Young readers will learn the basics about this unique amphibian.  How they look, what they eat, and how they protect themselves are described in simple, large text paired with full-page, colorful photographs.  The life cycle, from eggs dangling in water, to tadpoles with gills, to adults with legs and lungs, is well explained.  Toads have defenses against predators that may amaze those just learning about this remarkable creature.  Included are a glossary and index.  Recommended books are written at a slightly higher reading level but will still be of interest to beginning readers.  A factsurfer internet site provides additional details although very young readers may need  help accessing and using the site.  Vocabulary for nonfiction topics is often difficult for those with emerging reading skills.  This fact book is written with those readers in mind.  Recommended for elementary libraries.

Black holes in space are a phenomena that are hard to study.  Formed when a large star burns out, the gravity pulls all surrounding matter, even light, in.  Scientists study this occurrence through telescopes both on earth and in space.  The photographs and illustrations are labeled and captions provide additional information.  The text is large and facts about this vast topic are basic.  Some vocabulary may be unknown to young readers but are explained on the page.  A few include pronunciation cues.  Theories about black holes were first suggested in the late 1700s.  Facts are still being gathered today.  A glossary and index are located  in the back.  An Abdo website provides supplemental and updated information on their Book Links page.  Young readers interested in space will enjoy this introduction to black holes.  Many stated details will lead to further investigations.  Recommended for elementary libraries.

As with many True Books, this one starts with two statements, only one of which is true.  Jam-packed with information, definitions, and explanations, readers will learn many basic facts geologists know.  The first chapter tells how the scientific method works to help scientists learn.  Throughout the book are small experiments to test rock properties – crystal color, streak, and hardness.  When explaining how rocks are made, the three basic types of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous) are described.  More experiments show how layers build up and break down.  This book provides a great balance between information and experimentation.  Experiments are well explained, include photographs, and provide a method of recording observations.  Other photos show rocks in various land forms.  In the back are recommended books to read, two excellent websites for further learning, two places to visit (complete with addresses and websites), a glossary with pronunciation clues, index, photo credits, and a bio. of the author.  Recommended addition to elementary school libraries and/or classroom collections.

Young, would-be hunters can read about the equipment, skills, and techniques needed when hunting for pheasants.  How to handle guns and what to wear to protect the hunter are among the safety tips given.  Almost every page has a “Wild Fact” box of related information.  Words to know are in bold font and defined in its own box on the page.  One double-page spread is a colorful photograph of the items used by well-equipped hunters.  The layout is pleasing, photos are clear and bright, and the text is large and easy to read.  Good introduction to pheasant hunting for beginners.

Scooby-Doo and friends are embroiled in three monster stories in this graphic novel.  The first one, “Man of a Thousand Monsters”, concerns the graphic artists who create scary beings on computer and the make-up artists who use masks, molds, and latex rubber.  Who is scaring actors off the set?  The second, very short story, “Velma’s Monsters of the World – La Velue”, tells of a legendary monster that lived in France.  The third tale, “At Least that Beast”, is located in the Congo.  A witch doctor controls a dinosaur-like creature that is scaring people away from a diamond mine.  Scooby and friends discover clues that lead them to the origin of the mysterious beast.  Scooby fans will not want to miss the colorful artwork and fast action in this adventure of the Mystery, Inc. gang.

Beginning with a map and timetable of the 13 original colonies, young readers learn about life in Colonial America.  Words to know are highlighted and explained right on the page.  Additional related facts are found in small sidebars along with occasional comparisons of life “Then and Now”.  Five chapters showcase life in the towns, modes of transportation, what people did for entertainment, how news was shared within towns and surrounding areas, and the homes and lives of nearby Native American tribes.  A glossary page, which repeats all the highlighted words within the text, books of Colonial American projects, museums to visit, websites, and an index are included.  All website links work but are at a higher reading level than this book.  They do provide interesting additional information.  Other books in this series focus on clothes, food, homes, jobs, families, farms, and traditions.  This is a good resource for elementary libraries.

This book begins with the history of the area that would eventually become the Georgia Colony.  Tor thousands of years, native Americans, namely the Creek and the Cherokee, lived in the region.  By the 1500s, Europeans began to explore North America.  Spanish had settled in Florida, British in South Carolina, and both  began to look toward the Georgia area for expansion.  From this point, several influential people are mentioned, along with the evolving way of life as more settlers arrived and political issues caused dissension.  Brief highlights from 9000 B.C.E. to the signing of the U. S. Constitution in 1788 are in the 48 page book.  Some information is a bit sketchy but certainly provides enough facts to encourage further investigation.  Included in the back are other books to read, websites, museums, to visit (addresses and websites provided), a glossary, index, and a note about the author.

While the story concept is not new, Moore and McWilliam do a terrific job of supplying humor to a boy’s imagination.  “If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in.” (First line in the story.)  And then the fun begins.  A young boy finds his soul-mate in his dragon as they toast marshmallows, swim, and fly kites.  It’s only when his family doesn’t believe in the dragon that the mischief starts.  The dragon becomes the scapegoat for the disappearance of all the sandwiches, blowing bubbles in the lemonade, and putting fingerprints in the brownies.  The last straw is when the dragon sprays sand all over his sister.  The castle and the dragon have to go – at least until the next day!  Is the dragon real?  Is it Dad?  Or, is it a combination?  Howard McWilliam’s hilariously expressive illustrations are perfect for this light-hearted beach tale.

This beautifully illustrated picture book was inspired by a personal story.  A grandfather focuses his grandson’s attention on his hands – hands that competently did many things.  He lovingly shows his grandson Joseph how to tie shoes and bowline knots, throw baseballs, play piano, and shuffle cards.  The timber changes when he tells that “these hands” were not allowed to touch bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory.  His hands could only sweep floors, work the line, or load trucks.  He relates how “these hands” joined with others during the Civil Rights Movement and helped bring a end to discrimination.  Little Joseph takes over the story showing his grandpa what his young hands can do – with no limitations.  This is a message all children need to hear, that all things are possible.  Floyd Cooper, illustrator of many children’s books is a four-time recipient of the Coretta Scott King Honor.  His stunning sepia-toned artwork shows warmth, gentleness, and strength.  Mason includes an author’s note providing a brief historical background.

This graphic novel, written in Spanish, is a biography of the life of Jackie Robinson.  Always athletic, Jackie’s journey led him from being a juvenile delinquent, to sports in college, to playing on a small football team in Honolulu.  The highlights of Robinson’s rise through the minor and major leagues are well told and colorfully illustrated.  Readers will be attracted to this book about an amazing man – it’s about baseball and it’s in the popular comic book format.  The story is published in both Spanish and English.  A glossary, index, other books to read, and a facthound internet site are listed in the back.  The additional resources are not written in Spanish.  Recommended for elementary libraries.