The World Almanac for Kids 1997

Compared to some of these colorful new hardcover reference books, The World Almanac for Kids 1997 is lacking in visual appeal, but it more than makes up for its no-frills format in timeliness and breadth--at least, those who bought out the 600,000-copy first printing of the original edition last year must have thought so. The updated edition features an expanded section on computers, new puzzles and games, and entries on such subjects as secret messages and codes, dinosaurs and shopping for a pet. (World Almanac, $16.95 ISBN 0-88687-795-4; paper $8.95 -794-6; ages 8-12; Aug.)