Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 2–5—Margarita, a young Guatemalan girl, contemplates her home from her perch on a tree branch. She surveys several scenes—a distant volcano smoking; her gardener working and playing with her dog; and her young neighbors stealing her tricycle. Later, at lunch with her parents and guests, Margarita hears the adults discussing that thieves should be shot. Troubled by her friends' action but frightened for them, she tells her mother that men with guns in a black car took her tricycle, and it doesn't matter because she's too old for it anyway. In true picture-book form, Ruano's illustrations add context and detail to Amado's muted, understated narrative. The expressions on the characters' faces, the details of the houses, and the beauty of the setting are masterfully articulated in the acrylic paintings. The contrast between Margarita's wealth and her neighbors' poverty is evident but not explained. Readers are left to make their own interpretations about the characters' motivations. Because of the ambiguous nature of the story and its themes, this book is best suited to children old enough to understand economic realities and their social implications.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-Gr 2—This counting book begins with a young pig struggling to fall asleep. She is interrupted by a growing number of adult pigs, each bringing its own distraction, such as, "Five came to bed with a full set of drums" and "Pig number eight was a Spanish dancer." When the youngster can no longer take the chaos, the others apologize and help to make her comfortable as they leave one by one. The story is told in a simple rhyme, the sentences printed in wavelike patterns. The illustrations are bright and humorous, depicting the increasing bedlam. Goodnight, Sweet Pig would not only help small children learn their numbers but would also make an excellent bedtime story for restless children.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library, Harbor City, CA

PreS-K—Filled with sound effects galore, this rollicking read-aloud is perfect for transportation storytimes. The text moves along with a steady rhythm, describing the passengers who occupy the various cars of a colorful train ("Here is the school class off on a trip, and the children yell, Please, sir, please, ma'am...are we there yet?'") followed by a refrain ("and the train goes, Clickerty-click, clickerty-clack…"). The bright retro illustrations look like a 1960s record-album cover. The train and the characters' clothing are depicted in glossy colors and covered with flat floral patterns and other graphic designs. The people's stylized faces are adorned with eyeglasses, freckles, and/or beards and mustaches; surrounded by hair of different shades; and topped with hats of all shapes and sizes. There are many details for children to pore over, like a full tea cart and doily-covered tables for the "ladies off to the races" and the fancy uniforms worn by the "soldiers off on parade." This visually pleasing offering joins a large pantheon of good train titles including Philemon Sturges's I Love Trains! (HarperCollins, 2001) and Donald Crews's Freight Train (HarperCollins, 1978).—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 1–3—Most of the children in Sean's class have been looking forward to third grade and learning cursive writing. Sean, however, is worried that third grade is "going to take a lot more thinking than second grade had." Nevertheless, he soon becomes excited about his classroom activities. His teacher tells the children about John Hancock and explains that they will be invited to join "The John Hancock Club" when they have mastered cursive. The text is written in short segments and bursts of dialogue to engage reluctant and transitional readers. One quibble: the Caucasian principal and teacher are called Mr. Meeker and Mrs. Tovani, while the African-American cook is simply Rose to both students and teachers. Gustavson's vibrant watercolor illustrations depict a multiethnic group of students and pleasant school scenes. Mr. Meeker is shown getting into the Hancock spirit with his tricorn hat and American-flag tie. Real examples of cursive are incorporated into the page design. The back jacket helpfully features a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence. Borden provides gentle lessons about how new skills take practice to master and how worrying about something can be worse than actually doing it. Many children will relate to Sean's experience.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-Gr 1—This up-to-date treatment of a high-interest topic is perfect for its intended audience, and children will soak up details like sponges. From "A is for Alarm" to "Z is for Zones," each page introduces a different aspect of firefighting. Crisp, colorful illustrations depict the topics, and thick borders frame the artwork as well as the text boxes at the bottom of the pages. Alphabet letters are placed in the top left-hand corner and cleverly decorated to correspond with the accompanying subject matter. Butler goes beyond the typical explanations of fire trucks and fire stations by providing information on vehicles rarely included in such basic nonfiction. Airport crash rescue vehicles, grass trucks, mobile-command vehicles, quint trucks, and water-rescue vehicles are considered along with such devices as key boxes, outriggers, and thermal imaging cameras. Historical tidbits about bucket brigades and the original duties of Dalmatian dogs are also provided. This accessible resource can be used to supplement community and community-workers curriculum areas.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Gr 3–4—The canine members of the WOOF (Words of Our Friends) Society gather together to hear stories that have been collected from dogs all over the world throughout history. The goal: to prove that dogs are accomplished storytellers who have larger vocabularies than merely "sit" and "fetch." The 11 tales that follow cover many aspects of the animals' lives and are by turns touching, funny, and sad. In "Abu: The Dog Who Ruled Egypt," Abu is catered to by everyone in the Egyptian court, except for Miu, the Royal Cat. However, at night, when it is cold in the kennel, he welcomes the warm presence of the feline curled against his back. In other stories, a garbage disposal is pooch's invisible enemy; Tidbit appears at the Grand Ole Opry with Johnny Cash; a dog learns the importance of a moniker; and a mother dog nurses abandoned kittens. At the end of the evening, the members of WOOF disband, satisfied that they are literate, and look forward to next year when they will be joined by the cats of MEOW. The stories average four to five pages, a length that allows readers to cover one or two in a sitting. Black-and-white pencil-and-ink drawings appear on almost every page, revealing the personalities of each animal and illustrating the setting of their stories. Readers will enjoy seeing the world from a canine's perspective.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA.

Gr 1–3—A mother rabbit gives each of her five sons a daily chore. Readers will understand when George decides to swim, watch TV, and build a fort instead. They may even relate to the bunny when his mother refuses his allowance and assigns him a new job-babysitting. When he is invited to the movies, George promises his brothers that they can come with him if they do his chores. Predictably, this leads to disaster. The story loses credibility when the brother who can dust his room can't dust the living room without destroying it, and so on. The unfortunate hash marks the illustrator uses to represent fur look like razor stubble. "Loudmouth" George is more of a sneak than a loudmouth, and he looks more like an adult than a kid. He also acts like an adult when, after cleaning up after his brothers, he elects to take a nap rather than go to the movies. Responsibility is a hard sell for kids. This book makes it harder.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Carter's playful take on the classic song is destined to be a storytime hit. A tractor peeks out from behind the barn doors on the title page, and then it's off to work as Old MacDonald takes it out to the fields for plowing, fertilizing, harvesting, and more. The bouncy text follows the pattern of the familiar song, and kids will love the sound effects, like the seed drill's "Pfffft, pfffft." And if some of the text works a little too hard to fit into the expected rhythm ("Smooth it here./Smooth it there./Maybe Old MacDonald/could find a cultivator.../for his hair!"), kids will be too busy giggling at the artwork to notice (e.g., one scene shows the farmer running under his water sprayer in his underwear on a hot day). Carter's uniquely textured illustrations, created from foam board, drywall compound, and acrylic paint, nearly leap off the pages. As an added bonus, different animals appear throughout, enabling the pictures to be used for the traditional verses as well. Add this one to your programming resource shelf.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 1—When Coriander is told to "go," she stays; when she is requested to "stay," she leaves. One day, she decides to relax in the middle of the road, blocking traffic as she pauses to read her magazines. The hen just won't listen to reason. As a traffic jam ensues, a young girl uses some reverse psychology to remedy the situation. Coriander retires back to the henhouse, but she continues to show attitude toward the other chickens there. Although it appears that she is rewarded for resisting positive suggestions, children will be able to relate to her and may even want to talk about their own "Coriander days." Cartoonlike paintings—in one scene, Coriander wears reading glasses-add humor to the text. Choruses of repeated rhymes—"Cluck cluck duck," "Cluck cluck truck"—will perhaps bring participation to this tale.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 2–4—Stacey's class is putting on a play about the Colonial era and the child is worried because she has terrible stage fright. Aunt Kiki, an actress, shares her experiences with her niece and takes her to Colonial Village to research the life of a 10-year-old girl so that she can get into the part. As the performance begins, her aunt brings a live sheep to join the cast and although it wreaks havoc, it's just what Stacey needs to give her courage. Colorful cartoon illustrations show the busy classroom and Colonial life as replicated at the museum, and text boxes offer facts about the period. Ty has been assigned to work on a volunteer project. As he tries to decide what he'll do, he interacts with his classmates, who tell him about their projects. Meanwhile, he spends his time skateboarding, and readers learn about the necessary equipment and different kinds of moves. The book actually serves two purposes. Children learn about the value of volunteering and various aspects of skateboarding. In the end, Ty takes on too many projects, resulting in disaster. Text boxes throughout give information about volunteering. Colorful cartoons show the boy's skateboarding activities and the chaos caused by taking on more than he can handle. Both books end with suggestions for extending the focus of the stories. Useful readers for extending social-studies units.—Gina Powell, Richneck Elementary, Newport News, VA

K-Gr 3—Coffelt and Tusa have teamed up to create a charming book that meshes text and illustrations seamlessly. A young girl moves back and forth between her divorced parents' homes, along with her canine companion, Fred, who has several bad habits that neither parent appreciates. When the dog wears out his welcome at both homes, the child must forcefully remind the adults that, "Fred stays with me!" and help work out solutions for his naughty behavior. The story unfolds through the voice of the child: "Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad. My dog, Fred, stays with me." Her descriptions of what she does at each residence and Fred's constant affection and consistent bad behavior can be read independently by the intended audience. The text, for the most part, appears against a simple white backdrop. Tusa uses gold and brown hues with occasional splashes of red to create a warm tone. The narrator is drawn with a doll-like charm, but it is Fred, with his perky ears and perpetually wagging tail, that holds the most appeal.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS—The frenetic pooch featured in Wiggle (S & S, 2005) is back with a decided bounce in its step. Readers are invited to jump, hop, leap, and bounce balls off their noses and toes along with the playful pooch. Rhymes weave in and out of the pen-and-ink and digitally colored spreads. The cartoon art is eye-catching and as playful as the text, featuring photographed objects like curtains, cabbages, and caps. A final bump and fall brings the silliness to a satisfying conclusion, "But it's better to have bounced and bumped...than never to have bounced at all!" Preschoolers will relish the fun and respond to the infectious energy of this title.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1–3—An exuberant realtor drags a young couple and their son to a series of possible new homes with catchy, descriptive names. Still, the waves near Breezy Lake Lodge are too splashy, the landscape at Dry River Ranch is too sandy, and the vines around Briarwood Cabin are too thorny. At all of the unsuitable residences the pair, who are expecting another child, implore, "May we see another house, please?" Meanwhile, a raccoon dressed in a long overcoat and bowtie shows off the appealing qualities of a run-down but idyllic farm to the local animals. He invites families of finches, ducks, cats, foxes, and deer to "Raise your babies here." They all agree that the farm is "Perfect." Finally, the real-estate agent takes her clients to see it and they declare, "No other house will do." On the last page, the family—they are now four—stand proudly in front of their refurbished home. The rhyming verse is enhanced by delicately shaded, atmospheric watercolors that aptly contrast the unfriendly settings of the rejected homes with the shady green tranquility of Old Mill Farm. This story does not address the concerns children face when they have to move. However, it does cleverly celebrate the importance of turning an unfamiliar house into a beloved home.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

K-Gr 2—Mrs. Ruler is an unusual teacher: she often talks in rhymes, she wears a ruler in her tall hairdo, and she disciplines children by having them perform acts of kindness. When students ask to participate, she turns her assignment into a class project, and they eventually complete 100 acts of family, school, and community kindness (all listed at book's end). Unfortunately, this story does not measure up to Cuyler's usual high standards, and Mrs. Ruler's singsong speech is annoying. Furthermore, the text often seems preachy. For example, the teacher offers wisdom such as, "A slice of nice makes a mile of smile" and "Good deeds fill needs." The plot is a bit contrived: just when David, a reluctant participant, is looking for good deeds to perform in order to catch up with everyone else, he is presented with an opportunity to rescue the class gerbils. Done in bright hues that reflect the tale's upbeat tone, the cartoon illustrations are playful and inviting. They feature an endearing group of students from different ethnic backgrounds. An additional purchase that may fill a need in some libraries.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

Gr 3–5—Cara is the daughter of the Dragonmaster at the renowned Dragonsdale training farm. She works with dragons every day, mucking out their stalls, caring for their harnesses and tack, and tending the new hatchlings. But her father has forbidden her to do the one thing she wants to most in the world—fly on one—because her mother was killed in a fall. She has bonded with the most unruly dragon in the stables, Skydancer, who refuses to be trained, ridden, or cared for by anyone other than Cara. When a wealthy and cruel girl decides that Skydancer will be her next dragon, Cara is forced to choose whether to obey her father or save the creature she loves. Though this book is set in a fantasy world, it most closely resembles horse books for girls. It is filled with adventure, perils, and triumphs that will keep young readers avidly involved. Full-page black-and-white drawings and spot art are scattered throughout. This story may not be breaking new ground in fantasy literature, but it is a warm, friendly introduction to it that's perfect for young readers.—Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2—During Health Month, Mrs. Furber's students prepare for a Student Fitness Challenge, including the class mouse, I.Q. He is determined to change his junk-food ways and follow a more active path to win a gold ribbon. He makes a chin-up bar from pencils and a jump rope from a shoelace. I.Q.'s determination and pride in achievement, despite temptations, are excellent models for children who may be resistant to improving their own fitness. Fraser has written an uncomplicated but endearing story that touches on all of the basics of a primary-grade health unit: rest and exercise; the new food pyramid and eating balanced meals; drinking lots of water. Using the pet mouse as the main character makes an often dry subject more fun and avoids pointing fingers at overweight and unfit children. Illustrations add necessary humorous details to keep readers interested. There is a dearth of picture books on this timely topic, and this book fills a need. A good choice for libraries and classrooms.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-K—Poem after poem sings of "feeling dozy,/sleepy, cozy" as friendly-looking animal families prepare for bed. Freedman maintains the same gentle singsong pitch throughout this loose collection of "lullabies," which blend together into tedium. The only signal that a new selection has begun is the sometimes-abrupt change in illustration style, e.g., an earth-toned, smudged pastel of a momma bunny carrying her baby up the stairs is followed by a crisp, bright watercolor of two mice gazing at the moon. This volume lacks any sense of story, and it is too disjointed. Additionally, there is no musical notation. This attractively produced title will suffice for bedtime reading, but won't win any converts from the classics in the already heavily explored genre.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—When Emma insults her younger sister's cat drawing by calling it a scribble, Lucie retaliates by drawing all over the older girl's picture of a sleeping princess. So begins the tale as Lucie follows Scribble Cat into Emma's drawing in search of the beautiful princess who is now obscured behind a tangled bramble of scribbles. After much difficulty, the lines are rolled into a ball and Scribble Cat awakens the sleeping princess with a kiss. Despite Emma's protestations that a kitty and a princess can't get married, they do anyway and live happily ever after. This fresh and imaginative story-within-a-story perfectly captures the logic and tone of children's dialogue, especially two arguing siblings. But the text is only half of the story. Freedman combines two wildly different drawing styles to great effect as she takes readers between reality and her characters' artwork. Her "real world" illustrations are reminiscent of Maurice Sendak's work complete with speech bubbles. The artist's attention to detail is excellent, making it easy to see that Lucie is sorry about ruining Emma's picture without a word being uttered. The amusing antics of Scribble Cat, who looks as though he's been drawn by a preschooler, come alive for readers. Having Lucie's real-world kitty join her in drawings adds another layer of entertainment. A fun and imaginative romp.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 2–4—Mallory is back, and her best friends are about to become related. She is concerned that once Joey's dad marries Mary Ann's mom, they'll be a family and she'll be left out. Her fear seems to be coming true when the three families go on a cruise, where the wedding is to take place, and Joey and Mary Ann make family T-shirts that she isn't a part of and drag her around looking for wedding presents for their parents. Readers will enjoy the details of the cruise and the fancy wedding arrangements on board. The book is well designed, and the frequent black-and-white illustrations enhance this easy chapter book. There is bonus end matter, featuring Mallory's spring break report and a special illustrated scrapbook. Her voice, which is sometimes humorous and sometimes full of self-pity, sounds authentic, and readers are sure to appreciate the happy ending.—Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

K-Gr 2—This counting book depicts 10 mice who are out collecting food. They encounter obstacles on the way that cause them to drop some of it. As the story progresses, readers are asked to identify the numbers of cherries, acorns, ears of corn, etc., after each incident. However, the questions are occasionally confusing. For example, "How many pieces of food fell into the stream?" could be interpreted differently due to the placement of items. The questions are in small font and obscurely placed on each spread. The appealing mixed-media collages of scanned fabrics provide interesting patterns and textures, but are a bit busy for a counting book.—Jessica Lamarre, Medford Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1—The tale of "The Three Little Pigs" gets an underwater makeover in this snappy yarn. Three little fish swim out into the deep blue sea to build their homes. Jim builds a "weedy little house," Tim builds a "sandy little house," and Kim takes up residence in a sunken ship. It isn't long before the big bad shark shows up at each successive residence, calling "Little fish, little fish, let me come in!" Children will quickly join in the answering refrain, "Not by the skin of my finny fin fin!" Gorton's whimsical, computer-drawn scenery and electric color palette set just the right tone for Geist's tongue-in-cheek retelling. The bold font is humorously integrated with the art, appearing inside the shark's mouth for emphasis, or swirling along the current with an escaping fish. This spunky tale is a welcome addition to storytime and picture-book collections.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—Each night, the old Fisherwoman casts her rod into the moonlit waters near her home. The Moon looks on and notices that she usually comes up empty-handed. At the new moon, he pays her a visit, wearing sunglasses and hiking boots as a disguise. Each new moon thereafter, he makes additional visits, enjoying tea and conversation with her. He learns that she is really trying to catch him. The high tides are destroying her home and the dock on which she sits. To appease her, the Moon sends the woman a large can of a very luminescent paint. As she paints her cottage, she asks the moonbeams to keep the tides away from her home. This charming book has a wonderful melding of text and illustrations. The deep purples and blues of the nighttime scenes counterbalance the glowing yellows and golds of the moon. Some of the paintings almost glow in the dark. In one, the Moon's light can be seen seeping under the closed door and through the keyhole. In another, its glow brilliantly enhances the woman's laughing face, making her homely features beautiful. Goldberg's text flows almost like the tides and includes words that will gently stretch a young child's vocabulary, e.g., crustacean, luminous, and guffawed. This delightful book is not to be missed.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 2—A girl explains all of the reasons that her dog is anything but ordinary: Lyle knows what W-A-L-K spells, howls at sirens, gets sprayed by skunks, eats grass, chases squirrels, and is afraid of thunder and lightning. The snowballing list of characteristics—from snuggly and smart to smooshed-nose and sneaky—builds on each page. The lively text matches perfectly with the vibrant, playful illustrations, done in bold, richly hued acrylics and oils. The expressive paintings of Lyle drinking out of the toilet bowl and running into the glass door will produce laughs and giggles from readers, and the cumulative nature of the narrative will make it a crowd-pleasing read-aloud. Dog lovers will relate to all of the pup's personality traits and will come to love him as much as his owner does.—Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI

PreS-Gr 1—When Daisy plays at being a spy, and speaks in a special code language, no one understands her and she remains miserably alone. But her mother, who is a good sport, disguises herself as a mysterious stranger and joins in the game. Quirky cartoon illustrations are just right for this offbeat story. Daisy sports oversized sunglasses and a mustache, and arms herself with "secret spy gadgets"—a hair dryer becomes a "baddie zapper," and a brush turns into a telephone. The warm relationship between the six-and-a-half-year-old and her mother, who not only understands but also participates in her daughter's make-believe play, gives this title an edge over other picture books about imagination. It should find a welcome readership.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—This edgy story has some British touches and a slightly arch tone that add a lovely fairy-tale flavor to it. When Horace makes a cookie in the shape of a bear, he can't wait to eat it, but then it is dinner time, then he has brushed his teeth, and there is nothing to do but put his gingerbread bear in a tin for safekeeping on his pillow. When Ginger Bear wakes up, there is no one to play with so he decides to bake himself some friends. He makes enough fabulously iced and decorated cookie bears to have a circus, one so thrilling that no one notices the approach of Bongo the dog. While the cookie carnage that follows might rattle a few tender souls, others will beg for a rereading of the crumbled cookie spread, and all will be satisfied by Ginger Bear's clever and considerably safer new career in a bake-shop display window. Wonderful art that matches the text in its ability to be comfortingly familiar and perverse at the same time pleases with a great many witty details and an appealingly varied layout. The nearly psychedelic illustration of Ginger Bear squeezing pink icing over rapturous cookies as the backdrop shimmers with sprinkles is a treat in itself. This is a tasty choice for fans of Traction Man Is Here! (Knopf, 2005) as well as anyone who's enjoyed the various retellings of "The Gingerbread Boy."—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—First introduced in The Mummy and Other Adventures of Sam & Alice (Houghton, 2005), the intrepid siblings are back for more fun. In this set of three intertwined stories, they travel by rocket ship into space; dream up a "genius crocodile" that can do all kinds of things, like invent bubbles that do not pop; and find a pirate's treasure map that leads them to a chest full of gold and jewels. While the text works best if read with an adult, it can be read independently by more advanced beginning readers. Children already familiar with Sam and Alice's imaginary worlds will recognize several references to their first set of adventures in the artwork. The colorful gouache illustrations complement the fanciful plots and add to the book's appeal. Libraries in which the first title is popular will want to consider this one.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Going to visit Grandma is always fun. In this book, it is doubly fun-in English and Spanish. The day begins with "Buenos días/Good morning." Suitcases in a corner of the bedroom and an airplane on a nightstand indicate a trip in the works. A brother and sister and their father leave their New York City apartment in a taxi, board an airplane, and fly over clouds and fields. They take a bus past pastel houses nestled among tropical trees until they reach Abuelita's casa. The soft, pastel shades of the realistic illustrations on full-bleed, full spreads create a warm, cheerful atmosphere. The art tells the story; the one or two words per page are more labels than narrative.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 2–4—Fighting supervillains is a demanding and eventful lifestyle, but as Amazing Techno Dude and his grandmother discover, it doesn't pay the bills. So, Bodacious Backwards Woman decides to advertise for some super-roommates. Unfortunately, 1313 Thirteenth Street isn't exactly the Batcave, and the ad attracts a flock of decidedly subpar heroes—among them Mighty Tighty Whitey (a walking pair of jockey shorts—size extra small), Wonder Boulder (a flying rock in a cape), the Impossibly Tough Two-Headed Infant, Super Vacation Man, and mixed-up canine Blunder Mutt. At first, the housemates are hopeless in the hero department, but gradually they slowly begin to blend their wacky talents to defeat evildoers. Their first adventure pits them against two odoriferous foes—insane stinkbug Queen Smellina and her smelly sidekick Fabian the Flatulent Fiend—who plan to take over the world with super-stench. The second episode takes the Goofballs to a tropical beach resort where the world's crabbiest crook, Mondo Grumpo, is plotting to transform the population into zombie Numbness Nincompoops by eliminating laughter and fun. These stories have less gross-out and body-function humor than the "Captain Underpants" books (Scholastic), but they can't match the controlled absurdity of Dav Pilkey's iconic scatterbrained superhero. Hannan's wild-eyed, exaggerated black-and-white cartoons are reminiscent of his animated Nickelodeon series Catdog. There is some amusing dialogue, especially Granny's bodacious backwards talk, but the total package is more silly than super.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

Gr 2–5—A book-loving, cookie-baking rat gives Scheherazade a run for her money in this whimsical collection. When a book on a bench catches his eye, Bob, the castle rat, becomes distracted and soon finds himself in the clutches of the Queen's cats. As the felines prepare to devour the savory rodent morsel, Bob attempts to postpone his fate by plying them with a batch of his fresh-baked cookies and regaling them with his ancestral tales. All of his stories are parodies of classic fairy tales, such as "The Three Pigs," "Jack and the Beanstalk," and "Rumpelstiltskin." Clever wordplay and large doses of humor make this a most enjoyable selection that has great potential as a read-aloud. The black-and-white cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun and will captivate even the most reluctant of young readers.—Debbie Lewis O'Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Gr 2–4— Just Grace starts with a list of missed opportunities and finishes with the rich possibility of a new friend. In between, third-grader Grace Stewart sends postcards to her next-door neighbor (purporting to be from Crinkles, the neighbor's own cat), draws comics of Not-So-Super ("but still good") superheroes, plays detective with her best friend when Crinkles goes missing, tries to avoid the odious Sammy Stringer, and establishes herself as a true original in a class with not one, but four, Graces. The narrative voice is strong throughout and the story reads like one-part diary, one-part testimonial. The text is interspersed with the child's illustrations and postcards, which nicely divide the story into episodes, as opposed to chapters. A strong cast of supporting characters shares her world. Since Grace claims to have a teeny-tiny superpower ("I can always tell when someone is unhappy, even if that person is pretending to be happy and is a really good actor"), her relationships with these people, and her ability to read them correctly, take on greater significance as the story advances. Grace is a funny, mischievous protagonist who should easily find a place in the pantheon of precocious third graders. Fans of Amber Brown, Clementine, and Judy Moody will love her.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—One snowy day in Maine, the stork delivers an enormous newborn to an astounded family. Narrated in a laconic New Englander's style by his sister, this episodic look at the gigantic baby's first year of life is milked for every ounce of its illustrative worth. Diaper changing requires hazmat suits, fire hoses, and talcum powder dispensed via helicopter; knitting hats and booties for the nipper sends a kindly lady with bandaged hands into catatonia; real boats become the toys in each ocean bath, and eating ice cream means swallowing the truck as well as its wares. Each lush spread in Hawkes's characteristic style uses space and perspective to particular advantage as it focuses on the wicked big toddlah. The many bits of visual humor will keep youngsters poring back and forth over the pages. Though the plot is thin, the sheer exuberance of the pictures and title character will keep children's imaginations stoked with the big-time possibilities of life as a giant.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-K—This cheerful story is just right for kindergarten-bound children and their younger siblings. It works equally well as a counting book and as a school-readiness primer. Often leaping or prancing, a little girl shares her excitement on every page as she starts with seven and counts down to the big day. Both the rhyming verse and the pictures are filled with humor and energy (the sleeping child counts "kindergarten sheep" that wear school backpacks). The computer-generated illustrations are detailed and vibrant. Because the format is small, this book is most appropriate for one-on-one sharing.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

K-Gr 2—When his parents finally cave in to his wish for a pet, George sets out to find one. He arrives home with several inappropriate candidates, including a huge untrained dog, uncaged mice and their babies, and a shark. George is told to return them, and in frustration he demands to know exactly what he can keep. When his mother and father suggest a bird, he makes them promise that they won't send it away. It comes as no surprise when George brings home a loud, insult-shouting parrot with bright red feathers. The text and homey cartoon illustrations are used together to good effect, and the pictures breathe life into this familiar story.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—Noah tells Giraffe that he can't board the ark until he finds a mate because "That is how it must be." In his travels from deserts to icebergs in search of a "girl just like him," Giraffe asks several animals for help. Kangaroo offers to shorten his neck and paint his spots, while Camel instructs him to "go that way." Giraffe learns to swim on land by merely observing Fish move his fins and tail in the water. When it starts to rain, Giraffe races to catch up with the ark. Once he is pulled aboard, he finds a female companion waiting for him. (One has to wonder how she got onboard alone when he wasn't allowed on the ark without a mate.) Pigni's artfully designed paintings evocatively capture the journey and include a humorous close-up peek inside a mouse hole, and a stark silhouette of the giraffe running alone during the flood. Unfortunately, the text is often stilted, and the many unanswered questions will frustrate readers.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 3—Benny the polar bear has a bakery. Once a week he puts up a sign that says, "Free Broken Cookies Day" and the "children"—a squirrel, a hedgehog, and a bird—love to stop for a treat. One day a bowler-wearing "skinny brown dog" with white markings enters the shop. Benny immediately tells him that "dogs aren't allowed in my bakery" but gives him some food. The illustrations, which vary in size, show a pup who oozes personality as he politely removes his hat before returning a dropped purse to Mrs. Patterson the elephant. When she compliments the baker on his smart dog, Benny replies, "He's not my dog," and she winks knowingly at Brownie as he hangs out outside the bakery. Sure enough, Benny begins to imagine Brownie lying by the fireplace in his home. Acrylic paint, gouache, watercolors, and color pencil in somewhat muted tones give a realistic, weather-beaten look to buildings, and expressive faces and postures bring the characters to life. The polar bear is wearing a white chef's hat and coat, yet the white shades are distinctive, and the animals' clothing is patterned and colorful. At the end of the story, a new sign is posted proclaiming "everyone welcome." This is a well-crafted picture book that children will appreciate; they are most likely to pick up on the theme of exclusion and enjoy the humorous details and happy ending.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—In Catch a Thief, the two friends suspect Cat of breaking into their piggy bank and, later, of looting the farmer's jewelry box. Pup and Hound trail her all day to gather evidence, but, to their surprise, she is the one who finds the real thief. In Hatch an Egg, Pup finds an egg in the grass and tries to return it to Duck and then to Mother Hen. Both mothers deny ownership, and when the egg eventually hatches, it turns out to be a baby turtle—a new friend for Pup and Hound. Both books have appealing characters and all of the requisites for a successful beginning reader. Plenty of white space, lots of visual clues, and large bold print with a minimum of words on each page are all evident, but these books rise above the average with lively, interesting story lines, a few dashes of suspense, and satisfying conclusions. The simple vocabulary is sprinkled with occasional more challenging words ("hangdog," "disaster," "cufflinks"). Bouncy rhymes add to the fun, and the gentle humor provides some subtle life lessons. Both books are perfect choices for the youngest beginning readers.—Quinby Frank, Green Acres School, Rockville, MD

PreS-Gr 1—A crisp and spare aesthetic gives immediate appeal to this simple story of a demanding bear. Clearly a self-appointed king of any domain, this blue tyrant wearing a golden crown and a red cape has a to-do list that includes, "Do what I want. Take me where I want to go. HURRY UP!" Unsurprisingly, Bossy Bear's ways leave him all alone. An encounter with someone new—a patient, toothy turtle—leads to Bossy Bear's enlightenment. Vibrant colors, a clean layout, and small bits of text just begging for a dramatic delivery make this picture book a natural for read-alouds. Fans of the narrative style in Mo Willems's "Pigeon" books (Hyperion) and parents seeking behavior-related tales will welcome this tidy story.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-K—Horse, Sheep, and Pig want to dance on a moonlit night but worry that their leaping and bouncing may wake their little ones (who are not really asleep). They put some straw on the floor to muffle the sound and start to frolic, but one by one their exuberance lands them in trouble, and they retire to the bed of hay. Once they are asleep, the youngsters go outside to cavort until sunrise. The action appears on single pages and spreads framed by white borders. The bright gouache illustrations reflect the happy mood of the animals, but the pictures follow the text exactly and do not add anything special to the story. For some unexplained reason, the mother horse, pig, and sheep all have a blue flower tucked behind their right ears, which is distracting. Although the rhyme is cheerful, the story is slight. With so many other books about dancing farm animals available, including Bill Martin, Jr.'s Barn Dance! (Holt, 1986), this one is not an essential purchase.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2—Isadora drops her simplified and humorless retelling of Andersen's tale into an African setting without adding meaningful cultural context to this story of a prince who travels the continent looking for a wife. Africa is treated as one culture except for three spreads that show individual princesses. These spreads are wordless except for a phrase: "Iska Waran," "Selam," or "Jambo, Habari." No translation is provided in the body of the book, so readers only learn on the last page that the words mean "hello" in three different languages. Awkward phrasing like "What a sight the rain and the wind had made her look" slows the pace of the story. Isadora uses oil paints on palette paper and decorative print paper to interpret the story visually and infuses her art with exuberant color and stylized figures. The prince and his entourage appear as shadowy figures that contrast dramatically with the deep reds and oranges of a setting sun. The three princesses are vividly portrayed: one is covered in body tattoos and looks menacing, another has light skin and an elegantly long neck covered in multicolored jewelry, and a third is dark and heavy. Faces exhibit paint strokes and look flat with minimal expression. One effective spread shows the "real" princess perched on top of "twenty feather beds on top of the mattresses" as she complains to the king and queen that she is "black and blue all over." An additional purchase.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 3—Henry loves books. In fact, he literally devours them. And the more he eats, the smarter he gets. When he starts eating too many too fast, he can no longer digest them, and their contents get all mixed up. The simple cartoon illustrations twinkle with humor and feeling. Done in paint and pencil on smart backdrops—pages from old books—the pictures set the stage for the quirky story. When forced to give up eating his favorite volumes, Henry eventually learns to enjoy reading them. However, an actual bite taken out of the back cover suggests he still succumbs to the occasional indulgence. This well-done package will charm its audience. The snappy text works well for reading aloud, but older children will enjoy exploring the subtle details hidden in the illustrations and backgrounds.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 3—Pauline Poulet reveals all in this tale of adventure. After hearing the farmer plotting to put her in a chicken pie, the plucky hen escapes her dreary life of doing nothing but laying eggs and winds up in a scary wood. She outfoxes the fox chasing her, and her new motto is born: "Pauline, Prevail!" But things get worse when she falls into the river and is picked up by pirate cats; she barely escapes the bloodthirsty ship's cook and, after a slight problem with a hot-air balloon and a kite, she lands safely in a petting zoo, where she takes up residence happily ever after. Slack's digital mixed-media illustrations are wacky and cartoonish, and the text ripples with big, impressive words befitting the exaggerated nature of Pauline's adventures: "I navigate high altitudes,/an aeronaut with fortitude./Above me burns a blaze of stars,/below the view blurs fast and far." Language-arts teachers will have a field day with this one, and the tone and zany sensibilities of the story and pictures are a perfect match for the funny bones of an early elementary audience.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 3–5—While these fictionalized stories will be helpful in lessening children's self-blame about obesity and empowering them to improve their lives, they are extremely simplified and make the process of losing weight seem much easier than it really is. They also assume that parents are willing (and able) to change the family's eating habits. The texts are identical, except for the names of the characters. Matt (in the boys' edition) and Patty (in the girls' edition), both 10, have made some unhealthy choices that have caused them to become severely overweight. Finally, a pediatrician explains the dangers of obesity, and the children and their parents commit to a healthy lifestyle. These books show how both characters overcome outside influences and begin to make better decisions for themselves. Black-and-white full-page drawings, in a coloring-book style, appear throughout. These books will help educate children, obese or not, about health issues, as well as the social implications of being overweight.—Kristen M. Todd, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Little Rabbit and his imaginary best friend do everything together until the youngster starts school. While Harry's status is never explicitly stated, he is represented by a blank space, and the bunny's friends call him "Imagine Harry." The text strikes a balance between humor and understanding without patronizing Little Rabbit. His mother is good-natured about her son's request for two lemonades and four cookies so that he can share with his companion, but her patience begins to wears thin after he says he cannot go to bed, wash his hair, or eat Brussels sprouts because of Harry. As Little Rabbit adjusts to school and his life begins to fill up with new friends and activities, Harry fades away until one day he is startled to realize that he has not seen his imaginary playmate in weeks. The acrylic illustrations reflect the gradual change, as the empty spaces become less prominent and eventually disappear. Warm tones of apricot, blue, and brown infuse the pictures, reinforcing the themes of acceptance and love. Detailed settings emphasize the importance of home and school in the rabbit's life, such as multiple family photos hanging on the walls. The family is composed of himself and his mother, a fact that is never mentioned but will be appreciated by single parents looking for books that reflect their own lives. Make room on the shelf for this warm, funny story.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 1—The squishy toy Holstein is back for another adventure. This time, Cow's mother (a hippopotamus vase) has chipped her nose and cannot go to the store. Cow takes the list, and so begins a zany trip through the aisles. The well-placed, nearly full-page, vivid color photographs on a white background show Cow taking the school bus to the market, riding on the cart, selecting produce ("Yum, bananas" reads the caption under a picture of pineapples), addressing fish that stare back ("Excuse me, ladies, where would I find the mayonnaise?"), going through the checkout, and arriving back home to a treat of "ice cream" that looks an awful lot like frozen peas. This silly romp is sure to delight children.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

K-Gr 3—When his parents fear that Rufus will not make it in the cold, cruel world, they enroll him in the Big Bad Wolf Academy to learn huffing and puffing, the art of disguise, and sheep as a foreign language. Poor Rufus doesn't fit in with the other students, who practice being wolves in sheep's clothing and debate the best way to enter a henhouse. On moonlit nights and sunny days, he finds better things to do than prepare for exams. Yet when the hunters come, he saves everyone by doing what wolves do best and graduates with a special medal. Sneed's watercolors of lean, lanky, yellow-eyed creatures give the story a slightly sinister dimension, and the contrast between the posturing wolves at the academy and Rufus's more naturalistic poses is striking. While they walk on two feet, Rufus is usually shown on all four and looks out of his element at his desk or in costume. Krensky's tale cleverly points out the limitations of storybook wolves and the advantages of being true to one's own nature. This story pairs well with the many fairy tales that feature wolves as villains.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 2–5—A pleasant family outing takes a surreal turn. A little girl begins, "I went to the zoo with my mom and dad," then lists the various animals they visit. The pictures, however, tell another story. Somber gray and dark-blue-toned illustrations depict humans looking into empty cages. The girl darts away, following a peacock into a colored landscape. As her frightened parents search for her, the child plays with an increasing assortment of vividly hued animals before she is found sleeping on a bench. She finishes, "I love the zoo. It's very exciting. Mom and Dad think so too." Lee's illustrations, a complex mix of pastels, pen and ink, and collage, are full of intriguing details. At the beginning, the child is grayish like the rest of the landscape. When she is with the animals, she is depicted in color. Even after she rejoins her parents, her cheeks, coat, and single boot are a bright pink. The cover and endpaper illustrations contain important elements that inform one's interpretation of the events. Before the story begins, readers see an empty monkey house and an ape leaving through a hole in the fence to join other beckoning animals. The back cover shows the animal back in the monkey house, admiring a small pink boot. This sophisticated picture book may be best appreciated by older readers who are willing to explore its complicated visual images.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 3–5—Twelve-year-old Shoshana and her family set out for Amsterdam in 1854 but end up in the New World after a pirate attack puts them off course. Landing at the port of "Nieuw Amersterdam" after a precarious voyage from Brazil, the Levys have to overcome prejudice to make a place for themselves in the Dutch community. Shoshana, whose name means "rose" in Hebrew, longs to see an actual rose, and while searching for one in the woods she befriends a Lenape Indian, Ogin, whose name also means "rose." Their friendship alarms Shoshana's mother, whose own prejudice toward the Indians adds a bit of drama to this thin story and leads to a contrived conclusion. Rather than enhancing the plot and bringing depth to the characters, the historical and cultural descriptions of both the Jews and the Lenapes often read like separate texts, weakening the narrative. In addition, there is a great deal of didactic contemporizing that detracts from the integrity of the story. For example, discussions about doing one's homework, getting good grades, and the harm to children of separated parents seem more appropriate in present-day America than in Colonial times. In spite of addressing an interesting and underrepresented period in the history of the Jewish people that might have wide appeal, this book is at best suited for the niche market that has an interest in Gali Girl dolls and other products.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 3—In this unique take-off on "Casey at the Bat," the New York Pets are playing the Boston Beasts in the World Series. Each team has quite a beastly lineup. Boston catcher Armand the Octopus has lots of gloves at his disposal. Sliding into third base is a scary thought with the Pets' Lance Porcupine on the bag. However, it is Tulip Hippo who wins the day for New York when she bunts a ball so hard that the Beasts have to dig it out of the ground. Readers will thoroughly enjoy the antics of these animal athletes. The rhyme works most of the time, and it is witty and silly and lots of fun. The illustrations burst with color and action, and they're done with a perspective that puts viewers right on the field. Although young Boston fans might have preferred a different ending, this rollicking good read is a winner.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Another tender offering from the creators of I Love You Like Crazy Cakes (Little, Brown, 2000). Here, a mother relates her thoughts and emotions on her daughter's birthdays, reflecting on the child's birth in China ("I wasn't there, but I was thinking about you as I waited at home to be your new mother"), recalling a first birthday enjoyed with family and friends, describing how her daughter became an American citizen at age two, and so on, to her fifth birthday, which is spent at a riverbank picnic watching a colorful dragon-boat festival. The text alternates between specifics of each celebration and a scrapbook of the mother's thoughts ("…I think about how quickly your gurgles have turned to giggles. It seems like just yesterday when I met you."). Throughout, the mother preserves her daughter's Chinese heritage and includes multicultural layers in her upbringing. Dyer's delightful watercolor illustrations highlight the most touching points of the story. The birthday cakes reflect the themes and add an element of fun to an otherwise poignant book. The pictures match the pace of the text, getting brighter and busier as the years go by and the child becomes more active. The book ends fittingly with the Chinese character for "family," which "is a synonym for 'home.'" A sweet, gorgeously illustrated book that's perfect for family sharing.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

PreS-Gr 2—The story picks up where Olvina Flies (Holt, 2003) leaves off, with the fearful chicken and her penguin friend in Hawaii. Hailey encourages her pal to overcome her fear of the water in stages, first in the bathtub, then in the pool, and finally in the ocean. In the end, Olvina learns to enjoy the water and appreciate a helpful friend. Lin's straightforward story will reassure nervous young swimmers. Both the text and art include whimsical moments and images, such as the ocean-dwelling fish sporting top hats and caps. The full- and half-page spreads, executed in gouache, feature delightful patterned borders and fabric designs in sunny colors. Pair this with Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz's Froggy Learns to Swim (Viking, 1995) for a storytime that youngsters can dive into.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—A companion to the author's entertaining Follow the Line (Viking, 2006). Here, Ljungkvist takes her acrobatic line and rhyming text into a house and invites children to locate common items inside a toolbox, a refrigerator, a medicine cabinet, a toy box, etc. While the line challenges and trains the eye to follow it, the text poses some questions and suggests activities such as counting like objects, choosing clothing to wear to the beach or to a party, and deciding what foods are needed to make a sandwich. The author uses a mixture of bright and muted colors and includes some of her daughter's drawings to decorate the playroom. Some family photos and even a postcard written in Swedish appear in the attic treasure box. Objects like an old rotary phone and a record player will likely intrigue children and possibly even stump them; that just adds to the fun. The last page cleverly sends children back to look again by asking, "As you were exploring, did you see a mouse?" or "A few things were put in spots that were wrong. Where do those things really belong?" While not as flashy bright as Walter Wick's "I Spy" books (Scholastic), this clever, interactive offering is a welcome addition to the genre. Children will line up to check it out.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—With few words and one gray-striped cat, Lobel addresses a universal and complex theme. Her pictorial description of the feline's home, outside and in, precedes the text; Nini faces outward, her engaging eyes directed toward readers. She surmises from the piles of clothes, equipment, toys, and books that her family is going away, and she attempts to find a perfect perch from which she won't be left behind. She is discovered and placed in a case, and meows herself to sleep. Nini dreams of glorious adventures until her case is unzipped and she is coaxed out into an unfamiliar, yet glorious, sun-dappled landscape. The story concludes with her finding another comfortable perch, again on a windowsill. The sun sets, the moon rises; Nini explores her new surroundings knowing that her family is close by. Lobel's vibrant watercolor and white gouache illustrations and her nod to Matisse's decorative motif, line, and color visually engage readers. Nini's curious eyes and playful gestures, and the warm embrace of the arms that hold her, convey emotions and comfort to those who are wary of being left behind.—Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR

K-Gr 3—This metaphysical fish story is awash in diverse symbolism, literary devices, and oblique mystical and doctrinal references in both text and art. Jarred from sleep by a tsunami that strikes the shores of his village and strands a hapless whale outside his window, Joe and his grandmother, May, ascend their chimney and climb to the tip-top of the great creature, where all the townsfolk (and "even the Owl who had lived in the Clock Tower") have congregated. What to do? Make mincemeat of the poor beached behemoth? No—better refer to the higher powers of nature and wait for an answer. Owl asks the Wind, the Wind asks the Sun, the Sun asks the Moon, and the Moon asks the Innumerable Stars. Their enigmatic reply? Sing! The Rain Song brings a deluge, the town floods, the whale floats, and the townspeople are now stranded, atop its back. Whale drinks, land appears, the landlubbers are returned to terra firma, and the leviathan is returned to the bay. Lucas's pictures are sort of quirky opera buffa, complete with Japanese-inspired waves and a cast of characters costumed in his now-signature bizarre chapeaux. There's a message in there somewhere (in fact, there may be two or three), but it's all a bit esoteric for the intended audience.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

PreS-Gr 1—The animal friends from Hondo & Fabian (Holt, 2002) return for another adventure. This time, readers follow Fabian the cat out the window while Hondo the dog stays home with the baby. Illustrated with pencil on watercolor paper artwork, McCarty's second installment is characterized by the same color schemes, softened shapes, and low light as the first book, and depicts equally likely experiences for a cat on the lam and a dog stuck inside with a toddler. Fans of the first title will find neither disappointments nor surprises here.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

PreS-Gr 2—Vivid hues, clean visual elements, and simple language combine to create a successful and eye-catching concept book. The rhyming text begins: "Follow the leader/and count with me/the fish that live/beneath the sea…." Sturdy pages with see-through die-cuts depict an increasing number of colorful aquatic species on each successive spread. When youngsters reach the book's end ("here come 10…"), they are invited to "Follow the leader and do it again!" (the phrase is printed across the page bottom and curves up the right-hand margin, making it natural for readers to rotate the book and hold it upside down). The same pictures in reverse order count down from "Ten fish" to "One fish left," where the volume can be turned once more to start all over again. MacDonald's "round and round" design works well, especially since the underwater illustrations can be viewed from either direction. The layouts are varied, with an appealing mix of shapes and colors. A fun book for beginning counters that will be enjoyed again and again.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—In this humorous introduction to the concept of division, 2 bugs gather 13 beans and try to devise a way to share them evenly. Flora and Ralph think of several scenarios but in the end they still have "bean thirteen" left over. Even inviting their friends for dinner doesn't resolve the problem. Whether they plan on one guest or six, the beans cannot be arranged into equal portions. Then Ralph accidentally knocks the beans to the floor as their company arrives. He places all 13 into one bowl and each guest takes as many as he or she would like to eat. This resolves the problem, but leaves Flora and Ralph wondering who ended up consuming unlucky "bean thirteen." The story's pacing and the dialogue between the two bugs help children analyze the situation and follow the different possible grouping solutions. The large, limalike beans are a great visual aid and are easy to see when the book is read aloud. Done in pen and ink with digital effects, the cartoon illustrations feature bright hues and slightly off-kilter perspectives that will appeal to children. Youngsters will undoubtedly enjoy this funny tale; teachers will truly appreciate the connections it makes to their curriculum and the use of manipulatives in math.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

Gr 2–3—In this sequel to Willy the Scrub (2004) and Whitewater Scrubs (2005, both Darby Creek), Rufus decides to take ballet in hopes of improving his performance on the football field. The other players, Rufus's coach, and even his friends tease him about tights and tutus, but in the end the boy's new skills help the team win the big game. Although the story is predictable, the characters are appealing and the fast narrative pace will hold children's attention. Male and female stereotypes are explored through various people's reactions to Rufus and his (all-girl) ballet class. McEwan also takes aim at the intensity with which some people approach youth sports. Although the topics are serious, they are handled with a light touch. Small, cartoon-style illustrations are included at the beginning of each chapter and add another layer of humor to the text. Ballet terms, football action, and funny situations combine to make this an enjoyable transitional book for children ready to take the next step up from beginning readers.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-K—On the first day of kindergarten, Eliza misses her mother. She's too sad to sing, play tag with classmate Ruth, or eat a snack. Not even the kiss her mother put in the pocket of her jumper near to her heart helps ease her longing. During the course of the morning, she collects various objects that remind her of her beloved parent: two blue buttons like her shoes; a smooth bright pebble like her skin; and a red napkin like her dress. Still, "her pocket felt empty, too empty inside." Then she spies a bit of golden yarn, just like her mother's hair, and she gets the idea to make a clothespin mommy doll to keep in her pocket. "During music, Eliza and Mommy sang every song." At recess, "Eliza and Ruth and Mommy all played tag." At the end of the day, the little girl is surprised to learn that she, too, has been missed—her mother reveals the child's photo tucked into the pocket of her dress, and then "she headed home with one Mommy by her heart and the other by her side." The bright acrylic cartoons feature the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl and her mother—a taller, thinner version of herself—against a sunny yellow background. While the story is somewhat predictable and sentimental, it is reassuring and may inspire some creative doll making. An additional purchase for back-to-school blues or Mother's Day.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS-Gr 2—McPhail's illustrations are as sweet and whimsical as ever in this endearing story of friendship. During a picnic on the riverbank, Rat informs Bear that it's a special day; Rat has remembered Bear's birthday even though Bear has not. Rat even has a surprise present for his pal, something that "has four letters and begins with a B." Just then, a boat floats down the river, and Bear jumps aboard, assuming that it is his gift. Rat joins him, explaining that the boat is not for Bear, and they row upstream, looking for its owner. After a brief adventure, they return to the picnic basket, and Rat gives Bear his gift, a ball that he happily balances on his nose. This picture book is divided into four brief chapters. The story reads aloud smoothly and the vocabulary is appropriate for beginning readers with some experience. The pen-and-ink and watercolor paintings are saturated with warm summer hues and support the quiet text with humor and élan. The affection shared by the two friends is conveyed through both the narrative and the artwork.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

PreS-Gr 2—On her seventh birthday, the narrator helps her mother select a sari to put on for her party and they recall the various occasions at which she wore each beautiful outfit. In the process, readers learn that the girl's mother only dons a sari for special events, while her grandmother dresses in one every day. The child pleads to be allowed to wear one and her mother finally agrees, saying, "just today, because it's your birthday." Mama wraps the cloth around her, finishing with bangles and a bindi (a decorative mark worn on the forehead). The child's happiness is evident in her expression as she tells her mother, "I think I look like you!" The colorful, detailed acrylic illustrations complement the simple storyline by showing the designs of the various saris mentioned in the text. A glossary of the Hindi words is provided. A pleasant offering about family traditions that depicts a positive interaction between mother and daughter.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS-Gr 2—Pete enjoys watching his father shave until, one morning, Dad unexpectedly shaves off what little hair is left on his balding head. The boy spends the day contemplating this new style, observing how other men handle hair loss and, with his mother, looking at photos of Dad's various hairdos through the years. At bedtime, Dad asks Pete if he should keep the new look and the child answers by giving him a kiss on his bare head. Quite a few youngsters can identify with the experience of having a parent radically alter his or her appearance, and the author subtly examines the emotions that these changes stir up. O'Malley's digitally colored cartoon artwork underscores the tale's humor. Although the illustrations are uneven and occasionally suffer from poor page placement, they are animated and mesh well with the buoyant text. Despite the book's shortcomings, this lighthearted story could encourage fathers to explore their own hair loss with their children.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Mayer's Terrible Troll (Dial, 1968; o.p.) has been redone in full color, which gives the story new life and vitality. A little boy wishes he lived a thousand years ago so that he could be a squire to the bravest knight and encounter kings, queens, knights, dragons, and trolls. Funny details abound in every picture as he imagines polishing the knight's armor, sharpening his sword, and being rescued from a huge dragon. If a troll were terrorizing the countryside, the knight and his squire would fight him and the victor would emerge. It is then that the child decides he no longer wishes to live during this period. This fresh version of an old favorite should find a place in all picture-book collections.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—As her father puts lunch on the table, Emily Greene decides to make herself scarce. The rhyming text consists of her father's gentle, loving voice. "She must be hungry—it's time for lunch/I want her, I need her, I miss her a bunch." The oblong format allows for generous backgrounds with plenty of places for the father to search and the child to hide. Emily and an ever-present striped cat watch as the man looks in the drawer, under the rug, on top of the desk, in the tub, and behind the chair—almost everywhere. He's about to look inside a jewelry box when the game comes to an end. "Here she is, before my eyes—/Emily Greene, what a surprise!" The warm, reassuring rhymes are perfectly paired with Davenier's soft watercolor paintings in reds and greens and gold. The child, who readers are told, "loves the color red,/and roses and rhymes and ribbons and bread," is dressed in red, and her room is papered with roses. Mazer's picture book celebrates the special bond between fathers and daughters, making it perfect for a shared read-aloud.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-Gr 2—Meserve's story treats the classic theme of a younger sister struggling to keep up with her older sibling. Small is always in the shadow of Big, both literally and figuratively. At the beginning of the tale, Small is depicted as a fleshed-out character, while readers see only Big's shadow, always looming larger than her sister's body. One day the teasing goes too far, and Small lashes out by letting Big's prized parrot out of its cage. She soon regrets her actions and runs away, but she doesn't go far—just out to the meadow where she sees the parrot in a tall tree, with Big—now fully depicted as a person—sitting underneath it. She is too frightened to climb the tree. Predictably, Small is unafraid and quickly rescues the bird. That feat makes her bigger in her sister's eyes, and the two walk off together. Done in digital media, the illustrations are large and crisp. The details in the backdrops-a bright patchwork quilt, a textured braided rug, a dainty white tea set—are vividly depicted, and the outdoor scenes are colorful and soft. The girls are a little stiff, more obviously computer generated. This is a pleasant book, but there's nothing special or original about it.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Gr 1–4—From the wide-open spaces of southern British Columbia comes this fictionalized tale of a mother grizzly bear and her cubs. In a documentary style, the story follows Mother Bear from the winter she birthed her last three cubs until her 27th and last hibernation. Using matter-of-fact language, the author treats her subjects with genuine respect and obvious admiration. She writes of topics like nursing, scent trails, and aging in the same casual tone as hibernation and eating. A beautiful example comes after she crawls into her last den: "…a crying storm descended upon the slope. But the grizzly knew nothing of it. She was already gone, past drowse and beyond winter. Her memory she left with every cub she had ever reared; her body she released to the mountain." The authentic portrayal of the animals makes the pastel illustrations an apt fit for the book's style. Bang portrays the cubs as small bears, not teddy bears. The focus of the art stays on the activities in the text with a few generous glimpses of the scenic views. When appropriate, the illustrator shows honest expressions on the face of mother bear. The length of the story and the slightly sophisticated vocabulary mark this as a read-together book. The informative nature of this honest tale will make it as educational for readers as it is enjoyable.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

K-Gr 3—Little Melvin loves his library, and his librarians—Marge, Leeola, and Betty—are his very favorite people. As he grows up, they help him learn about his world and explore all kinds of things. And when Melvin finishes college, he chooses to join the noble ranks of their profession and help other children learn wonderful things just like he did. Morris is—you guessed it—a children's librarian herself, and her enthusiasm for the field permeates her narrative. But it's Sneed's animated, startlingly accurate depictions of contemporary libraries that make the story engaging. Librarians will also recognize other, less prominent details incorporated into the background, like the covers of several Caldecott Award-winning picture books, successfully rendered in miniature with just a few deft brushstrokes of watercolor. Morris delivers a quaint story, but Sneed makes it possible for readers to smell the very bindings of the books and hear the shuffle of feet across the carpeted floor. This title will be a surefire hit with librarians; whether or not it will also appeal to children is more difficult to predict.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

K-Gr 4—Rachel and her younger brother are placed in foster care after their mother leaves. Frightened and worried, they meet a number of people such as police, caseworkers, lawyers, court-appointed guardians, judges, and volunteers who help them understand what is happening and help them navigate the difficulties of their new situation. Still, they want to know when they can be reunited with their mother. When Gilbert finds a dog, he names him Spud, and hides him in a shed. All of the children at the home love the animal but forget to feed him. When he runs away, they realize that just because they love Spud doesn't mean that they know how to take care of him, and that he needs to live where he can be properly cared for. Through this, Rachel begins to understand her own situation and is able to explain it to Gilbert. The full-color illustrations, many full-page, reinforce the story and provide additional visual information (such as what a courtroom looks like). The story of the unintentionally neglected dog provides an analogy that children can understand, and a difficult, complex situation is depicted with clarity and compassion. Boxes offer brief but accessible information such as "a supervised visit means another grownup will be there to make sure that you are safe." The five-page glossary is thorough and clear. A thoughtfully assembled book that will fill a need in many collections.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—A young rabbit and her mother decide to take advantage of the lovely day and head to the park. Before they can leave, though, Daisy needs to get dressed. Although Mother offers to help, the strong-willed youngster insists on outfitting herself, resulting in a series of unsuitable choices. Daisy's carrot-shaped doll advises her, but can't decide on her own attire. When Mother finally says, "If Rootie can't make up her mind, then we'll have to stay at home," the decision-making is done and they all embark for the day's outing. Colorful acrylic paintings capture Daisy's personality, establish the in-home setting of the story, and showcase a wide variety of apparel. A punch-out paper doll of Daisy along with punch-out clothing accompanies the book. A nice choice for group or one-on-one sharing, this entertaining, believable picture book would fit well in library collections and could be used in conjunction with themes on clothing, independence, and mother-daughter relationships. Pair it with Margaret Chodos-Irvine's Ella Sarah Gets Dressed (Harcourt, 2003).—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

Gr 2–4—Richard is a mature fourth grader with a sense of humor. For a class project on nutrition, he is paired with Kevin, whose behavior is obnoxious. In a refreshing twist on the bullying theme, Richard interferes when Kevin picks on Sam, a second grader. He tries to protect the younger boy by tricking Kevin, which doesn't work, but does provide a funny episode. With a little guidance from his teacher, he realizes that Sam's lack of self-confidence fits hand-in-glove with Kevin's meanness. When that is addressed, everyone grows, even readers. The convincing dialogue is crammed with interesting facts about nutrition, insects, and the classroom tarantula. The characters and the plot develop at a quick and mostly believable pace. Black-and-white wash illustrations match the action and give the book appeal for reluctant readers. —June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

Gr 2–4—Sly returns to help her friends by solving three new cases, all of which center around food. In the first story, Melody thinks someone scary is living in the bushes in her backyard, and Jack wonders why his cat has been eating the cookies—made by Brian's mother, a health nut—that they use as shuffleboard pucks. Sly figures everything out when she discovers that Mrs. Olsen has been putting fish oil in her treats, and that Brian has been hiding in the bushes to sneak junk food. In the second tale, the girls start a cooking club, but Princess is acting strangely. Sly deduces that she is trying to conceal the fact that she is allergic to wheat. Finally, Sly solves "Something Seedy" by finding out that Princess has been stealing oranges from Jack to save his life: the seeds contain arsenic (Sly also ascertains that the amount of arsenic in fruit seeds is not harmful). All three stories wrap up with corny plays on words. Amusing pen-and-ink drawings appear throughout. While not great literature, this book will serve transitional readers who like Ron Roy's "A to Z Mysteries" (Random) or David A. Adler's "Cam Jansen" series (Viking).—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

Gr 2–4—In this third title in the series, Sarah Simpson, whose father calls her his "Idea Girl," looks for another problem to solve. When she discovers that her friend Peter wants a dog but is not allowed to have one in the apartment he shares with his grandmother, Sarah works hard to find a solution to his quandary. She tries giving him a goldfish and then a turtle, but he is not satisfied. Then his granny is given a cat, and neither she nor Peter is sure about keeping it: Granny Belle is convinced that the feline will leave hair all over the sofa and it immediately scratches Peter. Can Sarah resolve this dilemma and prove to them both that Patches is a pet worth keeping? The text is on target for youngsters just beginning to read chapter books and has the graphic support of two illustrations per chapter. Written with mild suspense, the gentle story almost seems to take place in another era, where children could walk the city streets alone, making the modern-day Chicago setting a bit difficult to believe. Buy additionally or if you already own others in the series.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 1—It's Izzy's first day of school and her excitement can be felt in exuberant illustrations and exclamations of "Wow! Classroom!," "Wow! Teacher!," etc. Bright, busy oversized spreads paired with simple patterned text make this an appealing look at a new experience. Children may need some time to take in everything happening in the bustling pages, but they will enjoy picking out familiar objects and activities as they follow Izzy through her day. Sharp-eyed youngsters will spot copies of No, David! and Madeline in the illustration accompanying "Wow! Books!," and some may even spot the author's own Wow! City! on the first spread. The bold, crayonlike lines of Neubecker's India-ink drawings contrast pleasingly with the computer-generated color. This is a wonderful book for sharing with groups of emergent readers, who will enjoy chiming along, and it is well suited to the attention spans of children just beginning preschool or kindergarten.—Neala Arnold, St. Francis Elementary School, MN

PreS-Gr 1—As a father puts his child to bed, he sings her a song filled with silly, fantastic, and humorous images. It follows a simple pattern-"If foxes play with balls and bats,/And chickens wear fine coats and hats...." The verses, one rhyming couplet per spread, culminate with the lines, "If this whole world turns inside out/And silly things are all about,/Remember what will still be true—/Your daddy's here,/and he loves you." The text is brought to life by Ritz's gouache illustrations, which use bold colors including purple, orange, red, and green in a fabulous, whimsical world where imagination flows wild and free. The combination of realistic depictions of the animals with comical expressions and unexpected colors is priceless. Pair this book with Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick, 1995) or Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny (HarperCollins, 1942) for a storytime lovefest.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 1—Ever since he was a small puff, the cloud had wanted to be a police officer. Sound familiar? Children with similar aspirations will find a somewhat fluffy hero to which they can relate as they witness his adventures and misadventures while on patrol. When the cloud tries to stop a bank robber, for instance, the bad guy walks right through him and escapes. He tries to direct traffic, but the drivers can't see—too foggy. And nobody wants him to patrol the park: he blocks the sun. These droll situations evoke sympathy and smiles. Realizing that he's a flop as a cop, the cloud floats into despair. When he begins to cry, he unwittingly puts out a blazing building with his tears, suggesting an eminently suitable new line of work and resulting in a happy ending. Niemann hits the ground running with his first picture book. His situations are easy to understand, his narrative logical. The main character is so very likable, partly a result of the gentle dialogue and the enticing computer-generated artwork. The artist has a genius for design, combining sweetly old-fashioned cartoon images with contemporary bold colors and shapes. The book's layout couldn't be more arresting. This endearing offering is sure to rise swiftly on the storytime hit parade.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

K-Gr 2—When the creatures from One Hungry Monster (Little, Brown, 1989) visit a boy's classroom, he attempts to teach them the alphabet using school words like "apple," "book," and "crayon." But the monsters make a mess of everything, piling up the books so they can draw on the ceiling with the crayons. Things go downhill from there as the furry critters continue to cause mayhem, gulping down their sloppy sandwiches ("L is always lunchtime"), having a pillow fight ("R should be for rest time"), and chasing the teacher ("T is for Ms. Tubbins"). The narrator is at a loss for X, Y, and Z words—until his visitors call their friends X-Ray man, a yeti, and a zombie. The rhyming story ends rather abruptly with the monsters and the protagonist escaping through a window, but Ms. Tubbins grabs the boy's shoe and hauls him back in. Munsinger's watercolor-and-ink illustrations are reliably funny, and kids will giggle at the sight of the put-upon youngster trying to wrangle the monsters into order. The alphabet concept is almost secondary to the creatures' antics, though the entry and picture for W are priceless: "'W's for Wiffle ball./(In gym they'll show you how.)'/But Wiffles aren't waffles./The monsters know that now." A set of removable alphabet flashcards featuring the characters is included.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 3—A rat living in the dell wonders why the posted rules and regulations state that the cheese stands alone—especially when it is a tasty-looking hunk of cheddar standing uselessly in a meadow. Napkin in hand, he goes to investigate. In this reverse version of "The Farmer in the Dell," the rat is then joined by a cat, a dog, a child, a mother, and finally the farmer father, all of whom initially insist that the cheese must stand alone, and then are persuaded to consider that the rule might actually be a silly one worth challenging. The farmer decides that if they are going to eat the cheese, they might as well make a party out of it, and everyone goes to fetch apples, pears, sausages, milk, and, of course, crackers. The folk-art quality of the illustrations is rich with country colors—barn reds, field greens, and earthy yellows, and the cartoon animals are funny and expressive. A smattering of words and music from the song is worked in effectively on most pages, and the full lyrics are printed on the last page, useful since this book will no doubt be the featured star in a number of sing-alongs.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

Gr 2–5—This deceptively simple, thoroughly engaging story is a child's account of her family's cross-country road trip (complete with hand-drawn maps) to visit the old homestead. Before they embark, Mom gives her two children instant cameras and notebooks to document their travels. But the kids quickly discover that what they record on film has little in common with what they actually experience. The snapshot of the back of Dad's head as he drives, for instance, fails in every way to capture the way it felt to be in the car with him at that moment. Photos of grass, a mountain, the sky, or cropped feet in no way reflect the endless days of rain, the secret swimming spot, or activities in the lake. The youngsters also find that on the very best days—when the large extended family gathers at the farm—they are just too busy to take any pictures. Perkins's colorful, line-intensive illustrations incorporate a lot of detailed thought bubbles and plenty of peeks inside the narrator's notebook. Vibrant watercolor renderings include the lush scenery from a variety of perspectives, the characters and their activities, their vivid imaginings, and the kids' captioned "photos." The whole is infused with wonderfully understated accidental, but child-centered humor. A journey into family dynamics, shared experience, and memory that is well worth the trip.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 2–4—Filled with plays on words and similes, this delightful offering will encourage children's creativity. The narrator makes a line drawing of her family but explains that it doesn't do them justice. "And what about this drawing of my mom? Sorry, but it doesn't tell the whole story. My mommy is as soft as the softest FLUFF and as bright as the brightest LIGHT." This section ends, "That's my yummy mommy!" The gouache-and-watercolor illustrations are embellished with glued-on objects like a lightbulb for a nose, a croissant for a mouth, and a boa for hair, in this case on Mom. The pictures support the text and add to the subtext. The book ends with an invitation to readers to create images of their families. Younger children will enjoy the story, but older kids will love the nuances, the opportunity for individuality, and the challenge of portraying their own relatives in this style. An author's note describes a workshop that Piven conducted for children hospitalized with cancer; their wonderful creations adorn the endpapers.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—A boy goes to the new Dino Pets store and walks home with the biggest dinosaur available. However, when he discovers that the creature can't fit into his house, he returns to the shop (receipt in hand) to get another pet, "the fastest dino/I could get." Unfortunately, this one dons size 55½ sneakers and runs away. Next, he chooses the longest dino for sale, with equally unhappy results, and so on, until the store's stock is depleted. The youngster sadly returns home only to find that the creatures are all there, waiting for him. The simple story is told in rhyming couplets that don't always scan well, and the rhymes are occasionally stretched (e.g., "pocket" and "locked it"). The highlight of the tale is the skillfully rendered and entertaining double-page artwork, which is similar in tone and appearance to Mark Teague's illustrations in Jane Yolen's "How Do Dinosaurs" books (Scholastic). The longest dinosaur allows himself to be used as a piece of playground equipment for climbing, swinging, and sliding children. The scariest dino bursts into tears when it observes the boy's family running away in terror. Brief facts about the featured species are appended. Despite the text's uneven cadence, the subject matter and humorous art will appeal to children.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 2–4—Ginger is an eccentric pianist with plenty of money, fame, and accomplished young students to whom she listens raptly each day. She also has a closet full of flashy clothes ("'You are what you wear,' she always says") and plenty of makeup that she applies liberally. As if that's not enough to make her a bit unusual, Ginger has a pig named Petunia. She adores her pet so much that the porker's rather elaborate house is under the staircase and her every whim is catered to, including a fabulous outdoor mud hole with a gazebo over it. ("'My Petunia does so love her mud soaks,' Ginger always says.") But when the pampered pet is accidentally left to fend for herself for a few days, the fun really begins. She fills in for Ginger, attending openings and parties, wearing Ginger's clothes and makeup; the fact that no one notices is hilarious. Polacco's illustrations are filled with movement and humor. The dance sequence with the governor ("Petunia grabbed his ankles and swung him round and round and up into the huge vat of chocolate mousse") is worth the price of the book.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 1—Two best friends have funny, slice-of-life adventures. In Strawberry Sunglasses, Goat offers to do the grocery shopping. Donkey writes out a list just in case his pal gets in a forgetful "muddle." At the market, Goat is distracted by many wonderful things to buy and instead of bringing home food, he giddily returns with a sun hat, blow-up octopus, trumpet, and strawberry sunglasses. Donkey makes the best of the situation, enjoys the impulse purchases, and then heads back to the market for supper, hand-in-hand with his buddy. In Great Outdoors, Goat decides to take a vacation, but needs advice on where to go. After much negotiation, he announces he wants to go to a place "Just Like Here." He pitches a tent in the garden but soon misses the company of Donkey. They both squish in and enjoy the getaway together. Julian's warm oil paintings capture the sunny dispositions of the characters. Children will enjoy Goat's exuberant innocence and Donkey's patient good humor.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 3—Sara is visiting her grandparents at their lakeside cottage. When she hears Granddad getting up early in the morning, she jumps up, too, and inquires where he's going. Fishing with his buddy, he says, and Sara convinces him to take her along. As they row across the lake, Sara keeps looking for the buddy, but Granddad just waves to all the other fishermen. She masters her angling skills, with the exception of putting the worm on the hook (she uses a piece of licorice instead). A heron appears and plucks a fish out of the water. Granddad instructs Sara to row over to it and they both start catching fish. When the bird moves to a new location, they follow. Sara realizes that Granddad's fishing buddy is the heron; he stirs up the fish as he wades through the shallows. By the book's end, Granddad has a new fishing buddy: Sara, of course. Done in pencil, watercolor, and gouache, the illustrations are perfect for the tone of the story. The early-morning lake scene is suitably foggy and clears up as the day progresses. The characters, with their bright clothing and smiling faces, stand out nicely from the green and gray tones of the watery backdrops. A pleasing choice for intergenerational sharing.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 2—In the same spirit as Anne Bowen's What Do Teachers Do (after YOU Leave School)? (Carolrhoda, 2006), this entertaining story explores the trouble that mischievous adults can get into when they have the house to themselves. The young narrator and his sister spend the night with their grandparents, leaving Mom and Dad home alone. According to the imaginative boy, his parents jump on the bed and slide down the stairs on pillows. They play video games and eat pizza in front of the television. The young-at-heart adults also fight over his toys and dress up the hapless dog. At the end of each page, the son follows up his recounting with a parental admonishment. ("Somebody always gets hurt when you play rough" or, "Is that the best use of their time?") Meanwhile, the kids enjoy a well-behaved visit with Grandma and Granddad, which is depicted in illustrations set off in the bottom corners of the pages. Of course, when the children return home, all evidence of their parents' rowdy evening has been erased. The watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations add humorous details to the story. The fluffy, white mutt's expressive reactions to the unaccustomed mayhem are particularly comical. This fun-filled selection provides an inventive twist to a typical story.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 1–4—"No one likes to talk about dying. It's hard work." Yet this simple, honest treatment is an effective vehicle for discussing the "one thing harder to talk about than an old person dying—a young person dying." Taking his cue from terminally ill children who, an introductory note explains, often express their feelings by drawing a free-floating purple or blue balloon, Raschka depicts balloon characters using potato and wood prints rendered in watercolor. Through a few masterful strokes, they become an elderly dying person and those dear to him, or the subject of this narrative, a dying red balloon child and his family and friends. Faces, all focused on the child, express concern, tearful sorrow, and support. Balloon strings encircle child and parents in love, twist to join the youngster to those around him, and curve to become hands reaching out in comfort and reassurance. "Good help makes leaving easier," the text reads. Streaked watercolor background washes change color with the mood, moving from blue to yellow on the final page describing "what you can do to help." Raschka's brief text avoids sentimentality and didacticism and is a good choice for those who want to provide assistance to children about this difficult subject.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 1—The two sprightly protagonists of this charming title have a lot in common. Their names are similar (Margarita and Margaret), and that's just for starters. They are close in age, in the same class in school, and like to do the same things. They are most alike, however, in their insistence on doing things in their own distinctive ways—"a mi manera." From greetings to hairdos, from napping preferences to art forms—they have their unique styles and they like what they like. But there are those times when they enjoy throwing people off and mixing things up a bit, doing things "a tu manera." They agree entirely on one thing: the best way of doing things is together. This upbeat tale of independence and the interdependence of close friendship is perfect for children who are beginning to identify with friends while still wanting to maintain their individuality. The text, alternating Spanish and English, bears the imprint of childhood in its simple prose. The bright, open watercolor cartoon illustrations are engaging, presenting a madcap duo with charm, originality, and a strong bond.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

K-Gr 4—When last seen in The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard (Roaring Brook, 2004), the Bear was drifting alone down the Thames River. His journey takes a new twist in this wordless companion book when he lands at the edge of a wood and stumbles into a magical forest inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Here he is rescued from a free fall by a small fairy boy (readers of the first book will recognize him as the Boy, now sporting tiny wings). Soon the two find themselves in the midst of a palace intrigue, and they must work together to free the imprisoned fairy king and queen and defeat a villain before he can escape with the castle's gold. Other characters from the previous book reappear in new roles, including the Bard, now an arch fairy villain wearing a bumblebee-striped tunic. Comic-book panels interspersed with full-page spreads keep the chain of events clear and well paced. Pen and watercolor illustrations add to the lighthearted tone and provide ample detail of the setting and the characters' emotions. Literary allusions and deft use of perspective will appeal to sophisticated readers, while the younger set will enjoy the clear, straightforward story.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

Gr 3–6—An Australian author known primarily for her puzzle picture books tries her hand at a novel with mixed results. When his Great Uncle Mungo dies, and Poll, a talking parrot, appears on the scene, Jack discovers that he is the next male in line to inherit his family's curse: without warning, people around him turn into pirates and proceed to attack him. The boy learns that he is a direct descendant of the fearsome Blackstrap Morgan, who allegedly betrayed his shipmates and sent them off to hang without their promised portion of the treasure. These ghostly pirates take control of other people's bodies to exact their revenge on their enemy's descendants. There is not much characterization here, and all the adults are portrayed as nitwits who really can't do anything to fix the problem. Jack's only real help comes from his friend Rachel. In the end, he learns to deal creatively with his foes and finally figures out how to get them out of his life. While the story is not much more than a repetitive series of episodes of people—including Jack's teacher and his parents—getting possessed by swaggering buccaneers, this quick read will still have appeal to reluctant readers and fans of pirate yarns.—Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

K-Gr 5—This quirky offering spoofs the highbrow world of "sophisticated" visual-arts appreciation. The title gives a hint of the tongue-in-cheek humor so wonderfully expressed within. "His name was Mister Bing. A name with its future written upon it, like Doctor Pill or Mister Bread, the baker." One day, while walking in the forest, he is "struck by the sound of the very last droplet of rain as it landed on a leaf—a sort of TRIKA he found especially harmonious." He sells this sound to a mother and son in the local open-air market. Guessing that many more people might also buy sounds, he starts a business creating and selling a variety of curious objects that make unusual sounds like "Klackata," and "Kween." These sounds are spelled inventively like "TrooLOOOOlooo" and "ZWIPPP" and are further distinguished in appearance by the use of bold and light print, different font sizes, and an amusing placement on the page. The artist cleverly conveys movement and demeanor in his portrayals of people whose heads bob in the air above their elegantly clothed torsos. Dramatic yellow, red, green, and blue spots enliven the gray and black ink drawings that stand out clearly from a bright white background. Mister Bing always wears the exact same attire, a black hat, green plaid suit jacket, white pants, and a red bowtie. While a tad long (and challenging) to read aloud, this creative gem is sure to appeal to savvy children who will appreciate their roles as creators and consumers of sounds.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 1–4—Toe-tapping, claw-snapping, and bebopping replace the usual huffing and puffing in this jazzed-up version of the traditional folktale. Porcine siblings Ella, Satch, and Mo have formed a trio that is all the rage with their animal audiences. Their successful musical future is in jeopardy, however, when Wolfie, a self-described "classic fairy-tale villain," decides to exact retribution for his failure to capture their uncles in earlier days. Will the three swingin' pigs win over Wolfie with their sweet music? Fortunately for them, he's a bit of a ham and loves performing. Full of porker-inspired puns and clever repartee, this fast-paced tale has definite appeal. The colorful, cartoonlike acrylic illustrations are a perfect match for the zany, slightly over-the-top story line. Whether used as part of a unit on fractured fairy tales or read independently just for fun, this version will have its audience howling.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

K-Gr 2—Inspired by a trip to a natural history museum, a boy decides he wants to be an alligator, and his aunt obliges by sending him an alligator head and tail, which he immediately dons. His worried mother calls the vet, who assures her that "It looks well." Both parents take their son's new look in stride and send him off to school where he can at last scare off a bully. On a return visit to the museum with his class, the boy faces his stuffed idol with obvious delight. Goode's watercolor and gouache cartoon vignettes on white ground are reminiscent of the artist's other work in which she evokes a former time. Mother visits the museum wearing a hat and long dress; the teacher is in a belted suit; and the students, one in a wheelchair, wear short pants and dresses. The protagonist's alligator head reflects his mood, exhibiting gleeful laughter as the bully runs away and restful contentment as he snuggles in his mother's lap. Unfortunately, this charming story is marred by an awkward rhyme scheme: "She asked a good doctor to come and to see/this boy who could not a boy now be." Still, any youngster who has ever wanted to assume more power than childhood allows will delight in the "good green life" that alligator boy enjoys.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Gr 1–3—Daniel and his mom spend every summer at Grandpa's beach house. This year, his mother reminds her son that Grandpa will seem different because he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Over the course of the visit, his symptoms worsen. Daniel, his mom, and his grandfather share their feelings and concerns in a healthy, open manner. At the end of the summer, Grandpa comes to live at Daniel's house. This is a gentle but straightforward portrayal of the early effects of Alzheimer's on patient and family. It is pure bibliotherapy (as indicated by the subtitle); it will educate and prompt discussion. However, along with the family playing their textbook roles, there is pleasure to be had in the idyllic setting and the warm relationships. The illustrations are pleasant, old-fashioned line drawings with a palette of nostalgic beachy colors.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 2–4—In this installment, Robert seeks to help a hearing-impaired classmate; throws a party for a group of kids who aren't invited to Susanne Lee's birthday celebration; and wins her respect for his innovative thinking when they work on a project together. As a conscientious, caring youngster who is deeply concerned about fairness and the feelings of others, he acts to solve problems. The story is well paced, allowing readers to become fully involved, and Seuling skillfully weaves in factual information about deafness. Humorous black-and-white illustrations in various shapes and sizes appear throughout. This early chapter book serves as a reminder to children that they can create happy endings to seemingly difficult situations.—Michelle Easley Bridges, Sandtown Middle School, Atlanta, GA

Gr 2–4—Finch and his buddies have always enjoyed playing superheroes, but now that they're in fourth grade, they worry that it may seem babyish. Then, the costume cape that Finch has played with since kindergarten begins talking to him. It claims to be an ancient Arabian Thinking Cape, capable of endowing its Master with extraordinary powers. The boys form the Society of Super Secret Heroes and resolve to use the cape's magic to help others, secretly solving problems through brains rather than brawn. With the cape's advice and assistance, the SSSH members help reconcile two quarreling friends and plan a huge surprise party to help a new teacher feel welcome. Unfortunately, the class bully is determined to force Finch into a fight, whether it takes insults, threatening the class pets, or even stealing the cape itself. This genial fantasy emphasizes individual courage and initiative. Although the cape talks like a fabulous being straight out of the Arabian Nights, its actual powers are fairly limited, forcing the boys to do most of the real work. Relationships realistically reflect the changes kids go through between primary and early intermediate grades. There is plenty of playground humor, including the gross-out variety supplied by plastic vomit and other noxious substances. The black-and-white sketches are amusing as well. Longer than most early chapter books, this selection is a worthwhile choice for transition readers anxious to tackle a "big book."—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

K-Gr 3—Soft watercolor paintings capture the magnificent fabrics of Dadima's saris and accentuate this loving story of a grandmother and her two granddaughters. When Rupa, the older girl, asks if Dadima misses wearing skirts or blouses or pants, the woman responds, "I never thought about it." When she asks, "Why not?" Dadima explains that it is because she can do so much with her sari. She can use the end, the pallu, as a fan for cooling, as a pocket for carrying shells, or as an umbrella in case of an unexpected storm. Inspired, Rupa generates a few ideas of her own, including tying a knot in the sari to remind her grandmother to give her a hug. A wonderful complement to Sandhya Rao's My Mother's Sari (North-South, 2006), this text, too, explains how to wrap the garment.—Alexa Sandmann, Kent State University, OH

PreS-K—As Rosie watches the full moon sink in the sky, she ponders what it is made of. Cat thinks it is a saucer of milk, but Hen says it's an egg from which chicks hatch to become the stars. Butterfly says it's made of sugar; Dog thinks it's a round pat of butter; and Mouse believes it is made of white flour, which makes clouds when the wind blows. Finally, Gran settles the matter by mixing a batch of moon-shaped cookies, using all the ingredients mentioned in a satisfying, tasty resolution to this story that has wide appeal. Childlike illustrations in soft patterns and colors complement the delightful whimsy.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Despite the differences in their species and preferred habitats, Little Chicken and Little Duck are friends. Then Mrs. Chicken decides that her son should not play with his pal anymore, saying he smells funny "because he lives in a wet barrel on the lake." Similarly, Mrs. Duck tells her son not to play with Little Chicken, explaining that he "smells odd, because he lives in a musty old henhouse." The friends are estranged, until they both hide under the same tree during a storm. In a neat twist, the mothers identify their offspring by scent because it is too dark to see them—and take home the wrong child. In the morning, the parents learn their lessons and the friends are reunited. The endearing pencil-and-watercolor illustrations bolster the text with expressive body language, believable facial expressions, and cheerful colors. However, on the critical page, the shadows that hide the sleeping youngsters are so dark that it's easy to miss the main characters completely, and the silver text on the dark background is nearly illegible. Otherwise, the illustrations are the highlight of this story.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

Gr 1–3—This fun tale allows students to talk about time and practice reading a schedule. As a grandmother and her two grandchildren travel to a family wedding on a train, a variety of experiences awaits them as they race around on a tight schedule. Colorful cartoon art adds a touch of humor. This easy reader lends itself to discussion of the importance of promptness, telling time, and ways of keeping track of it. While children may be able to read the story independently, the math practice might best be achieved by reading along with an adult. Additional math activities are appended. Children may even see something of themselves as the family dashes about trying to be on time.—Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS

K-Gr 3—Before stores, businesses, and homes had air conditioners, the residents of Lumberville had to get creative during a heat wave. The "sun sizzled. Hair frizzled" as sweltering day after day began. Townspeople, kids, and dogs try a variety of ways to cool down and finally all camp out on the riverbank dreaming of a break in the weather. Stark white pages provide the perfect backdrop for fresh, vivid watercolor cartoons, with the final page displaying splashes of refreshing blue raindrops. While the story is simple and straightforward, the sun-drenched illustrations provide a spirited and evocative look back in time.—Judy Chichinski, Skyline Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

Gr 2–5—A Native American boy is charged with the task by his shaman uncle of finding someone important and getting to know that person well. During his quest, Gray Wolf talks with a bear, a killer whale, and other animals and asks them if they have seen an important person. All of them reply that one human appears to be much like another to them. Finally, Gray Wolf has a vision of his village and realizes that all people are important. The story and ending are predictable, and the moral is heavy-handed. The characters and story are not based on an authentic legend and are merely stereotypes of Native American culture. The most redeeming quality of this offering is the illustrations. Peterson's colors and textures capture the feel of the American northwestern coastal regions. He skillfully incorporates Native American designs into otherwise pictorial representations and infuses each page with light. Yet even a few of these pictures seem idealized. In Jon J. Muth's The Three Questions (Scholastic, 2002), a boy goes in search of the answers to important questions and discovers them through his own experience. It is a better choice for those looking for a book about a child's search for truth.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-Gr 2—Under a full moon, five mice follow the sound of beautiful music to a city park where frogs are giving a concert. The rodents' enjoyment is cut short when a booming voice informs them that the event is for frogs only. They are disappointed, but not dejected. The memory of one lovely song, "Over the Moon," inspires them to form their own orchestra. They create instruments, practice, and hold their own performance. Frogs sneak in and are made welcome. All join in to sing "Over the Moon," proving that sharing music is the best way to enjoy it. Quiet text and delightful artwork blend harmoniously to convey the action and excitement. The illustrations fill in the details as the mice build their instruments. Ordinary objects take on new possibilities when given a mouse-size perspective. A drinking straw becomes a flute. A matchbox and thread become a guitar. Subdued colors with bright accents heighten the musicians' anticipation as they nervously wait backstage. As a mouse peeks through the curtains, a double-page view shows the audience. Readers will catch a glimpse of the frogs, incognito, as they enter the auditorium. Colors brighten as the songs flow and carry the story to its melodious conclusion. This beautiful book, like the music, should be shared-either individually or in storytime.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Fittingly, this book's large size, dramatic black backgrounds, and bold colors leap off the page at readers, just like a monster jumping out of a closet. Based on a traditional Brazilian poem, the story looks at the many possibilities created by the birth of a monster: "either it's a faraway-in-the-forests monster, or…it's an under-your-bed monster." For each set of choices there is a dead-end option ("If it eats you, that's that."), and an option that leads to two more possibilities. Following a series of wild twists, in which a principal is eaten and a kitchen girl dumps porridge on a monster's head, the tale comes full circle to the birth of a new monster and the original set of possibilities. Bright colors and a wild variety of fonts burst out from each page, and the potential scariness of the monster is tempered by its round body, buck teeth, and fuzzy hair. Various colors, textured fabrics, and other materials fill in the cartoon line drawings. Tiny leaves create the bushes and grass, the monster's hair is full of swirls, and the porridge contains lumps. With its zany humor, skillful timing of page turns, and over-the-top story line, this is an engaging tale that children will respond to and request again and again.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

PreS—Flies are the only creatures that will come near Big Smelly Bear. He never washes or brushes and is followed by an odorous cloud wherever he goes. Sometimes it bothers him that he doesn't have any friends, but not often. One morning he awakes with a terrible itch on his back. He tries rolling in the dirt and rubbing against a tree trunk, but nothing helps. A voice high up in the tree offers to scratch his back. It belongs to Big Fluffy Bear. There is one stipulation—Big Smelly Bear must bathe before she will come near him. After much negotiation, he succumbs and takes a bath. He is so happy to finally have a friend that he sneaks off to the pond to wash on a regular basis. This charming oversize book is accompanied by watercolor illustrations. Children will love the final picture of Big Smelly Bear soaking in the pond with his rubber duck and a beach ball. Sure to make a splash.—Linda Zeilstra Sawyer, Skokie Public Library, IL

K-Gr 2—"The whole long, yellow afternoon/the sun boiled down so hot/the heat squiggled up in waves from the meadow." So begins a girl's story of one summer afternoon as she enjoys cool lemonade and the sweet smell of clover. She is torn between not wanting the afternoon to end, and longing for evening and the possibility of seeing a "firefly mountain." Thomas's prose is lyrical and engaging as she describes the sights, smells, and sounds of the fading afternoon and gradual coming of night, but Sylvada's oil-on-hardboard illustrations featuring browns and unnatural yellows lend the book a dreary rather than a dreamy quality. The blurred edges and indistinct shapes seem to distance readers from this experience rather than inviting them to engage with it. The magic of a summer night is better captured by Cynthia Rylant and Mary Szilagyi in Night in the Country (S & S, 1986).—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 2–4—Pete the pink poodle's jump through a fiery hoop has been the pièce de résistance of the Circus Martinez's show until the night he stumbles and his tail catches on fire. Humiliated and with his confidence shaken, Pete misses the jump entirely in his next performance and is replaced by a younger dog. Relegated to working with the clowns, he spends his spare time sparring with his nemesis, Rita the chimpanzee, and befriending the circus's newest animal—a wild bear that, it turns out, will only talk to Pete. When the ringleader decides to give Fremont to a zoo, Pete and Rita form an unlikely alliance to save him and to get Pete back in the spotlight. Tripp's strength is in the way she keeps the plot moving along while revealing interesting behind-the-scenes details of circus life. Pete and Rita's bickering isn't too far from the playground, and there's a wink of humor in the way Pete views his trainers as "pretty bright, as people go." The bear and the poodle go on parallel journeys as Fremont chooses to make the best of a bad situation and Pete chooses to overlook his own interests to be a good friend. Manders's busy, freewheeling illustrations add an appropriate and enticing touch to this entertaining chapter book.—Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Harry is excited about starting school, but his dinosaurs are nervous. A misunderstanding (the teacher thinks that the bucket in which they reside is his lunch) leads to Harry becoming separated from his toys, so he is unhappy in his new classroom. He takes pity on Jack, another boy who is even unhappier. Harry shares his dinosaurs after he gets them back, and the boys learn to enjoy school and become friends. The watercolor and line illustrations have more life than the story, but they seem to have only two expressions with which to reveal many emotions. The theme of overcoming difficulties through reaching out to others is well done, but some stray story threads give the book a disjointed feel. A gratuitous sibling rivalry scene adds nothing but the word "stupid" and a display of Harry's temper. His friend Charlie is mentioned on the first page and again on the last, but not in between. (Charlie is pictured but, as readers don't learn that the friend is a girl until the end, it is not immediately obvious.) The text on the playground page reads, "Harry sort of liked the playground….But it wasn't much fun," which muddies the story.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Angelina longs for the warm sun, tropical food, and familiar life of Jamaica. Folk-style paintings contrast the black and gray mood of her new home in New York City with her vibrant memories and daydreams of her island home. After reading a newspaper article about Brooklyn's Carnival celebration, Mama arranges for her daughter to participate in the parade. Wearing a costume of bright cloth and shiny beads with glitter sparkling on her face, Angelina feels at home amid the music and dancers. Although this experience may not have the power to banish homesickness permanently, it does allow Angelina to accept New York as her "island in the sun." The point is well made that with the assistance of loving family members, immigrant children can adapt to new surroundings. All of the characters are depicted with glossy ink-colored skin and hair made from dots or squiggles in an array of bright greens, blues, and violets. Eye-opening hues—a salmon-colored airplane, the yellow of a taxi, a golden sun—blend with pastel backgrounds to make the images stand out. The Carnival tradition, and its importance to West Indian culture in the United States, is explained in an author's note.—Julie R. Ranelli, Kent Island Branch Library, Stevensville, MD

K-Gr 2—An unnamed boy, about eight years old, is passionate about boats of all kinds. "The day Mom and Dad went to pick up my new brother, I built a raft." The raft is a collection of junk and spare parts, but it serves as the vehicle for his imaginary adventures of sailing off to Bongadongo. This is where he can get away from Simón, a boy slightly younger than himself. There are two stories here: the protagonist's love of boats and his acceptance of the new family member. Simón wants to be a part of the boat-related activities, but big brother shuts him out. After a squabble, the older boy walks to the river, where a storm comes in and blows everything far and wide. When the weather clears, he hears Simón calling to him about a boat in a tree, an actual seaworthy vessel. This is the turning point in the boys' relationship. By working together, they get the boat down, and big brother finally lets Simón become a part of the action. The two happily sail off to Bongadongo, which Shelley's richly detailed, cartoonlike illustrations depict as a place complete with smoldering volcanoes, pirate ships, mermaids, serpents, and other creatures that live in the imagination of young boys. The art tells the story well through the boys' expressions and body language, and seamlessly blends the real world and the fantasy. This is a unique take on the adoption story.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—A young boy and his father have a weekly date for breakfast at a nearby diner, and the walk there is half the fun. As they pass through their urban neighborhood, they count dogs, wave to the man in the newspaper stall, and watch the slow construction of a new building. Upon their arrival at the restaurant, they greet their favorite waitress by name, and she knows to bring out pancakes right away. The story is simple but sweet, and the child's excitement about the time spent with his dad is obvious throughout. Painted in gouache, the illustrations of the cars and characters' clothing and hairstyles give the book a '50s look, as do small touches such as milk bottles in front of the door. Yaccarino uses a warm palette to create rudimentary buildings and simple, friendly faces. This is an excellent book for a parent and child to share, and perhaps some families will begin weekly traditions of their own.—Daisy Porter, San Jose Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—A young Asian girl muses about an early spring rain and how various animals and things are affected, playing a guessing game with readers and expressing her own delight in puddle jumping. Told in lilting rhyme—"Raindrops falling/Down in spring./Hit the awning,/ping-ping-ping!"—it's a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers and simple enough for beginning readers. Soft, gentle illustrations in acrylics capture the child's joy and make readers almost feel the pelting rain. A lovely choice for spring storytimes.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—A new cast of brightly colored dinosaurs appears in this charming back-to-school story. The text's easy rhyme and rhythm will be familiar to those who have read other books in this series, and Teague's charismatic and naughty dinosaurs will continue to delight readers with their antics and exuberance. The illustration accompanying "DOES A DINOSAUR YELL?" is sure to elicit smiles as an excited Herrerasaurus leaps out of his chair proudly holding up a newly lost tooth. His teacher looks annoyed, but his classmates all turn toward him with their own gap-toothed grins. The 10 dinosaurs that appear are identified on the endpapers where each is hard at work or play. Stygimoloch using one arm to prop up his raised hand as he blurts out is also likely to draw a smile from veteran teachers. A fun read-aloud for the first day of school.—Neala Arnold, St. Francis Elementary School, MN

Gr 2–4—These simplistic works aim to introduce students to specific habitats and to the animals and plants inhabiting them. The texts are nearly identical, with only the names of the creatures and the illustrations differentiating the areas discussed. The tables of contents are virtually interchangeable, and the topics discussed include weather, food, warmth, and homes. In Desert, an additional chapter, "Night Life," states that coyotes can smell in the dark. The indexes are close to unusable, and some of the words in the texts are in bold for no apparent reason. The color illustrations—some photographs, some drawings—are quite good, but there are no maps to show the places discussed. Marginal purchases.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Gr 1–4—From the breathless experience of watching the birth of a foal ("Wake up! Wake up! It's almost time!") to the gentle greeting of an old horse who "Lumbers, lumbers/To the fence./With noisy, flapping lips,/He fumbles for carrots/Frommy waiting,/Outstretched hand," this collection is packed with poems for horselovers. Through Alonzo's 21 fresh and lively offerings, youngsters will encounter a "Winter Horse" ("Shaggy/Furry/Rugged"), a show horse ("My jumper cruises/To the water hurdle,/Leaps mud and rails"), an imaginary horse ("My sea horse can/swish/with/fish/Near lacy seaweed"), a "Buckin' Bronco" ("I'm a whirlin', twirlin',/manic machine"), and more. Each selection is presented on a single page or full spread and complemented by Murphy's well-composed, beautifully textured art, created with watercolor, acrylic, and gel medium on paper. Many of the paintings feature realistic images of horses in action or young girls interacting with their mounts, while others are more whimsical. For example, a poem about a stampede across an ancient prairie ("Like a storm cloud spewing dust") is matched with an illustration that looks like a cave painting. This delightful collection will be relished by readers who "Gallop-o-gallop-o-gallop along," even if only in their dreams.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 2–6—Full-color photos and lively text introduce a sport that "combines dance, music, and acrobatics with fighting techniques." Action-packed pictures of capoeiristas—people who play capoeira—in both the United States and Brazil make this an eye-catching title. Ancona explains the basics of the game before delving into its history, helping readers with no background on the subject gain an understanding of the art before putting it into context. His discussion of the beginnings of capoeira, which was developed primarily by African slaves brought to Brazil. Short biographies of the two founders of the sport's most common modern schools are presented before returning to modern photographs that show some of the differences in styles of play. The participants represent a wide range of ages and ethnicities, reflecting the game's multicultural heritage. A glossary offers pronunciations and definitions for Portuguese words, which are also defined in the narrative. An excellent purchase for libraries that serve Brazilian populations or communities in which martial arts are popular.—Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

K-Gr 2—Writing in first person, Aylmore presents young readers with a few of their favorite things. Mixing fact with opinion, a young narrator in each book asserts, "I like dogs [or cars, dinosaurs, etc.]. I will tell you my favorite things about dogs [ditto]." The vocabulary is too difficult for very young readers to handle alone, and the concepts are pretty random. Cars is the most interesting, with cool photos of Batman's ride and the fastest car in the world. Dinosaurs provides the most information, focusing on just three dinosaurs and some museums. Outer Space shows a spread with the statement, "There are a lot of planets in space. These are the planets that are closest to Earth." The illustration shows the nine traditional planets, with only the eight that are now accepted labeled. In Soccer, nothing is mentioned about how to play the game other than the fact that the object is to score a goal. Instead, the narrator talks about liking to watch the game on TV, the uniforms, and fans cheering at a match. The photographs for all of these slim books are engaging and attractively arranged on the pages, and there is a good balance of gender and ethnicity; there's even a mother putting air in tires in Cars. While eager young readers may enjoy this series for the pictures alone, the information is extremely limited.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

PreS-Gr 1—Colorful collages depict plump penguins performing a plethora of penguiny pastimes—tobogganing into the ocean, cuddling for warmth, honking to attract a mate. Barner's simple rhyming text presents a variety of the birds—those that delight in Antarctic cold and others that bask in Galapagos sunshine, some that lay eggs in burrows, and others that nestle their eggs on the tops of their leathery feet. Some facts fill the facing pages (such as "What do penguins eat?" accompanied by cut-outs of squid, fish, and krill), and a final spread proffers a parade of all 17 species, including data on global location, size, and weight. This effervescent effort will be just the thing for youngsters not yet ready for Gail Gibbons's informative Penguins! (Holiday House) or the more sophisticated rhymes of Judy Sierra's Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems (Harcourt, both 1998).—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—Written in large, easy-to-read print, these titles provide simple and straightforward introductions to these ancient cultures. From the all-powerful gods and goddesses through the birth of democracy to the gory details of the vomitorium, various facets of the Greeks and the Romans are depicted. The small-format books are perfect for small hands, and the short, precise chapters give budding historians a brief overview of each civilization. These titles offer a nice step up for readers who have moved beyond the early-reader books and are looking for something with a bit more substance. Crisp photographs and occasional artwork complement the texts and make for an engaging layout.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Gr 1–3—Each title begins by describing the desirable qualities of the featured pet. Following chapters pose and answer questions about the basics of the animal's needs, including food, care, and health. The books direct readers to shelters, rescue groups, and local veterinarians to find a pet. The material is brief, providing a general overview, with little in-depth advice or guidelines. Attractive, heartwarming color photographs induce readers to want to take every creature pictured home.—Colleen D. Bocka, Nathaniel Rochester Community School, Rochester, NY

K-Gr 3—This introduction to creatures "just as strange and wonderful as any dinosaur" pairs a straightforward text with action-packed, lifelike illustrations. The book's structure is similar to Brown's other "I Can Read!" titles, with a spread devoted to each of 11 prehistoric animals, including the Elasmosaurus, Hainosaurus, and Archaeopteryx. Helpful pronunciation guides are included. Readers of this book will get a close-up feel for life millions of years ago.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

K-Gr 3—All four books have the same beginning and end. Matthew asks to hear the story of his birth, "their family's special fairy tale." His parents met at "grown-up school" where they learned many interesting things, including the fact that, "A tiny embryo gets formed when a man's special baby-making seed called sperm and a woman's special baby-making egg get together." After they get married, they try to conceive, but "no baby grew in Hope's special place…." They go to see Dr. Quest, a "special doctor," who informs them that they won't be able to make a baby together but that there are other things they can do. It is here that the four books diverge, each presenting its respective topic. In each case, a loving and helpful person who loves animals, flowers, and only chocolate cones for ice cream (just like Hope and Will) is found. The rest of each book celebrates the anticipation and birth of the long-awaited baby, Matthew. These books are meant to reassure readers whose own conception involved one of these reproductive options. As such, the audience for each one is limited. Compounding this limitation is the condescending tone. Readers may well remember the name of the egg donor, Sunshine, rather than understand the significance of her role, or they may focus on the ice cream rather than the parents' emotional decision. These books are not helped by the murky cartoon art that has Will licking his lips over the medicine he's about to take.—Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

PreS-Gr 1—Cohan's patriotic composition gets an exuberant visual treatment, showcasing a variety of American flags painted in acrylics on antique textured wood by a folk artist. Each full-page painting is matched with one line from the song. The subjects depicted range from an expected eagle and schoolhouse to a more surprising snowman and scarecrow. A sly sense of humor comes across through pictures such as a cow and a pig nose to nose matched with "Should auld acquaintance be forgot." A preening rooster, dressed in a tight flag suit, accompanies the line, "Where there's never a boast or brag." Naturally, the predominant colors used are red, white, and blue. A page of "Song Notes" and "Flag Facts" facing the musical notation for the melody rounds out the book. Folk-art enthusiasts and young children learning the song will appreciate this offering.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

K-Gr 3—This riotous and bold concept book presents the basic ideas about color with simple text and clear, inviting images. Beginning like many other such books, it opens with an invitation to "Look around you/the world is full of color," followed by spreads of arty photo collages introducing each of the three primary colors. A photograph of finger-painting provides the perfect lead-in to the idea of color mixing, followed by spreads for each of the secondary colors. A large turning wheel allows readers to see what color results when two colors are mixed and is backed neatly by a similar wheel demonstrating complementary colors. On the following pages, black and white provide an introduction to the concepts of shading and tinting. The language of color, including word associations (e.g., blue: cool, calm, sad), and different shades printed in their appropriate hues are included as are some craft activities and a few trompe l'oeils. The title concludes with an eye-catching collage of a rainbow. Children will love this book, but unfortunately some parts, such as the color wheel, may not hold up well through many circulations. Although this entry is a bit overwhelming because of the amount and diversity of material presented, its overall appeal, engaging images, and appropriate language make it a sound addition to libraries seeking to enhance their art sections.—Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic Center Library, CA

K-Gr 2—These serviceable titles describe animals' body parts and what they are used for. Teeth is the strongest of the three in terms of the index; it lists information that children doing reports might look for, such as "food" and "jaws." It explains how teeth are used to eat different foods, and how some animals, such as alligators, grow more when the originals wear out. Antlers includes "hat" and "hard" in the index but not any of the animals mentioned. The five-word index in Hooves lists "sharp" and "feet," but, again, none of the animals mentioned. Each page includes a full-color photo and two or three sentences. Overall, these will be of more interest to students who are keen on animals than to those writing reports.—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

Gr 1–2—With large print, easy vocabulary, and a color photo or computer-generated diagram on each spread, these books are short on scientific information and long on overall effects. In Rainy Days, the spread on the water cycle uses the word "evaporates," but the process is not explained in the text, and the glossary says only, "changes from a liquid to a gas." The diagram showing the cycle does not have arrows indicating the flow of the process and, indeed, the steps go in a cumbersome counterclockwise direction. Directions for making a simple rain gauge using a jar and a ruler are adequate. In the second title, "Where Wind Comes From" does a fairly good job of explaining that uneven heating causes air movement, but the sentences describing wind caused by pressure differentials are confusing, and "air pressure" is not explained. The glossary defines it as "the weight of air." The discussion of wind strength and direction mentions an anemometer, but there's no picture or explanation of it. The remainder of the book is devoted to the effect of winds-blowing sailboats and windmills, tornado devastation, etc. A picture of a boat with no wind inflating its sail is simply captioned, "These kids are sailing at a park. There are many places you can sail." The amount of useful information in these books does not justify their cost.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

K-Gr 4—Diakité once again reaches into the rich folkloric heritage of his native Mali for this tale of the folly of trusting appearances. Beautiful Mee-An has decided she will accept only a perfect husband, someone without a single scratch, scar, or blemish. Her magical little sister, Assa, turns herself into a fly and believes she has found such a paragon. However, he is really a serpent who plans to fatten both girls and devour them. With the help of a black heron, they are able to escape, and Mee-An learns that "seeing a person is not the same as knowing them." Diakité's trademark ceramic-tile illustrations are on the recto while the cleanly framed text is on the verso. A well-designed and elegantly told addition to folktale shelves.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 3—These books in an eight-title set begin with a one-page explanation of the topic. Each spread features a full-color photo facing one to three sentences in large-print text. The first part of the books gives examples of the character trait. In Cool, Paige doesn't yell when she finds a toy she likes; she asks for it calmly. Right on Time! shows Nathan "…sitting at his desk when the school bell rings." The second part of each book tells a story, and photos of the characters are superimposed over a "Blues Clues" looking background. These pages are framed by bold aqua borders, so that this part is differentiated from the examples. In Honestly!, James breaks a window and has to decide whether or not to confess. Finally, he tells his dad, "I wasn't very careful, and the window came to harm." Other series books support character education, but these titles provide specific behavioral examples. They would work well for discussion.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

PreS-Gr 2—Each title offers nine examples of good manners, one per spread. The writing is clear, no-nonsense. The correct behavior is highlighted through an example—"Elliot waits his turn to ride the swing"—followed by the sentence "He [or she or they] is [or are] using good manners," which strengthens the message. Yet this style wears a bit thin by the end of the book. Upbeat, well-mannered (no doubt) children of different ethnicities are shown on the endpapers and throughout. The digitally created illustrations are large, colorful, and interesting, helping to highlight the lessons. Each book has a useless index and a "Fun Facts" page. One fun fact is that in Tibet, people enjoy watching yak racing (Playground). Fun? Perhaps. Relevant? Not really. The "Good Manners" series (Capstone) offers similar information in a smaller format, with photographs of children participating in polite conduct. Finn's titles are, all told, pleasing-to-the-eye introductions to correct behavior, especially suitable for classroom use.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 1—Aimed at beginning readers, these books are for children who are seeing these animals for the first time. Photos are large and colorful, but not of exceptional quality. Goats, in particular, uses some odd camera angles, leaving readers with an incomplete picture of the animal. One wonders why it is important to point out that the pupil of a goat's eye is rectangular. Each title labels one or two parts of the animal, such as comb and wattle. All of the books end abruptly. These titles might suffice as introductions to common farm animals, but they don't have enough information for basic reports.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

K-Gr 3—Hamilton and Weiss bring to life an Italian folktale about the true value of a gift. A merchant visits an island with no cats to keep the rats at bay and happily gives the king two felines from his ship. The ruler insists on rewarding Antonio with a chest of jewels. Upon Antonio's return to Italy, another merchant, Luigi, hears of this good fortune. He decides to visit the island himself, believing that if the king rewards a gift of cats with such generosity, then he will recompense Luigi even further for the gift of sculptures, paintings, and fabrics. Luigi is dismayed to find himself rewarded with a kitten, but comes to understand that he has been given a most-valued possession. An author's note provides background on the folktale. Kanzler's warm-hued paintings evoke traditional images of European travel, from ornate borders and maps to an exotic turban-clad king and the bare-chested islanders of his company. Despite the mythologized imagery, the feline motif will appeal to a wide audience, and adults looking for folktales that are accessible to younger readers and listeners will appreciate the short text and upbeat tone.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 3—Like the open jar depicted on the blue cover, this compact volume attempts to capture a variety of bugs for closer examination. The 40 small poems feature everything from a louse to a chocolate-covered grasshopper. Playful black-and-white cartoon illustrations and page layouts punch up the poetry's delicate silliness. While the book's small size seems intended for individual reading, the selections themselves work best shared aloud. Several of them are intended for two voices or a chorus. Pair this lively title with Paul Fleischman's glorious Joyful Noise (HarperCollins, 1988).—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-K—Brightly colored acrylics fill the pages, which include spring shades of green on the endpapers and representations of the heart-shaped leaves and purple mulberries. Cartoonlike children of many ethnicities and with large almond-shaped eyes dance through the 10 verses as they jump out of bed, wash themselves, and go to school. Various scenic backgrounds represent the many countries in which the youngsters live. The book concludes with a short history of the song, which explains that its exact origin is not confirmed, but that there are several possibilities to consider. Directions for the dance as well as the eight bars of music with guitar chords are included. This multicultural treat will encourage creative movement as well as creativity in inventing other verses for preschoolers.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 3–5—This collection of poems touches on the sights and sensations a group of children experience on a field trip. Inside the museum, they encounter a suit of armor, a mummy, a dinosaur skeleton, an ancient wheel, paintings (Picasso, Cassat, Renoir), a modern mobile, a fossil, and an old tapestry. Selections are by such poets as Lilian Moore, Jane Yolen, Alice Schertle, and Myra Cohn Livingston—one per spread—shown amid the subjects they portray. Each of Dressen-McQueen's folk-art-style "exhibits," carefully crafted in acrylic paint, oil pastel, and colored pencil, successfully captures and reinforces the mood of its accompanying poem. For a poetic museum field trip from a child's point of view, try Susan Katz's Mrs. Brown on Exhibit (S & S, 2002). Both books can add excitement and fun to an impending museum visit or help inspire a class to summarize a recent trip.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 3–5—These simply written titles introduce different habitats and the flora and fauna that form the food chains and food webs within them. Kalman leads readers from general concepts, such as "What are wetlands?," through a few representative types of animals and plants and the various types of producers and consumers within the ecosystem. The books end with a visual representation of the energy of the individual food web, using photographs and arrows to indicate the interconnections. The environmental dangers to the specific habitats are addressed as well as suggested actions to protect them. Attractively laid out, small, beautiful photographic inserts with informative captions extend the main texts. Though the books focus on few representative species and provide only key details relevant to the topic, children can still learn a surprising amount, such as how underwater plants absorb carbon dioxide (Wetland), or how acacia trees prevent overgrazing (Savanna). All three are excellent extensions to textbooks covering food chains, or they could be enjoyed on their own.—Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL

PreS-Gr 4—This entertaining book allows children to comprehend the complexity of the natural world, and it will encourage their appreciation of butterflies. It is filled with details about behaviors and body parts, e.g., wings have "shimmering scales that overlap like shingles on a roof." Kelly playfully delineates how they eat: "You may not be able to taste a cupcake by standing on it, but a butterfly can!" She characterizes the migration of monarchs and explains the process of metamorphosis by including a dramatic comparison—a monarch caterpillar is 2700 times its original weight in two weeks. "If a newborn baby gained weight that fast, it would weigh eight tons. That's as big as two full-grown rhinos!" The text curves up and down, suggesting the fluttering movement of butterflies. Specific creatures are identified, although the delicate watercolor, gouache, and pen-and-ink artwork is somewhat muted and the colors are not quite as vibrant as one might expect. Nonetheless, this is a delightful book to share with children and would be a splendid resource for reports, even though there is no index.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 1–4—Lisa's class is studying probability. For homework, she must make predictions about what will, might, and can't happen over the weekend. She must also think of different events with varying chances of happening. Penny, her Boston terrier, helps Lisa visualize the situations needed for the assignment. Leedy's uncluttered, computer-generated artwork matches her clear and orderly text. What Lisa imagines—Penny eating a birthday cake, discovering buried treasure, and inventing a jet pack—appears in thought bubbles with scalloped edges. Penny stands out against the textured pastel backgrounds, and her brown eyes are like marbles. Actual photographs, such as of clothes in a laundry basket where the pet discovers a missing toy and of the vegetables they buy at the farmer's market, are used sparingly and heighten the reality of events that do happen. Readers will remember what they have learned about probability because they have seen a charming Boston terrier in both probable and improbable situations. Librarians will most certainly want this follow-up to Measuring Penny (1998) and Mapping Penny's World (2000, both Holt), which are probably in circulation at this very moment.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 3–5—Levete explains who immigrants are and why people might choose to live in a foreign country. Why some people are against immigration is briefly explained. She suggests ways that readers can help new immigrant classmates. The second title discusses the difference between learning difficulties and learning disabilities. It focuses on dyslexia and explains autism and ADHD. Interestingly, medications are not mentioned. The writing is appropriate for the target audience, and the large type is placed amid plenty of white space. Both books have bright color photos. Blue "My Story" boxes give a peek at how particular kids cope with their issues: "My dad is a doctor.…But because he doesn't have the right papers, he can only work packing boxes here." "Sam has ADHD....This means he is always…fidgeting and active." These are acceptable introductions, and they are well organized for report writers.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 3—A day in the life of a moose calf is chronicled through a breezy narrative infused with factual information. Each spread features a few sentences paired with a full-page, richly hued illustration done in a soft-focus, almost impressionistic style. The text and art inform and engage young readers as they follow the calf through a day full of smells and sounds, danger, and a cow mother's constant care and protection. A few amazing facts about this powerful animal are appended.—Judy Chichinski, Skyline Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

Gr 2–3—This introduction to the hatching of sea turtles is organized as a kind of scrapbook for the author's young daughter, seen in occasional photographs as she walks on the beach with her mother or watches for the hatching. "You are my helper on the Island Turtle Team. You are eager to learn about the sea turtles, the flowers, the shells, the birds, and all things great and small." The album layout, with several small photographs sprinkled with labeled pictures of plants and shells, is potentially attractive and informative, but views of the featured animals are tiny and indistinct. Monroe explains how the mother turtles come ashore, lay eggs, and leave; how the Turtle Team moves eggs in danger of washing away; and how the hatchlings immediately head for the sea. She urges readers to look for evidence of sea turtles on the beach and to be prudent about this environment. Little is said about the life cycle and travels of the adult species, and readers aren't told the likely location of beaches where sea turtles might nest. Closing pages include a review of sea turtle facts, short activities, and suggestions for constructing one's own nature scrapbook. Since sea turtles are described in numerous attractive and informative books, this one will probably work best as an introduction for young readers who actually live near nesting beaches.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

K-Gr 2—Eggs that do not come in stock sizes suited to specially designed cartons at the supermarket (no matter what the kids think) can be fascinating in their infinite variety. For each different kind of ova, Posada presents a clue-filled verse, a teasing fragment of a watercolor collage, and the universal question about what is developing inside the featured egg. A quick flip of the page reveals the answer with a full-blown illustration and an informative paragraph on the featured creature. (Yes, a purist might carp on being told the spider spun her egg case "with her eight long legs" with nary a mention of spinnerets, but spiders do use their legs to distribute the spun silk, so never mind.) The text is brief and to the point, and the charming collages generate Waldo-like searches for a clue to parental identity. Final pages present the eggs in question in their actual sizes and a step-by-step visualization of the miraculous changes inside a duck egg from the 4th to the 26th day. For a tighter focus, think of titles like Martin Jenkins's The Emperor's Egg (1999), Ruth Horowitz's Crab Moon (2000, both Candlewick) or Dianna Aston's luminous An Egg Is Quiet (Chronicle, 2006). Attractive, informative, and fun for the younger set.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—Third graders in a school in Pennsylvania describe their experiences with their classmate Mikayla, a girl in a wheelchair with multiple disabilities, including mental retardation, legal blindness, and hearing loss. Through observations, anecdotes, and child-created art, the students explore how they move from initial feelings of fear to acceptance and friendship. Each youngster takes a turn illustrating a class-written narrative that expresses such things as Mikayla's love for cotton candy and for singer Clay Aiken as well as how the kids thought up a way to include her as the pitcher in kickball. While this book reads, at times, like a teacher-driven class project, the students' affection for their friend feels very honest. The watercolor-and-ink paintings, including one by Mikayla, display an authenticity that an adult illustrator may not have been able to replicate. This title is of great value for classrooms and home use alike as more and more schools, students, and parents work toward mainstreaming children with disabilities.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 1–5—Characteristic of her previous titles, Ross gives directions in short, simple, numbered steps. Each project includes clear and colorful illustrations to help elucidate the texts. Supplies needed are given at the beginning of each activity. Crafts suggested in Mother's Day are rather ordinary and unimaginative. Some of the ideas in Farm Animals may be too difficult for the youngsters who are actually learning about these animals. For example, the "Egg-Laying Chicken," while clever, will take many helping hands to glue a cuff from a sock inside a cardboard party hat. Yet the fairly simple "Floating Ducklings," made from two makeup sponges, would be easy enough for young children. The strongest book of the three is the Girlfriends' Get-Together Craft Book, in which the author suggests a clever design for a T-shirt, possibly to cover a stain, and two gift ideas such as decorating pushpins or thumbtacks or embellishing an art frame to hang pierced earrings. Pick and choose among these supplemental titles.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-Gr 1—Simple sentences in large print are combined with bright, colorful underwater photographs in these easy readers. Starting with a brief explanation, such as "Sea dragons are a kind of fish," information is provided on where these creatures are found ("Most seals live along the ocean shore"); specific body parts ("A stingray has eyes on the top of its body"); how they protect themselves ("Sea anemones hide clown fish from other fish"); and what they eat ("A stingray eats fish, worms, shrimp, and clams"). The books include a reference to FactSurfer.com. On most pages, more than three fourths of the page is covered with an eye-catching photo; some pictures are full spreads. These titles help to introduce the marine world to the very young in a pleasant yet educational manner. For more information, try Miriam Gross's The Sea Dragon and The Stingray (both Rosen, 2006), which also have great photos. Doe Boyle's Coral Reef Hideaway: The Story of the Clown Anemonefish (1995) and Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld's Seal Pup Grows Up (1994, both Soundprints) are both kid-appealing standbys with true-to-life illustrations and information in a story format.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-Gr 3—A handsomely illustrated version of a folktale favorite. Wisnewski's retelling is straightforward and the language has a comfortable, folksy cadence. The tale ends happily, as Little Red Riding Hood's father comes to the rescue, vanquishes the wolf, and extracts Grandmother from its stomach, "shocked and shaken, but none the worse for wear." The illustrations—black-and-white prints made from cut-paper designs and then painted in watercolors—have the depth and texture of woodcuts. An author's note sets the tale in Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum in Massachusetts, and the artwork reflects details of life in early-19th-century rural New England. While the characters' faces tend to be a bit wooden, their clothing and other fabrics, the exteriors and interiors of the houses, and the snow-covered woods are all vividly and gracefully rendered. The endpapers' red-and-white checkered pattern is repeated on the napkin covering the basket of goodies and the tablecloth in Grandmother's kitchen, and bright red winterberries provide a colorful balance to the child's "bright as a berry" cloak. Visual details abound, and observant youngsters will notice that a calico cat plays a heroic role in the story. An eye-catching addition to folk and fairytale shelves.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—Young uses short rhymes to introduce 12 familiar outside games. Each one begins with the stanza, "On lazy days of summer, I go out to play…," followed by a short poetic description of hopscotch, tag, fishing, etc. All the rhymes have seven lines and the same basic meter, which gets tiresome after a while. Some are well crafted, but a few are awkward, like this line about a three-legged race: "Do you think it'd be faster if together we'd crawl?" After each rhyme, a "Did You Know?" section gives interesting facts about the featured game. O'Malley's watercolors appear on every spread and feature children at play. The illustrations are realistic but are done from a variety of perspectives, which gives them a sense of movement and energy. Glen Vecchione's Sidewalk Games (Sterling, 2003) has a wider variety of activities (more than 40) and gives more complete instructions about how to play them. —Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT