbreviated text is enhanced by full-page photographs that will fascinate young naturalists and stimulate discussion about the unusual-looking animals. Common Core critical thinking questions are included. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Meet Desert Animals series. Beginning readers are superficially introduced to the life and behavior of scorpions, including physical characteristics, habitats, diet, and how they protect themselves from predators. The abbreviated text is enhanced by full-page photographs that will fascinate young naturalists and stimulate discussion about the unusual-looking arachnids. Common Core critical-thinking questions are included. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Meet Desert Animals series. Beginning readers are superficially introduced to the life and behavior of various lizards, including physical characteristics, habitat, diet, and how they protect themselves from predators. The abbreviated text is enhanced by full-page photographs that will fascinate young naturalists and stimulate discussion about the many kinds of unusual-looking lizards. Common Core critical-thinking questions are included. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: U.S. Military Branches series. These books for beginning readers provide extremely basic information about two branches of the American military. The texts briefly discuss the various jobs, weapons, and vehicles associated with each service. Every simplistically laid-out spread consists of two to five short, easy-to-read sentences on the left page and a full-page stock photograph on the right. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: U.S. Military Branches titles: The U.S. Army and The U.S. Marine Corps.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Explore Life Cycles series. Close-up, full-color photographs depict box turtles growing from eggs to maturity in this appealing series installment. Each picture is accompanied by two to four sentences of description per page, detailing essential features such as how the creatures hatch, feed, hibernate, and grow. Appended critical thinking questions may encourage young readers to revisit the text for answers. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Explore Life Cycles series. This series entry explains how a bean seed grows in the soil, sprouting roots and leaves. The plant is pollinated by a bee and produces buds, pods, and finally next year's seeds. Sharp photographs and black text on a pale green background communicate the action with clarity and detail. An appealing presentation for young readers, with critical thinking questions appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler