(3) PS Illustrated by Fred Koehler. "What if...all the words in the universe disappeared? / Then we would invent a whole new language." Dotlich presents eight other intense "What if...?" scenarios that provoke thought, entertain, and, as a bonus, may offer reassurance for high-anxiety young readers. Playing out the hypothetical scenes in Koehler's mixed-media art are two polar bears who navigate their boat through a comfortingly cartoonish Arctic setting.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jaime Kim. When everyone asks a light brown–skinned girl the titular question, she's confused: "I'm from here." Then Abuelo takes her on a dreamy tour, from South America's Pampas to a warm island to "this land where our ancestors...were in chains." Most importantly, though, she's from Abuelo's "love and the love of all those before us." Warm watercolor and digital art illustrates the overt but useful story.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 This German import introduces important philosophical ideas to young children with respect for their capacity to wonder: "How will I see the world when I grow up?" "Why am I afraid of what I don't know?" Teckentrup's illustrations, reminiscent of block prints, successfully use color, shape, and texture to convey the feelings behind the "big questions" and invite readers to explore their world.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) PS Clues written in the first person coupled with illustrations of each animal's tail end encourage readers to guess which animal's head will appear on the following page. Among the mostly predictable answers, a couple of twists are included. Canty's delicate watercolor and mixed-media illustrations are in muted tones and are "adapted from nineteenth-century artwork."

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. "What can a cat do?" This broad question sets the foundation for an easy reader exploring the abilities (running, drinking, climbing) and limitations (crowing, flying, reading) of felines. As the text focuses on simple word families, sight words, and animals that beginning readers will recognize, Carle's classic, uncluttered cut-paper illustration style also aids their understanding. Reading comprehension questions are appended.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen. Through first-person-plural narration translated from the Dutch, two siblings discuss the death of their dog, Scout, and field their younger brother's questions about what comes next for their deceased pet ("Can she run across the clouds?"). The children largely go unseen--the text is printed on Scout's silhouette, which is set against different solid-color backgrounds--limiting an otherwise affecting meditation.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Middle schoolers Melissa, Wilf, and Bondi are selected for a secret ten-thousand-dollar scholarship contest requiring they solve three clues each. What is the scholarship's connection to prankster billionaire Enoch Ambrose's recent death, and why were these three selected as contestants? This puzzle novel with heart blends the devious complexity of The Westing Game and Chasing Vermeer with its own twists and intriguing contemporary-world connections.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sean Qualls. Young Zazi and Ziwelene find a photo of their great-grandfather, Nelson Mandela, at their grandmother's house, which inspires them to ask her about him. The book's question-and-answer narrative seems contrived ("Why did Grandad go to jail?"; "What is justice?"), but Grandma Zindzi's answers are nimbly worded. Qualls's acrylic, collage, and colored-pencil art has a stateliness worthy of the book's subject.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by M. S. Corley. Reynolds presents stories of thirty-five people--some well-known (Nelson Mandela, Hillary Rodham Clinton); some less recognizable (Maryam Mirzakhani, Erik Weihenmeyer)--who experienced failure before attaining their goals. Additional "Flop Files" and sidebars briefly introduce others who were initially unsuccessful. Direct questions and an informal tone should engage readers. One hundred additional questions about success and failure are appended. A thoughtful challenge to kids who think perfection is required.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 World Around Us series. Illustrated by Jane Heinrichs. Meant to introduce young readers to the topic of poverty, this book poses questions--such as "Why do people have to sleep on the street?"--and answers them in a straightforward manner. Homelessness and restricted access to education and healthcare are all discussed as types of poverty. Serviceable illustrations and stock photographs (with examples primarily of urban poverty) illustrate the purposeful, accessible text. Websites.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 As a family observes different animals, the kids wonder if each one is a mammal. A conversational question-and-answer text, illustrated with clear ink and watercolor pictures, eliminates animal characteristics (e.g., animals without bones) one by one from mammal classification. This is a straightforward introduction even the youngest learners can understand. Back matter includes additional facts and a chart showing how different kinds of life are classified. Reading list.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Head to Tail series. Illustrated by Kwanchai Moriya. As usual with this picture book series, a guessing-game format ("What bird has a head like this?") will engage young kids as they learn facts about eight birds and their different body parts. Illustrated with eye-catching collage depictions of each bird, the kid-appealing text presents information simply and without condescension. "Other Awesome Birds" are mentioned at book's end.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bonnie Timmons. As verse in an informal typeface poses kid-like questions related to human skin (Why do I sweat?; What causes warts?), a reply in regular type provides rhymed, scientific answers. Occasional "Cool Facts About..." prose sections break from the poetic Q-and-A format and provide more substantial information. Witty digital spot art appears on each thick, glossy page. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. This engaging and entertaining book breaks down the importance of democratic elections, from school boards all the way up to the presidency. An abundance of information is pleasingly presented in concise question-and-answer paragraphs and bite-size fact boxes on every spread. Faulkner's watercolor and pencil sketches provide a warm, cheerful backdrop to the encouraging text. An author's note with resources is appended. Timeline.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) PS A little girl lies in bed wondering about monsters: "Does Frankenstein get hungry?"; "Does a zombie go to school?" An amusing rhyming text answers her questions about the daily lives of lazy witches, clumsy mummies, and so on. Halloween's spookiest characters are thus rendered harmless for children who worry about monsters. Mixed-media illustrations with bold colors play up the smallest (and wittiest) of details.

Reviewer: Colleen Shea

(2) K-3 "Blow out the candle and turn the page," opens this companion book to Who Done It? and Who What Where? Readers' observational skills are challenged on the next (all-in-darkness) spread when asked to identify the character who was wearing a yellow scarf. Questions compel each page turn as Tallec presents viewers with unexpected queries and entertaining distractions. Bright color choices and a playful tone keep things fresh, funny, and engaging.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(3) K-3 Readers are invited to guess each baby animal based on a simple textual clue and a close-up from the rear. The following page shows a full-body shot of the baby animal, usually with a parent, and gives additional information. Despite the cutesy interjections ("WOW!"; "PHEW!"), the text is informative and young readers should find the butt premise irresistible. Concludes with additional facts about each animal.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Buket Erdogan. These easy-reader editions (originally published as picture books Mouse's First Fall and Mouse's First Summer, respectively) feature "slightly different text" but keep the same low-key, season-themed adventures of adorably inquisitive Mouse and big sister Minka. Question-and-answer texts ("Over there, Mouse finds something green and tickly. / What is it? A grassy hill!") and Erdogan's original round-edged illustrations are both appealing. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Mouse Loves Fall and Mouse Loves Summer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Buket Erdogan. These easy-reader editions (originally published as picture books Mouse's First Fall and Mouse's First Summer, respectively) feature "slightly different text" but keep the same low-key, season-themed adventures of adorably inquisitive Mouse and big sister Minka. Question-and-answer texts ("Over there, Mouse finds something green and tickly. / What is it? A grassy hill!") and Erdogan's original round-edged illustrations are both appealing. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Mouse Loves Fall and Mouse Loves Summer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA Tyson's popular StarTalk radio programs--which seem to cover nearly every aspect of science (and even some science fiction)--are adapted into a book for teens, arranged by the broad topics of "Space," "Planet Earth," "Being Human," and "Futures Imagined." In each segment, an engaging series of questions and answers are accompanied by photographs and quotes from the show's celebrity and scientist guests.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford