(4) YA Development Without Damage series. These books offer information about the title subjects from the perspective of sustainability--using resources without depleting them or damaging the environment. Successful models are cited, and sobering facts are given about the deleterious effects many industries, from tourism to oil refining, have. Frequent boxed text inserts make for a busy layout, but plenty of photos add interest. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Development Without Damage titles: Building Homes for Tomorrow, Food and Water, Nature for People, Oil, Plastics, and Power, Trees and Timber Products, and Mining, Minerals, and Metals.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 From ancient times to the present day, this book describes competitive activities played on land, water, and in the air for skill, entertainment, shock factor, and monetary gain. The topic of racing, for example, covers the ordinary (horse), the exotic (camel), and the absurd (snail). Busy, colorful pages provide facts that are sufficiently engaging for leisure reading. Reading lists, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 This lighthearted book details the history of the fashions, activities, sports, equipment, and movies created at and for the beach. Van Steenwyk's narrative voice is familiar and warm: she does not attempt to make her study an academic one, but rather a breezy summary of primarily American beach history and lore. Original photos and advertisements will interest and amuse readers. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(4) 4-6 Workers You Know series. These books introduce different career possibilities to young readers. Carpenter and Teacher each focus on a single project (building an addition and creating a science unit); the other titles recount daily duties of each profession. The concept is sound and the conversational texts are engaging, but the staged color photos make the books look too slick and idealized.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 First Sports Science series. Various random park and winter activities (in-line skating, boomerang throwing, downhill skiing, tobogganing), as well as biking and swimming are introduced. The books focus broadly on physical science (physics, bits of chemistry, a fair amount of physiology), with warnings about safety practices--and the reasons for them. Photos and diagrams are plentiful if not particularly elucidating. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 First Sports Science series. Various random park and winter activities (in-line skating, boomerang throwing, downhill skiing, tobogganing), as well as biking and swimming are introduced. The books focus broadly on physical science (physics, bits of chemistry, a fair amount of physiology), with warnings about safety practices--and the reasons for them. Photos and diagrams are plentiful if not particularly elucidating. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 First Sports Science series. Various random park and winter activities (in-line skating, boomerang throwing, downhill skiing, tobogganing), as well as biking and swimming are introduced. The books focus broadly on physical science (physics, bits of chemistry, a fair amount of physiology), with warnings about safety practices--and the reasons for them. Photos and diagrams are plentiful if not particularly elucidating. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs