From understanding how their own bodies function to observing plants, animals, seasonal changes, and weather phenomena, students devote much of their time learning about topics featured in these series. Close-up photos, clear visual presentations, and lively texts will engage readers with some sets. Others will be perused only if assigned. Although there are solid choices to update or supplement collections, purchase of entire series may not always be necessary, depending on available resources.

Preschool-Grade 4

BALLEN, Karen. [...]]]>

From understanding how their own bodies function to observing plants, animals, seasonal changes, and weather phenomena, students devote much of their time learning about topics featured in these series. Close-up photos, clear visual presentations, and lively texts will engage readers with some sets. Others will be perused only if assigned. Although there are solid choices to update or supplement collections, purchase of entire series may not always be necessary, depending on available resources.

Preschool-Grade 4

BALLEN, Karen. A Tour of Your Circulatory System. ISBN 978-1-4296-8604-4; ISBN 978-1-4296-9322-6. LC 2011051825.
CLARK, Katie. A Tour of Your Muscular and Skeletal Systems. ISBN 978-1-4296-8605-1; ISBN 978-1-4296-9326-4. LC 2011051827.
KOLPIN, Molly. A Tour of Your Digestive System. ISBN 978-1-4296-8430-9; ISBN 978-1-4296-9324-0. LC 2011051826.
–––– . A Tour of Your Nervous System. ISBN 978-1-4296-8739-3; ISBN 978-1-4296-9328-8. LC 2011051828.
REINA, Mary. A Tour of Your Respiratory System. ISBN 978-1-4296-8652-5; ISBN 978-1-4296-9330-1. LC 2011051829.
ea vol: illus. by Chris B. Jones. 24p. (First Graphics: Body Systems Series). further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Capstone. 2012. PLB $23.32; pap. $5.95.
Gr 1-3–Cartoon characters speak directly to readers as they explore the five body systems. For example, in Nervous System, Nelly Neuron follows the path a signal travels from a finger on a hot stove to the brain and back to tell the hand to pull away in less than a second. The clever illustrations are presented in a comic-book style and include humorous elements: blood cells boarding a train representing a bloodstream with packages of waste and nutrients, a bespectacled pea working his way through the digestive system, etc. The illustrations also incorporate diagrams that identify system parts and functions, such as how tendons and ligaments work to keep joints stable and help move bones. Simple sentences above and below the image panels provide additional information in these basic and engaging introductions.

DOLPHIN, Colleen. Signs of Autumn. ISBN 978-1-61783-392-2; ISBN 978-1-61480-096-5. LC 2011051125.
–––– . Signs of Spring. ISBN 978-1-61783-393-9; ISBN 978-1-61480-097-2. LC 2011051126.
–––– . Signs of Summer. ISBN 978-1-61783-394-6; ISBN 978-1-61480-098-9. LC 2011052131.
–––– . Signs of Winter. ISBN 978-1-61783-395-3; ISBN 978-1-61480-099-6. LC 2011052132.
ea vol: 24p. (Signs of the Seasons Series). photos. glossary. CIP. ABDO/SandCastle. 2012. PLB $22.78; ebook $22.78.
PreK-Gr 2–Each book begins with the same text and photos (though the illustrations change positions to highlight the featured season). The opening spread is followed in all of the volumes by the same image of a sunlit globe, which does little to help explain how Earth’s orbit around the sun and the change of seasons is linked. The few main sentences per spread are supplemented by “Did You Know?” text boxes that supply additional information. For example, “In France it is winter in December. In New Zealand it is winter in July.” Most of the color photos support the text, but some fall short, such as in Summer, where an image of girl ready to plant tomatoes in a barren plot hardly illustrates eating vegetables “fresh from the garden.” Final pages include activity suggestions, which could prompt discussions, and quizzes. Adequate if coverage is needed, but unexceptional.

DURRIE, Karen. Hearing. ISBN 978-1-61913-309-9; ISBN 978-1-61913-314-3. LC 2012000460.
–––– . Sight. ISBN 978-1-61913-310-5; ISBN 978-1-61913-315-0. LC 2012000461.
–––– . Smell. ISBN 978-1-61913-311-2; ISBN 978-1-61913-316-7. LC 2012000470.
–––– . Taste. ISBN 978-1-61913-312-9; ISBN 978-1-61913-317-4. LC 2012000462.
–––– . Touch. ISBN 978-1-61913-313-6; ISBN 978-1-61913-318-1. LC 2012000209.
ea vol: 24p. (My Senses Series). photos. websites. CIP. Weigl. 2012. PLB $27.13; pap. $12.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Although these books might serve as discussion starters about individual experiences, they provide little information about how any of the senses work. Students will learn to associate ears with hearing and eyes with sight, etc., but there are no explanations of the organs’ structures or how the brain is involved in interpreting signals. Instead, Durrie concentrates on examples, often in contrasts: good and bad smells, high and low sounds. Some examples are puzzling. For example, is a loud bird chirp in the same league as a loud train? Taste suffers the most from subjective judgments. Large color photos and simple sentences encourage children to talk about senses and final spreads ask them to show what they have learned. A website in each volume leads to additional resources.

HAWLEY, Ella. Exploring Ecosystems. chart. ISBN 978-1-4488-6175-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-6519-2. LC 2011025275.
–––– . Exploring Food and Nutrition. diags. ISBN 978-1-4488-6176-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-6533-8. LC 2011027688.
–––– . Exploring Food Chains and Food Webs. diags. ISBN 978-1-4488-6173-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-6517-8. LC 2011019502.
–––– . Exploring Heredity. chart. ISBN 978-1-4488-6174-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-6518-5. LC 2011023999.
–––– . Exploring Our Impact on the Environment. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-6177-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-6520-8. LC 2011027677.
–––– . Exploring the Classification of Living Things. chart. ISBN 978-1-4488-6172-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-6516-1. LC 2011029885.
ea vol: 24p. (Let’s Explore Life Science Series). photos. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2012. PLB $22.60; ebook $22.60.
Gr 2-5–In this set of loosely connected titles, Food Chains clearly explains basic concepts. Some confusion may result between Ecosystems and Environment. Both define their subjects similarly: a place where plants and animals live or interact and offer the backyard and a pond as examples. Nutrition references the new USDA MyPlate guide, while Heredity offers a good visual and text explanation of dominant and recessive genes. Both provide adequate introductions to their topics. Though Living Things contains useful information about domains and kingdoms, it is not well organized. Bacteria and Archaea are mentioned first but discussed after all the kingdoms in Eukarya except protists. A chart classifies a housecat from domain to species without clear definitions of phylum, order, or genus. Color photos and the occasional diagram illustrate each volume.

JOHNSON, Robin. What Is Precipitation? ISBN 978-0-7787-0754-7; ISBN 978-0-7787-0761-5.
–––– . What Is Temperature? ISBN 978-0-7787-0755-4; ISBN 978-0-7787-0762-2.
–––– . What Is Weather? ISBN 978-0-7787-0756-1; ISBN 978-0-7787-0763-9.
–––– . What Is Wind? ISBN 978-0-7787-0757-8; ISBN 978-0-7787-0764-6.
ea vol: 24p. (Weather Close-Up Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. Crabtree. 2012. PLB $22.60; pap. $7.95.
K-Gr 4–From numerous discussion prompts to suggestions for recording personal observations, this series is designed to engage. Johnson carefully articulates the difference between climate and weather and clearly explains topics such as the water cycle, forms of precipitation, and factors affecting temperature. For the most part, the author avoids overlap among volumes. However, diagrams of the water cycle and the Earth’s rotation appear more than once. Each book contains information about meteorologists and some of their instruments. This feature ties in nicely with the activities that conclude the volumes, which include instructions on how to make projects such as a windsock and thermometer box. Not only are students encouraged to keep a weather journal, but the titles also explain how to use collected data to create relevant graphs or charts. These activities could be carried out by an entire class or small group at lower elementary levels or by older students individually.

LAWRENCE, Ellen. Amazing Plant Bodies: Tiny to Gigantic. diags. maps. ISBN 978-1-61772-592-0; ISBN 978-1-61772-621-7. LC 2012019348.
–––– . Cooking with Sunshine: How Plants Make Food. diags. ISBN 978-1-61772-586-9; ISBN 978-1-61772-622-4. LC 2012012183.
–––– . Freaky Plant Facts: Extreme Greens. diags. maps. ISBN 978-1-61772- 591-3; ISBN 978-1-61772-623-1. LC 2012018625 .
–––– . From Bird Poop to Wind: How Seeds Get Around. ISBN 978-1-61772-585-2; ISBN 978-1-61772-624-8. LC 2012016963 .
–––– . Meat-Eating Plants: Toothless Wonders. maps. ISBN 978-1-61772-589-0; ISBN 978-1-61772-625-5. LC 2012014335.
–––– . Poison Petals: Don’t Eat! diags. map. ISBN 978-1-61772-590-6; ISBN 978-1-61772-626-2. LC 2012018639.
–––– . Prickly Plants: Stuck! diags. ISBN 978-1-61772-588-3; ISBN 978-1-61772-627-9. LC 2012014336.
–––– . What Lily Gets from Bee: And Other Pollination Facts. maps. ISBN 978-1-61772-587-6; ISBN 978-1-61772-628-6. LC 2012009602.
ea vol: 24p. (Plant-ology Series). photos. further reading. index. websites. CIP. Bearport. 2012. PLB $23.93; ebook $30.60.
Gr 1-3–Whether dealing with photosynthesis or introducing unusual examples of meat-eating species, these volumes are strong introductions for early elementary learners. Clearly labeled photos reinforce information presented in adjacent text. Related questions encourage readers to make predictions or offer opinions about matters such as what type of weather might help scatter seeds. Small inset maps identify areas where many of the unusual plants (e.g., rafflesia plants with their giant flowers) can be found. Each book includes instructions for simple activities or experiments, including comparing growth in different types of soil and making a model of a cactus. Report writers will appreciate this series.

LLEWLLYN, Claire. Forests. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4595-2; ISBN 978-1-4109-4604-1. LC 2012000233.
–––– . Oceans. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4598-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4607-2. LC 2012000237.
SILVERMAN, Buffy. Grasslands. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4596-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-4605-8. LC 2012000234.
–––– . Wetlands. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4601-0; ISBN 978-1-4109-4610-2. LC 2012000274.
WALDRON, Melanie. Deserts. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4594-5; ISBN 978-1-4109-4603-4. LC 2012000232.
–––– . Mountains. chart. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4597-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-4606-5. LC 2012000235.
–––– . Polar Regions. maps. ISBN 978-1-4109-4599-0; ISBN 978-1-4109-4608-9. LC 2012000242.
–––– . Rivers. chart. ISBN 978-1-4109-4600-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4609-6. LC 2012000244 .
ea vol: 32p. (Habitat Survival Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Capstone/Raintree. 2012. PLB $29.99; pap. $7.99.
Gr 2-4–These overviews provide basic information. Food-web diagrams reveal relationships among plants and animals within the habitats. However, the clear, color photographs do not always best represent the text and sometimes additional diagrams or images would be helpful. For example, a spread on “Arctic Food Webs” in Polar, unlike the entry for “Antarctic Food Webs,” has no diagram. More attention to detail, especially in selecting and labeling photos, would have lifted these books above the ordinary. In Grasslands, it’s odd that the author does not include where Gouldian finches eat grass seed after a fire. And in Mountains, why not mention the country with terraced agriculture? After discussing threats to the habitat, the authors suggest ways to help. Among them are to adopt an animal (only Polar gives a specific resource), “Join a conservation group,” and “Be energy wise.” Overall, these are acceptable starting points for reports.

RAJCZAK, Kristen. Comets. ISBN 978-1-4339-7019-1; ISBN 978-1-4339-7022-1. LC 2011045163.
–––– . Lightning. map. ISBN 978-1-4339-7023-8; ISBN 978-1-4339-7026-9. LC 2011045162.
–––– . The Northern Lights. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4339-7027-6; ISBN 978-1-4339-7030-6. LC 2011045161.
–––– . Rainbows. ISBN 978-1-4339-7031-3; ISBN 978-1-4339-7034-4. LC 2011045160.
–––– . Shooting Stars. ISBN 978-1-4339-7035-1; ISBN 978-1-4339-7038-2. LC 2011045159.
ea vol: 24p. (Nature’s Light Show Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Gareth Stevens. 2012. PLB $22.60; ebook $22.60.
Gr 2-5–Rajczak directs readers’ eyes skyward to observe a variety of phenomena. Although many of the images are stock photos, the variations in layout and inclusion of informative fact boxes and captions make these volumes solid introductions. Clear, well-labeled diagrams help explain topics such as refraction of light through a prism and orbits of comets. Step-by-step reviews of how lightning, rainbows, and auroras form conclude the volumes on those topics, reinforcing what students have just read. The other titles conclude with information on how to spot comets or shooting stars. Each book stands alone and can be purchased to update or supplement existing resources. Consider purchasing Comets and Stars together because of the close relationship of the topics.

RIGGS, Kate. Bee. ISBN 978-1-60818-214-5. LC 2011040495.
–––– . Butterfly. ISBN 978-1-60818-215-2. LC 2011040496.
–––– . Frog. ISBN 978-1-60818-216-9. LC 2011040499.
–––– . Ladybug. ISBN 978-1-60818-217-6. LC 2011040500.
–––– . Sunflower. ISBN 978-1-60818-218-3. LC 2011040501.
–––– . Tomato. ISBN 978-1-60818-219-0. LC 2011040502.
ea vol: 32p. (Grow with Me Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Creative Education. 2012. PLB $28.50.
K-Gr 3–Attractive layout, clean design, and intriguing close-up photos will lure browsers to these explorations of plant and animal life cycles. Curiously, the indexes do not include references to the photos even though the visuals and captions provide relevant information. Because of the many extant titles on these topics, collections may not need the entire set. For example, Bellwether Media’s “Blastoff! Readers: Life Cycles” titles have a smaller format but clear explanations of life stages of a butterfly, bee, frog, and ladybug. Outstanding photo-illustrated introductions to butterflies and frogs by Nic Bishop and others also serve browsers although they may not concentrate directly on life cycles. The oversize format of Riggs’s titles will be especially effective for group sharing followed by individual exploration. Select those volumes that will update or enhance collections as needed.

Grades 5 & Up

CRAIG, Joe. Safeguarding Water and Food Supplies. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-6851-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-6858-2. LC 2011052044.
FURGANG, Adam. Adapting to Intense Storms. ISBN 978-1-4488-6848-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-6855-1. LC 2011047779.
FURGANG, Kathy. Adapting to Plant and Animal Extinctions. diag. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-6850-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-6856-8. LC 2011050340.
GERBER, Larry. Adapting to Droughts. diags. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-6846-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-6853-7. LC 2011045408.
MEYER, Susan. Adapting to Flooding and Rising Sea Levels. diags. ISBN 978-1-4488-6847-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-6854-4. LC 2011045624.
ORR, Tamra B. Adapting to Severe Heat Waves. charts. ISBN 978-1-4488-6849-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-6857-5. LC 2011050338.
ea vol: 64p. (Science to the Rescue: Adapting to Climate Change Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Rosen Central. 2012. PLB $31.95; ebook $31.95.
Gr 6-9–Each volume explores how climate change is impacting people, animals, and plants, and how it will have increasingly serious consequences. Stressing the urgency of the problems without making the situation seem hopeless, the authors encourage readers to act both by implementing individual actions (limiting lawn watering, leading workshops at school, etc.) and by supporting social and political changes; they also introduce futuristic options, such as constructing skyscraper farms. Color photos and diagrams offer a bit of visual variety. However, some illustrations, such as an image meant to help explain the impact of climate change on the California coastline, are too small to present information effectively. An extensive list of government agencies and private organizations working on environmental issues and suggestions for further reading offer additional resources for readers wanting to turn what they learn into action.

CURRIE, Stephen. What Is the Future of Hydropower? ISBN 978-1-60152-276-4. LC 2012020153.
MOONEY, Carla. What Is the Future of Biofuels? ISBN 978-1-60152-272-6. LC 2012011484.
–––– . What Is the Future of Hydrogen Power? ISBN 978-1-60152-274-0. LC 2012020154.
NAKAYA, Andrea C. What Is the Future of Solar Power? ISBN 978-1-60152-278-8. LC 2012014162.
–––– . What Is the Future of Wind Power? ISBN 978-1-60152-280-1. LC 2012000281.
ea vol: 80p. (The Future of Renewable Energy Series). photos. diags. map. further reading. index. notes. websites. charts.CIP. ReferencePoint. 2012. PLB $27.95.
Gr 8 Up–Chapters debate the pros and cons of energy alternatives in terms of affordability, environmental impact, and potential to replace fossil fuels in these volumes. All but Hydropower devote a section to debating government support. Chapters that discuss whether or not alternative energy can replace fossil fuels seem forced. Proponents contend that the biofuels, solar power, etc., can contribute to energy supply while opponents claim that they are not “viable” replacements. Arguments against government support repeat the same basic statement: superiority of the free-market. Attractive charts and graphs and few photos accompany the texts. Suggested related organizations and websites run the gamut from the Cato Institute to Natural Resources Defense Council, setting up potential comparisons. Libraries with print or online access to the “Opposing Viewpoints” series (Greenhaven) or similar resources may pass on this set. Those with heavy demand for argumentative essays or options for research projects might want these point-counterpoint volumes.

Capstone’s “First Graphics: Body Systems” offers unique and informative explorations of its topic. Well-chosen activities plus clear explanations make Crabtree’s “Weather Close-Up” another top choice for younger readers. With its breezy style and well-designed layout, Bearport’s “Plant-ology” series also deserves serious consideration. Individual titles from other sets, particularly Gareth Stevens’s “Nature’s Light Show” or Creative Education’s “Grow with Me,” are good options to fill gaps or update resources. For older readers, Rosen’s “Science to the Rescue: Adapting to Climate Change” provides a sobering but thoughtful introduction to a timely subject.