Reviews
Light and Sound - Reviewed by Booklist
Using straightforward yet clear text in a large font, this installment in the Foundations of Physics series (6 titles) offers a basic introduction to the physical concepts of light and sound. Starting with light, it explains how light travels in waves, as well as such related terms as… View →
The Sky's the Limit - Reviewed by Booklist
Titles in the Sky’s the Limit series provide tips and information on how young readers can manage their lives, accomplish their goals, and create and maintain positive habits. Making Good Decisions discusses easy versus difficult decisions and presents five steps to help readers with the View →
Great Wall of China - Reviewed by Booklist
The discussion opens with a history of China’s Great Wall, which began more than 2,500 years ago as segments built by warring kingdoms. After the first emperor gained control of all of China in 221 BCE, many of the old walls were connected to provide a… 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 →
Cabras en la granja (Goats on the Farm) - Reviewed by Booklist
In this installment in the Spanish language Animales de la granja series (8 titles), beginning readers will learn fun facts about goats. Each spread includes a labeled photo introducing goat body parts, diet, and behaviors, as well as differences between goat bucks and kids, paired with… View →
Super Science Feats: Medical Breakthroughs - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Large, clear photos showing petri dishes of bacteria, patients receiving vaccinations, or archival images of early researchers fill the pages of this series. Information is organized into short chapters with brief paragraphs on each spread and additional facts in “Did You Know?” text… View →
Fun First Concepts - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Directions, opposites, patterns, and word families are explored in the latest installations of the “Fun First Concepts” series. Each title presents several real-world examples of the concept, which allows readers to explore these ideas in a setting they already understand (“The sand is… View →
Big Cats - Reviewed by School Library Journals
Appealing photographs and basic facts introduce well-known wild cats. Short and simple sentences make the text accessible to new readers: “Jaguars are big cats. Their fur is tan. They have dark spots” (Jaguars). Question-and-answer sequences and interjections such as “Neat!” and “Wow!”… View →
Nature Heals - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Now that we are all plugged in and cooped up, a series on healing and unplugging by connecting through nature is just what many need. The series is heavy in calming scenes, and the images share much of the information and, as such, express a sense of inclusion through the depiction of… View →
Los grandes felinos (Big Cats) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
How do different types of big cats survive in the wild? Readers will learn the answer to that question, and much more, thanks to this Spanish series about six species of big cats. The organized layout and simple format of these books make them perfect for beginning readers who are… View →
Patrones en la naturaleza (Patterns in Nature) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Patterns and textures take the spotlight in this Spanish series about where to find patterns in all kinds of natural environments, including forests, deserts, gardens, and beaches. Readers as young as three will benefit from full-page color, high-definition close-ups of butterflies,… View →
Science Behind the Colors - Reviewed by Booklist (Booklist Top Ten)
Ever wonder how animals came to possess their particular pigments? The answers to these colorful mysteries are revealed in these early readers, which take a unique approach to animals science. 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 →
¿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 →
Celebrando nuestras comunidades (Celebrating Our Communities) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
This colorful Spanish series aims to promote understanding and acceptance of different appearances, cultures, families, abilities, personalities, and religions. Each book begins with questions for preliminary discussion and other activities, which will advance comprehension and literacy, 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 →
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 Booklist
Ever wonder how animals came to possess their particular pigments? The Science behind the Colors series takes a unique approach to color in nature by offering kids simplified explanations of the how and why behind creatures’ colors. Aside from setting off a round of giggles, Blue-Footed… 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 →
Los estados mentales (States of Mind) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Short chapters explain why people may feel certain emotions, how to manage those feelings, and how to identify them in others. Siento aburrimiento (I Feel Bored) states that boredom can happen at home or at school and even when we’re doing something we enjoy. Practical ways to handle… View →
Around Town - Reviewed by School Library Journal
This series for beginning readers explores a variety of locations, from airports to farmer’s markets to museums. The opening pages offer tools to support fluency and comprehension; high-frequency and content-area words are highlighted. Thoughtful before-and-after reading activities,… 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 →
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 →
All Around the World - Reviewed by School Library Journal
This eye-catching, well-organized series will spark interest in other countries. The three chapters are brief and feature vivid pictures. Young readers will not be intimidated by the short paragraphs offered throughout. Labeled pictures, boldface vocabulary words, and infographic facts… View →