(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Dianne Eastman. Nicolson asks and answers twenty-three questions (e.g., "Why do your eyes face forward?" "Why do you love pets?"), exploring human quirks such as hiccupping, yawning, farting, vomiting, laughing, and crying. A brief scenario engages readers and focuses each explanation. Computer-generated illustrations, often combining human and animal features (e.g., a girl with a bunny-rabbit head), reflect the volume's humor and subtly underscore evolutionary science. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Disaster series. Large newspaper-style headlines introduce each topic in a standard series entry about earth's most violent storms. Photographs are well chosen for dramatic effect, and very simple science activities are included. Designed primarily for browsers, there is an index but no further reading suggestions. Glos.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Disaster series. Basic hurricane facts, anecdotes from famous hurricanes, and suggested related projects form the basis of this elementary but engaging look at the earth's most powerful storms. Although coverage is similar to that found in other volumes on the topic, the double-page spread "Interview with a Hurricane Hunter" is unique. The book is illustrated with color photos of hurricanes and their effects. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) 4-6 Disaster series. Accounts of recent and historic volcanic eruptions include information on the processes that create these events, and the work of scientists attempting to predict their occurrences. The featured volcanoes include classic examples from Pompeii, Hawaii, Iceland, and the western United States. The two-page layouts are somewhat crowded, though good information can be found in the captions of the color photos. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Mysterious You series. Illustrated by Rose Cowles. Facts about genes and cloning are loosely grouped into four chapters covering what effect genes have on heredity, the structure and analysis of DNA, genetic mutations, and cloning. Three "Science Detective" sections cover important researchers in the field. The exaggerated collage cartoons match the breezy anecdotal style of the short chapters and text boxes. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Starting with Space series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. By answering basic questions ("How do rockets work?"), this book offers a cursory history of space exploration from ancient legends to the invention of the telescope, space flight, and the possibility of space dwelling. Factual asides are provided by a cartoonish observatory and on "space data" pages. The busy pages also include photographs and watercolor spot art. A number of activities and a time line are provided. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Starting with Space series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Both books combine brief introductions to stars and to the planets in our solar system, along with related mythology and simple activities that illustrate concepts discussed in the texts. Readers may have to supplement the information with other sources (such as Seymour Simon's astronomy series), but these volumes are as up-to-date as the Martian fossil controversy. Adequate color illustrations and some photographs are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Starting with Space series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Both books combine brief introductions to stars and to the planets in our solar system, along with related mythology and simple activities that illustrate concepts discussed in the texts. Readers may have to supplement the information with other sources (such as Seymour Simon's astronomy series), but these volumes are as up-to-date as the Martian fossil controversy. Adequate color illustrations and some photographs are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs