(3) 4-6 Useless Knowledge series. Organized into topic areas (e.g., “Human Body,” “Chemistry”), this collection contains fascinating and occasionally gross trivia about ourselves, our planet, and our universe. Readers learn, for example, that jellyfish can live forever; that you’re awake during brain surgery; and that astronauts left poop on the moon. Humorous cartoon illustrations, such as a drawing of lighter-than-water Saturn enjoying a bubble bath, accompany each fact.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Andrea Blinick. This imaginative and informative take on the water cycle begins with the fact that all living things are made mostly of water. “Why don’t you slosh when you run? Because all that water is held in your cells.” A child with long red hair and round turquoise glasses joyfully accompanies readers along water’s journey from the ocean up to the sky, down to the ground, and into our homes and our bodies…and back out into the atmosphere via our breath, sweat, tears, and urine. Blinick’s playful digital illustrations include such fanciful scenes as our young guide taking a refreshing drink of water, their flowing hair having morphed into ocean waves supporting a pink octopus, a mermaid, a surfer, and a sea monster, among other things. Alary’s breezy text encourages readers to consider not only how important this precious resource is but also the fact that “all the water that is is all that ever was.” Our drinking water, for example, “has been many things in many places at many times”—even snowflakes on the coat of a woolly mammoth. Alary doesn’t delve too deeply into these mind-expanding concepts, but the message about the importance of water to life on Earth is crystal clear. An appended author’s note provides more information and a gentle conservation message.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Hsu. In a cheerful picture book populated by Hsu’s inquisitive cartoon humans, Albee traces the history of the number zero. From the ancient Babylonians who invented place value four thousand years ago, to the Romans who developed a system of Vs, Is, and Xs; from the Mayans who had a concept of zero but no way to spread their idea to the rest of the world, to the Indian scribe who invented a symbol for zero and the Persian mathematician who popularized it, the invention of zero was a worldwide effort with triumphs and setbacks. Parts of Europe were perhaps the last to adopt the Hindu-Arabic number system, with Roman numerals persisting into the eighteenth century in some banking operations. (A timeline gives a “blurry” portrait of when various ­developments occurred.) The narrative treads lightly but doesn’t gloss over ways in which Western xenophobia and religious fanaticism delayed zero’s adoption. Meanwhile, the illustrations get into the spirit of archaeological inquiry with touches such as heritage breeds of dogs and sheep in the portrayal of historical communities and a nod to Halley’s comet. Philosophical considerations (“why create a symbol to represent nothing?”) and mention of the fields (e.g., physics, computing) that arose as a result of the Hindu-Arabic number system round out the presentation, while a few notes about definitions, a world map, and a bibliography complete the back matter. Place this book in the hands of a budding numerophile and watch them start to put two and two together.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Manu Montoya. Mixed-media illustrations showcase the vibrant colors of a tropical rainforest and draw readers into this examination of a resident three-fingered sloth. Although slow-moving, the sloth and her young male offspring embark on a weekly “special mission,” the nature of which readers learn as the story unfolds. Small print below the main text provides facts that complement the action in the pictures (e.g., while shown descending a tree: sloths move at one-and-a-half miles per hour, as compared to humans’ maximum of twenty-seven and cheetahs’ of seventy). When our sloth finally lands on the forest floor, she completes that foreshadowed “special mission”: she “takes a big poop,” which consists of about a third of her body weight. Before returning to the forest canopy, she covers her poop with leaves (a behavior, scientists think, meant to keep it intact and thus make it easier for male sloths to locate females); and then she and her baby successfully evade a cheetah. Back matter includes brief illustrated descriptions of the seven kinds of sloths (all of which live in Central or South America) and provides two internet resources for further inquiry. A brief index concludes this entertaining and informative book.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Boersma. In a narrative beginning and ending at the Ría Lagartos nature reserve on the ­Yucatán Peninsula, readers follow the perilous and often enigmatic life of a single green sea turtle from birth to egg-laying adult. A cross-section image of a tiny green turtle still ­peacefully tucked away in its eggshell provides a moment of reprieve prior to the ­dangers that the hatchling (and siblings) will soon face. Circumstances for a newborn sea turtle are immediately perilous, with threats including everything from hungry predators to ­misdirecting light-pollution. Once in the ocean, and after a mysterious stretch of time in a young sea turtle’s development identified as the “lost years,” the focus shifts to sea turtle ­physiology, diet, defense strategies, migration habits, and other high-interest facts presented through approachable text and supportive illustrations. An emphasis on environmental protection, demonstrated by the actions of conservationists to save the turtle protagonist from a deadly drift net, adds drama. Marine biologist Bearzi skillfully balances scientific information with ­evocative present-tense writing: “The moon is standing witness to this astounding new chapter of our turtle’s life.” Boersma’s detailed graphite and digitally colored illustrations are accurate and expressive, with revealing depictions of life above and below the sand and waves, effective use of panels to show growth and time, and surprising shifts in perspective. Substantial back matter includes an author’s note alongside sources and additional scientific information.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kyle Reed. “While you slurp up some soup...a butterfly gulps turtle tears.” Contrasts between the way children and animals eat are presented using humor. Most of the animals are commonly known, but their unusual eating habits might come as a surprise. For example, readers will learn that crocodiles eat rocks to aid their digestion. The comical and brightly colored illustrations showcase diverse families. The text also explains the differences between carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. A suggested reading list is appended.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(3) K-3 Right-facing pages show photos of baby zoo animals; in the accompanying text, the animals introduce themselves and one of their identifying features (stripes for a baby tapir; stumpy horns for a rhino). Turn the page to see how that baby grows and changes when they get “BIG.” Like other ZooBorns books, this one has a clean layout, suitably adorable photos, and friendly text; closing pages provide additional information about each of the animals and their species’ conservation status.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. “When a sunbeam slips through a window in a certain slant of light, you can see a scattered sparkle: dust!” Light, airy illustrations dotted with golden specks float across the pages, lending a near-magical atmosphere to a story that starts with a mother-to-be in a child’s nursery and then travels through space and time, providing clear and fascinating scientific explanations of Saharan dust along the way. Saharan dust appears in a region adjacent to the now-dried-up Lake Chad in northern Africa and comprises fossilized animals once living in the area. With straightforward depictions in both text and illustrations, the huge plume of dust is shown visible from space (as the text notes, it weighs about the same as “one hundred and twenty million female hippos”). Particles float westward, feeding the ocean with nutrients and plankton with nourishment that is passed on to the marine animals that feed on them. When traveling over the Amazon rain-forest, the dust brings phosphorus, replenishing what’s been washed away with yearly rains. As Brockenbrough concludes, “This dust…of what lived once sustains what lives today.” An author’s note enlarges on the text and includes resources for further inquiry.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(1) K-3 Hatteras Island off the coast of North Carolina is the scene for Chin’s latest: an examination of a hurricane (based on several real ones) brilliantly told in segments alternating between actions of island residents and those of scientists. After piquing readers’ interest with a dramatic cover depicting an angry sea and a line of evacuating cars, Chin defines a hurricane and describes early tracking measures by meteorologists who observe the storm. A dual countdown begins. On Monday, the storm forms off the coast of Africa and moves west across the Atlantic as residents warily continue with their daily activities. On Tuesday, scientists follow the storm’s path; residents begin discussing arrangements. And so on. The climax occurs when the storm makes landfall. Short narrative descriptions and spot art depict what is happening on shore: the rising surf, the destructive winds, the calm of the eye, and the hurricane’s return with its change in wind direction. And then it’s over. People return to their homes and help one another with the cleanup. Chin (The Universe in You, rev. 1/23) masterfully juxtaposes the experience of people affected by the hurricane with the larger scientific context; stunning illustrations in pen and ink, watercolor, and gouache bring life to massive weather phenomena and to smaller-scale scenes. Extensive back matter adds useful details about storm formation, meteorology, and forecasting; an author’s note addresses concerns about the importance of the meteorological community’s work and the effects of climate change. Suggested sources for further inquiry complete this outstanding book.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) K-3 The life of an oak tree is beautifully depicted in this engaging informational picture book. It begins with a simple yet profound concept: "A blue jay drops an acorn, and a tree's life begins." The narrative follows the acorn as it grows into a sapling, matures into a towering tree, and becomes a vital part of a forest ecosystem -- providing shelter, food, and resources to birds, insects, and mammals for more than two centuries. It produces acorns, but the text details reasons they don't necessarily grow into new oak trees. It also effectively depicts the effects of changes over time in the tree's environment, and of human development, as the forest gives way to a town. Cole's detailed, fine-lined pen-and-ink illustrations bring depth and life to the natural elements on each spread. With intricate layers, and endless details to pore over (find the camouflaged creatures!), the black-and-white art complements the minimal text, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. The text strikes a balance between storytelling and information, educating readers about the oak tree's role in its ecosystem. The back matter provides helpful resources, such as steps to create an ecosystem and a diagram of forest habitat layers.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Lanan. Free divers, or those who dive in the ocean without any breathing equipment, claim that being unencumbered lets them immerse themselves in the underwater world, which allows for a strong connection to nature. Such is the case in this moving account when a free diver (based on Fred Buyle’s recorded experience, accompanied by another diver, Kurt Amsler) finds himself in the midst of a pod of sperm whales. They are apparently gathering for the birth of a calf, an event never before known to have been witnessed in this environment by a human. Without a hint of anthropomorphism, the connections depicted between animals -- man and whale -- are both scientific (each must ascend to the surface to breathe) and suppositional (the birth is celebrated by the community). In each case, Cusolito clearly delineates between fact and speculation. Lanan’s watercolor and ink illustrations bring readers into this majestic, alien environment, mirroring the diver’s belief that the whales are welcoming him to this special event. When the calf is stable, the mother appears to nudge him toward the diver; man and whales swim together, their movements perfectly synchronized. The whales descend; the man ascends, “forever changed.” Back matter offers a detailed diagram of a sperm whale, information about freediving and about whales, and print and digital resources for further inquiry. In addition, readers will find a selected bibliography and personal notes from author and illustrator.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bob Shea. A polecat (or spotted skunk) is ready to show off its "superpower" to a porcupine friend...but first describes its habitat, diet, and adaptations. Finally, the polecat reveals the superpower, sufficiently surprising the porcupine -- and likely readers, too. Like the other books in this series, snappy dialogue and lively digital cartoon illustrations keep the interest level high. Additional facts about the species are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) K-3 Worm acknowledges very early on that he can’t actually make a sandwich -- he is a small worm without hands, after all. What Worm can do, and with great enthusiasm, is eat garbage and poop it out to make a nutritious base for dirt in the garden that will grow vegetables for the promised sandwich. The lone human child in the story constructs a compost bin and fills it with plant-based food scraps, while Worm makes eye contact to ask for our patience and shares his favorite dirt recipe: “a little of this, a little of that, and compost.” We watch as the seeds for future-lunch are planted and slowly grow, while Worm’s refrain of “I’m sorry, but the [garbage / dirt / poop] is not for your sandwich” tamps down expectations of eating anytime soon. Under midsummer storm–darkened skies, Worm’s doubts set in: “GUUHHHHH!...Why did you ask a worm to make you a sandwich in the first place?” Then the sky clears, and the star of summer (and lunch) emerges on the vine: a ripe, round tomato. This ode to compost is neither preachy nor grody, and Worm is such a charming guide to the growing season that it’s easy to forget he didn’t actually prepare any sandwiches. Lush, cheerful watercolor and pencil illustrations are complex but not busy, and plants and critters are labeled with hand-drawn lettering. Back matter explains the nuts and bolts of composting.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. "Wings unfurl. Plop! A pearl!" An eastern monarch butterfly lays a small, round egg on a leaf. A caterpillar hatches ("Pop! A girl!") and a chrysalis forms. Then "our caterpillar, tightly swaddled, will make you gasp! She's been remodeled." This sequence will likely be familiar to readers; Hall's adept rhymes and pleasing rhythms breathe life into the information, as do Arsenault's friendly illustrations, which feature smiling caterpillar and butterfly characters and bursts of vibrant colors on pastel backgrounds. As in the creators' The Honeybee (rev. 7/18), the lyrical text and eye-catching mixed-media illustrations provide snapshots of the species' life cycle and behaviors. A butterfly sips flower nectar and lays eggs. Another one finds a suitable mate ("Two butterflies chase. Two butterflies dance") and locates milkweed on which to lay her eggs. A third one joins a brilliant swarm of other eastern monarchs as part of their epic annual migration from Canada to Mexico and back again. Read quickly, the text might seem to focus on one butterfly, but the back matter states that "it will take upward of four or five generations" to complete the "full migration circle." The text hints at this, and sharp-eyed readers will note the subtle difference among the three main butterfly characters in the art (pay attention to the neckwear). An appended author's note provides more facts, including dangers to monarch populations and how readers can help.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. Part one of this book about animal play introduces play activities that have a purpose, such as hyenas having a tug-of-war to strengthen their jaws and otters “juggling” rocks to increase dexterity. Part two is about animal play that is just for fun, such as sledding ravens and body-surfing saltwater crocodiles. The text is informative and fascinating (who knew orangutans played dress-up?); the complementary digital illustrations, in mainly muted colors, show a variety of animals having a great time. A glossary and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Tiny Habitats series. This informative picture book describes how a bison’s “steamy poo pile” becomes an important part of a prairie ecosystem. Over the course of a year, insects eat and lay eggs inside it; toads, turtles, and birds come to eat the bugs; flowers and grasses grow in the enriched soil. In the spring, a poo pile from a baby bison begins the cycle anew. Mixed-media illustrations depict the variety of life on the prairie; speech bubbles add personality (“Mmm, these roots are tangy!” muses a munching prairie dog). More background, a bibliography, and further reading are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lily Williams. The drama begins on the cover of this “epic” geological picture book, with the lead-in above the title: “Over one hundred million years ago, on the side of a mountain...” By opening with a smoking volcano and delaying the title page until the third spread, the book creates a cinematic sense of suspense. Minimalist text distills the complex scientific geological processes of the more-than-one-hundred-million-year life cycle of a rock, from a volcanic eruption 115 million years ago, through formation and transformation over geologic time, to the present day, when a diverse group of park-goers observes a small rock by the side of a mountain. While the main text offers concise narration (“Dirt piles up. Plants and animals, too. Layers push down”), the back matter expands on the intricate processes. Williams’s bold-lined, color-saturated digital illustrations heighten the geological spectacle. She showcases the red-hot, fluid lava in one scene and in another forces readers to turn the book on its side, accentuating the rock’s splash into the deep, swirling sea. More ­instructive illustrative techniques, such as cross sections and ­cutaways, highlight how the layers of the earth press down to form new rocks. In ­conclusion, per the back matter, “Who knows what stories [rocks] will tell in the future?” Sources are appended.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 Hodgson’s friendly science lesson introduces readers to the life cycle of an apple tree. Tree’s story begins when an apple falls to the ground, eventually allowing Seed to take root and begin to grow. As in When Moon Became a Moon (rev. 7/23), characters (e.g., Tree, Seed, Sun, Cloud, etc.) are depicted with expressive cartoon eyes and smiley mouths, and speech bubbles provide their humorous asides. Twelve short chapters highlight different phases of Tree’s growth. Bees, worms, and mushrooms (“I’m a fun guy!”) all make appearances. A handful of humans, with differing skin tones, abilities, and ages, are depicted interacting with trees in various settings. Tree’s role in the greater ecosystem is also highlighted, along with a connection between the protagonist and various trees that grow in other climates and locations. A consistent color palette and inviting aesthetic carry throughout the book. While the natural elements are anthropomorphized, the book solidly explains scientific concepts in an approachable manner, focusing on both the small and large aspects of a tree’s life.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(3) K-3 Stunning nature photography and interesting animal facts make this a compelling title. More than thirty exotic creatures are profiled, with the animals grouped according to their diets: carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, and scavengers. Each profile lists an animal’s classification, habitat, size, and foods, along with the sounds it makes and how many babies it has at a time. Hughes also includes thought-provoking questions throughout. Related activities, a glossary, and additional resources are appended.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith. Winter arrives in the Arctic. The days are shorter, the weather colder. A polar bear searches for a place to make a den, hibernate, and birth her twins. The trek across the ice is more difficult than in years before; ice floes are breaking up, and food has been scarce. Once on land, she finds a south-facing spot and settles down for the winter. The twins are born, she feeds them, and in the spring she and the cubs head toward the sea, where they can hunt for food. But conditions have changed: the ice is disappearing, creating fewer opportunities for them to hunt. Baker-Smith's soft mixed-media illustrations depict the bears' journey and are particularly effective in showing the degradation of the ice floes. Detailed back matter offers the main reason: climate change. In clear language, Jenkins describes the causes of Earth's warming and the effects not just for polar bears but for all life as climate change leads to an increase of extreme weather conditions. He concludes with suggestions individuals can follow to "make a difference when it comes to climate change." This brief glimpse into the experience of one polar bear ends, as it must, on a sober note of uncertainty about the future of the species.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025