FitzSimmons, David. Curious Critters: Marine. photos by David FitzSimmons. 32p. (Curious Critters Series). glossary. Wild Iris. Apr. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781936607723. LC 2014911087.

Gr 3 Up –This eye-catching collection of 20 unusual marine dwellers will amaze readers. The photographs are vivid and striking, while the text is incredibly witty and accessible, penned mostly in the first person from the perspectives of these creatures (the Hawaiian reef hermit crab greets readers, “Aloha! I’m so glad you could come to my housewarming luau.”). The entries on the California sea cucumber, featuring text that evokes a comedy routine, and the cushion sea star, which is accompanied by an enchanting poem, will likely be among the most visited pages. These brief descriptions provide just enough information to whet readers’ appetites and may inspire them to seek out more in-depth materials. The back matter includes more details on each animal, along with a game that asks children to identify the animals from the book based on silhouette images. VERDICT A definite purchase, especially for fans of FitzSimmons’s previous work.–Martha Rico, El Paso ISD, TX

Guiberson, Brenda Z. The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea. illus. by Gennady Spirin. 32p. bibliog. websites. Holt. Jun. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780805099614.

Gr 2-5 –Handsome, softly realistic illustrations depict an assortment of ocean dwellers, each accompanied by a brief paragraph full of interesting factoids as each creature proclaims itself “the most amazing creature in the sea.” A wide variety of oceanic life unfolds in the images, which brim with details, from the blue blood of the vampire squid to the natural antifreeze of the wolffish and the gelatinous slime of the hagfish. Other creatures depicted in these hauntingly vivid visuals include a toothy anglerfish, a massive leatherback turtle, and a leafy sea dragon. The final spread is devoted to the lesser fry that keep the oceans—and other fish—clean: the filterers, the alga-eaters, the reef-building corals, and the wrasse. An author’s note on the importance of preserving these species is accompanied by a brief bibliography. Pair this with Erich Hoyt’s more difficult Weird Sea Creatures (Firefly, 2013) and Sylvia Earle’s Sea Critters (National Geographic, 2000). VERDICT An eye-catching jumping-off point for further investigation.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Schnell, Lisa Kahn. High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs. illus. by Alan Marks. 40p. bibliog. diag. ebook available. filmog. further reading. maps. websites. Charlesbridge. Apr. 2015. RTE $16.95. ISBN 9781580896047. LC 2013049024.

Gr 2-4 –This charming picture book describes the annual spawning of horseshoe crabs at Delaware Bay. Softly hued, delicately detailed watercolor spreads depict the events: the crabs gathering on the beach to mate and lay their eggs in the sand, migratory birds arriving to feast on the eggs that haven’t been buried deeply enough, scientists and volunteers coming to watch, and the baby crabs eventually hatching and making their way to the sea. Brief, bold action statements introduce the different sections, and the language provides analogies children can grasp (“Some of these birds weigh only as much as a handful of paper clips. Still, they are powerful enough to fly thousands of miles.”). Readers will learn about the spawning process, as well as how scientists and volunteers tag these animals for identification purposes. Thorough back matter provides more information, including how products made from the crabs can benefit people. End pages present detailed anatomical diagrams of the top and underside of a horseshoe crab. Schnell also lets readers know how they can witness the spawning for themselves. VERDICT A wonderful introduction to these creatures and the importance of monitoring them. A particularly strong addition for Eastern seaboard locations, as well as for collections across the country.–Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

Andrews, Troy. Trombone Shorty. illus. by Bryan Collier. 40p. photos. Abrams. Apr. 2015. RTE $17.95. ISBN 9781419714658. LC 2014016106.

Barton, Chris. The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch. illus. by Don Tate. 50p. chron. further reading. maps. websites. Eerdmans. Apr. 2015. RTE $17. ISBN 9780802853790.

Bass, Jennifer Vogel. Edible Numbers. photos by Jennifer Vogel Bass. 32p. Roaring Brook. May 2015. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9781626720039.

Berkes, Marianne. Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World. illus. by Jill Dubin. 32p. Dawn. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781584695189; pap. $8.95. ISBN 9781584695196. LC 2014031422.

Cannon, Nick. Neon Aliens Ate My Homework: And Other Poems. illus. by Nick Cannon & others. 144p. index. Scholastic. 2015. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780545722810.

Clark, Stacy. When the Wind Blows. illus. by Brad Sneed. 32p. Holiday House. May 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9780823430697. LC 2013037813.

Cummings, Judy Dodge. The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence. illus. by Tom Casteel. 122p. chart. chron. glossary. index. maps. Nomad. 2015. Tr $22.95. ISBN 9781619302556; pap. $17.95. ISBN 9781619302464.

De Lisle, Sandy. Hens for Friends. illus. by Amelia Hansen. 24p. Gryphon Pr. Apr. 2015. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9780940719262. LC 2014953858.

Grimes, Nikki. Poems in the Attic. illus. by Elizabeth Zunon. 48p. Lee & Low. May 2015. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781620140277.

Holtei, Christa & Gerda Raidt. In the New World: A Family in Two Centuries. tr. from German by Susi Woofter. illus. by Gerda Raidt. 40p. maps. Charlesbridge. 2015. RTE $17.95. ISBN 9781580896306.

Jenkins, Steve & Robin Page. Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package. illus. by Steve Jenkins. 32p. diag. further reading. Houghton Harcourt. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780547959092.

Miles, Brenda S. Stickley Sticks to It!: A Frog’s Guide to Getting Things Done. illus. by Steve Mack. 32p. 2015. ISBN 9781433819100; ISBN 9781433819117. LC 2014034579.

Rudolph, Shaina Danielle Royer. All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism. illus. by Jennifer Zivion. 40p. 2015. ISBN 9781433819162; ISBN 9781433819179. LC 2014030924.

Naidoo, Beverley, retel. Who Is King?: Ten Magical Stories from Africa. illus. by Piet Grobler. 72p. Frances Lincoln/Janetta Otter-Barry Bks. Apr. 2015. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781847805140.

Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. Decorated Horses. illus. by Jeannie Brett. 48p. bibliog. diags. ebook available. further reading. index. websites. Charlesbridge. 2015. RTE $17.95. ISBN 9781580893626. LC 2013049021.

Phuoc, Tran Thi Minh , retel. Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories. illus. by Nguyen Thi Hop & Nguyen Dong. 96p. Tuttle. Apr. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9780804844291.

Reich, Susanna. Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles. illus. by Adam Gustavson. 32p. filmog. glossary. notes. websites. Holt/Christy Ottaviano Bks. Aug. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780805094589.

Ritchie, Scot. Look Where We Live!: A First Book of Community Building. illus. by Scot Ritchie. 32p. glossary. Kids Can. Apr. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781771381024.

Ruurs, Margriet. School Days Around the World. illus. by Alice Feagan. 40p. glossary. Kids Can. Apr. 2015. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781771380478.

Saint John XXIII. Just for Today. tr. from Italian by Laura Watkinson. illus. by Bimba Landmann. revised ed. 34p. Eerdmans. Apr. 2015. Tr $16. ISBN 9780802854612.

Sharafeddine, Fatima. The Amazing Discoveries of Ibn Sina. illus. by Intelaq Mohammed Ali. 32p. ebook available. Groundwood. 2015. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781554987108.

Stockdale, Susan. Spectacular Spots. illus. by Susan Stockdale. 32p. Peachtree. 2015. Tr $15.95. ISBN 9781561458172. LC 2014006503.

Wallace, Ian. The Slippers’ Keeper. illus. by Ian Wallace. 36p. Groundwood. Apr. 2015. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781554984145; ebk. $16.95. ISBN 9781554984152.