Saudi Arabia

This eye-catching, well-organized series will spark interest in other countries. The three chapters are brief and feature vivid pictures. Young readers will not be intimidated by the short paragraphs offered throughout. Labeled pictures, boldface vocabulary words, and infographic facts are included. Each title starts with ideas for caregivers and teachers, and the text incorporates critical thinking questions. The series does not shy away from the struggles a country has endured (such as surviving a tsunami in Somalia) or the innovations a country has created to survive (the canals in the Netherlands). The text ends with a “Quick Facts & Tools” section, a glossary, an index, and a link to the “Fact Surfer” website, which provides additional information. VERDICT Accessible introductory information for younger readers.