ELEMENTARY

Fehlen, Douglas J. Explore Delhi. ISBN 9781632357236.
––––. Explore Moscow. ISBN 9781632357274.
––––. Explore Paris. ISBN 9781632357298.
––––. Explore Sydney. ISBN 9781632357304.
––––. Explore Tokyo. ISBN 9781632357311.
Hutchison, Patricia. Explore Beijing. ISBN 9781632357212.
––––. Explore Berlin. ISBN 9781632357229.
––––. Explore London. ISBN 9781632357250.
––––. Explore Mexico. ISBN 9781632357267.
––––. Explore Toronto. ISBN 9781632357328.
Klepeis, Alicia Z. Explore Dubai. ISBN 9781632357243.
––––. Explore New York. ISBN 9781632357281.
ea vol: 32p. (Great Cities of the World). Bookstaves/12 Story Library. Jan. 2020. Tr. $31.35. pap. $12.
Gr 3-5 –Discover 12 great cities with this fun and informative series. Each book looks at the culture, history, population, and economy of the profiled city and does not shy away from negative realities. Delhi’s diversity is celebrated, but readers also learn about water pollution in the Yamuna River. Beijing has a highly educated population, but one million people live in nuclear shelters for lack of affordable housing. Time lines, fun facts, and a free ebook with updated information are included. VERDICT This entertaining series provides a balanced view of the world’s largest cities.
 

 Murray, Julie. Illinois. ISBN 9781532191169.
––––. Indiana. ISBN 9781532191176.
––––. Iowa. ISBN 9781532191183.
––––. Kansas. ISBN 9781532191190.
––––. Kentucky. ISBN 9781532191206.
 ––––. Louisiana. ISBN 9781532191213.
––––. Maine. ISBN 9781532191220.
––––. Maryland. ISBN 9781532191237.
––––. Massachusetts. ISBN 9781532191244.
––––. Michigan. ISBN 9781532191251.
––––. Minnesota. ISBN 9781532191268.
––––. Mississippi. ISBN 9781532191275.
––––. Missouri. ISBN 9781532191282.
––––. Montana. ISBN 9781532191299.
––––. Nebraska. ISBN 9781532191305.
––––. Nevada. ISBN 9781532191312. 
––––. New Hampshire. ISBN 9781532191329.
––––. New Jersey. ISBN 9781532191336.
––––. New Mexico. ISBN 9781532191343.
––––. New York. ISBN 9781532191350.
––––. North Carolina. ISBN 9781532191367.
––––. North Dakota. ISBN 9781532191374.
––––. Ohio. ISBN 9781532191381.
––––. Oklahoma. ISBN 9781532191398.
Tieck, Sarah. Alabama. ISBN 9781532191046.
––––. Alaska. ISBN 9781532191053.
––––. Arizona. ISBN 9781532191060.
––––. Arkansas. ISBN 9781532191077.
––––. California. ISBN 9781532191084.
––––. Colorado. ISBN 9781532191091.
––––. Connecticut. ISBN 9781532191107.
––––. Delaware. ISBN 9781532191114.
––––. Florida. ISBN 9781532191121.
––––. Georgia. ISBN 9781532191138.
––––. Hawaii. ISBN 9781532191145.
––––. Idaho. ISBN 9781532191152.
––––. Oregon. ISBN 9781532191404.
––––. Pennsylvania. ISBN 9781532191411.
––––. Puerto Rico. ISBN 9781532191428.
––––. Rhode Island. ISBN 9781532191435.
––––. South Carolina. ISBN 9781532191442.
––––. South Dakota. ISBN 9781532191459.
––––. Tennessee. ISBN 9781532191466.
––––. Texas. ISBN 9781532191473.
––––. Utah. ISBN 9781532191480.
––––. Vermont. ISBN 9781532191497.
––––. Virginia. ISBN 9781532191503.
––––. Washington. ISBN 9781532191510.
––––. Washington, DC. ISBN 9781532191527.
––––. West Virginia. ISBN 9781532191534.
––––. Wisconsin. ISBN 9781532191541.
––––. Wyoming. ISBN 9781532191558.
ea vol: 32p. (Explore the United States). ABDO/Big Buddy. Dec. 2019. Tr. $28.50.
Gr 2-5 –An informative look at the history, geography, and culture of the 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Each book examines an individual state’s population, industry, and place in American history using simple sentence structure and beautiful, full-page images. Examples of the favorite pastimes and famous landmarks of the state are provided. A glossary, a time line, an index, and a state fact page are included. A QR code links to updated information. The series does a wonderful job of portraying each state in a positive light, highlighting its important role in America’s past and present. VERDICT This appealing series will make children proud of their home state.

Schuh, Mari. Crayola Colors of Australia. ISBN 9781541572683.
––––. Crayola Colors of Canada. ISBN 9781541572669.
––––. Crayola Colors of China. ISBN 9781541572676.
––––. Crayola Colors of India. ISBN 9781541572652.
––––. Crayola Colors of Kenya. ISBN 9781541572690.
––––. Crayola Colors of Mexico. ISBN 9781541572645.
ea vol: 24p. (Crayola Country Colors). Lerner. Jan. 2020. Tr. $27.99. pap. $6.99.
K-Gr 3 –This unique series explores the colors found in six countries around the world. Each book studies the geography, animals, and culture of the location, focusing on the colors within the full-page images. Readers learn about Canada Day, Chinese New Year, and Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast). Photos capture the celebrations. A map, a glossary, an index, and some of the Crayola colors used on the pages are included. While country books are nothing new, Crayola’s artistic approach is inventive. VERDICT This series is filled with vibrant photos that will help children recognize the beauty around them and can lead to fun art projects.

Wilkins, Veronica B. Explore Africa. ISBN 9781645272823.
––––. Explore Antarctica. ISBN 9781645 272854.
––––. Explore Asia. ISBN 9781645272885.
––––. Explore Australia. ISBN 9781645272915.
––––. Explore Europe. ISBN 9781645272946.
––––. Explore North America. ISBN 9781645272977.
––––. Explore South America. ISBN 9781645273004.
ea vol: 24p. (A Look at Continents). Jump!/Pogo. Jan. 2020. Tr. $26.99. pap. $26.99.
Gr 2-5 –This series provides a visual tour of the seven land masses. Each continent gets its own book, featuring information on its climate, native animals, population, and unusual features. In Explore Africa, readers will learn about the Sahara desert, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the many animals in the Serengeti. Explore Antarctica features a close-up look at penguins, seals, and the international researchers who work at the science stations. Students who read the whole series will see repeated geography terms such as plateau and equator. A glossary and an index complete each book. VERDICT Full-page images and large text make this an appealing, informative guide to the continents.

MIDDLE TO HIGH SCHOOL

Burling, Alexis. Hollywood. ISBN 9781532190902.
Decker, Michael. New Orleans. ISBN 9781532190926.
––––. US Route 66. ISBN 9781532190940.
Kallio, Jamie. The National Mall. ISBN 9781532190919.
Ventura, Marne. New York City. ISBN 9781532190933.
Walt Disney World. ISBN 9781532190957.
ea vol: 48p. (Iconic America). ABDO/Core Library. Dec. 2019. Tr. $32.79.
Gr 4-8 –This series provides a tour of some of the country’s best-known locations. Each title provides a general overview of the locale, including the early history of the area and the Native American tribes who first inhabited the land. The bulk of the books focus on the reason the attraction is iconic (the movie business in Hollywood, the culture and food of New Orleans, etc.). Back matter includes lists of important dates in history, a glossary, and discussion questions. The books are easy to read and feature colorful full-page photos but lack focus overall. VERDICT “Iconic America” fails to stand out in a crowded field.