In this straightforward series, young kids are introduced to four different manifestations of modern families—adoption, divorce, multigenerational, and single parent resulting from a deceased family member. Each title focuses upon the bonding activities that make each family’s dynamic unique. Lively cartoon illustrations that are eye-catching and appealing enhance the stories, which are told from a child’s perspective. Though unapparent from the outset, multiculturalism plays a large role, with each book representing a different ethnicity. Helpful tips for caregivers and educators aiming to strengthen children’s knowledge and vocabulary are provided in the introductory material, as are useful activities to extend learning...

Learning to cope with changing emotions can be difficult for children. Through quirky, colorful drawings; simple writing; and familiar situations, these titles illustrate four basic feelings youngsters are sure to be well acquainted with (anger at not getting one’s way, fear during a frightening thunderstorm, etc.). Each circumstance presents the protagonist reacting in a cartoonish but believable way. While many books on emotions overlook empathy, this series incorporates it into each story by recognizing that other characters are capable of feeling similarly. With each scenario comes resolution and the reinforcement that feeling are fleeting and do not last forever. Pre-...

Stories of paranormal oddities and strange happenings are undeniably fascinating, and these installments in the Yikes! It’s Haunted series spotlight a horde of spine-tingling legends. The stories in Haunted Objects feature dolls, furniture, mirrors, and art, such as copies of a distinctive painting that were found unharmed in the burning remains of several houses. Haunted Ships, Planes, and Cars describes several historical disasters and the legendary tales of hauntings that circulated in their wakes, including a spooky tale of the car James Dean was driving when he died and the race-car driver who was killed while operating a vehicle containing salvaged parts from the...

The colorful books in the STEAM Every Day series point out how science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts influence the development and design of products today. Each book opens with a textbook-like list of "Before & After Reading Activities". Drawn from many sources, the illustrations, mainly photos and digital art, dominate the pages, leaving room for a paragraph or two of information printed in large type on each double-page spread, along with a fast-fact box and the occasional diagram. App Development introduces topics such as the workings of touch screens, the transfer of binary information, and the art of icon design....

Some of the hottest sports car available today are highlighted in this sleek series, which delivers strong content, impressive details, and eye-popping images to young car fanatics. Within each book, readers learn about the history of the vehicle, how it has developed over time, and what improvements are under consideration going forward. While the coverage “comes standard,” the extras, specifically the sheer amount of car-specific facts, will leave readers impressed. The authors don’t shy away from using proper terminology or from including data such as gas tank size and percentage of sold Ferraris that are red. The gorgeous photos steal...