The Harbor (Want to Know)

K-Gr 3--Illustrated in a watercolor and colored pencil style, titles in this series dive into a wide variety of topics. Each title opens as many picture books do with a character experiencing the topic being discussed, such as getting a rabbit as a pet. Next the subject is either broken down via a time line or a diagram using multiple smaller illustrations to fit several short paragraph of facts on each page. Vocabulary is highlighted in bold and bubbles with "Did you know" questions appearing throughout. Readers are then given how or why the topic is used or experienced in everyday life, how it can be experienced throughout the world, and the way the topic has progressed in history. Examples are provided of how each topic is used or mentioned in popular stories, rhymes and songs, or even in family proverbs. Some titles debunk old myths related to the topic. At the end of each title there is a small quiz, with answers shared on the last page. Although delightfully illustrated, the sheer amount of information and small text size may be overwhelming to young readers. Furthermore, titles do not include formal back matter, and new vocabulary is only defined within the text. VERDICT A cute, informative series covering a wide variety of topics; young readers may be overwhelmed, however.