Small, bordered boxes contain text about the myth of dragons.  Highlighted words are defined on the page.  The glossary also contains these words and adds pronunciation clues.  Myths are stories that have been around for so long many people like to believe they are true.  Dragon Fact boxes reinforce that belief with invented information that makes these imaginary creatures seem believable.  Large, colorful illustrations show various features of these majestic beasts.  This book will definitely appeal to dragon lovers of any age.

The 1863 Civil War Battle of Gettysburg is told from the viewpoints of both the Union and Confederacy.  Each skirmish, confrontation, or battle is accurately portrayed including names of leaders and their corps, division, brigade, etc.  The area around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is precisely described.  The Union section contains a small map but labels are too small to read.  A map in the Confederate segment indicate both North and South paths as different forces advance toward Gettysburg.  Following the descriptions of events would be much easier to understand if a basic map of the area with labeled landmarks had been included.  Both sections have photos and paintings to illustrate attacks.  Text is small.  Both partitions include a glossary, index, bibliography, resources and share a timeline.

The largemouth bass is a popular freshwater sport fish.  It is a fast swimmer, has good vision and can see colors, and will eat almost anything.  They will not eat dead food so lures must move or look alive.  Bass prefer the calm, fresh water of lakes, ponds, or streams that provide good hiding places.  When caught, they are active fighters.  Most largemouth bass anglers practice the “catch and release” method.  Suggestions of techniques, ways to record the catch, equipment, safety, and responsibility are offered.  Colorful photographs are captioned.  Many pages contain a “Wild Facts!” box.  Glossary, index and resources included.  After reading about the largemouth bass, it is hard to resist grabbing a rod and reel and rushing off to that fishing hole!

The topic of mermaids has been an enigma for thousands of years.  The premise of this book is to explain these sightings using the scientific method.  Multiple stories are reported including dates, places, and names of the observer.  Speculations include everything from alien or supernatural events to weather to intentional pranks.  The scientific method is explained but not efficiently used.  A final page, “Summing Up the Science” lists a few hypotheses however there is no test or scientific evidence (fossils, for example) that can substantiate the supposition.  Many illustrations, photographs, reproductions, and maps supplement the text.  A timeline of reported sightings or descriptions is included.  The reader is essentially left with interesting tales with which they can choose to believe or not.  Nothing is actually solved with science.

War dogs refer to one-time prime minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, known as “the British Bulldog”, and his pet Rufus, a brown miniature poodle.  Readers learn about Churchill’s role during WWII and get a glimpse of his personal life through a focus on Rufus.  Rufus was with Churchill in the underground bunker, addressing the House of Commons, and the bombing of London.  He guards the door while Churchill plans the invasion of Normandy with Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin.  Acrylic and collage paintings in neutral tones show Rufus keeping Churchill company during the stressful years of guiding a country through a world war and the aftermath of rebuilding.  Quotations from speeches are “tacked” onto several pages.  Details of this turbulent time are accurate but brief enough for young readers to get a general understanding of the great man and the difficult war years.  A timeline of highlights from September 1939 to September 1945 is at the end along with a page about Churchill and his poodles and a page of other personal information.  An extensive bibliography, other books about Churchill and WWII related websites accompany the sources for each quote.

Little Bear is worried his mom will not love him any more when he tears his jacket.  Mom reassures him she will always love him.  As she works on the repair, Little Bear presents her with other more and more outlandish scenarios: what if he was really bad, did poorly in school, or was ugly and green.  Mom says she may be disappointed or sad by his actions, but she will still love him.  As Little Bear put his jacket on to leave with a friend, he comes to realize that nothing will change that.  Young ones are often concerned about security in a family.  This book asks many of those same questions and the answers reinforce confidence.

Sea Otters is one of many titles in this nonfiction series on animals.  Each spread contains two sentences describing different characteristics of the otter with an endearing photograph to illustrate that feature.  Simple text is in large print.  Words to know are in bold font and are defined in the glossary.  Recommended books for further reading are written at a similar level.  Index and website included.  There are 38 titles in this series, all written at a similar reading level.  A great resource for young readers.

The Bermuda triangle is an area in and over the Atlantic Ocean from Florida, east to Bermuda, south to Puerto Rico and back to Florida.  Mysterious disappearances without satisfactory explanations have occurred in this section for over a hundred years.  Some of the more memorable events are mentioned.  Possible explanations range from stormy weather to aliens.  McClellan does not emphasize any proposed answer.  Basic information presented in simple text with large font.  Many pages include short additional fact boxes.  Photographs are interesting and the layout is pleasing.  Six famous disappearances are listed in the back with the glossary, index, and website.  Recommended books are written at a higher reading level but may still offer appropriate additional information.  Although this book does not include a wealth of details, it does offer enough examples to pique curiosity and encourage further reading.

Facts about the Civil War are presented in a cartoon format.  The reader assumes the character of a Connecticut farmer who decides to enlist in the Union Army in 1861.  Chapters tell of daily life as a soldier and during battles, differences between Union and Confederate soldiers, weaponry, field hospitals, and battles.  Handy Hint boxes on each spread give suggestions on how to handle specific situations.  A timeline of the war and map of major battles begin on the inside front cover.  A glossary, index, and a list of 10 bloody battles end the book.  Just the thing for reluctant readers who are interested in the Civil War but don’t want to wade through a lot of text.