For younger children ready to spring forth on their reading journey, and for older students who want to spread their reading wings even further, this season brings new opportunities for children to soar. Several series focus on animals, nature, plants, and gardening—perfect fare for the bright, fresh new season. Other fine series spotlight communities and bring a fresh perspective to readers’ understanding of the neighborhoods they live in: the workers, helpers, and other heroes who keep communities safe and running smoothly, and vehicles children may see and/or travel on frequently. Beginning readers will see their reading skills and opportunities blossom and older children will further develop their budding sense of reading independence.
 

Elementary

Arnold, Quinn M. Beavers. ISBN 9798889892137.
––––. Bison. ISBN 9798889892144.
––––. Brown Bears. ISBN 9798889892151.
––––. Horses. ISBN 9798889892182.
––––. Hummingbirds. ISBN 9798889892199.
––––. Jaguars. ISBN 9798889892205.
––––. Sea Turtles. ISBN 9798889892236.
––––. Seals. ISBN 9798889892243.
––––. Stingrays. ISBN 9798889892229.
Riggs, Kate. Clownfish. ISBN 9798889892168.
––––. Eagles. ISBN 9798889892175.
––––. Octopuses. ISBN 9798889892212.
ea vol: 24p. (Marvels). The Creative Company/Creative Education. Jan. 2025. Tr $35.70.
K-Gr 2–Some graphic-novel elements will draw young readers into this appealing nonfiction series. In combination with the succinct, informative text, the animals “speak” in speech balloons and/or captions throughout their respective volumes; these comments are often strictly humorous, but they occasionally provide extra information. Throughout, the prose is simple and sentences are brief, allowing for comfortable, fluent reading; strivers will feel welcome. New vocabulary is boldfaced and defined in the glossary. Each volume discusses the appearance, habitat, diet, lifestyle, offspring, and social grouping of the title animal. In some cases, pronunciation guides would have been helpful. Series visuals are striking: High-quality, close-up color photos are presented on double-page spreads; photos and color illustrations are occasionally combined. Texts set against contrasting backgrounds and boxes also heighten visual appeal. A highlight in each title is a striking photograph of the animal with body parts clearly labeled. VERDICT Interesting, jovial content; recommended for schools and public collections.

Arnold, Quinn M. Big Rigs. ISBN 9798889892250.
––––. Garbage Trucks. ISBN 9798889892267.
––––. Monster Trucks. ISBN 9798889892274.
Riggs, Kate. Pickup Trucks. ISBN 9798889892281.
––––. Tanker Trucks. ISBN 9798889892298.
––––. Tow Trucks. ISBN 9798889892304.
ea vol: 24p. (Marvels). The Creative Company/Creative Education. Jan. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 1-3–The trucks in this engaging series display their senses of humor by “speaking” to readers in speech balloons. The volumes engage children in a variety of ways, e.g., inviting readers to make truck sounds while reading. New vocabulary appears in boldfaced type and is defined in the glossary; some words are defined in context. Fluent reading is facilitated by simple prose and brief sentences; strivers are welcome. Vehicle fans will appreciate the clearly written information about the trucks’ functions and appearance. Pronunciation guides would have been helpful occasionally, as for words like “chassis.” Devotees will enjoy the up-close views of the trucks and truck parts that the high-quality photos afford; sometimes, spot photos also occur alongside texts. Women and racially diverse drivers or passengers occasionally appear in photos. Texts set against contrasting backgrounds enhance visual appeal. VERDICT Readers will appreciate this breezy, informative series. Recommended for schools and public collections.

Bowman, Chris. Axolotls. ISBN 9798893042375.
––––. Polar Bears. ISBN 9798893042429.
––––. Red-tailed Hawks. ISBN 9798893042436.
––––. Rock Hyraxes. ISBN 9798893042443.
––––. Sea Horses. ISBN 9798893042450.
Scheffer, Janie. Giraffes. ISBN 9798893042382.
––––. Gray Squirrels. ISBN 9798893042399.
––––. Great White Sharks. ISBN 9798893042405.
––––. Koalas. ISBN 9798893042412.
––––. White-tailed Deer. ISBN 9798893042467.
ea vol: 24p. (The Ultimate Animal Library). Bellwether/Blastoff! Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
Gr 1-3–Animal lovers will appreciate this fact-packed series. Short and sentences provide readers with enough information to prepare simple reports. New vocabulary is boldfaced and defined in the glossary without pronunciation guides; the latter would have been helpful for occasionally tricky words. Each volume provides solid information about appearance/size (with metric and American measures), differences between male and female bodies, habitats, dentition, features that help them navigate and survive in their habitat, mating habits and offspring, and migration patterns. Plenty of high-quality color photos offer insight into animals’ lives. Some photos include labels with arrows pointing to specific details that aid in comprehension of vocabulary not included in the glossary. Special features in each volume include maps, the animal’s endangered status, visuals of the animal’s place in the food web, and life cycle information. VERDICT This highly readable series provides solid information and is recommended for schools and public libraries.

Brinker, Spencer. Airport Firefighters. ISBN 9798892327183.
––––. City Firefighters. ISBN 9798892327176.
––––. Firefighters on the Water. ISBN 9798892327190.
––––. Smoke Jumpers. ISBN 9798892327206.
ea vol: 24p. (Firefighter Heroes). Bearport/Bearcub. Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
Gr 1-3–Students may be surprised to learn about the diverse and important jobs firefighters have, and this exciting, simply written, and fact-packed series about the profession should keep readers turning pages. Each volume opens with a three-part “Teaching Tips” feature that adults can use to help support readers. New vocabulary is boldfaced and defined in the glossary. Each title describes the protective gear, vehicles, and special equipment each type of firefighter uses, and dramatic, high-quality photographs depict their tools and daring rescues. Labeled photos enhance vocabulary development; occasionally, pronunciation guides are included. Throughout the series, highly skilled professionals are called “heroes” and are portrayed as racially and ethnically diverse men and women. Readers will learn facts they likely never knew, e.g., water alone can’t quench fires at airports, since plane fuel makes fires so hot that “a special foam” must be used. Each book concludes with the phrase “Thanks, firefighters!” Back matter includes a picture glossary, an index, a bibliography, and a link to the publisher’s website for more information. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public libraries.

Catena, Melissa. Bike Safety. ISBN 9798892136518.
––––. Fire Safety. ISBN 9798892136549.
––––. Road Safety. ISBN 9798892136570.
––––. Stranger Safety. ISBN 9798892136600.
––––. Water Safety. ISBN 9798892136631.
––––. Weather Safety. ISBN 9798892136662.
ea vol: 24p. (Staying Safe). Jump!/Bullfrog. Jan. 2025. Tr $26.99.
K-Gr 2–These titles present important topics simply and clearly, and are designed to empower, but not alarm, young readers. Each volume opens with ideas for adults to help children navigate the texts. Succinct and informative sentences are chock-full of sensible advice that’s easy and practical for kids and families to carry out in their homes, at school, and in/around their neighborhoods. While they’re picking up safety tips, kids will also practice reading words with short and long vowel sounds. Throughout the series, quality images depict racially and ethnically diverse and differently abled children and families following safety practices and using proper safety gear like bike helmets and seat belts. Some photos include labels with arrows pointing to specific details; these aid with vocabulary development and comprehension, but those words aren’t in the glossary. A feature in some volumes asks students to choose which photo depicts the book’s recommended safety measures and explain how they know. VERDICT This fine series is recommended for schools and public libraries.

Chu, Katherine. Bees Help Gardens Grow. ISBN 9798765647738.
––––. Composting Fun. ISBN 9798765647745.
––––. Earthworms Help Plants. ISBN 9798765647752.
––––. Parts of a Tree. ISBN 9798765647790.
––––. Planting Seeds. ISBN 9798765647776.
––––. Recycled Gardens. ISBN 9798765647783.
––––. What a Garden Needs. ISBN 9798765647769.
ea vol: 16p. (In the Garden). Lerner. Jan. 2025. Tr $27.99.
K-Gr 2–This series is great for lovers of growing things and would-be gardeners. Children will also grow their literacy proficiency as they practice reading words with short- and long-vowel sounds. The sentences often have predictable patterns, helping students read with confidence, fluency, and comprehension, though pronunciation guides and a glossary might have helped with some words. The photos complement and explain text well, supporting comprehension for emerging readers. Some photos include racially diverse people enjoying their gardens. Labels with arrows point to details within some photos to help students focus on certain terms mentioned in texts, an arrangement that also helps children hone their visual discrimination skills. Each volume includes conservation tips and a wrap-up activity that encourages children to return to the text to find featured photos. VERDICT Highly recommended for schools and public libraries. This is an impressive series for the youngest readers and engenders great respect for nature.

Deniston, Natalie. Kangaroos. ISBN 9798892135160.
––––. Koalas. ISBN 9798892135191.
––––. Opossums. ISBN 9798892135221.
––––. Sugar Gliders. ISBN 9798892135252.
––––. Tasmanian Devils. ISBN 9798892135283.
––––. Wombats. ISBN 9798892135313.
ea vol: 24p. (Marsupials). Jump!/Bullfrog. Jan. 2025. Tr $26.99.
K-Gr 2–Animal lovers will appreciate this series that highlights familiar and lesser-known marsupials. Simple language, brief sentences—sometimes, only a word or phrase—and humor facilitate comfortable, reading. Students will gain practice reading words with short- and long-vowel sounds. Each volume provides basic information about the marsupials’ homes, body parts, diets, mobility, sleep habits, social groupings, offspring, and more. Some volumes facilitate “personal engagement” between students and marsupials with textual exchanges or by asking students questions about the animals. Excellent photos across spreads show the animals in action, some with spectacular close-up views. Some photos include labels with arrows pointing to particular details, which aid in students’ vocabulary comprehension. The Tasmanian devil volume includes a map of Tasmania and Australia, directing attention to its home. Back matter includes a picture glossary, an index, and a link to the publisher’s website to find out more. VERDICT Easy, engaging nonfiction that will capture young students’ interest. Recommended for schools and public libraries.

Gleisner, Jenna Lee. Animal Homes. ISBN 9798892136693.
––––. Animal Poop. ISBN 9798892136723.
––––. Birds. ISBN 9798892136938.
––––. Fish. ISBN 9798892136969.
ea vol: 24p. (Find It in Nature!). Jump!/Bullfrog. Jan. 2025. Tr $26.99.
K-Gr 2–This excellent series is a solid introduction to exploring nature’s wonders while sharpening children’s observational powers and reading, scientific, and critical thinking skills. The text features brief sentences and minimal text. Students are invited to practice short- and long-vowel sounds and learn new vocabulary as they gain insight into the natural world. The titles about birds and fish excel at describing their appearances. Some volumes end with observational questions for readers, e.g., “Have you seen one?”; “Where was it?”; “Can you find it?” All titles include high-quality, endearing photographs, some of which employ labels with arrows pointing to specific details mentioned in texts, allowing children to pick up vocabulary beyond what is included in the glossary. Engagement activities encourage readers to match a photo of the animal with a detail about it included in the text. VERDICT Highly recommended for schools and public libraries. Some children may find the poop title gross, but they’ll be fascinated and learn plenty.

Greve, Meg. Baby Bats. ISBN 9798889892069.
––––. Baby Chimpanzees. ISBN 9781640264199.
––––. Baby Hawks. ISBN 9798889892076.
––––. Baby Leopards. ISBN 9781640264205.
––––. Baby Rhinoceroses. ISBN 9781640264236.
––––. Baby Skunks. ISBN 9798889892106.
––––. Baby Swans. ISBN 9781640264250.
––––. Baby Tortoises. ISBN 9798889892113.
––––. Baby Wolves. ISBN 9798889892120.
ea vol: 16p. (Starting Out). The Creative Company/Creative Education. Jan. 2025. Tr $31.40.
PreS-Gr 2–This simple and clearly written series will develop children’s empathy and compassion for other young creatures. Students learn animals also start out small and, like themselves, require parental guidance, learn new skills, and develop confidence as they grow. They’ll be surprised that, often, baby animals look somewhat different from their older, grown versions—just as they do. Each animal “addresses” readers directly in first person and describes its appearance. The animals are depicted on appealing covers, and colorful, sometimes dramatic photos show the animal’s growth stages, nutrition, dentition, social groups, and lifestyle throughout. New vocabulary is underscored in color and defined in the glossary (no pronunciation guides). Readers will learn the animal’s birth weight, how its body parts help it move, where and how it’s born, diet, habitat, and more. Pronunciation guides are provided for unfamiliar baby names. Each volume directs readers to a YouTube link to hear the baby’s sounds. The text of the books names the sounds and students are invited to emulate them. VERDICT This fascinating series is highly recommended for schools and public libraries.

Hamlin, Owen. Taking a Bus. ISBN 9798892326278.
––––. Taking a Ferry. ISBN 9798892326285.
––––. Taking a Rideshare. ISBN 9798892326292.
––––. Taking a Train. ISBN 9798892326308.
ea vol: 24p. (Getting Around in My Town). Bearport/Bearcub. Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
K-Gr 2–Using public transportation is a common, relatable experience for many children and their families, so this informative series will be welcome, particularly by vehicle fans. New words are boldfaced, and occasionally, pronunciation guides for unfamiliar vocabulary are provided in yellow boxes on photos. The books explain what passengers can expect from each type of ride, including signage and maps, fostering their senses of safety, independence, and anticipatory excitement. Titles include high-quality full-page and spot photos. Racially diverse families are depicted as passengers and are shown consulting phones for schedules and maps to arrange for rides. Women are represented as a ferry captain and a rideshare driver. The train volume includes photos of New York City and London subways as well as intercity railroads and discusses underground and aboveground trains. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public collections.

Koll, Clare. Foxes. ISBN 9798893042177.
Rathburn, Betsy. Pigeons. ISBN 9798893042184.
––––. Rabbits. ISBN 9798893042191.
––––. Raccoons. ISBN 9798893042207.
––––. Rats. ISBN 9798893042214.
––––. Squirrels. ISBN 9798893042221.
ea vol: 24p. (City Critters). Bellwether/Blastoff! Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
Gr 1-3–Urban-dwelling animal lovers will enjoy this series. With usually only two sentences per page, reading is comfortably paced. Some “critters”—pigeons, squirrels, and rats in some locations—are more ubiquitous in cities than others, e.g., rabbits, raccoons, and foxes. However, city expansion and population growth have led to increased habitat encroachment by humans, resulting in animal populations once more commonly seen in suburban and rural areas. The animal’s appearance, home, habits, body parts and their advantages, and diet are well-described. High-quality, full-page color photos amplify texts and occasionally include small informational charts. Appealing covers display title animals against a city backdrop. New vocabulary is boldfaced in black type and defined in the glossary. Back matter in each volume includes a picture glossary, a brief bibliography, a link to the publisher’s website to find more information, and an index. VERDICT A serviceable series with very simple, basic information. Recommended for schools and public collections.

McDonald, Amy. EMTs. ISBN 9798893042115.
––––. Farmers. ISBN 9798893042122.
––––. Garbage Collectors. ISBN 9798893042139.
––––. Librarians. ISBN 9798893042146.
––––. Pilots. ISBN 9798893042153.
––––. Plumbers. ISBN 9798893042160.
ea vol: 24p. (Community Workers).Bellwether/Blastoff! Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
PreS-Gr 1–This early beginner series introduces students to the world of work, emphasize that these professionals work hard and are essential to their communities. Each volume opens with an alphabetical list of included sight words. The brief texts, comprising one to three sentences per page, allow for fast-paced, confident reading. New vocabulary is boldfaced and defined in a picture glossary. Pronunciation guides are not included and would have helped for some words. Full-page and spot photos portray gender and racially diverse workers in action, highlighting their vehicles, uniforms, and the equipment they use. White women and women of color are depicted in usually male-dominated fields—pilots, plumbers, garbage collectors—and a male is shown as a children’s librarian. Visual summaries are included after the body of the text, reinforcing learning and vocabulary. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public libraries.

Rose, Rachel. I Need a Dentist. ISBN 9798892326322.
––––. I Need a Doctor. ISBN 9798892326339.
––––. I Need a Therapist. ISBN 9798892326353.
––––. I Need an Eye Doctor. ISBN 9798892326346.
ea vol: 24p. (Health Helpers). Bearport/Bearcub. Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
K-Gr 2–Positivity and reassurance are hallmarks of this series. With brief sentences and minimal texts per page, these titles outline reasons why someone might need to visit particular doctors. Potentially new vocabulary is boldfaced and pronunciation guides appear in yellow boxes. These might differ from terms in the picture glossary, which doesn’t include pronunciation aids. The series demonstrates, both textually and visually, that doctors are helpful and unfrightening, and that particular medical professionals care for specific health concerns. Children discover what to expect when they visit doctors’ offices, including special equipment, tools, and explanations of why doctors examine patients the way they do. Each title ends with a thank you to the doctor for their help. Photos of racially and gender diverse children, families, and doctors are included; photos in several titles depict girls with Down syndrome. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public collections. Affirms how important these vital community members are. These professionals will be familiar to almost all readers, except, perhaps, the therapist.

Ruby, Rex. An Apple Grows. ISBN 9798892327220.
––––. A Coconut Grows. ISBN 9798892327237.
––––. A Cranberry Grows. ISBN 9798892327244.
––––. An Oak Tree Grows. ISBN 9798892327251.
––––. A Pumpkin Grows. ISBN 9798892327268.
––––. A Sunflower Grows. ISBN 9798892327275.
ea vol: 24p. (Ready, Set, Grow: Plants). Bearport/Bearcub. Jan. 2025. Tr $29.95.
K-Gr 2–Children will learn about the growth of some well-known plants, including ones that become tasty foods. Each title introduces the topic of plant-growth stages, beginning with a seed, before describing the plant’s step-by-step growing process. Close-up photos depict the stages very clearly, and spot photos help students focus on small details. The close-up of pollen-laden bees in the Sunflower volume is remarkable, and the food photos in their respective volumes look enticing. Photos depict racial, ethnic, and physical diversity, including children with Down syndrome and a boy using a wheelchair. Back matter includes a picture glossary, and index, a bibliography, and a link to a website for more information. VERDICT Highly recommended for schools and public libraries. Exemplary, fascinating nonfiction for the youngest readers.

Wagner, Zelda. Backhoes. ISBN 9798765647806.
––––. Bulldozers. ISBN 9798765647813.
––––. Concrete Mixers. ISBN 9798765647820.
––––. Cranes. ISBN 9798765647837.
––––. Dump Trucks. ISBN 9798765647844.
––––. Front-End Loaders. ISBN 9798765647851.
ea vol: 24p. (Read About Construction Vehicles). Lerner. Jan. 2025. Tr $29.32.
K-Gr 2–This series will excite construction-truck enthusiasts. Each slim title opens with information to guide grown-ups in supporting readers and building context. The clear and simple prose in each title outlines the truck’s size, parts, functions, and appearance. Throughout, texts pose engaging critical-thinking questions, some of which are answered by high-quality images. Readers will enjoy the photos that depict trucks in action; occasionally, close-up, cutaway views within larger photos focus on specific details. Where workers are portrayed, they’re gender and racially diverse. Special features after the body of the narrative encourage readers to synthesize what they’ve read. VERDICT The simple yet sophisticated approach to nonfiction for young students makes this series highly recommended for schools and public libraries.

“Find It in Nature!” (Jump!) exemplifies excellent nonfiction, guiding the youngest readers through exploring the natural world and sharpening visual/observational skills. “Firefighter Heroes” (Bearport) is a rousing overview of varied jobs firefighters have and why each is vital to community safety. “Getting Around in My Town” (Bearport) explores common, relatable travel experiences. Children will grow their reading skills with Lerner’s fascinating “In the Garden” series. Lerner’s “Read About Construction Vehicles” offers a sophisticated approach to a subject familiar to the youngest readers. “Ready, Set, Grow” (Bearport) includes remarkable photos and discusses plants that grow into delectable foods. Irresistible baby animals—and their resemblance, in some ways, to growing human children—are hallmarks of “Starting Out” (The Creative Company), and “Staying Safe” (Jump!) offers great tips for children on remaining safe at home, in school, and around town. Bellwether’s “Ultimate Animal Library” is chock-full of information about animals, some familiar, some less so.

FALL 2025 SERIES MADE SIMPLE REVIEWS