(4) K-3 Dash!: Planets series. Facts about the eight planets are conveyed in simple choppy sentences constructed for more-advanced beginning readers. Each book includes basic stats about the planet's size, distance from Earth, average temperature, as well as distinctive features such as the storms of Neptune or the crater fields of Mercury. A summary of exploratory missions is included. Images from those missions, as well as colorful artistic renditions, illustrate the spreads. Glos., ind. Review covers these Dash!: Planets titles: Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Venus.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Seedlings: Planets series. Beginner facts about the planets in our solar system are bookended with a greeting ("Hello, Mars!") and farewell ("Goodbye, Earth!"). The simple sentences are accompanied by images that include familiar photographs of the various planets as well as artistic renditions that effectively convey atmospheric conditions and landscapes. Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Seedlings: Planets titles: Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Smithsonian: Planets series. These books for second through fourth graders include basic facts about planets in our solar system, accompanied by excellent images from the latest planetary explorations. Additional considerations of "secrets"--the unknowns and puzzles that guide current scientific inquiry--illustrate the constantly changing understanding of astronomers, both historical and present-day. Critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Smithsonian: Planets titles: The Secrets of Neptune, The Secrets of Earth, and The Secrets of Saturn.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Planets series. These wide-trim books combine simple informational texts with large color images of the described features. Each follows the same uninspiring script: a definition of the solar system and the planet's place within it; facts about the planet, including composition, atmospheric conditions, temperature, and/or rotation and revolution lengths; and visibility from Earth. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Planets titles: Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, and Venus.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Solar System series. This exhaustive coverage of planetary science includes cutting edge theory as well as established facts about planet formation and features, recent and historical exploration and technical innovations, and related physical science concepts. The complex explanations and diagrams are very sophisticated and require advanced knowledge in science and mathematics to interpret. They will be thoroughly appreciated by those who can handle it. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Solar System titles: Asteroids, Meteorites, and Comets, The Earth and the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, Mars, The Sun, Mercury, and Venus, and Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the Outer Solar System.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Solar System series. Double-page spreads provide very basic information on topics such as Earth's crust, atmosphere, and weather; the size, structure, and rotation of other planets; and the formation and lifespan of stars. The flat, repetitive text also touches on methods used to study and explore these solar bodies. The books are illustrated with crisp color photos. There are six other spring 2004 books in this series. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Solar System titles: Earth, Jupiter, Mars, The Moon, Neptune, and Stars.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Worlds Beyond series. In Earth and the Moon, Miller covers the history, physical composition, and atmosphere of these bodies, as well as the development of life on Earth. Uranus and Neptune concentrates on what astronomers believe to be the appearance and composition of these planets and the reasons behind these beliefs. The striking illustrations, diagrams, and photos are well chosen. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Worlds Beyond titles: Earth and the Moon and Uranus and Neptune.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) 4-6 Isaac Asimov's 21st Century Library of the Universe: The Solar System series. Hantula has impressively revised and updated the books in this series--originally published between 1988 and 1990. Each volume covers origins, characteristics, atmosphere, and scientific research findings. An accessible text is accompanied by well-chosen color photos and clear diagrams. Lists of suggested reading, "places to visit," and Internet sources are appended. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Isaac Asimov's 21st Century Library of the Universe titles: Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, Pluto and Charon and The Sun.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) 4-6 Countdown to Space series. The books in this series provide history of what's known about these planets including near-current interpretations of spacecraft data. Physical characteristics (size, orbit, composition, satellite systems) are well covered. Color photographs and diagrams accompany the text. Lists of Internet sites and suggested reading are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Countdown to Space titles: Neptune, Pluto, Saturn, and Uranus.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Blastoff! series. The books in this series provide up-to-date descriptions of astronomers' present knowledge of each planet and Earth's moon, with considerable attention given to the sources of information (visiting spacecraft, the Hubble telescope, ground-based observations, mathematical inference). Errors are few, though the texts are rather dry. The many well-captioned photos, illustrations, and diagrams are adequate. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Blastoff! titles: Jupiter, Earth and the Moon, Neptune, Mars, Saturn.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Planet Library series. This clearly written series is quite up-to-date and includes many spacecraft discoveries, such as that of extra-solar planets. Each volume contains a few errors, but the diagrams are well done and the photos are generally well chosen and captioned. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) K-3 True Book series. These simply written texts provide solid, up-to-date information about current knowledge of the outer planets, acquired mostly from space probes. The captioned color photos are generally well chosen, and the odd nature of the interiors of the gas giants is well described for the intended audience. Lists of organizations and online sites for more information are provided. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs