Reviews
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 →
¿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 →
U.S. Armed Forces - Reviewed by School Library Journal
These titles spotlight the U.S. military branches. Job descriptions are explained in simple language. Special services are mentioned, such as the Navy SEALS and Army Rangers. Some weapons are featured, including the C-5M Galaxy aircraft, the M1 Abrams tank, and… 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 →
Rainbow - Reviewed by Booklist
From the Amazing Sights in the Sky series (6 books), this brightly illustrated volume clearly explains the science behind rainbows. It encourages readers to experiment with the two necessary elements for the phenomenon, light and water, and includes a useful diagram demonstrating light… View →
Celebrating All Abilities - Reviewed by Booklist
In this aptly titled entry in the Celebrating Our Communities series (6 titles), Colich discusses the strengths of differently abled children. Frustrations and disabilities appear, but only abilities define people. Sometimes this focus and upbeat tone feels a little forced, but its… View →
Series Made Simple
Bright photos and simple text make these latest entries to the Bullfrog family welcome additions. City Trains includes information on subways (like the London Underground) and above-ground trains (like the Chicago L). Freight Trains looks at all the different kinds of cargo transported… View →
Each title in this series describes animal groupings and explores how the members benefit. For example, kangaroo mobs facilitate safety, child rearing, and grooming. One short paragraph per page explains a different key aspect of the social construct, accompanied by a large photo that… View →
Series Made Simple
This series makes crucial events in U.S. history accessible to younger readers. Through clear writing and organization, the books describe the causes, the outcomes, and the conclusion of each turning point. Photographs, sidebars (which often contain facts and critical thinking… View →
Series Made Simple
This simplified series explains how the digital world works. How Does Social Media Work? discusses the positives (like instant connection) as well as the safety concerns in sharing personal information online. How Does the Internet Work? provides a very basic overview of how the internet View →
Mindfulness in Digital Devices
Jump!’s new Blue Owl imprint focuses on health, wellness, and social-emotional learning for children in the primary grades. This volume in the Mindful Me series (6 titles) presents relatable examples of practicing mindfulness and limiting screen time, without casting digital devices in a View →
Series Made Simple
This series provides a visual tour of the seven land masses. Each continent gets its own book, featuring information on its climate, native animals, population, and unusual features. In Explore Africa, readers will learn about the Sahara desert, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the many animals in View →
California Gold Rush
This graphic-rich introduction to the 1849 California gold rush walks readers through the basics, from the discovery of the first nuggets to the mass migration of hopeful prospectors to the sudden appearance of boomtowns to San Francisco’s transformation into a teeming metropolis.… View →
Series Made Simple
Colors, letters, shapes, and counting are introduced in this series, which uses bright colors and simple text to entice beginning readers. These slim volumes take a concept and present examples in a real-life setting, such as showing shapes as different street signs and a variety of… View →
Series Made Simple
This colorful series introduces young readers to different types of yoga. There is also a book on breathing and meditation. Each title begins with helpful tips for caregivers (such as reflection questions and how yoga will help improve the lives of children) and closes with practice… View →
Los mapaches
This cute, raccoon primer in the Animales en tu jardín (Backyard Animals) series (8 titles) View →
Series Made Simple
This series in Spanish introduces beginning readers to all the colors of the rainbow and where to find them in nature, at home, and more. Examples of everyday objects in every color are shown in detailed, vibrant full-color photographs. Each page is limited to one line of text or a short View →
Series Made Simple
Vivid photographs and minimal text work together in this set for younger readers. Basic descriptions of shark attributes include questions and answers, along with occasional interjections: “What is this? A mako shark! Wow!” Though occasionally awkwardly worded, the loose, simple… View →
Series Made Simple
Having a hard time convincing sports lovers that STEM includes them? Then look no further—these titles cover bikes, boats, balls, and balance beams. The text asks questions to draw readers in and provides details about the science behind the equipment, uniforms, View →
Series Made Simple
Children with disabilities deserve to be positively represented in the books they read. This excellent series in Spanish introduces readers to ability diversity in a compassionate and practical way. Readers will be drawn in by the book’s full-page color photographs of children from all… View →
An array of animal noses are on display in this entry in the Animal Part Smarts series (6 titles), which is designed with the youngest readers in mind. The well-labeled pictures take center stage, while simple, declarative sentences assist in emerging readers as they make their way… View →
Booklist Top Ten
Each title introduces beginning readers to a planet, as well as the sun, the moon, and Pluto and the dwarf planets, through large font and simple text. Close-up color photographs reveal the solar system’s composition, beauty, variation, and size comparisons. —Angela Leeper View →
The All Kinds of Friends series (6 titles) does an excellent job of educating readers about differently abled individuals while presenting them as perfectly normal. This book, aimed at beginning readers, showcases how deaf children can communicate (through sign language and speech… View →
Readers are given keys to some of the world’s most lavish and secretive abodes when they pick up the Cool Castles and Palaces series. Each book focuses on one royal dwelling, offering a snapshot of its history, inhabitants, layout, function today, and, of course, copious photos.… View →