Editorial Review

The Start Smart: Community series offers readers a way to think about where they live, who helps them, and what it means to be an effective part of their communities. Being a Good Citizen explains in simple language hwo their world is arrange and advises kids on how to find way to help their communities, including volunteerism and environmentalism. People Who Help covers the usual suspects: firefighters, medical personnel, and crossing guards. Teachers and librarians seem an odd omission, though. Places We Go invites readers to take a look inside the local buildings that are a part of their everyday lives. The importance of the institutions is paired with information about those who work there. Things We Do offers a boatload of activities, though not all may be available in every community—and most do cost money: movies, live theater, parks, sporting events, and museums. All the books contain straightforward text sprinkled with “fun facts” and a colorful design with resources.