Spanning the wonders of Antarctica, the exploration of the solar system, the richness of cultural identities and experiences, environmental awareness, and thrilling sports rivalries, each of this season’s series offer plenty of opportunities for educational and specialized reading experiences for a broad span of audiences and age levels. Depicting diverse identities and experiences with thoughtfulness and care, this season’s selections highlight the importance of human-centered storytelling. Whether it’s fostering empathy through nuanced stories or sparking curiosity with captivating visuals, these reviews highlight the diverse appeal of these books for readers from preschool through the early middle grades.

Elementary

BOLTE, Mari. Las hormigoneras. ISBN 9781640269248.
––––. Las palas cargadoras. ISBN 9781640269262.
––––. Las retroexcavadoras. ISBN 9781640269231.
––––. Los montacargas. ISBN 9781640269255.
ea vol: 24p. (Semillas del saber). Creative Company/Creative Education. Jan. 2024. Tr. $35.70.
K-Gr 2–This continuation of a longstanding series helps emerging readers understand basic information about some of their favorite things. Each of these four books covers some of early readers’ most exciting construction vehicles, including backhoes, concrete mixers, forklifts, and wheel loaders. These books present material in a way that will help readers develop phonological and print awareness, with large, easy-to-read text that has plenty of blank space around it, as well as full-color photographs that refer back to the text. Each book covers how these vehicles look and work in real-world situations. All books in this series include a visual glossary, further resources, and a labeled image guide. VERDICT An essential purchase for STEM libraries or collections that have purchased other installments of the series.

EBERTH, Krissy. Curiosidad por el campismo. ISBN 9781645497912.
––––. Curiosidad por la escalada de roca. ISBN 9781645497981.
GRACK, Rachel. Curiosidad por el canotaje. ISBN 978164549792.
––––. Curiosidad por el geoescondite. ISBN 9781645497967.
––––. Curiosidad por la cacería de patos .ISBN 9781645497943.
––––. Curiosidad por la exploración de cuevas. ISBN 9781645497936.
––––. Curiosidad por la pesca en agua dulce. ISBN 9781645497950.
KASSUELKE, Elizabeth. Curiosidad por el senderismo. ISBN 9781645497974.
ea vol: 24p. (Curiosidad por las actividades al aire libre). Amicus Learning/Curious About. Jan. 2024. Tr. $35.70.
K-Gr 2–Embark on an exciting literary journey with this children’s series that sparks curiosity. “Where will your next adventure take you?” becomes the rallying cry as the book employs an inquiry-based approach to outdoor activities, encouraging kids to explore the wonders of the world around them. The inclusion of Spanish questions and answers adds a multicultural dimension, providing valuable insights into essentials like camping gear, fishing lures, and the best caves for young spelunkers. Tailored for budding adventure seekers, the series not only captures the thrill of exploration but also imparts practical knowledge. A “Stay Curious!” feature cleverly models research skills, while simple yet informative infographics support visual literacy. The series is accessible for young readers eager to embark on their own adventures, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in a format tailored to their developmental stage. VERDICT Ideal for outdoor explorers of varying reading levels, this series is ideal for library collections, especially schools specializing in outdoor leadership and education.

GOLUSKY, Jackie. Explora la Tierra (Explore Earth). ISBN 9798765608159.
––––. Explora Marte (Explore Mars). ISBN 9798765608173.
––––. Explora Neptuno (Explore Neptune). ISBN 9798765608197.
––––. Explora Urano (Explore Uranus). ISBN 9798765608210.
MILROY, Liz. Explora Júpiter (Explore Jupiter). ISBN 9798765608166.
––––. Explora Mercurio (Explore Mercury). ISBN 9798765608180.
––––. Explora Saturno (Explore Saturn). ISBN 9798765608203.
––––. Explora Venus (Explore Venus). ISBN 9798765608227.
ea vol: tr. by Zab Translation Solutions. 24p. (Lightning Bolt Books en español — Explorador planetario (Planet Explorer)). Lerner/ediciones Lerner. Jan. 2024. Tr. $29.32.
Gr 1-4–This series takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey through the vastness of our solar system, introducing young readers to the mysteries of its eight planets. From the fascinating moons of Jupiter to the swirling winds of Neptune, each book unveils essential planetary information, providing a comprehensive understanding of the celestial wonders that surround us. Delving into the cutting-edge technology employed by scientists to study these distant realms, the series seamlessly combines education with fascination. The inclusion of Page Plus QR codes adds an interactive dimension, leading readers to downloadable 3D printer models curated by NASA, allowing them to bring a tangible piece of the cosmos into their hands. As for age-appropriateness, the series strikes a perfect balance, offering engaging content suitable for young minds eager to explore the marvels of space, while the incorporation of technology adds a contemporary flair that resonates with a broad audience. VERDICT This series is ideal for school library collections, especially schools that specialize in STEM education programs.

HANSEN, Grace. Albatros viajero. ISBN 9781098269876.
––––. Cormorán antártico. ISBN 9781098269838.
––––. Foca leopardo. ISBN 9781098269852.
––––. Pingüino de Adelia. ISBN 9781098269821.
––––. Pingüino juanito. ISBN 9781098269845.
––––. Rorcual austral. ISBN 9781098269869.
ea vol: tr. by Maria Puchol. 24p. (Animales de la Antártida). ABDO/Abdo Kids Jumbo. Jan. 2024. Tr. $32.79.
PreS-Gr 3–Explore the wonders of Antarctica through the captivating lens of this children’s series, where the remarkable resilience of its unique animal inhabitants takes center stage. Simple language and large text guide readers through the awe-inspiring world of these creatures. The inclusion of stunning photographs enhances the learning experience, providing visual elements that complement the text. The series aligns seamlessly with Common Core Standards, ensuring an educational dimension to the adventure. The books strike a harmonious balance, presenting scientific information in an accessible manner suitable for the target grades group. VERDICT The vivid imagery and straightforward text make this an ideal choice for budding explorers and animal enthusiasts, fostering both curiosity and understanding of the fascinating life forms that call Antarctica home.

MURRAY, Julie. Argentina. ISBN 9781098269890.
––––. China. ISBN 9781098269906.
––––. Italia. ISBN 9781098269913.
––––. Kenia. ISBN 9781098269920.
––––. Noruega. ISBN 9781098269944.
––––. Nueva Zelanda. ISBN 9781098269937.
ea vol: tr. by Maria Puchol. 24p. (Países set 2). ABDO/Abdo Kids Jumbo. Jan. 2024. Tr. $32.79.
PreS-Gr 3–The second installment of this series provides curious minds with insights into the rich cultural and geological aspects of diverse countries, including Argentina, China, Italy, Kenya, Norway, and New Zealand. These captivating reads offer a journey into the everyday foods people savor and the attractions that make each destination unique. Brimming with introductory knowledge and adorned with stunning photographs, these books provide an immersive experience for early learners. Tailored for grades preschool to grade three, the series aligns seamlessly with Common Core Standards and correlates with state standards, ensuring an educational component to the adventure. Each page is filled with fascinating facts in a few different layouts and formats, appealing to different types of readers and learners. VERDICT Engaging and visually appealing, these books serve as a delightful introduction to the wonders of our world.

SCHUH, Mari. Mi vida con un pariente en las fuerzas armadas. ISBN 9781645498087.
––––. Mi vida con una abuela con enfermedad de Alzheimer. ISBN 9781645498070.
––––. Mi vida después de la pérdida de un hermano. ISBN 9781645498100.
––––. Mi vida después de la pérdida de una mascota. ISBN 9781645498094.
ea vol: illus. by Alice Larsson. 24p. (Mi vida con...). Amicus Learning/Amicus Illustrated. Jan. 2024. Tr. $35.70.
Gr 1-4–This is the latest installment in a series that thoughtfully explores the lives of children who are experiencing different life circumstances, including having parents in the armed forces, a grandmother navigating Alzheimer’s, coping with the loss of a beloved pet, and a heartfelt narrative following a character grappling with the recent death of her brother. What sets this exceptional series apart is its nuanced approach to sensitive topics, skillfully weaving diversity into the fabric of each story. Rather than allowing obstacles and challenges to define the characters, the series presents them with humanistic depth. The books artfully illuminate the characters’ interests and passions, placing perceived challenges into a broader perspective and utilizing people-centered language. This series allows readers to connect their own experiences with the narratives and navigate a range of emotions tied to diverse life experiences. With colorful, soft illustrations, this series knocks it out of the park yet again. VERDICT Both school and public librarians will want access to this series, as it’s great for approaching sensitive topics.

Upper Elementary to Middle School

ALLEN, Jules. Argelia vs. Egipto. ISBN 9781669066385.
––––. Inglaterra vs. Alemania. ISBN 9781669066446.
––––. México vs. Estados Unidos. ISBN 9781669066323.
––––. Portugal vs. España. ISBN 9781669066262.
ea vol: 32p. (Rivales de la Copa Mundial). Capstone. Jan. 2024. Tr. $31.32.
Gr 3-6–With compelling, accessible text and vibrant photos, these books captivate even the most reluctant readers, who will uncover what happens when soccer’s biggest rivals face off on the field. The world of sports is teeming with intense competition. Given that soccer holds the title of the most popular sport globally, its rivalries naturally take on a heightened level of intensity. This series not only captures the essence of sports rivalries but also caters to hi-lo readers in the early elementary to early middle grades, making it an ideal choice for those seeking accessible yet engaging content. Accurate and quality translations stand out in this series. VERDICT The combination of vibrant visuals and approachable language ensures that even reluctant readers find themselves drawn into the excitement of these intense sporting competitions; public libraries and school libraries alike should definitely consider.

KIM, Carol. Deshielo polar. illus. by Erik Doescher. ISBN 9781669066002.
––––. Destrucción de las selvas tropicales. illus. by Eduardo Garcia. ISBN 9781669065937.
PAGEL-HOGAN, Elizabeth. Problema de plásticos en el océano. illus. by Erik Doescher. ISBN 9781669066118.
SOHN, Emily. Emergencia de extinción animal. illus. by Eduardo Garcia. ISBN 9781669066071.
ea vol: 32p. (Max Axiom y la sociedad de supercientíficos). Capstone. Jan. 2024. Tr. $36.65.
Gr 3-6–The urgency of our planet’s changing climate comes to the forefront in this engaging hi-lo series for middle elementary and early middle school readers. In these illuminating nonfiction graphic novels, readers follow Max Axiom and the dynamic Society of Super Scientists as they embark on a vital mission to unravel the mysteries behind the melting ice caps and glaciers, the disappearing rainforests, the threat of plastics in our oceans, animal extinction, and more. Armed with their extraordinary superpowers and intellect, the team transforms this complex environmental issue into exhilarating and fact-filled adventures. Young readers will gain an understanding of the impact on our planet, while learning more about the steps that can be taken to safeguard polar regions and combat the ominous and ongoing threat of global warming. This graphic novel not only educates but also empowers young minds to be stewards of the environment, encouraging them to play a role in preservation and conservation. This series depicts diverse characters, in addition to being highly engaging, colorful, and appealing to a broad reader audience. VERDICT A fantastic purchase for larger public and school library collections.

The vivid imagery and accessible text of the Antarctica series, ideal for budding explorers; the hi-lo environmental graphic novels empowering young minds to combat climate change; the engaging sports rivalry series capturing the essence of competition for early to middle grades—each of these series inspires readers to see themselves, tell their stories, learn more about their world, and take action. The “Mi vida con...” (Amicus) series, with its empathetic portrayal of diverse characters, and The Creative Company’s “Semillas de saber” series for emerging readers serve as exemplary models for nonfiction children’s series. This curated selection is a testament to the richness of educational content available for young readers, making them ideal additions to both public and school library collections.