Touch It! Materials, Matter and You (Primary Physical Science) by Adreinne Mason; illustrated by Claudia Dávila. (Kids Can Press; 32 pages; ISBN: 1553377605; Ages: 4-8.)

Large, colorful digital artwork flows over double-page spreads in this well-done introduction to materials and matter. Included are: clay, cloth, fur, glass, magnetic materials, metal, paper, plastic, scale, shape, size, stone, wood, and more.

Five hands-on experiments are included. An afterword for parents and teachers provides more ways to help students explore the concepts presented herein.

Could a Tyrannosaurus Play Table Tennis? by Andrew Plant. (Kane/Miller; 32 pages; ISBN: 1929132972; Ages: 4-8.)

As a teacher, you know that one of the best ways to teach your students about something unfamiliar is to compare it to something that is familiar. That is exactly what Plant has done in this clever, colorful, A to Z introduction to dinosaurs.

Specifically, he places the 26 dinosaurs in familiar situations with familiar objects. For example, could a Brachiosarus play basketball? Apparently not, according to the illustration which shows the giant creature taking up half the court and towering way above the goal posts. The spiked lizard Styracosaurus, on the other hand, is well suited to play soccer.

The humorous, watercolor illustrations are beautifully detailed. The large format makes this book ideal for group sharing or story time.

Squirt! The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read About Blood by Trudee Romanek; illustrated by Rose Cowles. (Kids Can Press; 40 pages; ISBN: 1553377761; Ages: 9-14.)

In this eighth volume of the Mysterious You series, students learn about blood basics, blood types, bone marrow, bloodsuckers, the heart, the "ins" and "outs" of breathing, and more. The text is written in an engaging, conversational tone. Difficult concepts are explained in accurate, simplified terms. Excellent choice for researchers or browsers.

in*jean*uity by Ellen Warwick; illustrated by Bernice Lum. (Kids Can Press; 80 pages; ISBN: 1553376811; Ages: 10 and up.)

Injeanuity is the first volume in the new Planet Girl series by Kids Can Press. This "new series keeps girls' budgets in mind while delivering how-to instructions and advice for the cool stuff and activities they crave."

Injeanuity offers 17 projects for transforming old jeans into new skirts, tops, and accessories such as purses and wallets. "Flippin' fantastic cuffs," for example, demonstrates step-by-step how to decorate the cuffs of your favorite jeans so that when you wear them "flipped down" in the winter you are displaying a snowy design, and when worn "flipped up" in the summer you show off a summer design.

In addition to the clever projects, Warwick also includes sewing basics such as information about tracing papers, seams vs. hems, embroidery, and more.

Highly recommended.

Star Jumper: A Journal of a Cardboard Genius by Frank Asch. (Kids Can Press; 128 pages; ISBN: 1553378865; Ages: 9-12.)

Alex's little brother Jonathan is a pest. He never shuts up. He asks questions all the time. He's a klutz. He's . . .evil. So Alex decides to "put a few light years" between himself and the kid.

How? By building a cardboard spaceship that will whisk him away from Earth—and Jonathan. Impossible you ask? Not for someone with Alex's genius. Unfortunately, Jonathan puts a kink in the works when he finds out about the secret mission.

Star Jumper is one of the funniest, most imaginative, well-written books we have read in recent years. Your students will love it! A definite must-have for your classroom or library.