Reviews
SLJ Review of Making Good Choices (Tomando buenas decisiones)
Social-Emotional Learning gets a choose-your-own-adventure twist. In each book, children are confronted with social situations that they will recognize from school, the playground, or the bus stop. The choose-your-own-adventure format lets reader see possible outcomes based on the… View →
SLJ Review of I See Animal Textures! (¡Veo texturas de animales!)
Different animal textures, such as fur, scales, and shells, are described in this series for early readers. Written with a controlled vocabulary, each title begins with a visual glossary that shares the important terms used throughout the book. The books emphasize the animals’ physical… View →
SLJ Review of Pets of Presidents (Mascotas presidenciales)
Who knew that President Lincoln had two pet goats? Or that President Eisenhower had a pet parakeet named Gabby? Did you know that President Coolidge had two pet raccoons? This unique six-book series reveals conventional and surprising pets of almost every American president. Birds, cats, View →
SLJ Review of My Teeth
Beyond the common “how to brush teeth” and “dentist visit” titles on easy reader shelves, these dental titles answer common questions and concerns readers may have about their teeth. The functional aspects of teeth are explained, from how they grow to how they fall out. Some technical… View →
Booklist Review of The Untold Story of Annie Turnbo Malone: Hair Care Millionaire
Born in 1869, Annie Turnbo Malone experimented with hair-care formulas and invented new products, which she sold door-to-door to other Black women. She moved the business, named Poro, from Illinois to Missouri two years before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where many new customers… View →
SLJ Review of Fact vs. Fiction in U.S. History
American history is full of myths and legends. This series explores common misunderstandings as well as figures and events that may have been omitted from most narratives. For instance, many people believe that Edison invented the light bulb, unaware of other inventors in the field, or… View →
Booklist Review of The Amazing Journey from Moss to Rain Forests: A Graphic Novel about Earth's Plants
When a boy and his dog knock a leaf loose from a plant, the leaf (aptly named Leif), begins talking and gives them a quick historical tour of plants in this volume of the graphic Earth’s Amazing Journey series (4 titles). Before delving into thematic chapters, the cartoonish Leif briefly View →
SLJ Review of Behind the Scenes Biographies
Interesting facts about popular celebrities are presented in these volumes. In the simple narratives readers learn that Ariana Grande’s favorite holiday is Halloween, Beyoncé owns two beehives, Dwayne Johnson plays the ukulele, Harry Styles was the first man to appear alone on the cover… View →
SLJ Review of Animal Societies
Real photographs of animals connect children to the wild worlds around them. These titles focus on how people and animals are alike, through shared concepts like communication, where they live, and what it means to work. A real highlight of this series is that it teaches social-emotional View →
SLJ Review of Adventurous Crafts for Kids
Activities and crafts to explore, connect, and experience nature safely can be found in this series. Each activity starts with a picture of the finished product and an explanation of the activity. Materials and step-by-step instructions are listed alongside labeled pictures. A general… View →
SLJ Review of Science Starters
An attractive and informative series that teaches young readers about climate change, energy, natural resources, biodi- versity, pollution, and waste. Written in an engaging and easy-to-understand style, the books use colorful illustrations, photos, icons, and simple language to explain… View →
Booklist Review of The Scoop on Superstitions
Who hasn’t wrapped their fingers around a greasy wishbone, their secret hopes to be determined with a fateful snap? This is but one of the unusual practices covered by the Scoop on Superstitions series (12 titles). In this selection, readers become acquainted with the furcula and how… View →