This title introduces readers to the process of photosynthesis with large colorful photographs and simple clear text. The reader is first informed that photosynthesis makes life on earth possible. The book then explains the role of plants and sun in this process followed by an explanation of the steps in the process. The book concludes by placing the process of photosynthesis within the food chain.

The book contains a Table of Contents, as well as endpapers with a “Let’s Review” section, Glossary, Index, and link to Abdo Kids online activities.

For a child, questioning the world starts with the everyday activities of life. Liwska poses question after question about such things as birthdays, being heard, and making choices just as a child might. Her sweet and sometimes humorous animal illustrations slow the reader and promote reflection and discussion. Liwska’s questions slowly progress into questions that dig deeper and instigate meaningful reflection of self and community. With her book, she provides an age appropriate way to encourage mindfulness in our younger students.

In South Sudan, Nya has to walk every day to a well to fill up water jugs for the family. Today, her mom makes her take her younger sister, Akeer along too. Akeer is tired and keeps slowing Nya. Nya tries to distract Akeer by pointing out things to see, and singing the clapping game song. At the watering hole, they drink deeply and play the clapping game twice before heading back towards home. On the return trip, Akeer drags her feet, walking even more slowly. Finally she starts to cry and sits down. Nya snaps at her, but then realizes Akeer is not usually a crybaby. When Nya knelt, she realized Akeer was sick with a fever and they were half a morning’s walk from home. Nya couldn’t leave Akeer and they couldn’t wait for what might be hours for someone to come along. Nya emptied part of the jug and had Akeer climb on her back and tied her on with a headscarf. Together Akeer and the jug were so heavy, Nya could only walk a few steps at a time before she had to rest. As she approaches the village, people rush to take Akeer and the water from her and she sinks to the ground exhausted. No matter how tired, her mother needs Nya’s help to carry food water for the 2-3 day walk to the clinic to get Akeer help.

The story is a powerful message on the scarcity of safe water for large numbers of the world’s people. The endpapers include information about Salva Dut, a former refuge who with his organization, Water for South Sudan, is installing wells to provide clean water. While told through fictional characters, the story also illustrates how access to clean water also made it possible for young girls to receive schooling.

Nya’s Long Walk is a picture book companion to Linda Sue Park’s novel, A Long Walk to Water.

A circle gets caught in a geo-dome shaped jungle gym and cannot get out by himself. A parade of different shapes try to help and some also get stuck. Finally a straight and narrow line rushes to the rescue. With the help of a prism and sphere, line creates a lever to pop the shapes free. The line then convinces the jungle gym to make her spaces wider so the other shapes will not get tangled in her again.

A fun and engaging story to reinforce geometric shapes. The mixing of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes without any identifying the differences, however, undermines the math concepts.

With a message of mindfulness and meditation, Julia Denow replaces the traditional in-and-out breaths with words and page turns. The books starts with the here and now of self, pointing out where, what, and how the reader fits into the universe. The book then moves on to noticing the big and little things both evident and hidden in the world around us. Finally the book moves on to envisioning the limitless possibilities.

Beautiful illustrations help portray both the immediacy of what we experience around us as well and the grandeur of the the universe and our boundless potential. The multi-racial family makes a powerful statement about diversity by not incorporating race in the message of the text.

Three children greet the first, long awaited snow of the year with glee even though it’s slushy and wet. The lyrical text follows these children through the whole season of snow. The reader hears of Fluff Snow, Angel Snow, Snowball Snow, Driveway Snow and so on. Each type of snow provides another unique experience. With the slushy Spring Snow, the children appear to shoo the snow away with,

Soon it will be Spring Snow,
Grass and mud and rain snow,
Time to go away snow;
no more lingering.

The last page pictures the children peering at their bikes in their garden shed ready for a new season of adventure. A perfect read for kids anticipating the arrival of snow.

Trains Run! will appeal to train enthusiasts. With the repeated refrain:

Steam engine,
gas engine,
electric engine too.
Chooka-chooka! Vroom zoom!
Hssss! Whoo-oo-whoo!

The rhythmic text helps to paint a picture of the role of trains past and present, of where they travel, and their power and strength.

The illustrations capture a feeling of movement and the majesty of trains. Characters in the illustrations are of diverse race, age, and lifestyle.

While the diversity and grandeur of the National Parks draw people from near and far, these amazing places are also the home to the creatures that live there. And yet the majesty and mystery of our National Parks also provide a sense of home and belonging to all who visit. The refrain, “you are home” echoes through the book.

The lyrical language helps the reader recognize the home that can be found in a memory or sense of belonging. Each pastel illustration is represents a National Park. Embrace the experience of visiting a National Park and feel a sense of home.

End papers describe the author’s connection to the parks and includes a United State map showing the location of the National Parks with thumbnail images of the books illustrations. The “More About” section is limited to only 5 of the parks and 4 of the featured animals.

Bear’s bright yellow birthday kite makes him happy. Holding tight to the long string, the kite begins to fly as he runs. He runs through the meadow, by the sea and finally back to the forest where his kite gets caught and ripped by a tree. Bird works hard to untangle it and flies off carrying the kite. Bear begins to run. The story ends with, “Bear no longer has a bright yellow kite, but Bear is happy. He has something better,” inviting the reader to recognize the value of a friend far exceeds any object, however loved.

A charming picture book with a message of friendship.

This non-fiction series from Abdo provides useful easily accessible information for young readers. In Crayfish, the reader learns about the crayfish’s physical features, habitat, food, defences, and the life cycle.

Each chapter begins with a QR code that links to additional online resources. The link includes a small amount of information at the same reading level as the book as well as 3 external links to more complex information. It is expected that informational texts include links to external resources. Keeping the online resources at the same level as the book, makes this series a step above most others.