(4) PS Just Enough series. Illustrated by Cindy Revell. Explaining the ways in which people can be different and fostering respect for these differences, this book--now in a paperback edition--describes how diversity can include outside variances (such as eye color, shape, and physical ability), personality characteristics (such as being gregarious versus introverted), and cultural differences. Child-friendly art, appropriately reflecting the "rainbow" of human differences, accompanies the purposeful, well-intentioned text. A final page addresses sexual orientation, racism, and prejudice in a bit more detail.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Maxfield Parrish. Edited by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. This edition includes editor Wiggin's original 1909 preface to ten stories, among them the well-known tales about Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin, and Sinbad the Sailor. Parrish's glowing oil paintings on glossy inserts are few but splendid and are an asset to a well-wrought text that is challenging by contemporary standards.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Previously published in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Twins Josh and Emma and little sister Libby time-travel to ancient Greece, where they finally arrive at the Olympics--Josh's goal--after various encounters with Greek culture. Graphic-novel style cartoons illustrate their adventures, and speech balloons enclose anachronistic dialogue. Sidebars provide relevant factual information. The premise is obviously a stretch but should engage readers effectively. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Previously published in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Via magical guidebooks, twins Josh and Emma and little sister Libby travel back through time to the Viking Age and the Han Dynasty. They get a tour of various aspects of life (and encounter mild dangers) in these civilizations before safely making it home. Presented in graphic-novel format, the stories and images are appealing, although the factual information running across the bottom of each page distracts from the time-travel narratives. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: On the Run in Ancient China and Stowing Away with the Vikings.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Spot Sports series. Each slim easy reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four sport-specific vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized around these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of facts. The volumes are light on substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Spot Sports series. Each slim easy reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four sport-specific vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized around these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of facts. The volumes are light on substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Spot Sports series. Each slim easy reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four sport-specific vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized around these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of facts. The volumes are light on substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Spot Sports series. Each slim easy reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four sport-specific vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized around these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of facts. The volumes are light on substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Spot Sports series. Each slim easy reader opens with a photo glossary highlighting four sport-specific vocabulary words, accompanied by instructions: "Look for these words and pictures as you read." The following spreads are organized around these keywords, with bright stock photos and a smattering of facts. The volumes are light on substance but effectively reinforce the meaning of a small number of relevant terms.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) PS Despite the loss of sixteen pages, Tullet's ingenious interactive book still makes an effective board book. The fun begins with a yellow circle: "Press here and turn the page"; a second yellow dot arrives on the following spread. Pressing, tilting, blowing, and clapping further transform the dots. The simplicity of Tullet's presentation illuminates the book's tactile and kinetic aspect.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2011

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Barbara Cooney. In Cooney's retelling of the medieval French legend, the little orphaned juggler of Notre Dame--having no other gift to bring to the statue of Mary and the Child--entertained them with his tumbling. The telling is dignified and tender, as is the art; black-and-white illustrations alternate with pictures in which bright colors--Christmas red and green and the luminous blue of stained glass--are added. This edition includes Cooney's original foreword and a new afterword by Jan M. Ziolkowski.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: December, 1961

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Previously published in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Via magical guidebooks, twins Josh and Emma and little sister Libby travel back through time to the Viking Age and the Han Dynasty. They get a tour of various aspects of life (and encounter mild dangers) in these civilizations before safely making it home. Presented in graphic-novel format, the stories and images are appealing, although the factual information running across the bottom of each page distracts from the time-travel narratives. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: On the Run in Ancient China and Stowing Away with the Vikings.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and behaviors of peacocks and ostriches are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each book supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why are peacocks so colorful? People in Asia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Peacocks and Ostriches.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of rays are the highlight of this slim volume. Minimal text touches on habitat, appearance, food, and offspring, and supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature: "Why do rays' fins look like wings? People in India told a story about this..." Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Peoples of North America series. Beautifully designed and evenly thorough, this continuing series is not to be missed. In each volume, the Native American tribe's history and culture are captured through arresting photographs and art and an accessible narrative. Sidebars called "Being Shawnee" (and so on) offer even more compelling perspectives on daily life, both today and long ago. Each book includes a traditional tale. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Review covers these Peoples of North America titles: Cheyenne, Comanche, Hopi, Inuit, Seminole, and Shawnee.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Peoples of North America series. Beautifully designed and evenly thorough, this continuing series is not to be missed. In each volume, the Native American tribe's history and culture are captured through arresting photographs and art and an accessible narrative. Sidebars called "Being Shawnee" (and so on) offer even more compelling perspectives on daily life, both today and long ago. Each book includes a traditional tale. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Review covers these Peoples of North America titles: Cheyenne, Comanche, Hopi, Inuit, Seminole, and Shawnee.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Peoples of North America series. Beautifully designed and evenly thorough, this continuing series is not to be missed. In each volume, the Native American tribe's history and culture are captured through arresting photographs and art and an accessible narrative. Sidebars called "Being Shawnee" (and so on) offer even more compelling perspectives on daily life, both today and long ago. Each book includes a traditional tale. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Review covers these Peoples of North America titles: Cheyenne, Comanche, Hopi, Inuit, Seminole, and Shawnee.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Peoples of North America series. Beautifully designed and evenly thorough, this continuing series is not to be missed. In each volume, the Native American tribe's history and culture are captured through arresting photographs and art and an accessible narrative. Sidebars called "Being Shawnee" (and so on) offer even more compelling perspectives on daily life, both today and long ago. Each book includes a traditional tale. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Review covers these Peoples of North America titles: Cheyenne, Comanche, Hopi, Inuit, Seminole, and Shawnee.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.