Reviews
SLJ Review of Mission: Special Ops
This series features graphic fiction/nonfiction hybrids. Fictionalized dialogue bubbles mix with fact boxes to give an action-packed feel. Green Berets take on a rescue mission during the Iraq War, while pararescue jumpers work around the clock to save Hurricane Katrina victims. Army… 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 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 →
Las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos (U.S. Armed Forces) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Each book explains the profiled branch’s development, required training, special missions, challenges and opportunities in military careers, and more. Although these titles depict women and men of different races in service roles, it fails to present a wider range of status identifiers.… 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 →
Las estaciones (Seasons) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Readers will enjoy recognizing their favorite seasonal activities in this series. Perfect for both one-on-one and group reading, these titles support dialogic reading and early literacy skills. Educators and caretakers can ask, “What do you see?” Each page features colorful images and… View →
SLJ Review of Whose Poo?
These books turn scatology into a guessing game. A different biome is spotlighted in each title, with various types of poo introduced along with clues to the identity of their makers. Labels point out details such as color and consistency, and three animals are suggested. After studying… View →
¿De dónde viene? (Where Does It Come From) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
This series explains how commodities (honey, jam, cheese, pickles, pizza, and bread) are made. The titles feature a clever combination of infographics, colorful fonts and accents, and photo glossaries. Del jardín al pepinillo (From Garden to Pickle) makes this series stand out: Basic… View →
¿Qué pasa con eso? (Where Does It Go?) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Where does a letter go after you put it in the mailbox? What happens to the trash after the garbage truck takes it away? This fascinating series showcases aspects of everyday life through step-by-step processes. Each step is explained through words and pictures, which offer plenty of… 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 →