(4) YA Tales of a New World series. Sun Warrior Mari and Companion Nik (Moon Chosen) continue the battle to unite their tribes and defeat the power-mad Thaddeus. However, once the tribes unite, the majority of the narrative focuses on creating relationships and learning to live together. Cast always creates fully realized characters, but it makes for slow-paced reading.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) YA Tales of a New World series. Eighteen-year-old Mari has been raised by her Earth Walker mother, a Moon Woman who can call on the moon to heal. Mari should be the chosen replacement Moon Woman, but she's hiding sun-driven powers inherited from her father. When danger threatens both tribes, Mari and sun-blessed Nik work together. Cast's world-building is complex and often beautiful, but rotating viewpoints create an uneven narrative.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. After WWII ends, Thomas travels aboard the Queen Mary with his mum and baby brother to be reunited with his American stepfather in New York. Thomas's story highlights the experiences of "war brides" who immigrated to America to join their soldier husbands. Softly realistic illustrations capture the characters' range of emotions in this different kind of war story. An author’s note is appended.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Amanda Hall. When Kumar goes to celebrate Diwali at his classmate's house, Andal's grandmother, raised a Brahmin, does not allow the Dalit ("untouchable" in former times) boy to stay. Kumar's grandfather explains that the India of the future will be different. This purposive story about Indian caste prejudice can open discussion about discrimination. Hall's vivid folk art–style paintings enliven the setting. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Jim Madsen. Travelling with his father and his two tamarin friends into the rainforest to gather Brazil nuts, young Eduardo is the hero of this Ecuadorian adventure as he discovers animal traffickers and eventually foils their plot. Realistic details flesh out the captivating setting, as do the colorful illustrations, though their digitally enhanced look is glossy. An author's note discusses animal trafficking and rainforest interdependence.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Kristina Rodanas. Life in Elena's Guatemalan village is difficult, but she finds satisfaction in trying to master Spanish in school so that she can share the stories she reads with younger brother Luis and her mother, who speaks Mam (a Mayan language). The story itself is flat, but traditional clothing, cultural details, and Central American scenery are strongly realized in the evocative illustrations.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Beth Peck. Cook focuses on a boy in the south of France who dreams of following in his chef father's footsteps. Year is about an Irish girl whose family members are nomadic Travelers. Whelan aptly describes the children's attitudes toward their unusual lives. Both books' illustrations are eye-pleasing and highlight unique aspects of each culture. Glos. Review covers these Tales of the World titles: The Boy Who Wanted to Cook and Megan's Year.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Steve Adams. Cook focuses on a boy in the south of France who dreams of following in his chef father's footsteps. Year is about an Irish girl whose family members are nomadic Travelers. Whelan aptly describes the children's attitudes toward their unusual lives. Both books' illustrations are eye-pleasing and highlight unique aspects of each culture. Glos. Review covers these Tales of the World titles: The Boy Who Wanted to Cook and Megan's Year.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Pascal Milelli. Eight-year-old Zulviya and the girls in her family spend their days weaving rugs, just like their mothers and grandmothers have always done. Impressionistic paintings in muted colors accompany Zulviya's lyrical description of her Afghan homeland and her yearning to escape "the shadow of the loom." An author's note provides details about illegal child labor in the Afghani rug-making industry.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene. Yuki and her mother must travel to Edo (Tokyo) when Yuki's father, a provincial governor, is called there by the shogun. In straightforward narration and descriptive haiku, Yuki observes the ancient Japanese countryside; she also describes the men who transport the traveling party and goods on their backs. Serene and expansive illustrations enhance the story of Yuki's journey.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Peter Sylvada. Yatandou tells how the lives of women in her Malian village change when a machine takes over the laborious, often painful job of beating millet into meal. There's a gentle message about the value of education and technology, but the voice isn't always convincingly an eight-year-old girl's. The warm impressionistic paintings are rich with the colors of the West African setting.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith