This book is we researched and readable.  Clear, focused photographs and/or artist’s conceptions accompany every page.  Elaine Scott shares a brief history of what astronomers have learned since Ptolemy (100-175) to present and from looking through telescopes to landing on the planet’s surface.  Photographs from several spacecraft (Mariner(s) and Viking(s)) illustrate scientists’ observations and speculations.  With the successful landing of Spirit and Opportunity on Mars in 2004, scientists have been able to gather further data over the years to determine more about the red planet and its similarity to Earth.  The book includes an extensive glossary and index, an author’s note and bibliography, additional books to read and websites for further up-to-date information.

Penny Clarke has written many non-fiction books for children.  This book on hippos contains many fascinating facts, illustrations, and photographs.  Most pages contain “Did You Know” sections with additional information.  The text and illustrations are presented in a pleasing format.  One page directs the reader to look at the feet of a hippo on the table of contents page.  Another says to hold a page up to the light to see the skeleton inside the hippo’s body.  Words in bold print are found in the glossary.  Information about hippos includes how they were seen as gods in ancient times as well as how and where they live today.  There are 30 titles in this spectacular Scary Creatures series.  These books are recommended for all elementary libraries.

A basic portrayal of the life of Benjamin Franklin is told in the 32 page graphic novel written in Spanish.  Many of the highlights of his life are described in text boxes, within conversations, and detailed illustrations.  At birth, his father thought he would be a minister, however Franklin became many things: a printer, an inventor, a Patriot, and a statesman.  He was one of the most influential people during his lifetime and the results of many of his experiments and ideas remain today.  The artwork of Gordon Purcell and Barbara Schulz  reflects the clothing styles, jobs, and artifacts from the 1700s.  The text contains a good basic introduction to the life and wisdom of one of the most significant people in our country’s history.  This book is also available in English.  The expected glossary, reference sites, bibliographies and index are found in the back.

The Hallelujah Flight is based on a true story of ace pilot James Banning and his mechanic/co-pilot, Thomas Allen.  In 1932, towards the end of the Great Depression, African-American James Banning had a dream to fly across the United States.  He and his friend Thomas Allen fixed up an old bi-plane, much to the amusement of the airport crew.  The rickety plane began its wild, sometimes erratic, flight across California.  To help pay for food and repairs as they traveled, Banning and Allen relied on the generosity of strangers.  Each time they landed, they called out, “Hallelujah!”  Other than the trials of unreliable weather and repairs, one of the worst dangers they meet was prejudice.  After 22 days, they landed as heroes in New York.  The world read about them as the Flying Hobos, but they called their adventure the “Hallelujah Flight”.  John Holyfield’s expressive acrylic on canvas paintings reflect both the joy and dangers of the transcontinental flight.  A map on the endpages mark their journey from California to New York.

Ambelin Kwaymullina is from the Pilbara region of Western Australia and tells this tale of finding one’s destiny.  Crow looked into a waterhole and thought that bird she saw could change the world.  Wishing to be like her, Crow flew away to find her destiny.  After many interactions helping beings in distress, Crow kept seeing reflections of wonderful crows.  She despaired of ever being as good as those crows and began to cry.  When kookaburra heard why she was so sad he laughed and laughed because she was looking at her own reflection.  Crow now knows, “Your destiny lies within you.  All you need to do is learn how to see it.”  A good fable for finding one’s strengths.   Native-looking designs in vibrant colors illustrate this fable.  White text on most of the pages is easily read.

John Feierabend adapted this telling of the crabfish (a crab or a lobster) from an old tale which can be traced back 600 years, and 400 years as a song.  Vincent Nguyen’s large paintings colorfully illustrate the song, which is reproduced on the last page.  The tale is about a man who’s wife got sick and asked him to get her a crabfish.  He hurried out in the night to get her one.  When he brought it to her, she leaned in to smell and it pinched it on the nose.  She called to her husband, but it had already pinched him on the ear!  The moral: If you desire a crabfish, cook it first!  In a note at the beginning of the book, John Feierabend mentions a website where the song may be downloaded in order to hear the melody.

Toby the rabbit hated being cute.  To change his image, he pierced his ear, got a tattoo, and bought a motorcycle.  One day, while trying to act like a tough guy riding his noisy motorcycle, he saw Tara, a very cute rabbit.  He was stunned when she called him a creep.  He discarded all of his new purchases and took flowers to Tara.  They were perfect together.  When 12 small, fuzzy, baby rabbits were born in the spring, the author surprises the reader with a twist.  Marji Tolman’s colorful illustrations are simple, yet include interesting details.  The theme of the book is “cute” and so are the animals and the scenery.

Mrs. Shepard’s class is taking a field trip to Farmer Fandangle’s organic farm.  23 students and chaperones go over the rules.  Right away, they count only 22 – one missing.  Juan is found examining the sign, which is the beginning of the tour.  Farmer Fandangle guides them past each area on his environmentally frieindly farm.  Throughout the tour, chaperones continually count students in a variety of mathematical ways.  Juan is always missing, but is found seeking out the next point on Farmer Fandangle’s tour.  On many pages, readers can count the students in groups, which add up to 22!  Thor Wickstrom’s ink and watercolor illustrations are playful, colorful, and show all the action 23 students, chaperones, and animals can have on a farm field trip!

Told in rhyme, Ella Kazoo’s hair is described in many terms: hair, locks, mane, mop, curls, frizz, and tresses as it continues to grow longer and wilder.  As her hair grows, more and more items become entangled within it.  The ink and watercolor illustrations by Jennifer Plecas humorously depict Ella’s objections to brushing her hair and the eventual outcome.  At her wits end, Ella’s mother takes her to the hairdresser to find a style with which she can live.

“All due to a haircut, quite simple and snappy,

both mother and daughter are blissfully happy.”

This is a delightful story with equally delightful illustrations.  Mom keeps finding stray cats to rescue, much to the dismay of Dad, who has many reasons not to keep the cat(s).  He always relents when faced with the grim “future” of the poor kitty.  As Mom continues to find stray cats, Dad’s protestations become wilder and more absurd.  The ink and watercolor illustrations by David Parkins, make a humorous match with Dad’s comical objections.  When the pet count climbs to five cats, Dad wanders out and returns with… a dog!  Told in rhyme, the reader is entertained with clever reasons for keeping strays, the amusing objections for sending it on its way, and the witty and colorful illustrations.