The bulk of this book focuses on weather and ends with a two page spread explaining climate and climate change. Information is communicated in a visually appealing and stimulating way with small chunks of text interspersed with diagrams and illustrations.

My reservations with this book are two fold: the title implies a greater focus on climate.  The interdependence and differentiation between weather and climate are only addressed briefly at the very end of the book.  Secondly, I found some of the factual information misleading or even incorrect.  For example it claims that absolute zero is the coldest possible temperature (p. 12) which scientifically is incorrect.  While it is true that lightening can be hotter than the surface of the sun (p. 21), both the sun’s atmosphere and all other layers of the sun far exceed the temperature of lightening.

Despite these reservations, I still recommend this book as an appealing informational text on weather.

Contains an explanation of exactly how hurricanes and tornadoes happen, real life examples, as well as discussing the potential impact of climate change on future storms.  Information is provided in small text blurbs, usually with a heading and supporting image.  Since this title focuses on the extreme storms, it would fit best as supporting material of a larger unit study.

Eye catching pictures, some of which appear to be digitally generated, are  often not attributed to any specific weather event creating misleading images.  When attribution is given, it is immersed in text so would only be evident to someone who reads the whole text.  Diagrams and maps add important supporting information.

Includes Table of Contents, Index, and Timeline

Large font, simple words and sentences, and colorful photographs makes this a good title for young readers.  Topics include the body, habitat, food, and life cycle of the sturgeon. Bold red vocabulary words are defined in the glossary.  Key concepts are introduced, but then not clearly explained (such as barbels and omnivore).  Quick Stats section provides the average weight of the beluga and shovelnose sturgeons and then compares them to everyday household objects – a refrigerator and a book.  Online Resources can be accessed from abdobooklinks.com and include educational sites with information appropriate for older readers.

Includes Table of Contents, Glossary, and Index.

Ranger Red Fox takes the reader on a tour of the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming.  Information includes the basic history of the park, including the geology of how the areas were formed, as well as Native American original inhabitants and early explorers. Ranger Red Fox then describes the scenic sites and activities, and flora and fauna in the parks.  At the end of the text, there is a field guide of animals, wildlife by the numbers, a map and map challenge, wildflower tracker, glossary and index.

Stunning photographs support the text.  Animated Ranger Red Fox livens up the telling. A fun engaging read.

This title in the Strange and Wonderful series is a VERY detailed nonfiction book about spiders.  Information includes species classification, anatomy, different habitats, webs, reproduction, hunting techniques.  Specific details are provided about different species, highlighting the diversity of spiders.  The tone comes across as somewhat conversational, including suggestions on overcoming arachnophobia. While using scientific terms and detailed illustrations, the lack of a table of contents or index makes it less useful for research.  Recommendations in the “To Learn More” section include materials that range in interest level from preschool to adult.

A sure hit with kids interested in spiders and other creepy crawlies.

An in depth history of the Cassini satellite launched in 1997 to study Saturn and its moons. Begins with the basics of the planet, then describes the satellites long 7 year journey.  Cassini satellite provided the most detailed images of Saturn ever seen.  It then  observed Saturn’s rings and moons for more than a decade. Includes details on the Titan Huygens Probe, the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system.  In 2017, as its nuclear fuel was running out, scientists gave it Cassini one last mission; send as much data as possible as it plunged into Saturn’s atmosphere. 

Highlighted ‘extreme facts’ on each page are high interest. Colorful photographs and diagrams

Memorial Day is explained in simple text with both historical and current photographs. The book focuses on the origins and traditions associated with the celebration of Memorial Day. Concepts are covered at a developmental level that corresponds with the target audience.  Vocabulary words found in the glossary are in bold.

Included are directions on how to make a tissue paper poppy to honor fallen soldiers.

With simple text and colorful pictures, this title provides young readers an introduction to President’s Day.  The book starts by describing President’s Day and who celebrates it.  Also included is information on the origins and traditions of President’s Day as well as directions on how to make George Washington’s wig.

Dry, sparse information and complex concepts without adequate explanation makes this title less appealing for young readers.

Introducing the season of spring through the colors of plants, animals and weather.  Color words in the text appear as that color.  The descriptions of spring are interrupted 3 times to explain coloring techniques; texture, shading, and symmetry.  Text is supported by colorful photographs and drawings.  End-papers includes names of the colors used in the text, glossary, Learn More, and Index.

Crayons are part of every child’s early years of school.  Using crayons and color to describe the characteristic features of spring make this a child friendly title on the subject.

Strawberry Shortcake’s friend, Orange Blossom has a problem – her store is packed with fans no one will buy because the weather is still cool.  Raisin Cane offers to use her expertise to help promote the store through social media. Orange Blossom’s performances become increasingly complex and time consuming and her followers on social media keep asking for more.  Unfortunately none of her efforts actually sell any fans, it just keeps her out the store.  Bosley Bookworm tracks Orange Blossom down looking for some olive oil from her store. Orange Blossom realizes that her fixation on selling fans has hurt her business.  Giving up on her social media campaign is a relief – and the arrival of warmer weather is good for the fan business.

In graphic novel format.  Includes an additional story, “A Haunting in Berry City.”  Sure to be a hit with Strawberry Shortcake fans.