Outdoor adventures can be fun for everyone and being prepared is a must.  Caring for our environment and suggestions for packing suitable gear are mentioned on the first pages.  Eight basic knots, with simple directions how to tie them, are described next.  Four designs for using a tarp for a shelter are shown.  Also in this informative book, are instructions how to make a raft, how to safely cross streams, escape quicksand, and build dams.  Safety is always paramount.  Signs to mark a trail are pictured as well as Morse code and semaphore illustrations.  Should an injury occur, several methods to apply first aid until help arrives are explained.  Finally, some fun outdoor games and activities are included with a Did You Know page, index, and paragraph about the author and illustrator.  Many comic critters offer comments from the margins.  Colorful cartoon artwork and a variety of type fonts create an attention-getting outdoor activity (and potential survival!) book for young adventurers.  Lots to learn and think about in this 32 page book.

When J.P. and his family go to a dinosaur themed water park, J.P. is having a wonderful time until he comes up to the dinosaur shaped sign saying, “You must be this tall.” Young children will identify with J.P.’s tear,  frown, and attempts to show he is big enough for this section of the park thanks to Erica Sirotich’s simple, yet effective illustrations.

J.P. states, “I almost threw a fit. I was so sad.” Then with help, he remembers his previous fun. The day is saved.

This is one of three books with the Mood-o-Meter by Ana Crespo aimed at pre-school and early primary aged children.

Focusing on the cretaceous period, this book starts with a brief introduction of how the land masses on our planet shifted and a descriptive timeline of each period from the Precambrian to Quaternary (now).  The tone is conversational but includes a great variety of facts and details readers seek.  There are many logical suppositions about how dinosaurs lived, ate, and protected themselves.  Illustrations are full-color, realistic scenes.  Double-page spreads include 2 – 3 text boxes, a location/length box, and a “Did You Know?” box.  The end of the cretaceous period is explained by the asteroid impact, most likely near present-day Mexico.  This well-written, informative book is one of four in the series.  Each could stand alone.  Other titles are, The Dawn of Planet Earth, Dinosaurs Rule, and The Rise of Mammals.  The complete set would be great addition to any library.  A final “Did You Know?” page with accompanying pronunciation is at the back of the book with an index and short comments about the author and illustrator.

Beginning with suggested drawing materials, the reader is encouraged to learn and use the vocabulary of an artist.  3 – 4 sentences introduce each vehicle.  Instructions are given in 6 easy steps.  Basic shapes are drawn to help focus on the size and position of the final drawing.  Penciled details are defined with a thin marker before the final color and shading are completed.  (Spoiler – this is step 5 for every drawing!)  Illustrations are simple and clear.  This a good introductory book for young artists wanting to learn steps for drawing cars or trucks.  An Art Tip and fact box for each car or truck are included on each spread.  Additional information, a glossary, and a website finish the book.

Red pandas are tiny relatives of the giant panda and live in bamboo forests.  Each spread includes 1 or 2 fact sentences and a large, full-color photograph.  Large easy-to-read text provides basic details about physical characteristics, diet, behavior, and habitat.  Additional suggested books written about the same level, a website, glossary, and index are included.  This is a good introductory book on red pandas for young readers.

Lamond retells the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen.  In this children’s adaption, the prince goes off to find a true princess that is wise, sensible, and delicate.  He met many women but none were all the things for which he was searching.  Soon after his return, a huge storm raged.  A young girl appeared at the door seeking refuge.  The king, queen, and prince were all impressed with her, but the queen wanted to be sure she was a princess.  As a test, she placed a dried pea underneath 40 mattresses on the princess’s bed.  Only a true princess would be unable to sleep in such a bed.  However, no one slept!  The king was bothered by the storm, the prince was so in love he could not shut his eyes, and the queen lay awake wondering if the princess was sleeping!  This retelling is short but humorous.  Mitch Vane’s ink and watercolor illustrations are expressive and amusing.

Poppy finally gets her wish to own a dog.  She selects Rosie from the shelter and almost immediately realizes how much attention small puppies need.  Poppy’s friend, Millie, helps her teach Rosie a few games.  After a full day of playing and teaching Rosie how to fetch, the girls take a snack break while Rosie takes a nap!  The stories in this series are short (three chapters) and fairly predictable.  They definitely have girl-appeal.  Illustrations on every page focus on Poppy, a cute redhead, and her white, puff-ball puppy.  In the back is a glossary, suggested games to play with one’s pet, and a page devoted to the author and illustrator.

Lenny is the 2nd grade class reporter who interviews the “Student of the Week”.  In this book, he and his camera follow Jasmine to highlight her and her family.  When they reach her farm-home, he finds that Jazz has two dads. Lenny asks who helps her do what and learns that Dad braids her hair, Papi makes dinner, and both pitch in for dancing and stories.  Lenny continues to snap photos of the many activities that take place at Jasmine’s home.  But what makes Jasmine’s family the same as most other families is that her parents love her completely.  The colorful pictures are cartoon-like (big heads and large eyes).  Lenny’s photo collection of Jazz is shown on the “Student of the Week” wall on the last page.  Other books in the series are: My Grandparents, My Military Mom, My Mom and Dad, My Two Homes, and My Two Moms.  This is a gentle was to learn about diversity and family life through the eyes of 2nd grade Lenny.

Cork is a little muskrat who likes to think.  His best friend is Fuzz, a tall possum who loves to play.  It is winter and Cork feels there is something special about the day but cannot figure out just what it is.  They look for a quiet place under a tree to think.  The first tree has noisy birds (tweeters), the second tree has playful squirrels (squirtles), and Fuzz keeps singing a silly song, “Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho!”  As Cork continues looking for a quiet thinking tree, Fuzz finds a shiny stone that jingles which only add to the cacophony of noise that bothers Cork.  At last they find a perfect pine tree quietly twinkling with lights.  As they lay under the snow-laden branches, Cork realizes why the day is so special.  It’s “because I’m in a beautiful place with my friend”.  Readers will quickly guess it is Christmas from the many clues but will be just as satisfied with this ending.  Lisa McCue’s detailed and colorful illustrations are charming.

Beginning with a definition of green and  how it is made by mixing colors, simple text gives examples of where green animals can be found on land, in air, or in water.  Color and animals are popular topics for young readers.  This book is pleasing to the eye.  Photographs are large, clear, and interesting.  Each close-up animal photograph is accompanied by a short, informative explanation or description.  Some terms are in bold font and can be found in the glossary.  One page contains additional facts about the color green – how it is often used in nature, how people use it as a safe color, as in traffic signals, and as a symbol of spring, youth, and envy.