Crabtree Publishing.

Crabtree Publishing PMB 59051, 350-5th Avenue, 59th Floor, NY, NY 10118 www.crabtreebooks.com

Crabtree's series titles are excellent picks for elementary-level reference collections and some latest new arrivals are real winner. Additions to the 'Mountains Around the World' series will reach grades 5-8 with each book offering 48 pages of color photos paired with specific geographical history of selected mountain ranges. The individual focus allows readers plenty of depth and detail, to easily contrast the characteristics of different mountains. Six new books include Lynn Peppas' THE ALPS (9780778775591, $22.95), Molly Aloian's THE ANDES (9780778775607, $22.95) and THE APPALACHIANS (9780778775614, $22.95), ROCKY MOUNTAINS (9780778775638, $22.95) AND Himalayas (9780778775621, $22.95), and THE URALS (9780778775645, $22.95). Any student looking for basic opening facts for reports will find this series inviting. Grades 5-8 will also appreciate the four books in a new series documenting the War of 1812, a topic usually covered only broadly and often in texts covering other conflicts. Maps, primary sources, period illustrations and modern photos bring the conflict to life in FAMOUS PEOPLE OF THE WAR OF 1812 (9780778779599, $22.95), MAJOR BATTLES OF THE WAR OF 1812 (9780778779605, $22.95), LEGACY OF THE WAR OF 1812 (9780778779612, $22.95) and WHAT CAUSED THE WAR OF 1812? (9780778779629, $22.95). 48 pages to each book offers surveys of key figures, pivotal battles, and the war's short-and long-term effects. 'Life in the Ancient World' ($20.76 each) is another selection for this age group, with each book providing 32 pages pairing color illustrations with specific surveys of an aspect of ancient living. ARTS AND CULTURE IN THE ANCIENT WORLD (9780778717324, $26.60), COMMUNICATION (9780778717331, $26.60), GOVERNMENT (9780778717348, $26.60), RELIGION (9780778717355, $26.60), TECHNOLOGY (9780778717362, $26.60) and TRADE AND COMMERCE (9780778717379, $26.60) all provide generously detailed insights on an ancient world topic. All are fine picks for any elementary school or community library collection.