Reviews
SLJ Review of Bearport Biographies
These six volumes provide an eclectic mix of notable personages. Each book begins with a description of a significant moment in the subject’s life: Michael Jordan winning the 1991 NBA championship, Jimmy Carter’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize,… View →
Whole Wide World - Reviewed by School Library Journal
This series remains well organized and colorful as it highlights landmarks around the world. Each has about three chapters of six pages long with full-page pictures that accompany short paragraphs throughout. The beginning of each title includes before, during, and after reading… View →
SLJ Review of Playful Pet Projects
The page of safety and cleanup instructions that prefaces each of these titles admonishes, “Never force your [pet] to do something it seems unhappy to do”–good advice for avoiding bites but also a reminder that consent applies to all creatures. Four projects include a toy,… View →
Creating Art in Nature - Reviewed by Booklist
This Nature Heals series entry (8 titles) for early fluent readers focuses on the benefits of getting creative inspiration from nature to aid social-emotional learning (SEL). The book begins by defining SEL for parents, then asks them… View →
Booklist Starred Review of Drive Thru
Some foods are so ubiquitous that we may never wonder how they make their way onto our tables. For curious children, however, the delightful volumes in the Drive Thru series introduce common staples and provide an overview of their production. In each book, a boy or girl starts the… View →
Booklist Review of Zendaya
The Bearcub Bios series is geared toward early readers and those reading biographies or other nonfiction for the first time. In this colorful volume, readers will find a concise introduction to actress, singer, and dancer Zendaya. Using well-chosen photos and simple text, two or three… View →
SLJ Review of Haunted History
This graphic novel series focuses on high-interest topics and is written in simple, readable prose. The books don’t claim to offer definitive evidence but detail witness accounts. The disclaimer states each title is a “dramatization based on true events.” The pedestrian comic art, which… View →
Where Does It Come From? - Reviewed by School Library Journal
A look at the steps needed to bring favorite foods from the farm to the table. Each title includes a sidebar of “Ideas for Parents and Teachers” on the copyright page, with prompts for engaging with readers before, during, and after reading. The accurate descriptions of the preparation… View →
Science Behind the Colors - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Bright, clear photos fill the pages of this series, while text is divided into easily digestible chunks of three or four sentences. Many of the photos have labels or small “Did You Know?” text boxes that offer additional facts. Each title also includes an infographic, such as a diagram… View →
Cat Club - Reviewed by School Library Journal
The visual appeal of cats comes through in these breed introductions. They are not meant to be care guides; instead they touch upon the most prominent features of each breed, such as fur, size, and coloring. The simple, enthusiastic text identifies general physical characteristics: “This View →
SLJ Review of What Makes a Community?
Early readers will enjoy learning about some popular careers in this series. These titles introduce new topics such as laws, uniforms, restaurants, menus, power tools, and goggles. Each book includes information about what each worker does and their societal impact. Short blocks of text… View →
SLJ Review of Animal Babies
These titles for younger readers provide appealing photographs supported by just the right amount of information. Each title focuses on the animal’s earliest years. Baby Horses, for example, covers birth, first steps, diet, and growth; the conclusion reveals when the grown animal will be View →