(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jill Calder. This informative volume achieves exactly what its title purports to do and any library would do well to add it to their collection. Those teaching or studying poetry should also find it valuable, both for its insights regarding interpretation and creation and for its range of poetic examples by classic British and American poets. Loose black-and-white spot illustrations add kid-friendliness. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 A Dog's Life series. Each book in this series for dog owners focuses on a different aspect of dog/human interactions, training beginning readers in proper, humane pet ownership. Expressive canine portraits and simple, bright graphics complement the clear, direct instructions, and the straightforward texts provide meaningful, interesting content. Each volume concludes with a hands-on activity. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Dog's Life titles: Bonding with Your Dog, Handling Your Dog, Listening to Your Dog, Sensing Like Your Dog, Speaking to Your Dog, and Treating Your Dog

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 A Dog's Life series. Each book in this series for dog owners focuses on a different aspect of dog/human interactions, training beginning readers in proper, humane pet ownership. Expressive canine portraits and simple, bright graphics complement the clear, direct instructions, and the straightforward texts provide meaningful, interesting content. Each volume concludes with a hands-on activity. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Dog's Life titles: Bonding with Your Dog, Handling Your Dog, Listening to Your Dog, Sensing Like Your Dog, Speaking to Your Dog, and Treating Your Dog

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 A Dog's Life series. Each book in this series for dog owners focuses on a different aspect of dog/human interactions, training beginning readers in proper, humane pet ownership. Expressive canine portraits and simple, bright graphics complement the clear, direct instructions, and the straightforward texts provide meaningful, interesting content. Each volume concludes with a hands-on activity. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Dog's Life titles: Bonding with Your Dog, Handling Your Dog, Listening to Your Dog, Sensing Like Your Dog, Speaking to Your Dog, and Treating Your Dog

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 A Dog's Life series. Each book in this series for dog owners focuses on a different aspect of dog/human interactions, training beginning readers in proper, humane pet ownership. Expressive canine portraits and simple, bright graphics complement the clear, direct instructions, and the straightforward texts provide meaningful, interesting content. Each volume concludes with a hands-on activity. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Dog's Life titles: Bonding with Your Dog, Handling Your Dog, Listening to Your Dog, Sensing Like Your Dog, Speaking to Your Dog, and Treating Your Dog

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 A Dog's Life series. Each book in this series for dog owners focuses on a different aspect of dog/human interactions, training beginning readers in proper, humane pet ownership. Expressive canine portraits and simple, bright graphics complement the clear, direct instructions, and the straightforward texts provide meaningful, interesting content. Each volume concludes with a hands-on activity. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Dog's Life titles: Bonding with Your Dog, Handling Your Dog, Listening to Your Dog, Sensing Like Your Dog, Speaking to Your Dog, and Treating Your Dog

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 A Dog's Life series. Each book in this series for dog owners focuses on a different aspect of dog/human interactions, training beginning readers in proper, humane pet ownership. Expressive canine portraits and simple, bright graphics complement the clear, direct instructions, and the straightforward texts provide meaningful, interesting content. Each volume concludes with a hands-on activity. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these A Dog's Life titles: Bonding with Your Dog, Handling Your Dog, Listening to Your Dog, Sensing Like Your Dog, Speaking to Your Dog, and Treating Your Dog

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Tony Ross. Rosen employs a school production of A Christmas Carol as a device to suggest how a workaholic father withdrawn from his family may end up as lonely as Scrooge. The novel alternates young Harry's onstage experiences with scenes about his father's distance. The bad-dad story line seems aimed mostly at parents; however, Harry's sister Eva, who parallels Tiny Tim, is a gem. Christmas activities and songs are appended.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stan Fellows. Spare and contemplative horse haiku are arranged into three sections: "In the Field," "At the Barn," and "Under Saddle." Each evocative poem captures a particular moment or impression: horses huddled against the snow, a tail twitching away a fly, a horse cantering prettily around a ring. Fellows's watercolor and pencil illustrations in earthy colors perfectly sketch the allure of horses. "A note on the haiku" is appended.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 In profiles of two dozen species, Rosen emphasizes the importance of adaptation in terms of evolution and species survival. Clear prose explains the behaviors of each animal and the functions of its more unusual characteristics, including elaborate ears, noses, and jaws; sidebars provide additional facts and explanations. Multiple photographs of each species emphasize their features. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Reel Time series. While part of a series on fishing, this title concentrates on fish as an animal group. The volume discusses anatomical features and senses that help fish survive; food sources; and the types of freshwater fish most in demand by fishermen, including perch, trout, carp, and bass. Large color photos complement an informative, easy-to-read text. An activity explains how to clean caught fish. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Reel Time series. These books about fishing will guide readers on selecting the best equipment and bait, choosing the "perfect spot" and best time to fish, strategizing and reading signs (such as water flow and fish behavior), and what to do when catching a fish. Large color photos complement the informative, easy-to-read texts. An activity related to each title's topic is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Reel Time titles: Fishing Gear, Gone Fishing, The Perfect Spot, Tackling the Box, and Take the Bait.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Reel Time series. These books about fishing will guide readers on selecting the best equipment and bait, choosing the "perfect spot" and best time to fish, strategizing and reading signs (such as water flow and fish behavior), and what to do when catching a fish. Large color photos complement the informative, easy-to-read texts. An activity related to each title's topic is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Reel Time titles: Fishing Gear, Gone Fishing, The Perfect Spot, Tackling the Box, and Take the Bait.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Reel Time series. These books about fishing will guide readers on selecting the best equipment and bait, choosing the "perfect spot" and best time to fish, strategizing and reading signs (such as water flow and fish behavior), and what to do when catching a fish. Large color photos complement the informative, easy-to-read texts. An activity related to each title's topic is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Reel Time titles: Fishing Gear, Gone Fishing, The Perfect Spot, Tackling the Box, and Take the Bait.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Reel Time series. These books about fishing will guide readers on selecting the best equipment and bait, choosing the "perfect spot" and best time to fish, strategizing and reading signs (such as water flow and fish behavior), and what to do when catching a fish. Large color photos complement the informative, easy-to-read texts. An activity related to each title's topic is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Reel Time titles: Fishing Gear, Gone Fishing, The Perfect Spot, Tackling the Box, and Take the Bait.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Reel Time series. These books about fishing will guide readers on selecting the best equipment and bait, choosing the "perfect spot" and best time to fish, strategizing and reading signs (such as water flow and fish behavior), and what to do when catching a fish. Large color photos complement the informative, easy-to-read texts. An activity related to each title's topic is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Reel Time titles: Fishing Gear, Gone Fishing, The Perfect Spot, Tackling the Box, and Take the Bait.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Patton. Each of a dozen spreads begins with a note to Ms. Mary Math from a different (fictional) child with a nonstandard math-related question (e.g., "Can the raindrops squish [mosquitoes]?"). Alongside Ms. Math's spirited answers are illustrations that finesse the humor in the kids' questions (e.g., an anthropomorphized raindrop terrorizes a mosquito). Back matter expands on Ms. Math's replies. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Cristina Pritelli. A dialogue (in different typefaces) between a Venetian boy and a fictional scribe relates episodes from Marco Polo's travels. While the text, accompanied by intriguing paintings in muted tones, focuses more on the nature of "truth" in storytelling than on the adventures themselves, the handsome book could inspire further research on Marco Polo's life and exploration.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA With Daniel Carlson. Rosen outlines the history of assorted personality tests' development and explores uses and misuses. Emphasis is placed on uncovering ways to distinguish between science and pseudoscience. "Try It" boxes let readers sample questions from each of a number of tests. Relevant diagrams clarify points. Colorful borders, photos, and glossy pages give the book an approachable feel. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) PS Illustrated by Chris Riddell. "I've got a sausage / You've got a pie. / I can't whistle / And I don't know why." Rosen's nonsensical poetry collection is loaded with rhythm, repetition, and silliness. An array of animated animals, monsters, and children decorate the pages in Riddell's illustrations; a large trim size and dynamic layout complete the package. A sure hit for toddlers at read-aloud time.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith