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 how their world is arranged and advises kids on how to find ways to help their communities, including volunteerism and environmentalism. All the books contain straightforward text sprinkled with "fun facts" and a colorful design with many stock photos. The final pages feature "What Did You Learn?" questions and additional resources.

KREISMAN, Rachelle . People Who Help: A Kids' Guide to Community Heroes . ISBN 9781939656896 ; ISBN 9781939656902 ; ISBN 9781937529352 . KREISMAN, Rachelle . Places We Go: A Kids' Guide to Community Sites . ISBN 9781939656919 ; ISBN 9781939656926 ; ISBN 9781937529369 . KREISMAN, Rachelle . Things We Do: A Kids' Guide to Community Activity . ISBN 9781939656933 ; ISBN 9781939656940 ; ISBN 9781937529512 . ea vol: illus. by Tim Haggerty. 32p. (Start Smart: Community). further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. websites. Red Chair . 2015. lib. ed. $26.65. pap. $7.99. ebk. $39.99. Gr 3-5 As many librarians know, community helper projects are ubiquitous during the school year, and resources related to this subject are always in demand. This series details the who, what, and where of communities, describing what everyday life is like as well as the experiences of helpers such as police officers, firefighters, doctors, and trash collectors. The series also underscores the importance of education and training for specific careers and allows readers to see their own place in society and how people must work together to help a community function (and have some fun while they're at it). Text boxes with supplemental facts (and some jokes) pepper the narratives, which are clear, well flowing, and informative. A "What Did You Learn?" section with true/false questions at the end of each book helps readers recap and absorb the material. VERDICT A useful series that deals with community issues in an engaging way.