With the idea the "Data can help us understand the world, our country, and our local communities" in mind, these books explain how data may be organized into graphs, charts, and maps, and then used for analysis. Examples, such as a bar graph of U.S. race/ethnicity, are shown; then captions explain how to interpret the data. The usefulness of maps that reflect the connection between geography and data is also pointed out. Intentional misuse of data and how it can be misunderstood due to misreading or unclear labels is discussed, as well as how data can be used to predict...

Four attractively illustrated volumes explore the careers of extraordinary, but little-known Black leaders. Cathy Hughes founded a chain of radio stations aimed at Black audiences, Frederick O'Neal was instrumental in theater during the Harlem Renaissance, Georgia Gilmore provided food and money for the Montgomery Boycott, and Ottawa Gurley was responsible for a thriving Black community in Tulsa, OK. The primary focus of each book is the accomplishment of each subject in their respective fields; those seeking statistical information will need to consult the timelines in the back. Nonetheless, the colorful drawings and straightforward texts do an excellent job introducing young...

The latest titles in this series cover a wide range of places to discover. Every title starts with before, during, and after reading activities to extend learning and is followed by a table of contents. A combination of graphic renderings and photographs are paired with one or two paragraphs that may also include a side panel that generally connects the reader further to more specific information, such as museums going digital during global disasters (Coolest Collections). This series does not shy away from nuanced topics, including repatriation of art to the original country (Coolest Collections) or why protests around the...

Books in the Leader Like Us picture-book series introduce Black Americans who excelled in their fields. Written with clarity and organized logically, each volume focuses on one notable individual. The large-format volumes are frighted with Quartey’s illustrations, which use simplified forms and unusual color combinations effectively. In Cathy Hughes, readers meet media-maven Hughes, whose childhood love of radio led her to broadcasting, ownership of a radio station that reflected her community’s interests, and developing and leading media company with radio and TV stations offering a Black perspective. Frederick O’Neal traces the story of this actor who moved to New York...

Kids like armchair travel too, and this entry in the Travel to . . . series (2 titles) brings them to museums of all kinds worldwide. Each institution is covered on a page, with an overview of the collection accompanied by fun fact boxes. This work is highly illustrated, making it an attractive browse as well as an interesting complement to history and art studies. Clear color photos display the inside and outside of many museums, while smaller inset photos showcase particular items they’ve collected. The best part of this book is the “they have a museum about THAT?” factor,...