In the Know

Kenneth C. Davis, author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About series for adults, has adapted the concept in a group of books for younger readers. Using his signature approach of presenting facts in a q&a format, Don't Know Much About the 50 States, illus. in full color by Renée Andriani, begins with a picture of the American flag and an explanation of the 13 stripes. Each of the 50 states get its own page, with a drawing of the state and five facts, and a few warrant a spread (California, New York, Texas). Serious questions ("How many United States presidents were born in Ohio?" [Seven]) share space with jauntier queries ("I'm big, I'm green, I'm America's Welcome Queen. Who am I?" [New York's Statue of Liberty]). Endpapers unite all of the states and list the original 13 colonies. (HarperCollins, $15.95 64p ages 6-9 ISBN 0-06-028607-5; Aug.)

Two volumes aimed at slightly older readers take on the galaxy and topics closer to home. In Don't Know Much About Space, with b&w drawings by Sergio Ruzzier, Davis tackles questions such as "Who invented astronomy?," offers quotes from sages through the ages in "Voices of the Universe" sidebars, and profiles "Cosmic Superstars" such as Galileo Galilei (1564—1642) in brief biographical boxes. In Don't Know Much About Planet Earth, with b&w drawings by Tom Bloom, faux-notebook pages highlight "Naturally Extraordinary" feats, such as historic earthquakes, volcanoes, etc., while "Geographic Voices" capture specific moments, such as Marco Polo's 1275 description of Kublai Khan's park in Beijing. Both volumes' timeline, glossary, selected bibliography and index will further assist aspiring students of the earth and its environs. (HarperCollins, $$19.95 each 144p ages 8-12 ISBN 0-06-028601-6; -028599-0; paper $6.95 each Space -440835-3; Earth -440834-5; Aug.)

New on Board

Learning can be fun, thanks to a quartet of board books. A kind fellow warns his fleet of passengers (both humans and animals) about proper boat etiquette in Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham. Charming pen-and-inks alternate with full-color illustrations to chronicle the growing chaos—until the boat capsizes. Though Mr. Gumpy does not scold his cohorts, the gentle message is clear. (Holt, $6.95 14p ages 2-6 ISBN 0-8050-6629-2; June)

The rhyming couplets of Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley will inspire young ones to move their bodies just as the fully clothed jolly animals and their human companions do. (Putnam, $6.99 30p ages 1-3 ISBN 0-399-23710-0; June)

Two entries in the Early Bird Boardbook series take on counting and getting ready for bed. In Ten Little Puppies by Carmen Kingsley, illus. by Sean Cassidy, one curious puppy interested in a bee leads to two puppies, then three, until the first scurries home with his nine friends, hotly pursued by a drove of bees. In Pants Off First! by Ruth Ohi adorable pictures show a boy struggling to get undressed; he then puts his clothes on his pets and goes downstairs, exclaiming to his parents and their friends, "Ready now!" Mom lovingly dresses her naked son in his PJs and puts him to bed (along with the underwear-sporting cat). (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, $6.95 each 24p ages 2-5 ISBN 1-55041-654-5; -667-7; July)

Baby Face by Abigail Tabby, illus. by Dan Yaccarino, joins the Playtime Rhymes series. Large round interactive faces accompany simple rhymes that urge toddlers to pull tabs in order to expose a "toothy grin" and to watch a little girl's "mop of hair [fly] out everywhere." (HarperFestival, $7.95 10p ages 6 mos.-2 yrs. ISBN 0-694-01530-X; June)

More Science Fare

Four paper-over-board books, packed with engaging photographs and facts, kick off the Eye Wonder series. Readers learn which sea creatures dwell within the four ocean zones in Ocean by Samantha Gray. Sea cows, for instance, live in the sunlight zone, while the midnight zone is home to viper fish. Elinor Greenwood similarly examines every layer of tropical rain forests in Rain Forest. Dinosaur by Gray and Sarah Walker takes children through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous eras; while Space by Simon Holland is a first guide to the galaxy and space travel. (DK, $9.95 each 48p ages 5-8 ISBN 0-7894-7852-8; -7853-6; -7851-X; -7854-4; July)

Another new series, Popular Science, introduces four pocket-size mini guides with front and back flaps. Divided into sections—"The world of bugs," "The life of bugs" and "Guide to bugs"—Bugs by Steve Setford offers full-color artwork and photos highlighting individual insects along with factoid boxes (including name, family, size, etc.) in an easy-to-follow layout. Dinosaurs by Sue Nicholson follows a similar layout. Earth by John Malam and Space by Ian Graham show cross-sections of topography and various aspects of the planets. All books list related Web sites. (Friedman/Fairfax [Sterling, dist.], $7.95 paper each 128p ages 8-12 ISBN 1-58663-214-0; -215-9; -216-7; -217-5; Aug.)

Zoologist Nicola Davies takes readers on a series of expeditions in Wild About Dolphins, written as firsthand accounts of her voyages to Newfoundland and the Indian Ocean. Her knowledge and excitement about the seven species she encounters is conveyed in informative illustrations, captivating photographs, maps and facts. (Candlewick, $10.99 56p ages 8-10 ISBN 0-7636-1454-8; Aug.)

For Active Readers

Step-by-step instructions, along with detailed drawings, demonstrate more than 30 tricks in Yo-Yos: Tricks to Amaze Your Friends by Ingrid Roper, illus. by Alan Tiegreen. Yo-yo novices and fanatics alike can learn how to perform basic tricks such as "Walk the Dog" as well as more advanced moves such as "Rocket in the Pocket." Safety tips and yo-yo types, plus the history and science of yo-yos, round out this informative volume. (HarperCollins, $15.95 64p ages 8-12 ISBN 0-688-14663-5; $7.95 paper -14665-1; June) Two titles in the Story in a Box series, Cinderella and The Princess and the Pea by Keri Smith, provide enough materials to reenact these two classic fairytales. Each pocket-size cardboard container includes a booklet, two paper dolls, accessories and a key pop-up scene (the prince's staircase in the first; the bed of towering mattresses for the latter). (Chronicle, $9.95 each 12p ages 6-10 ISBN 0-8118-3055-1; -3060-8; June)