Preschool to Grade 4

Staff -- School Library Journal, 8/1/2006

Fiction

Gr 1-2–Naughty Nancy’s bloodhound has been trained to find anything made of gold for his owner. When he steals the crown of the new king, Nancy wears it to bed, and it sticks to her head. The soldiers come looking for it, arrest her, and take her back to the castle, where the king falls in love with her and asks her to marry him. She agrees, and abruptly “stopped being naughty. She realized what a bad person she had been. She was truly sorry and returned all of her stolen things.” Cheerful cartoon illustrations can’t rescue this weak, silly plot.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS–“The sky was dark. The stars were bright. Each Huffle fast asleep that night.” Except for Jack, who hears a “roar of a snore” and rouses Old Hound Blue, who is snoring. But the noise continues, and dog and boy set off to find its source, awakening each successive snorer. The crowd grows to include Mama Gwyn, Sweet Baby Sue, Papa Ben, the twins Josie Jo and Jennie Lynn, and the sheep and goat and cow and the hens. As they gather in the barn, they discover that the sound is coming from a tired and homeless kitten who is fast asleep in the hay. Finally, all gather round and fall asleep. Pratt’s acrylic illustrations help to create a pace that perfectly complements the rhyming, cumulative text. The details of the pictures, done in vivid, warm colors, add motion and energy to the story. A must-have for all libraries.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

PreS-Gr 2–As Witch prepares for and hosts a party for ghosts, trolls, bats, spooks, and sprites, she asks Cat to fetch things to assist her. But the contrary feline is too busy chasing guests to help. The rhythmic text echoes Witch’s plaintive requests and Cat’s upturned-nose refusal (“'Cat?’ said Witch./'Purr?’ said Cat./'Chair!’ said Witch./'GRRRRR,’ said Cat./And that was the end of that”). Finally, at the end of the night and of her wits, she conjures up a last spell that needs a toad. When the feline won’t fetch one, its final “GRRR” ends up as “rribbit?” Rendered with simple lines and crosshatched patterns, the black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations convey plenty of action and humor. The pictures are full of small details, and the gently spooky characters are loaded with personality. Children will appreciate the tale’s amusing predictability and will love chiming in with Witch and Cat as a call-and-response. A perfect choice for Halloween and for group sharing.–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1-5–This picture book recounts the exciting 1958 NFL championship game as viewed by a young fan and his father. It’s been a tough year. Their beloved New York Giants baseball team moved to San Francisco. Pop lost his job; though he’s found another, he’s working long hours, and Sam misses the time they used to spend together. Even Sam has lost his job selling newspapers, but, as a parting bonus, his boss gives him tickets to the big game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts. Pop declares that he’s not interested in football, but as they watch the action on the field, the two are drawn into the thrilling contest. Even as they root for the home team, they can’t help admiring the gritty courage of the rival quarterback, Johnny Unitas, who leads the Colts’ come-from-behind victory. Pullen’s oil paintings capture the tumultuous action and the fans’ enthusiastic response. The comically exaggerated facial expressions balance the story’s nostalgic mood. An author’s note adds facts and helps sort out the game’s significance. This is an engaging tale, well told, and a warm portrayal of the bond between sports-loving fathers and sons.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

PreS–In this simple concept book, two youngsters and a Dalmatian set out on a raft, calling readers: “All aboard! Come along with me!/Let’s see what shapes we can find on the sea.” They come across many exotic scenes–including a pirate ship, a fantastic sea monster, and a green submarine–and invite children to search for nine basic shapes. The directions are consistently straightforward: “Can you count all of these triangles?” “What are the shapes of these sails?” The minimal text is paired with colorful, eye-catching artwork made from fabric collages that radiate across the spreads. Although the patterned, patchwork ocean is occasionally a bit overwhelming, children will enjoy searching the briny depths for the little fish and sea creatures hidden there.–Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic Center Library, CA

PreS-Gr 3–Carl, Connor, and Charlie are best friends and talented musicians. When they realize that their food is running out, they don’t want to end up like the “singing grasshopper” of fable fame. After observing the ants at work, the friends start gathering their own food, and they work feverishly to collect enough for winter. But cooperation soon becomes complaining and arguing, and deteriorates to every grasshopper for himself. It isn’t until danger threatens all of their storehouses that the three once again begin working together. Rendered in muted shades of yellow, green, and red, the cartoon-style illustrations ably set the scene in the African grasslands. Though many children will enjoy this story, it will be best appreciated by those familiar with the Aesop fable of “The Grasshopper and the Ant.” It would also be a fun tale for second and third graders to act out.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 2–When Arthur dares D.W. to be “perfect” for one day, she becomes polite, obedient, and tidy. She makes her bed, says “hello” at school (“Nobody likes a grouch, so smile a little!”), shares, and gleefully obeys her parents’ every request. The young aardvark addresses her readers directly, bringing up points as she goes through a typical day filled with familiar tasks. Unfortunately, there is no conflict to add interest to the narrative. There are a few snicker moments, such as, “If I sneeze, burp, or fart, I just say 'Excuse me, please.’” The cartoon artwork is lively and colorful and showcases Brown’s familiar characters. The final page asks, “Are you perfect yet?” with questions relating to D.W.’s experiences. Parents looking for books about manners will find this title a helpful tool to start a discussion.–Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

K-Gr 4–The author begins by sharing a letter from Melvin’s friend, suggesting that Mr. Bruel write a book about his pal, so that everyone can know him. What follows are interviews with Melvin’s family, dog, teddy bear, and other assorted characters, including Santa, “a big ugly monster with three eyes” that lives in the boy’s closet, and a talking zebra. Each perspective is relayed in humorous monologues that, naturally, reveal more about the speakers than they do about the subject. Dad claims he’s a “chip off the old block” as black-and-white photos of a clumsy, clueless parent contrast with similar shots in color of a talented, tender son. The zebra is too preoccupied with his fear of lions to think about anything else. (Readers who peek under the dust jacket will hear from a lion–an example of the attention paid to detail in the overall design.) It is Melvin’s friend who shares something sure to endear the protagonist to children: “He can whistle 'The Itsy-Bitsy Spider’ through his nose!” Gigantic dialogue bubbles frame the text and the bold, watercolor caricatures animating the descriptions; the speakers report from the sidelines. In the end, the bespectacled, skinny kid with the baggy jeans gets his turn to talk. While teachers will find this a delightful choice for exploring point of view or the concept of identity, children will simply think it’s great fun. The layered perspectives ultimately show that Melvin is one cool kid.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 2–When Claire discovers a gator on top of her hair, she is worried. However, Pierre assures her that she can do anything with him there–go to the fair, give her brother a scare, be a zillionaire, or eat an éclair. A convinced Claire attends ballet class, where everyone whispers and stares–because it’s cool to have a gator up there. Repetition of the phrase “with a gator up there” paired with the singsong rhyme makes Bryan’s slight and silly story great fun to read aloud. The text is placed in and around characters and objects and some of it is in big and bold font, which adds a nice visual appeal to the tale. Murphy’s spare, childlike line drawings are done in pink, green, and yellow with plenty of white space. This simple color scheme fits the story to a tee. Pair this tale with Bryan’s A Boy and His Bunny (Arcade, 2005) and David Small’s Imogene’s Antlers (Random, 1988) for a things-on-your-head-themed storytime.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 1-2–Pirate Joe is sad because everyone, including the Pirate Queen and Mailman Brad, has forgotten his birthday. He does receive a letter from his aunt and uncle, the Rodeo Queen and Cowpoke Carl, asking for help in finding their sons who are missing. Pirate Joe and his brother, Pirate Pete, immediately head out West to track down their cousins. They get a map to Tumbleweed Ted’s Rude Dudes’ Dude Ranch, located on the top of Old Smokey mountain. Upon arriving, their cousins, family members, and the rude dudes surprise them with a birthday party. As in Let the Good Times Roll with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe (Viking, 2004), there are plenty of silly characters and wordplay and an abundance of references that boys may find amusing. However, beginning readers may prefer Melinda Long’s more straightforward How I Became a Pirate (Harcourt, 2003) with David Shannon’s hilarious illustrations, or Robert Priest’s spare, boldly illustrated, wryly humorous Pirate’s Eye (Houghton, 2005).–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2–The zany bovines are at it again. This time, wearing trench coats, fedoras, and dark sunglasses, they head for the bank to ask for some money to help out their farmer. The cows bear an uncanny resemblance to the notorious criminals the Bazooka sisters and cause quite a stir in town. However, all’s well that ends well down on the farm. Minnie and Moo are armed with impeccable comic timing and are “wanted” by kids everywhere. However, the many Bonnie and Clyde-like references here might be beyond most of the fans of the series, resulting in some confusion and lost jokes. Overall, though, the lively action and colorful artwork should appeal to newly independent readers.–H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

PreS-Gr 1–On Tuesday, podlet Dippy’s classmate Spike invites him to a sleepover. At first the young dinosaur is thrilled by the invitation; he and his pal can stay up late, eat “popfern,” and watch a scary movie. His excitement wanes when he worries about wetting the bed. Mrs. Diplodocus tries to calm her son, explaining that she can phone Mrs. Triceratops and ask her to cover the mattress with rubber sheets. Dippy pleads with his mother not to call and tells her that he’ll be dry by Friday. His grandpa, dad, and mom are supportive of his efforts, but Dippy fails to reach his goal of remaining dry through the night. Each night he is also awakened by an unsettling dream. Come Friday, he learns that Spike also wets the bed. This is a reassuring story for children experiencing the problem. Short sentences with frequent dialogue pair well with McQuillan’s softly colored artwork. It’s through the illustrations that the emotional aspects of Dippy’s dreams are revealed. Pictures done with sweeping brushstrokes give his bedroom a homey look, and children will enjoy searching for a small, Woodstock-like creature that’s tucked into many of them. Maribeth Boelts’s Dry Days, Wet Nights (1994) and Jeanne Willis’s Do Little Mermaids Wet Their Beds? (2001, both Albert Whitman) also deal with this topic.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

Gr 3-5–It turns out that dinosaurs, despite their itty-bitty brains, weren’t so stupid after all. They managed to escape the Earth in spaceships long before the meteors hit, and now travel among the stars of the Jurassic Quadrant, exploring new worlds, fighting evil, and generally enacting every space-opera cliché ever invented. In book one, readers are introduced to the crew of the DSS Sauropod. Their mission: to bring some of the top Vegetarian Sector athletes to the Great Dinosaur Games. However, the evil meat-eating velociraptors, led by the noxious General Loki, kidnap the two stegoceras athletes who are favored to the win the Head-Butting competition. Captain Teggs and his crew easily rescue the stegoceras–too easily, they soon realize. General Loki has an even more nefarious plot up his sleeve. Will the crew of the Sauropod figure this out in time and stop the kindly vegetarian dinosaurs from being destroyed? Of course they will. Dinosaurs and spaceships that run on dinosaur dung–what’s not to love? Okay, the fact that all the meat-eaters are bad and all the vegetarians are good is a little problematic. But the goofy line drawings, fast-paced plot, and general silliness should entice more than a few reluctant readers.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 3–When Duck discovers an ad in the paper announcing a talent show at the county fair (first prize, a slightly used trampoline), Farmer Brown’s animals are unstoppable. The cows and sheep concentrate on their singing while the pigs work on interpretive dance. How the suspicious farmer could ever confuse all this noise with routine snoring is a bit of a stretch, but the hilarious late-night practice scenes inside the barn will help readers make the leap. At the talent show, the cows and sheep impress some of the judges, but lack of sleep has the pigs truly snoring when it is time to perform. Fortunately, Duck steps in to save the day with a winning version of “Born to Be Wild.” After the talent show, Farmer Brown suspects nothing until he hears “boings” coming from the barn. Comical watercolor illustrations provide the punch lines to many jokes within the well-paced text. Some of the sophisticated humor will go over the heads of most children, especially the witty footnotes that pepper the story. However, like Click, Clack, Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002, both S & S), this story makes a great read-aloud, and fans of the series will be ecstatic to see another episode of mischief in the barnyard.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 3–Lucy spends her days with her mother, brother, and grandmother. She shares a special bond with Little Mamá that begins with a morning tickle and ends with a song and a kiss goodnight. In between, their day is filled with dancing, skipping, cooking, eating, and stories of Mexico. The elderly woman may forget everyday things like names, places, and directions but she always remembers her love for Lucy. The topic of Little Mamá’s forgetfulness is dealt with in a realistic, but child-focused manner. Cruise uses the text repetition of “Little Mamá forgets…” and “my little mamá remembers…” to provide a framework for her story. This gives it balance and offers reassurance and hope to readers. A liberal splashing of Spanish words appears throughout. Dressen-McQueen’s Mexican folk-style illustrations are enhanced by her use of bold colors including pink, red, orange, brown, and blue. They capture the feel and texture of Hispanic culture but never overwhelm the story or the characters. The universal themes of love and family dominate this tender, heartfelt story.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 3–Exuberant colors and evocative text are a winning combination in this appealing story about a Ghanaian girl and her beloved grandfather. Before Grandpa leaves on a trip, he gives Sarah a beautiful shell and tells her that it is magic; if she holds it up to her ear, she will be able to hear the sounds of the sea. Her grandmother says, “Don’t go believing all that nonsense,” but Sarah doesn’t listen because her grandpa “never, ever told a lie.” As the story unfolds, day by day, for a week, the child becomes frustrated; she traverses her village holding the shell to her ear and hears the laundry “flip-flapping,” “monkeys chattering, banana trees swish-swishing,” “plantains sizzling, pepper stew sput-sputtering”–but never the sounds of the sea–until Grandpa returns. Radiant swaths of skillfully harmonized acrylic colors are accentuated by thick black lines, and spare yet expressive facial features glow from each page. One particularly striking scene shows Sarah and her grandpa sitting on a bench with their backs facing out: it is their postures that communicate the palpable tenderness of the moment. Large print, a reassuring narrative, and vibrant paintings make this book an excellent choice for storytime.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

K-Gr 3–Curtis writes so very well, in infectious toe-tapping poetic form, of the inner thoughts and worries that children struggle with all too frequently. Here, a boy asks his mother the title question. He continues, “If the race is unfair, will I succeed?” His mother tells her son that it’s often better to help others and make the world a better place than to win first place in a foot race. Cornell’s ink-and-color wash cartoons are a perfect match to Curtis’s lilting text. The detailed spreads will fascinate young readers. For instance, on the page on which the child asks, “…is Dad on my team?” the illustrations show his father, grandad, and a multitude of ancestors back to cavemen. When he worries about making the wrong turn, a maze full of children of different ethnicities is depicted. This book should be enjoyed by the whole human race.–Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ

PreS-Gr 2–This child-friendly guide is set up as a series of don’ts and dos. Each vignette shows the repercussions of doing something thoughtlessly–jumping off a seesaw too quickly, climbing up a slide, kicking sand–followed by the proper way to play. Children can participate in the story by replying to the question asked at the end of each “don’t”–“Is that right?”–with the refrain, “No, that’s wrong,” before Penguin explains the safe way to behave. The text is simple enough for beginners since the softly shaded, multimedia color illustrations provide excellent visual clues. The pictures are full of active animals under the watchful tutelage of whistle-wearing Penguin. A fun addition.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

K-Gr 2–This latest story about Jamela has all of the charm of the previous books. Here, the child is looking forward to her birthday and a shopping trip with her mother and grandmother. She gets a new dress but when she spies a perfect pair of sparkly Princess Shoes, she is told they are not practical and that she must choose something sensible enough for school. The sturdy black shoes she gets are not glamorous–until Jamela decorates them with sparkly beads and glitter. Her mother and Gogo are upset that she has ruined them, but when a local merchant wants her to create more of her special “Jamela Shoes” to sell in the market, their anger subsides. The child proudly earns enough money to pay her mother back for her school shoes and is later rewarded with a special birthday surprise. Daly’s exuberant watercolors are full of vitality. Details reflect South African life and culture, and the text is lightly sprinkled with Xhosa phrases. A wonderful addition to multicultural collections, this book would be a good choice for a birthday read-aloud or as part of a unit on saving or earning money.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 2-3–Milo, a polar bear, cannot seem to do anything well or correctly and is mercilessly teased by Bully Bear. Then he enters a school contest for the best ice sculpture, accidentally cuts his left paw, and is forced to work with his right. Creating an award-winning ice bird helps Milo realize that he is better at everything because he is really right-handed and is able to outwit Bully Bear. Alice, an anteater, wants to be an actress. She leaves her comfortable environment and heads for Hollywood. There she learns that her talents are out of place, is miserable, and heads home for her own community where she is loved and fits in. Both of these easy readers, each with six brief chapters, introduce likable animal characters in a few lines of text. While both have underlying themes of self-esteem, bullying, and realistic aspirations, the caricature drawings exaggerating Alice’s Hollywood experience provide a less positive message than the more adorable, amiable polar bear scenes. Additional at best.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

K-Gr 3–DeFelice employs her considerable storytelling skills to give an old Chinese folktale an Irish twist. Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady are so poor that they have only one of everything, and the little they have is raggedy at that. With only one potato to share for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s no wonder they are “so skinny they [can] sit side by side on one chair….” But when Mr. O’Grady finds an old pot in his field and drops their last potato into it, the couple’s fortunes change. One potato becomes two, and the pot continues to double whatever is placed in it. When Mrs. O’Grady accidentally falls into it and two Mrs. O’Gradys emerge, she comes up with an ingenious idea that brings lasting joy to her and her husband. U’Ren’s large pen-and-gouache illustrations infuse the couple’s grim situation with humor. The two are so tall and thin that they seem to be elastic. And the scene in which skinny legs are sticking out of the pot and then pulled out is hilarious. Their walls are full of cracks, their blankets are full of holes, but their hearts are full of love and generosity. An entertaining tale that pairs well with Lily Toy Hong’s Two of Everything (Albert Whitman, 1993).–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

K-Gr 4–King Humpty Dumpty surrounds his world with a fence, thereby separating his colorful kingdom from the dim, dusty domain of the peasants. He spends his days smelling the flowers, enjoying the songs of birds, eating elegant meals, admiring artwork (paintings of himself), and reading by the light of the setting sun reflecting off diamonds. When a curious peasant peeks over the fence, the enraged king fires all of his staff and begins building a higher barrier out of heavy stones. However, the pampered monarch is unused to such work and has a terrible fall, landing on the other side of the wall. The peasants bury him with little fanfare, and the book concludes with the traditional nursery rhyme. Delessert’s gray-and-brown peasants resemble the whimsical mice and rabbitlike creatures in A Was an Apple Pie (Creative Editions, 2005). Humpty has an egg-shaped head with a large protruding nose and wears a golden half-circle crown. The surreal landscape is embellished with realistic-looking birds and flowers. The illustrations are the real strength of the book. Unfortunately, this interpretation of “Humpty Dumpty” is too bleak and heavy-handed and lacks child appeal.–Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

Gr 1-2–Beginning readers will enjoy the clear writing and clever plotting in these stories narrated by William about him and his younger sister. In the first chapter, Jane proves that while she may be smaller, she is stronger. Next, William joins the family in a search for Jane’s lost doll, and to appease her he pretends to be a doll and allows her to feed him, comb his hair, and put him down for a nap. As he stretches out on the couch, the lost toy is found. Finally, Jane is frustrated because William needs a bath and none of the adults will make him take one. Readers may chuckle as Jane induces him to get into the tub, and compare this chapter to a scenario in Jean Van Leeuwen’s Amanda Pig and Her Brother Oliver (Puffin, 1994). Denton’s cheerful and expressive illustrations perfectly capture the relationship between these characters. William may be every girl’s dream of a big brother rather than a realistic sibling, but fans of family stories such as Stephen Krensky’s Lionel and Louise (Puffin, 1997) will feel right at home with him.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1–K and her Woolyman, a faceless, roughly sewn stuffed toy that spouts reassuring phrases (“You’re my best friend”) whenever she pulls his string, do everything together. Even though all of his utterances now include the words “sweet potato” (the result of a turn in the washing machine), she still knows that he loves her. When K leaves him outside alone, a weaverbird named Mac happens by, befriends Woolyman, and takes him home. Bereft after discovering that her companion is missing, the girl searches everywhere. Mac eventually spies a crying K putting up a missing poster and flies Woolyman back to her for a loving reunion. While the story is sweet, the surreal colored-pencil and watercolor-wash illustrations are creepy and strange. The faded palette, with its extremely muted hues, makes for odd color choices–a tree has pale-pink, cottonlike leaves, and K’s wispy hair, peeking out from under her cap, is gray. Unusual visual elements abound, such as Mac’s strangely shaped nests and K’s bedspread, decorated with gnarled-looking sweet potatoes. These bizarre and eerie images in cool tones become jarring when paired with the warm mood of the text, resulting in a book that children are likely to find strange rather than enjoyable.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 1-3–Alfie and other quirky little figures represent the contestants in the punctuation-mark talent show: periods and hyphens, commas, asterisks, and parentheses. They all do their things, including telling jokes and riddles (question marks) and cheerleading (exclamation points). Alfie, who has butterflies about performing onstage, does magic tricks, turning two words into contractions and demonstrating the use of the possessive. He brings down the house and is declared “the show’s shining star.” Fanciful cartoon drawings capture the whimsy of this original, instructional story. However, children may miss some of the laughs, and, indeed, the point of the grammar lesson, if they haven’t already been introduced to punctuation marks.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2–The sun rises over the henhouse, awakening Daisy Mae. Once again she must tell the other hens that there will be no time for breakfast, because the rooster has overslept. Ned is just “not a morning bird.” Exasperated, Daisy Mae calls down to the head office for a replacement. Ned leaves the henhouse in a huff and spies on his replacement while he sulks in a nearby tree. When night falls, he frolics with a new group of nocturnal friends. In the midst of all the fun, he spies a black snake slithering into the henhouse and sounds the alarm, thus saving the eggs. His former boss is so grateful for his quick thinking that she creates a perfect new position for him, head of night security. This lighthearted story is written in an uncomplicated, comical style and has vibrant illustrations that are full of personality and charm. The facial expressions of Ned and Daisy Mae are particularly amusing. Children will appreciate the message that although Ned is different from most other roosters, he has his own special talents. This humorous tale of woe could be paired with Mary Jane Auch’s Bantam of the Opera (Holiday House, 1997), the story of another uniquely talented rooster.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 3–Sophie is a homely toad, while her brother is so cute that he has won numerous modeling trophies. She is sad and croons about her feelings in such a beautiful voice that she is soon welcomed into a singing group. One night, she performs a solo in a competition and wins her very own trophy. The story is told in rhyming couplets and quatrains. Elya punctuates the English verses with well-integrated Spanish words that suit the tale’s rhythm. Most appear next to an English equivalent while a few are integrated into sentences. The terms are presented in bold type and defined in a glossary with pronunciation guides. Many, like día and feliz, will be familiar to non-Spanish speakers and others, like pestañas (eyelashes), are less common. The acrylic artwork is as playful as the writing; it’s big, bright, and active. The toads are drawn as large circles with skinny limbs, spots, and bulging eyes. Colorful images and amusing details fill the spreads. A fun read-aloud.–Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

Gr 2-4–This picture book has a serious message underneath its wry humor. Abigale, the sole happy humpback in her pod, joins the other whales on a mission to go to the beach. She stops frequently to visit one of her many friends along the way. All of these creatures have been impacted by litter thrown into the sea, including Wordsmith the Swordfish, whose sharp sword has a tire around it. The head whale in the pod has decided on beaching as a form of social protest, but Abigale comes up with a better way to get the attention of the Land People who are trashing the ocean. While the culmination of the plot is clever, the journey is more than a little long. Too many characters are introduced, and the text gets bogged down in repetitive detail. Rama’s digital illustrations do a good job of bringing the murky depths of the sea to life and in giving the characters personality. Overall, though, Abigale sinks under the weight of its worthy message.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

K-Gr 2–During the first week of school, Principal Wiggins promises that if the students read 1000 books by June 12, he will dye his hair purple and sleep on the roof. Miss Malarkey tells her class that they will be doing the Everybody Reads in America program and promises that all of the students will find books they love before the end of the school year. She picks some for each of them, engaging even reluctant readers. One boy remains unable to find a book he likes until June 10, when Miss Malarkey chooses one that has aliens, race cars, funny jokes, chewing gum, hot sauce, and cannonballs. It becomes number 1001 read by the students and the story ends with everyone wishing Principal Wiggins (whose hair is now purple) a good night on the roof. This title will resonate with those who choose math, video games, and sports over books. O’Malley’s illustrations, done in markers and colored pencils, enhance the text with expressive pictures of the students and their teacher as they explore (or choose not to explore) the joys of reading. The illustrations lend humor and credibility to the reluctance of some of the students. A must-have for all libraries.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

PreS-Gr 1–A cow wakes up to find that she has lost her moo and is clucking instead. She visits various creatures throughout the countryside, clucking at them and getting answers in their natural sounds. “'Cluck, cluck,’ said Cow. 'Meow,’ said Cat. 'It is not you who has my moo,’ said Cow. And on she went.” The repetitive refrain, “It is not you who has my moo,” has a sonorous charm and invites participation. Some readers will quickly realize that if Cow is clucking, she should go directly to Hen to find her moo. The Greek chorus of yellow chicks (who apparently follow Cow because she sounds like their mother) might be another wink to readers. When Cow at last finds Hen mooing, the two animals trade sounds and the chicks–silent up to this point–immediately find their own voice: “peep.” The gentle inside jokes, the animal sounds, and the repetitive phrase constitute only a fraction of this book’s appeal. Fleming is, after all, a thrilling illustrator whose pulp-painting technique brings subtlety and texture to densely colored art. Here, she creates a countryside inspired by Van Gogh, and the net result is some of her most sensational artwork to date. The layers of subtle humor and visual splendor are truly impressive.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS–Ducky knocks on Piggy’s door wanting to play, but Piggy is busy sitting on the potty. So Ducky waits. She plays with Piggy’s toys and reads his books, but still he’s not ready. Then she notices her own diaper. “It feels cold. It feels wet.” She kicks it off and declares, “No more diapers for Ducky!” The book ends with the porker waiting to play while his friend sits on the potty. Both text and illustrations are simple and endearing. The message is clear, yet subtle: learning to use the potty takes time, commitment, and willingness on the part of a child. The interaction between these toddlers and their implicit support of one another is charming. The dynamic characters, done in thick charcoal outlines and watercolor, are set against a white background. Details are kept to a minimum–a ball, some blocks, a few board books–allowing for a focused presentation of a highly charged time of life. This title is simpler and more relaxed than many others on the subject.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

Gr 1-4–Inspired by the people the author met during a visit to Chile, this story tells of Mia and her family, who make their home from the materials they scavenge from the village dump and their living by selling the scraps they collect there. When Mia goes on a long search for her dog, she finds herself high in the mountains where the air is clear, free of the “dark cloud that always fill[s] the valley” where she lives. There she discovers lovely white flowers and transplants them at home. When they grow and spread, she starts a flower business with her father in the city. The large-print text is illustrated with watercolor spreads, and the handwritten sketchbook entries are accompanied by drawings and watercolor vignettes. Mia and the other market vendors wear hats and ponchos typical of the region while her father wears jeans and a baseball cap. The predominance of browns and grays emphasizes the pollution and bleak environment in which the people live. However, though they have very few material goods, they go about their lives with verve, attend school, play soccer, and, above all, cherish the dream of one day having a home made of brick. This story, along with Dyanne DiSalvo’s A Castle on Viola Street (HarperCollins, 2001), offers readers glimpses into the resilience of the human spirit.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Gr 3-6–In short, amusing chapters, a boy describes his family’s trips to off-the-beaten-path locations in North America and Mexico. Though he and his little brother would prefer to go to Disneyland, their parents insist on avoiding tourist areas and taking the road less traveled–usually with unexpected, sometimes hair-raising results. For example, the family remains steadfast in their Maine beach cottage during Hurricane Bob, is stalked by alligators in the Okefenokee Swamp, is pummeled by tumbleweeds in an Arizona sandstorm, and encounters revolutionaries during a drive through Mexico. Although there is very little character or plot development, these brief adventures are sprinkled with humor, moments of discovery, and an appreciation for the beauty and diversity of less-lauded destinations. Written with simple language and adorned with amusing cartoon sketches, this title is a good choice for those new to chapter books or for struggling readers.–Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 3–When a tortoise’s owners go on vacation, the reptile takes the opportunity to slip away from her substitute caregivers and have an adventure. Exploring the woods is grand–until Lucille has a scary run-in with a snapping turtle and can’t find her way home. Luminous paintings capture the wonder of the natural world. Counteracting the considerable anthropomorphism, “Tortoise Facts” appear at the bottom of many of the book’s pages, offering real information about habitats, diet, and physiology. A low-key additional purchase.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 1–These pterosaur twins are really bad, and really loud. They constantly fight over which one is superior in every way, even over who argues the least! Their wise friends try to settle each disagreement reasonably, but the twins just move on to the next “horrible, heated hullabaloo”…until…a T. rex wants to know which one is “the fattest, the juiciest, the crunchiest, and the tastiest?” By the time they see “the gleam in Rex’s eye,” it’s too late…. Geraghty’s bold, active illustrations use a broad palette and work perfectly with his energetic, sometimes bombastic, text. Not for the squeamish, this is an amusing cautionary tale of just deserts.–Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL

Gr 2-4–When Grandma gets a phone call announcing that visitors are on their way, this hip senior immediately bustles around her homey kitchen to gather up the ingredients for chocolate-chip cookies. While she begins to bake, her pets set out on an informational quest to research the “world of ingredients” that she adds to her mixing bowl. In a comprehensive culinary tour around the globe, the curious cat and food-obsessed dog discover a variety of interesting, scientific facts about the manufacturing of the different components of the recipe, which is included on the last page of the book. For example, “it takes 21 pounds of milk to make a pound of butter” and cocoa beans “are cream-colored, not brown, and taste bitter, not sweet at all.” Each spread is devoted to a single element of the recipe identified at the top of the page in large, colored print. A step-by-step description of the baking process, from Grandma’s washing her hands to the cookies’ cooling on the counter, is juxtaposed with the findings of the animals’ research and their humorous but corny commentary. Although this clever title offers many interesting facts, the slightly cluttered presentation may overwhelm curious young bakers who would be inclined to browse through its pages. Also, the abundance of love that Grandma pours into her baking efforts is diminished because readers do not see her sharing her delicious baked goods with her eagerly anticipated guests.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 1-3–This imaginative, cleverly designed story unfolds in a delectable blend of spare text and eloquent multimedia illustrations. A textured welcome mat serves as background for title and publisher information, the pages feel somewhat scratchy, and the wolves are expressively drawn with charcoal pencil. In the story, Rabbit borrows Wolves by Emily Grrrabbit from the West Bucks Public Burrowing Library and leaves with his nose already stuck in the red book. His long, wavy ears ooze movement. The author ingeniously develops her story on two levels: children will absorb the information that the rabbit is reading–“An adult wolf has forty-two teeth”–but also enjoy the suspenseful tale of what is happening to the rabbit as he walks along. As a “real” wolf becomes gradually more threatening, Rabbit becomes progressively smaller. Expressive illustrations show him obliviously walking up a bushy tail onto the back, and then the snout, of a wolf; but it is the uh-oh expression on his face as he slowly realizes that he is in trouble that is so piercingly vivid. The following page depicts a partially eaten book, and no rabbit. However, the author then reassures readers that “no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book” and thoughtfully provides an alternative ending for “sensitive children.” This delightful picture book is best shared with children who can appreciate the sly humor.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 2-4–A nine-year-old boy and his favorite author forge a bond in this heartwarming tale. Though they never meet in person, young Max and D.J. Lucas slowly reveal themselves through a year’s worth of letters, postcards, and drawings. Over time, Lucas learns that Max is the smallest kid in his class and the target of a school bully; that he and his mother are on their own, since his father died several years before; and that he suffers from a serious medical issue. Despite all of this, Max uses his fantastic imagination to create stories in which the bad guys always get their just rewards. Max discovers that Lucas is more famous than he thought, making her correspondence even more special. She coaches him as he writes his story, thus illuminating the author’s craft for readers by simply explaining topics such as character and plot development. Max helps Lucas write her new book by serving as a model for her main character. The author’s voice comes through loud and clear. Clever line drawings, attributed to Max, appear throughout. Teachers looking for a good launch point for writers’ workshops will appreciate this book. Children will enjoy the subtle way the story unfolds and the unique relationship it portrays.–Nicki Clausen-Grace, Carillon Elementary School, Oviedo, FL

Gr 2-4–Combining the appeal of sports and the readability of an easy reader, these three early chapter books have child appeal and provide support for struggling readers, but they are uneven in quality. All three include black-and-white pencil illustrations on every page, sport-specific glossaries, an overview of equipment, and training tips. In Super Electrics, Lily discovers that her height is a commodity after joining a basketball team. Though the illustrations try to breathe life into her, she remains a relatively flat character, and the ending is abrupt. The strongest story, Tomorrow’s Olympian, has the weakest art. Kelly must conquer her fear both on the balance beam and off in order to move toward her Olympic dreams. Her determination scores a 10 and a final confrontation with the school bully adds a nice touch to the ending. In comparison, the illustrations are flat and lack appeal. The first-person narrative in Tennis Balls is initially confusing, but readers will stick with Jemma as she moves from troublemaker to tennis star. Her pranks and subsequent detentions make her believable, and the stylistic illustrations add vitality to the action on the court.–H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

K-Gr 3–Miss Mingo is a flamingo, and her class includes Hippo, Narwhal, Frog, and Centipede. To get to know one another, she asks the students to share what makes them special and different. She opens the discussion, explaining that it’s the food that she eats that keeps her feathers pink. Soon, the other animals join in, either telling about themselves or making comments. The pastel illustrations add a peaceful tone to the book. The unique characteristic of each creature is emphasized in the art and in additional details in smaller print. This book would be useful at the start of school to introduce not only each animal’s characteristics but also the notion that every child is unique. This book is a perfect mix of a first-day-of-school story and facts about the natural world. It will be enjoyed by students and teachers.–Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

PreS-K–When the youngster who normally visits the barn every morning fails to appear, the animals are left to wonder what happened to him. The dog tells them that Tommy went “to a place called Kindergarten,” but that was all he knew. Will the boy ever come back from there? After a long wait and much speculation, Tommy returns to tell them about his day and introduce them to the letters A through D. The story unfolds slowly and suffers from lack of action. Its structure is fairly sophisticated for the intended audience as most of the action happens out of sight. Instead of seeing the child in school, readers see the animals waiting for him and talking among themselves (with the recurring aside that “If you’d been there, listening in, it would probably have sounded like this: 'NAYCluckMOObaa….’”). Karas’s illustrations, done in his trademark sketchy style and in fairly muted colors, do little to lighten the trudging pace of this quiet story. Tales about barnyard animals and about kindergarten abound, and this one fails to separate itself from the pack.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

Gr 1-3–A young painted turtle doesn’t know much about what his species can and cannot do, so when a hummingbird accidentally drops her nest material into the water next to him, he flies up to return it. It turns out that he tries and succeeds at many things that were thought to be impossible for turtles, including flashing like a firefly and hopping like a frog. However, when he gets into trouble, it is the older turtles who can give him advice about how to rescue himself. By the end of the book, Tudley has taught them about trying new things, and they teach him some practical skills. The illustrations alternate between half- and full-page spreads that show the personalities of the pond’s denizens. Tudley is full of exuberance and joy at helping his friends, and the look on the faces of the older turtles when he flies above them is priceless. The book also includes information about the animals mentioned and activities related to the story.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 3-5–Hazel Green is back, and in trouble as usual. This time she has overheard the powerful lawyer, Mr. Davis, yelling at her building’s kindly custodian, telling him, “I don’t like you and I don’t like your kind.” In an attempt to make Mr. Davis feel guilty and apologize, she sets a scene in which she shouts the same words at her friend, the Yak. She is overheard, but instead of making Mr. Davis repent, she gets herself banished from the big building party. Ultimately, with the help of her friends and her own courage, she finds a way to unmask Mr. Davis for who he is and shows everyone what really happened. The slightly choppy text, meandering story, and heavy-handed moral are unlikely to bother young readers, who will be rooting for the protagonist all the way. Hirsch’s quirky main characters are interesting and likable, and Hazel and her friends are fairly well rounded. Unfortunately, many of the secondary characters tend to be two-dimensional, and Hazel’s parents are rarely seen cardboard cutouts. However, the author’s descriptions bring the settings and situations alive, and Hirsch infuses the story with humor and a fairy-tale feel. Libraries in which Hazel Green (2003) and Something’s Fishy, Hazel Green (2005, both Bloomsbury) are popular will likely want to add this one. Others looking for fun, easy adventure stories will find it a nice addition, but not a first purchase.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS–Preschoolers will delight in sharing Little Guinea Pig’s day at nursery school. The little guy, empowered by a good breakfast, races off to partake in crafts, playtimes, music class, etc. His actions are showcased on each right-hand page followed by an illustration depicting an adjective that describes the activity. For example, throughout the course of the day, he is fast, strong, quiet, busy, careful, noisy, clever, and helpful. The uncluttered illustrations, done in acrylic paint and colored pencil, are soft and warm. This charming book makes a good supplemental purchase for larger collections and is well suited to children who are starting nursery school.–Linda Zeilstra Sawyer, Skokie Public Library, IL

K-Gr 2–Wanda Witch has a loose fang and doesn’t like it one bit, so she uses her magic powers to make it fall out. When she learns about the Fang Fairy, she is so excited that she decides to make all her teeth fall out at once. “It was hard eating termites on toast without any fangs.” Her cat helps her to reverse the spell and all but one returns to her mouth. Wanda then gets a shiny dollar coin from the Fang Fairy. This is a simple-to-read story with appealing cartoon art. It may not be a first purchase, but considering how much this audience loves the topic, it makes a good addition.–Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

PreS-Gr 2–Pinkalicious eats so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. The color just won’t wash off, and the doctor diagnoses her with Pinkititis and tells her to eat green food to get better. Still, when her parents aren’t looking, she sneaks just one more treat–and turns red. Startled, she starts to choke down her veggies and finally returns to normal. When everything seems okay, Daddy asks what happened to the other cupcakes, and Pinkalicious’s little brother bounds into the room with one in hand, happily showing off his new pink skin. The final “Pink-a-boo!” is sure to garner smiles. The computer-generated collage pictures are bold and appealing and will draw readers into the story. Although the main character is a bit obnoxious, children will be amused by her obsession with pink sweets. Reminiscent of David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes (Scholastic, 1998), Kann’s lighter confection is a pink lover’s dream come true.–Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI

Gr 1-3–Lalibela is a mountain town in Ethiopia, known for its production of fine honey. Kessler’s story features Almaz, a plucky girl who wishes to take on the traditionally male work of beekeeping. The men laugh when she can’t climb a tall tree to fetch down a woven hive, except for Father Haile Kirros, who encourages her. In a few months, she returns to the marketplace, just as she had sworn to do, with very fine honey. Jenkins follows the ups and downs of Almaz’s labor in deep-hued, mixed-media scenes spread richly across double pages. Focusing on the characters and their activities, the artist washes colors in broad layers for his background, sometimes adding chalky swirls resembling children’s sidewalk drawings. Text blocks on some pages are simply set against the scene in white or black print, but other times they’re set on irregular cream-colored shapes that almost appear to be speech balloons. Though the added elements are a bit cluttered, the art handsomely conveys the African setting. Kessler includes well-chosen details about the beekeeping project and a few words from the local Amharic and Tigringna languages. Easily understood in the text, they appear in a concluding glossary with an author’s note on the village and its legendary name. Almaz’s conclusion that “Life is sweet” is well earned, and readers will cheer her determination and good sense in realizing her dream.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

K-Gr 2–In this easy chapter book, Mr. S announces that beginning the following day, the children will wear slippers in class. This sounds like fun to most of them, but not to the new kid, Roy, who doesn’t own any. Herbie solves the problem by sharing his slippers and his sister’s old ones–purple mules with tiny flowers–with Roy; each boy wears one slipper from each pair. There’s a valuable lesson here about not laughing at others. The adults (all male) are depicted as sympathetic and cool, and the dialogue rings true. But wouldn’t a savvy teacher be prepared for a circumstance like Roy’s? Better humorous books for this audience include Barbara Park’s “Junie B. Jones” series (Random), Cynthia Rylant’s “Henry and Mudge” titles (S & S), and Kline’s own “Horrible Harry” books (Viking). Sorry, Herbie, this one doesn’t make the grade.–Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

PreS-Gr 1–When Bruno, a marmot, wakes up from his winter hibernation, he finds a big, bright dandelion. The two become fast friends and have fun together for several days. Then, after going to seed, Dandelion asks Bruno to blow at her as hard as he can, promising, “Everything will be just fine.” He does so and is startled when all of the seeds fly away. Distraught at the thought that he has destroyed the flower, he clings to her vow that everything will be all right. As promised, when he awakes the following spring, he sees a big, bright dandelion beaming at him. Large pages with soft, whimsical illustrations in watercolor and pencil depict the changing seasons and the animal’s emotions, which range from happy excitement to sorrow, then back to joy. While not a first purchase, this story is a good choice for sharing aloud and could lead to discussions about spring.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2–Miss Merriweather, head librarian and decorum-keeper, first meets Lion when he saunters past his stone counterparts and into the stacks. Scowling circulation assistant Mr. McBee seems intent on having the enormous cat ejected, but his boss declares that as long as he breaks no rules, he is welcome. The beast does misbehave though, roaring loud displeasure when storytime ends. At Miss Merriweather’s reprimand, the contrite-looking lion promises to reform. In fact, he becomes something of a fixture in the building, dusting with his tail, licking envelopes, and serving as a stepstool for small patrons. Everyone appreciates him–except Mr. McBee. When Lion lets out another tremendous “RAAAHHHRRR!,” the man bursts into Miss Merriweather’s office to snitch–and there he finds her in distress, having fallen from a stool and broken her arm. Lion, à la Lassie, has saved the day, but he is so chagrined by his own rule-breaking behavior that he doesn’t return to the library. People miss him. Even Mr. McBee. A feel-good ending and a reminder that “Sometimes, there is a good reason to break the rules” bring the story to its most-satisfactory conclusion. Hawkes’s deft acrylic-and-pencil pictures have appeal for generations of library lovers. They are rich with expression, movement, and detail. The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion. This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.–Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

PreS-K–Readers are invited to count nocturnal creatures in this cheery book. In ascending order, a flying squirrel lands, two raccoons fish for food, owls glide, hedgehogs snuffle, sloths creep along a branch, crickets creek-eek a song, fireflies blink, opossums hang from their tails, foxes give hugs, and bats swoop after bugs. Koontz’s simple rhyming couplets pair well with the brightly colored artwork. All of the critters are easily distinguishable for counting; a tab pull produces audible cricket creeks. Another tab reveals the yellow spotlights of fireflies. Good for one-on-one sharing or storytimes, this eye-catching pop-up will hold the attention of young audiences.–Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS-Gr 2–Tulip and Snuggle are Grace and Peter’s pet rabbits. One night, Tulip figures out how to open the latch on the cage, and the bunnies begin to explore while their family sleeps. Soon they are secretly completing household jobs, such as sweeping and making tuna casserole. They finish many of the children’s chores, giving the siblings more time to play with them. Mother, in a better mood with less work to do, suggests one afternoon that her children let the rabbits out of their cage as “they must be tired of sitting all day.” Alternating between full spreads and smaller panels, O’Neill’s soft watercolors add moments of humor not present in the text. The last page of the book has suggestions for helping emerging readers and a dense and hard-to-use list of words with consonant blends that appear in the story. The note provides little that would be of much use to parents or educators. This sweet, innocent tale reads like one of the better stories in a child’s reading textbook. As a read-aloud, it’s not highly memorable, but it will appeal to adults looking for less-edgy picture books with an old-fashioned feel.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3–Chloe, a riding enthusiast who has been awaiting the jumping competition, is paired with Niki, a beautiful pony with a reputation of never following riders’ commands. She saddles him up and tries to make the most of the situation, but is nearly in tears. Her Uncle Tony shows up with a present–a riding baton from Mexico that he says is magical. She guides the horse through his paces to win the race–and many others after that. Then, just before an important meet, Chloe realizes that the baton is missing, and she loses her confidence. This time, Niki leads them to the starting gate, and pony and rider perform perfectly together. The smooth text is supported by lovely ink-and-watercolor spreads. With its story of courage and learning, horse lovers will adore this picture book.–Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ

PreS-K–In each of four episodes, a young hippo encounters a self-imposed mishap. When ballerina Hattie leaps through the air, she overshoots the waiting arms of her rhino partners. She eats all the food while her guests go hungry at her tea party. In her wading pool, she splashes the water away in a cannonball jump. During hide-and-seek, Hattie falls asleep in her hiding spot. In short, punchy rhymes, Loomis has created an enthusiastic, resilient, and endearingly oblivious heroine. Surrounded by copious white space, the warm watercolor-and-ink cartoon illustrations are funny and mesh well with the sparse text. Young children will both laugh at and identity with Hattie.–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 1-3–Nutmeg is tired of her drab existence in her ramshackle house. Every day, she dines on unappetizing plates of cardboard, string, and sawdust with Uncle Nicodemus and Cousin Nesbit, and she longs for something different. While taking a walk, she stumbles upon an intriguing bottle at the edge of the creek and unleashes a Genie. He gives her a magic spoon, thus granting her three wishes–“something different for breakfast,” “something different for lunch,” and “something different for supper.” Not only does the spoon stir up a magnificent feast for Nutmeg and her relatives, but it also stirs up a world of change, transforming the house into a boat that splashes down onto a calm and peaceful sea. The family members unquestioningly take their posts aboard the ship and soon disembark on a pleasant green island, where they find a table set with a delectable breakfast. Back onboard, the girl reflects on what they might have for lunch. The stylized cartoon illustrations are a mix of spreads and separate panels. After the Genie appears, the palette changes from browns and grays to brighter blues, greens, and yellows. The turmoil that is portrayed as the spoon works its magic calls to mind the enchanted mops and buckets that run amok in Disney’s Fantasia. Although this quirky adventure concludes rather abruptly, the art is eye-catching.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

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