Preschool to Grade 4

K-Gr 3—Jake and his father are prospectors during the gold rush. The boy wants a dog but settles for a pig, figuring both have four legs, floppy ears, and a tail. One night in a tussle with his pet over Pa's overcoat, Jake discovers some corn seeds in the garment's lining. He plants them, and from that point on, success follows incrementally. The corn crop attracts a goat. Corn makes fritters, the goat gives milk, and folks start coming around for a meal. Food is traded for supplies and soon the boy and his father are living comfortably. Pa credits it all to luck, but readers know that the success is due to Jake's ingenuity and hard work. The pastel illustrations feature brilliant shades of blue, purple, and green. Glowing reds, oranges, and yellows highlight the spreads. The characters and scenery are depicted in a stylized, sometimes abstract manner. Some items, such as corn, trees, and Pa's coat sleeve, are difficult to figure out. Many views are shown from the bottom looking up, offering varied, sometimes jarring perspectives. Both the story line and illustrations are worthwhile but they don't blend well. The pictures are better suited to a story about another universe than to one set in the American West. Some larger collections might want this as an example of innovative storytelling.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-K—In this follow-up to "I'm Not Cute!" (Hyperion, 2006), Baby Owl takes his toy, Owly, for a nighttime stroll through the woods. Badger pops up unexpectedly, tells him not be frightened, and asks him why he's out past his bedtime. Indignant, Baby Owl replies, "I'm NOT scared!" and points out that "owls stay up all night!" After enduring similar encounters with Bear and Bat, the frustrated youngster meets his father and tells him that it's really Owly who is afraid. Papa calms him down, takes him home, and tucks him into bed, whispering, "It's okay to be a little bit scared of the dark," a message that a reassured Baby Owl passes on to Owly. The cartoon illustrations are painted in dusky hues with black outlines, and the glossy quality of the light-infused colors makes the art look like animation cels. The focus is on the animal characters, with just enough background detail to suggest the setting. Baby Owl has lots of personality, and despite his bravado, his large, circle-shaped eyes betray his true state of mind. The expressive visuals, brief text, and protagonist's believably childlike behavior are just right for young audiences.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 2–4—Anaya has retold a Mexican legend and made it his own with his spiritual prose. Jade's people are struggling. Her mother tells her that because there is no rain, there will soon be no food. Without sustenance, the villagers will have to leave their homes at the foot of the volcano where they have lived for generations. Then Jade is told by a hummingbird that she should visit the Mountain Spirit on the peak of the volcano to ask for his help. The spirit is pleased with her bravery and faith and not only grants her rain, but also gives her some corn kernels. Jade uses them to create masa, dough that is baked into the first tortilla. Córdova's rich acrylic paintings lend a traditional feel to the setting while maintaining the tale's mystical elements. A beautifully written and illustrated title.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 2–4—Cristina dreads waking up in the heat one summer morning, but her grandmother promises that rain will come by the end of the day when they make sopaipillas. Abuelita begins to recount the story of Cristina's great-grandfather, Benito, and how making the pillows of fried dough helped him bring rain to his drought-parched farm. Baca has created a magical folktale surrounding the fried bread that fills with raindrops when Benito tosses them into the sky. The recipe is included. The story is told in English and Spanish, with text in both languages on each page. Accardo's watercolor-and-ink illustrations add warmth to this family tale, bringing all of the generations of Cristina's family to life. With the framing story of Cristina and the actual tale of Benito and the sopaipillas, the text is too long to use in a storytime, but it would work nicely in a classroom setting as part of a unit on folktales, cooking, or Mexico, or just as an excuse to make delicious sopaipillas.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 2—The star of No Ordinary Olive (2002) and Olive's Pirate Party (2005, both Little, Brown) is sleeping over at her friend Lizard's house for the first time, and the two girls have great plans. Collecting bugs, playing pizza parlor with gross combinations of food, and making a blanket tent get things started. Not even Lulu, Lizard's big sister, can dampen their spirits with her teasing about things that go bump in the night. Then it's lights-out time. Olive is afraid in the dark room, even with her stuffed polar bear for company. A quick call home reassures her, but not for long, especially when she hears suspicious noises. Olive and Lizard track down and tackle the culprit, a good-natured Lulu. With a little parental intervention and a night-light, Olive is able to settle down at last. Great lines underscore the silly fun and very real fears of a child's first sleepover. For example, Olive thinks to herself, "I'm glad Lizard is sleeping closer to the door....If there is such a thing as a slippery, green ghoul, it will eat her first." The cartoon artwork, flyaway sketches with bright watercolor splashes, captures the action (and some priceless expressions) with exuberance and domestic charm.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

Gr 3–6—In Snake Swindle, Klooz opens a detective business when his friend Dexter moves away. Then, magic balls begin appearing at school. Klooz's classmate Sean explains that if one of the plastic balls is dropped into whatever your mom is cooking for dinner, a wish is granted. Sean swears that he received a TV and DVD player for his birthday because he used one. And anyone can buy one for just 10 dollars. Klooz begins to investigate and discovers that his old pal, Dexter, is the mastermind behind the scam. He confiscates the magic balls and makes the boys return everyone's money. In Detective's Duel, the 11-year-old returns from vacation to discover that another kid has stolen his beat. Even worse, King is cheaper; he charges fewer packs of chewing gum. Klooz is determined not to be out-sleuthed, but he is thwarted by King at every turn. In the end, he discovers that his nemesis is indeed a superior investigator, due in part to his cell phone and home computer. Klooz is ready to quit the business when King moves away. Both stories move along quickly, keeping readers entertained and involved, and the open layout is perfect for reluctant readers. Klooz is an engaging, well-rounded character. He is mature and thoughtful, and yet behaves like a regular kid. Humorous black-and-white drawings appear throughout; discussion questions and writing prompts appear at the end.—Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

Gr 2–4—Legend has it that the enormous stone statues on Easter Island can help the people when they are in danger. Aware of an approaching tsunami, young Pico runs to warn his father, who is carving one of the stones. Pico is engulfed by the towering wave, gets tangled in seaweed, and is saved only by holding onto one of the totems: "Half drowned, I barely held on. All at once, the statue seemed to shift beneath me. To lift me higher. And then—To walk." Using a palette made up of browns, greens, and blues in Adobe Photoshop, the artist depicts the statues in dramatic, sometimes eerie spreads ("…great chins jutted, dark eyes peered, and harsh brows loomed, on bodies that stood six or seven times taller than me"); the big wave as it crashes on shore; and the boy as he struggles underwater. A touching illustration on the final pages shows Pico being embraced by his father. The author also provides some fascinating information about the statues and the ancient culture that created them. This picture book will be enjoyed by children who are old enough to deal with the fantastical and scary elements in the story.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 1–3—Rambunctious second-grader Bean and her more conservative friend, Ivy, are back for another easy-chapter-book adventure. This time, a book of world records gets the class thinking of feats they can accomplish. Bean unsuccessfully (and hilariously) tries to break some records, then decides to be the youngest person to discover dinosaur bones and starts digging in the backyard. Ivy has read a book about Mary Anning, who found a dinosaur skeleton at the age of 12. Anning is held up as a model of patience and perseverance, two qualities from which Bean would benefit. Her father is home during the day, and readers see their wonderful, positive relationship. He supports their efforts and agrees that the bones they've discovered are mysterious. It's not a terribly original story idea, but Barrows has a fine touch. Blackall's humorous drawings add to the fun. This is a great chapter book for students who have recently crossed the independent reader bridge.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

Gr 3–4—After Jadyn decides to do his famous foreign personality report on Gandhi, he receives a present from his aunt: a small bottle of magic bubbles. The bubbles transport him to New Delhi, where a boy named Anil becomes his guide. Jadyn is amazed by the spectacle of narrow streets, silk-making, rickshaws, and food stands. They meet Anil's sister, who tells him about Gandhi. Suddenly, a bubble appears to take him home. He announces at dinner that his report will be about the great leader he learned about on his adventure. The tale is flat, predictable, and simply a means to present limited facts. Some culture is revealed, but it could be found in nonfiction works. The one-sided characters respond as anticipated, with little development. Colorful, childish drawings allow readers to visualize parts of India, but do little to excite.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS-Gr 1—A sky-blue bunny wonders why she is different from her more traditionally colored siblings. Her gray granny explains that "she came out of the blue." A strong breeze begins to blow, and while the other rabbits run to their burrow to hide, Thunder Bunny jumps on the wind and lets it carry her high into the sky. When the clouds darken and block her way, she begins to dig a tunnel through them. Momentarily frightened by the rumble of thunder, she finds courage in repeating her earlier exuberant proclamation, "I am the blue and the blue is me." After the storm, she rejoins her family, now transformed into a radiant "sun and moon bunny," with a celestial image emblazoned on her chest. Berger's glowing, softly colored palette is perfectly suited to the subject matter. The torn-paper technique adds texture and drama, especially to the clouds. Children will enjoy the lovely illustrations, but the story may be unclear to them.—Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

Gr 2–6—In the Malaysian rainforest, 13-year-old Nizam prepares for his clan's annual honey hunt. This year he will climb behind his grandfather, Pak Teh, more than 120 feet up the tualang trees in the black of night to the branches where giant bees have built massive combs more than six feet wide. Before they start, the honey hunters recount the traditional tale that still guides their hunting practices. In fact, the entire process is infused with reverence for the gifts of the forest and respect for the insects that produce the golden honey. After the successful hunt, Nizam's designation as the next honey hunter leaves him proud but reverent. Mirocha's illustrations incorporate details of Malaysian culture and the lush landscape of the rainforest. Despite the fact that much of the story takes place at night, the illustrations are bright enough for group sharing. Equally fascinating are the concluding eight pages of information and photographs. Readers can see the real Pak Teh, the towering trees, and the huge comb wax nests, and learn more about the indigenous people, the giant honey bees, and the rainforest ecosystem. Although the story can stand alone, this additional information adds significantly to the book's effectiveness. For a look at a honey hunt in another part of the world, see April Pulley Sayre's If You Should Hear a Honey Guide (Houghton, 2000), which is set in East Africa.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

K-Gr 2—A shy boy goes through his days trying to avoid the people around him. He is scared to walk past the many doors in his building and hides under the table when his mother's friend visits. Going to the store, riding the train, and attending school are all stressful for him until he picks out a dog for his birthday. With the help of Max, the youngster befriends Ruby, a girl who sits in the cherry tree near the school. Together the boy, Ruby, and Max spend their summer looking at the sky, talking, and enjoying cherries. As the season ends, Ruby's family is ready to move on, but the boy has learned how to reach out and make a friend. The lovely, highly stylized paintings play with light and perspective and complement this simple story of the transformation of a child's feelings from isolation to confidence and belonging.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL

PreS—With a dance for every season, Katy Duck loves to "twirl like a leaf" and "stretch like a flower." But when her mother sends her for lessons, she's not so sure she wants to join in. With the help of Mr. Tutu, the duck overcomes her initial fear and joins in with her classmates. Children will relate to Katy's initial fears of performing in front of a group. Colorful, expressive watercolors of the duckling dancing outside during different seasons, and then practicing with the other animals in her class complement this simple story.—G. Alyssa Parkinson, Highland Township Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Henry, the mouse introduced in First Grade, Here I Come (Viking, 2006), likes everything about school except reading. He pretends to think that reading is "boring" and "dumb," but when confronted by his nurturing teacher, he admits that "words and letters just don't make any sense." After receiving extra help at school and home, Henry deciphers words, simple sentences, and, to his surprise, a library book. Carlson's appealing illustrations are rendered in her trademark style with bold colors and rich patterns. The art conveys humor, such as when Henry wears a cheese-patterned shirt. Many children will identify with him. However, the resolution is not totally believable: his transition from assisted reading to flying solo seems too quick and too smooth. Nevertheless, this title will reassure struggling readers and their parents.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

Gr 1–3—In this zany tale of a problem with some apostrophes, the Director of Punctuation, an austere-looking felt-tip marker, calls all the punctuation marks to order at their job-assignment meeting. Of all those present, only Greedy Apostrophe refuses to recite the Punctuation Oath. Disaster strikes when he is given the last assignment—to show possession. He "was always getting in trouble with possession!" Though he listens to the explanation of appropriate usage, he runs amok when he enters the store, misapplying apostrophes to signs for puppets ("puppet's"), marbles ("marble's"), and yo-yos ("yo-yo's") and confusing the customers. Clever children at the school across the street quickly spot the mistakes, but Greedy Apostrophe eludes them and remains at large. The expressions on Long's bright and quirky punctuation people will delight early elementary listeners. The book incorporates clearer explanations and a wider array of apostrophe use than Moira Rose Donahue's Alfie the Apostrophe (Albert Whitman, 2006).—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 3—Hamlet's porcine family and neighbors share very few of his interests. While the other pigs are primarily concerned with the trough and mud, Hamlet likes to read books and write poetry. When no one in his family will listen to his latest creation, he takes off for a nearby pond. There he watches the moon rise and sits near the water's edge, working on a new poem. Eventually, he becomes aware of his "twin" looking at him from the pond and regales it with his delightful lines. At first he takes his bobbing reflection as validation, but as the night becomes darker and his twin disappears, he is disappointed by the lack of response. Just when he feels his poetry has gone unappreciated, frogs, ducks, and other woodland critters call out to him: "Will you read to us?" Sitting beneath a tree, Hamlet has the pleasure of sharing his terrific gift with others. This sweet story not only highlights the importance of following a dream but also emphasizes the power and pleasure of playing with words. Enchanting watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations show an appealing protagonist who stands out from others of his kind. Deep, twilight hues and soft edges echo the text's contemplative mood. A lovely choice for storytimes and independent reading.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—When a large package arrives, Charlie and Frances stop arguing just long enough to speculate on who it is for and what it might hold. Mom says they must wait for Daddy before opening it, and the siblings conclude that it must contain something dangerous-perhaps even a lion. Listening carefully, they believe that they hear a heartbeat and decide that the creature is sleeping. This sets off a new round of quarreling over who will get to play with it once it is unwrapped. Eventually, Daddy arrives and reveals that there's been a mix-up. The delivery man returns to switch the box with a smaller one: their father's new tool kit. In a surprise twist, the children find a new project to work on together—building a house for "the next lion that gets delivered!"—without fighting once. The brightly colored illustrations, done in a flat and childlike style, capture the story's innocence and exuberance as the siblings imagine the lion and the exciting things they could do with it. The action stretches onto both endpapers and the artwork abounds with whimsical details, such as a playful cat that appears on most spreads. With its universal theme of sibling relations and the imagination-stirring potential of an unopened box, this fun book holds broad child appeal.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR

Gr 2–4—To keep summer boredom at bay, Randall and his friend Max decide to start a chess club. Subplots about a bully, a grouchy old man, and a missing bird augment this beginning chapter book. The story is one big example of positive thinking and community mindedness—to the point of seeming preachy. Randall's babysitter offers advice like, "the only ones who fail are the ones who never try." The club is a huge success and Randall makes the jump from including the bully and old man to creating a joint student and senior citizen organization. Fisher's illustrations are full and half page and include clever touches such as Randall's "I love chess" shirt. The book ends with the boy's guide to playing the game. Librarians may enjoy the nod to summer reading. (The first thing Randall and Max do for fun is sign up.) However, this book won't be enough to help most kids survive a boring summer. It will appeal to readers who like chess and parents who want a positive story about inclusion and kindness.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

PreS-Gr 1—In this simple counting book, Mamma Pig is in the kitchen when one of her children makes a dinner request ("One pig wants potatoes/So Mamma starts to cook"). As she prepares the vegetables, her bespectacled son, her tutu-wearing daughter, and then her briefcase-toting husband also put in their orders for spuds. Soon several neighbors arrive and the number of potatoes to be peeled and boiled increases to nine with "one more for good measure." Charming acrylic and charcoal pictures of a cozy household and a happy family will have wide appeal. The antics of the pigs and their pet cat add gentle humor to the homey illustrations. The rhyming text ends when the potatoes are eaten, the table is cleared, and Mama has received numerous kisses. Read this along with Laura Numeroff's If You Give a Pig a Pancake (HarperCollins, 1998) and David McPhail's Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore! (Puffin, 1996) for a hungry-swine storytime.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 1–2— Birthday Gift is about Benny's struggle to find the perfect present for his friend. A loose tooth helps him solve his dilemma. In New Look, Emma tries to change her appearance to look less like her father. From kindergarten to sixth grade, she makes changes that never work. In the end, she realizes that she can look like her dad and still be herself. The words and sentence structures are ideal for students who have mastered the basic sentence structures. Both books are illustrated with average-quality, brightly colored cartoons that fill most of the pages.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL

PreS-K—A pajama-clad toddler opens his present to find a toy penguin. Much to Ben's chagrin, the bird doesn't say anything, no matter how hard the boy tries to engage it—singing, dancing, even sticking out his tongue in exasperation. It isn't until a blue lion chomps on the child that Penguin jumps into action and rescues his new pal. Facial features on each character, down to even the simplest dots used for eyeballs, show a range of expressions from anger to frustration and, finally, love. The attractive, spare illustrations in mixed media are focused and centered on a white background. The culminating spread says it all—with a heart. A tender supplement for toy and companionship titles.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-Gr 2—Competition is stiff at the annual "Pest Fest" talent show. Vying for the coveted title of "Best Pest of the Year," Ladybug sings a song that can "make the Manbugs swoon," and Firefly boasts of being a "lighthouse in the sky." Housefly feels woefully inadequate. Compared to Butterfly or Honeybee, his looks "rate a zero" and he lacks the musical touch of such "expert noise creator[s]" as Cricket and Cicada. He reluctantly enters the contest, confessing, "The only thing I do all day/is hang around...pester dogs...heckle humans." His talents are praised and this "Prince of Persecution" is crowned the winner. The rhyming verses capture amusing verbal jousting among the insects. Cyrus's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations offer stunning close-ups of the contestants, showing lush views of the streamside setting from their down-to-earth perspective. The final pages contain a creepy, crawly surprise for a snoozing fisherman who unwittingly becomes a part of the festivities. Young entomologists will go buggy for this book.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 4—Miss Perfect writes an advice column for the Beastly Gazette. While some of her words of wisdom are generally applicable (clean up your room, consider the feelings of others, etc.), other suggestions are of use only to the particular beast asking the question. She tells a young komodo dragon to take an extra soapy bath to discourage her parents from eating her, and advises a porcupine to choose a dancing partner with thick skin, such as a rhino. While the concept is amusing, each bit of advice is overly long and there are far too many letters, resulting in a certain amount of tedium. The pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons are pleasant but unexceptional. David Greenberg's Don't Forget Your Etiquette! (Farrar, 2006), Alan Katz's Are You Quite Polite? (S & S, 2006), and Diane Goode's Mind Your Manners! (Farrar, 2005) are all livelier choices.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—When Uncle Bill, a botanist, gives Max a bag of seeds for his birthday, the boy's boring daily routine is altered. Now he scatters the seeds on his way to school, watches plants sprout, studies many flower varieties with his classmates, and witnesses the transformation of a town depicted as plain in the opening endpapers but lavishly adorned with blooms at the end. Poppies, sunflowers, daisies, marigolds, and more line the streets like a "colorful ribbon" that leads to Max's house and identifies him as "the flower magician" who is publicly honored for his deed. Old churches, fountains, iron gates, tile roofs, and winding cobblestone streets are charmingly represented in this European import. While the book is pretty to look at, an awkward switch in verb tenses at the beginning suggests the translation could use more polish. Elschner's characters are disappointingly flat. Max acts in a commendable way, but his experience seems devoid of wonderment and joy. Uncle Bill delivers seeds, but offers few inspirational words. For fully realized characters with a passion for planting, stick with Sarah Stewart's The Gardener (Farrar, 1997) and Barbara Cooney's Miss Rumphius (Viking, 1982).—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-K—In this follow-up to Oh No, Gotta Go!(Putnam, 2003), a niña goes on a picnic with her mother and father. She proudly states that she has planned ahead and not had anything to drink, so she will not need to use the bathroom during the outing. However, after the family begins walking home, she suddenly realizes that, "There's more than one reason to sit on the pot," and they must sprint back home to make it on time. The text, in rhyming couplets with one or two Spanish words in most lines, is fun to read aloud. A glossary with pronunciations is featured at the beginning of the book. Avril's chalk pastel and acrylic cartoon illustrations are full of action and bright colors, including some not-so-subtle indications of how the little girl feels (the street begins to resemble a volcano). Her actions and facial expressions are exactly right as realization dawns on her. This is a lighthearted look at a common childhood predicament.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 3—Papa and Mama Razzi call their daughter Principessa, "our princess bambina, our Bina." Papa snaps her picture, many times, every day. Then, bambino Pasquale is born ("our Bino"), and Principessa is jealous. She calls her brother "Boo Boo Bino," "Peeyew Bino," and "Burpy Baby Binky Bino" until threatened with a time-out. Papa photographs the siblings every day but Principessa does not like any of the pictures because Bino is in all of them. She decides she will never smile for photographs again. When the newspaper announces a contest for the child with the most beautiful smile, Papa gets his camera and Principessa hides in her closet. She refuses to come out no matter how hard her parents coax her. Then, Bino begins imitating his sister's angry faces. Unable to resist his comic efforts, she emerges, tells Bino to "Make this face," and smiles her best, most beautiful smile. Featuring characters in snazzy attire, the acrylic and pencil illustrations are delightful. Mama wears oversize turquoise cat's-eye eyeglasses and Papa sports a huge mustache. Principessa is enchanting even when she is angry. The tension in her shoulders is palpable and accentuates her facial expression. An engaging take on a common family situation.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Tad loves frolicking with other tadpoles, using his strong tail for swimming, and basking in the comfort of his mother's protective glances. Despite reassurances from other pond creatures including Aunt Salamander, Cousin Newt, and an old prawn, he sees no benefits to acquiring legs. The explanation that they are important for growing up sends him into a tizzy. He emphatically states: "I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GROW UP." When a sneaky snake almost captures him, however, experience proves that each stage of life has its benefits. Tad's new legs respond automatically, and he is able to avoid his captor effortlessly. Appropriately fuzzy watercolor scenes evoke pond life in murky shades of green and brown. Filtered rays of sunlight result in an eye-catching effect and give warmth and focus to the underwater pictures. Tad's physical transformation is clearly delineated throughout the story, as are his emotions. Use this book with Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Philomel, 1981) or Lois Ehlert's Waiting for Wings (Harcourt, 2001) for discussions of animal metamorphosis, or pair it with a first-day-of-school tale like Nancy Carlson's Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! (Viking, 1999) to support young children ambivalent about taking their own next steps.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Gr 2–4—Horace attends a school for boys who want to become knights. His evil teacher, Sir Sneazle, announces that King Arthur will be inspecting their school and assigns the students impossible homework, with the intent of keeping them away during the king's visit. One boy has to write 100 pages with no ink blots, three others have to rescue a fair maiden, and Horace has to kill a dragon. They hope that Horace's sister, who is always inventing things that everyone finds useless like bicycles (they'll never catch on) and forks (they're rude), will be able to help them. Add one wizard mother, a father who can shape-shift, and a very odd branch of family relations (think wings and scales), and what you get is a quirky, humorous plot to thwart the teacher. Horace and his sister are well developed, but secondary characters are less so. Background information on the Saxons and how Sir Sneazle is involved with them is sketchy. Still, readers will be so caught up in the adventure, inventions, and, of course, the dragons. White's small black-and-white sketches appear on several pages per chapter and add to the humor. Recommend this easy chapter book to low-level fantasy and adventure lovers.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 2–4—Cecil lives on a pirate ship with his mother, the captain. He has no desire to join her profession and he likes to read, so she sends him to the very best school she can find, which happens to be 200 years in the future (our current day). The ship crosses a time-warp line each morning to drop the boy off and returns for him each afternoon. He loves school but is sure parents' night will be a disaster. He's right. But when a flood threatens the school, his mother's ship comes to the rescue. The nonstop action, gruesome descriptions of Putrid Percival's cooking, and the boy's pet crocodile will have children hooked. King's black-and-white sketches liven the story even more.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 2–4—Princess Daisy attends the Royal Palace Academy for the Preparation for Perfect Princesses and learns the arts of creative cooking, talking to dragons, ball-gown design, and gracefully descending a staircase. On the dreaded day of meeting a real live dragon, mean Princess Floreen trips Daisy, sending her straight into the baby dragon and scaring him onto the roof. Daisy uses her burnt cupcakes to lure the little fellow back down to safety. Large type and a fast-paced story make this an easy read for children who cannot get enough of princesses. The protagonist addresses readers as if they, too, were attending the school, and pretty black-and-white illustrations appear on almost every spread. Readers are encouraged to visit the Tiara Club Web site for contests, coloring sheets, and more. This attractively packaged book will surely appeal to girly girls who like royalty, fantasy, and adventure.—Alison Grant, Ruby S. Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV

Gr 2–5—Two whimsical beginning chapter books, originally published separately in Great Britain and packaged together in this "flip over" volume. In the first story, eight-year-old Josie Jenkins discovers that she has superhuman strength, which the adults in her life are quick to exploit. Her family soon find themselves in New York City, where an unscrupulous huckster enters her into battles of strength for his own financial gain. In the second, Sam is staying with neighbors while his parents take a trip to the Moon. When their shuttle disappears, his host, Hilda Hardbottom, hatches a plot to become his guardian in order to receive the insurance money. When a visiting alien gives Sam a patch that makes him invisible, the boy uses his new ability to exact a just revenge on Hilda. Both children retain their innocence and good humor in the face of adversity and triumph over the adults standing in the way of their happiness. The simple language, quick-moving plots, and fantasy elements will appeal to newly confident and reluctant readers alike. The pen-and-ink illustrations add much to the telling of the tales, although one of the Brooklyn Bridge shows the World Trade Center in the background—a certainly unintended poignant reminder of what is now missing.—Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

Gr 2–4—How many ways can a soon-to-be fourth grader find to avoid reading Stuart Little? It's the one book that Moxy Maxwell has to read over the summer. Her remarkable imagination, coupled with stubbornness, gets her to the night before school starts. She's kept the book with her, but just couldn't bring herself to dig in. It's not that she doesn't like to read—she just despises being told what to read. It may be no surprise that when she finally picks the book up, she loves it. Gifford's depiction of an overly exuberant nine-year-old may remind some readers of Lois Lowry's Gooney Bird Greene (Houghton, 2002). Moxy is funny, and most readers will empathize with her avoiding something simply because it's required. One might wish for a little more depth from Moxy, more moderation of her self-centeredness, and, after a few chapters, her aevoidance tactics grow a tad stale. But the photographs—touted as having been taken by her twin brother—are fresh. (He read Stuart Little the first day of summer vacation.) Moxy's sarcastic captions for them seize the tone of her day. A dryly observant narration, clever chapter titles, and the spot-on illustrations provide added lift to the story.—Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE

K-Gr 1—When their teacher gets stuck in an indoor jungle gym, a group of rambunctious kindergartners takes over the room and chaos ensues. The story is told in singsong rhyme: "Naughty Gemma locked the door./'Grown-ups aren't allowed anymore!' 'Do what you like,' cried Silly Spike,/speeding around on a little blue trike." A little boy named Clever Clive decides to push the oven down the slide. Things go downhill from there, and the children finally realize that they do need their teacher. Banding together at her instruction, they pull her arm to free her from the contraption. In the end, "She gave us a hug and read us a story,/and then everything was hunky-dory." The cheery acrylic illustrations capture the playfulness of the children, but the text is strained. For a better choice about kindergarten antics, try Rosemary Wells's My Kindergarten (Hyperion, 2004) or one of Joseph Slate's many "Miss Bindergarten" titles (Dutton).—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

Gr 2–3—This very slight book should be called How to Turn off Newly Independent Readers. Longer paragraphs with fewer illustrations look great on the surface in this "Step 4" reader. Unfortunately, the story, in which Will describes his first day of third grade, is completely unbelievable. His brother is starting kindergarten. When the boys arrive at school, Steve is off and running—tearing around the halls, banging on the lockers, and creating total chaos. Will tries to ignore him but when the family dog finds his way into the school cafeteria, everybody and everything goes wild. While all of this is silly, it is not realistic. No school lets new students (kindergarteners, no less) roam the halls on their own or allows a food fight in the cafeteria. The illustrations are just as wild as the story with little to offer except for a pretty good description of what should not happen. This title fails to be funny; it's simply frenzied.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

PreS-Gr 2—Like many a young child, Mrs. Biddle's cat, Walter, has an overactive imagination. In his dreams, he is Fang, the wild tiger who terrorizes mice; the fearless buccaneer who rescues his "Persons" (owners) from pirates; the brave adventurer who discovers ancient artifacts. Loving Mrs. Biddle calls him "Kitty," "Wally," "Snookums," and "Baby"; gives him catnip that induces him to dig wildly in Mr. Biddle's garden; and "skritch[es]" him under his chin as he dreams of himself as a small, masked superhero, cape flying as he rushes down the sidewalk. Walter's day comes vibrantly alive in Santat's full-page cartoon art done in acrylic, ink, and Photoshop. While Walter's thoughts and narration are in black type, those for the Persons and Fang appear to be hand-printed and are set in dialogue balloons. Mug shots of the feline in his many guises fill the endpapers. The combination of imaginative plot and comic-book elements is sure to capture the fancy of children caught up in the superhero craze.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

K-Gr 2—Six-year-old Monty, who suffers from asthma, cannot have a pet, isn't allowed to participate in any game that requires too much physical activity, and sometimes has to be rushed to the hospital. As he begins first grade, he is apprehensive about being away from home all day, and about making friends. He does, however, find activities that won't irritate his condition. He is an excellent reader who is interested in many different subjects. He also discovers that he is good at finding items that other kids have lost and does this with much alacrity, winning praise from the principal's secretary. At one point, he adopts a caterpillar as a temporary pet. Through his experiences, Monty learns that by sharing his enthusiasm with others and being true to himself, he is able to make several friends. The pages are peppered with illustrations depicting Monty interacting with many people. This book should be a winner with children who want to be appreciated for their own unique qualities, rather than being singled out for their handicaps, whether real or imagined.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—Another story about one of three look-alike sisters. Daffodil is tired of being compared to a flower or mistaken for one of her siblings. When her mother makes a papier-mâché crocodile head, the youngster dons it and reinvents herself as a loud, dirty crocodile. For one blissful day, she terrorizes Violet and Rose (she eats the guests at their tea party); wreaks havoc at the dinner table; and firmly stakes her claim as a single girl, rather than one of a threesome. But the mask is damaged in the bathtub and must come off. Undeterred, Daffodil assures her mother that she is still a crocodile and proceeds to act like one, with her siblings joining in the noisy fun. Bogacki's illustrations are bold and bright. The mask is comically over-the-top—almost as large as Daffodil herself. However, while this book provides a testament to individuality, Daffodil (Farrar, 2004) has already done the job, and done it better. Rather than picking up where that book leaves off, this one simply tells the same story again. The image of the crocodile implies a stomping of the status quo (and there is plenty of stomping in this story) but there is none of the boisterous subversiveness of the first book.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

PreS-K—In first-person verse, a young boy preparing for kindergarten decides to take along his teddy bear, snacks, books, art supplies, and a host of other objects. His mother informs him that his teacher will have everything he needs. Just before mounting the school bus, he exclaims, "I leave my piles of stuff at home./I sing out, 'Doodle-eeeee!'/I'm off to kindergarten now,/And all I take is—ME!" While the premise of this tale is on the mark, the verse is sometimes strained and awkward as Johnston seems to select some words and phrases solely for their rhyming capacity. Sweet's full-page pencil and watercolor drawings are fresh and childlike, but they can't make this title competitive with the plethora of starting kindergarten books available.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—The narrator of this book—an irrepressible youngster wearing a puffy pink skirt and purple cowboy boots—is a miniature Miss Manners brimming with perky goodness. Harriet wants readers to know all the ins and out of "please" (once is good, many times is "whining," and saying it while grabbing is "bossy") and "thank you" (it can never be said too many times, and adding a hug makes it even better…"like a double-dip ice cream cone, because it's twice as nice"). She delves into when to say "I'm sorry," "Excuse me," and "May I help you?" (saying the latter makes her "feel like Super Harriet"). When to talk and when not to talk is also covered, as are compliments. Joosse's effective use of speech bubbles in various fonts, in addition to the main text, makes for especially interesting and amusing reading. Plecas's ink-and-watercolor cartoons imbue the already spirited commentary with personality, dimension, and even more energy. Plenty of white space enhances the impact of the illustrations, which are quite detailed and use just the right color combinations. This slightly irreverent but heartfelt primer on manners is a great place to start a discussion on the topic.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—Hapless Badger is no longer satisfied with his usual meal of apples, worms, and root vegetables, so he leaves his den (after a little whining) in search of a "fancy meal." In this sequential narrative, he nearly captures a mole, a rat, and a rabbit but, as fate would have it, they slip from his grasp. As Badger imagines a mole taco, a cheese-covered rat burger, and a rabbit banana split, he declares, "Now, that's what I call a fancy meal." Both pace and pitch are perfect: as Badger chases after another missed meal, the one he's just lost escapes down a hole that—you guessed it—happens to be his den. Children are allowed a sneak peek behind the scenes via a corner illustration of a faux folded-back page, displaying those that "got away," as they share a feast. And, of course, children won't miss the irony. When the happy animals depart, they leave a paw-signed thank-you note to their unknown host. The gouache illustrations are colorful and full of humorous expression. The story is excellent for reflection, explication, and retelling, not to mention the teaching of maxims and irony. Another bold, bright, and funny read-aloud to add to Kasza's canon.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

K-Gr 2—In clever rhyme, Katz suggests a variety of crude words that children are taught not to use in polite conversation, but which, in fact, are part of daily playground banter (booger, burp, poop, butt, barf, toilet, fart). Kids will delight in filling in the blanks (the seven words never appear in the text). When Michael's mother asks him what happened at school, he replies "Rebecca brought in birthday cookies—oatmeal, fudge, raisin, and sugar./Lee gave the whole class the ookies—he picked [his nose] and topped his with a…." Mom's response, "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" sets the pattern for the rest of the book. The illustrations are piled high with visual jokes and outrageous details, carrying the humor far beyond the text. Children and pets are painted with Catrow's signature enormous eyes and outrageous hair; adults are minimally depicted with elongated pointing fingers. Readers will identify with the details of a busy household: the vacuum on the stairs, floors cluttered with toys, the ever-present dog, the time-out spot. Allowing kids to talk about "naughty" words can remove the power associated with them, and Katz and Catrow have fun doing it. A first choice for celebrating children's natural fascination with body functions.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 1–4—The talkative star of Blabber Mouse (Dutton, 2001) is back. This time, he and his classmates are assigned oral book reports, and their teacher promises a cheesy-chip cookie party if everyone does a satisfactory job. While his friends diligently select titles and prepare their presentations, Blabber fritters away the time by talking, doodling, telling jokes, and agonizing over his assignment. He makes minimum preparations, but, with the help of his classmates, he successfully delivers a report in the end. The bold, varied cartoon illustrations are appealing and provide drama. The clothing and demeanor of the mouse characters realistically echo students found in a typical classroom. Subtle humor in the illustrations will delight more observant youngsters; some details will be best appreciated during independent reading. Many youngsters will identify with Blabber's terror of public speaking, and the theme of teamwork is strong as his friends rally around him during his presentation.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

Gr 1–4—On career day, several children tell exciting, glamorous stories about their parents' jobs as racecar driver, jeweler, and UFO hunter. Then, the book's narrator announces that her dad changes lightbulbs. When a boy laughs at this seemingly boring career and the teacher attempts to move on to a different subject, the girl continues to speak. She explains that she recently accompanied her father on a bus, a train, and a subway when he changed the bulb at the top of the Empire State Building. The harrowing details of this adventure amaze her teacher and classmates as the child proves that initial assumptions can be very wrong. While the story is positive in theme, its telling leaves something to be desired. The young narrator provides excessively detailed, sophisticated data, and her voice ranges from childish to overly technical. Neubecker's clear, bright illustrations effectively convey action and emotion, but it's unlikely that children will sit through the narrator's somewhat lengthy explanations.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

K-Gr 2—Klein introduces beginning readers to Max and his diverse group of friends. In Adoption Day Party, the boy helps his friend José celebrate the day he was adopted. Next, he participates in Lily's special holiday. In Sign Language, Max learns to communicate with his friend Susan, who is deaf. These books all use simple words and sentence patterns to help children who are just beginning to read. Average-quality, brightly colored cartoons fill most of the pages.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL

PreS-K—A young boy watches a puppy, chicks, and the world around him grow through the seasons. On the opening page, it is early spring, with light snow falling and buds just appearing on the trees. The puppy is small enough for the boy to tuck under his arm. As the days grow warmer, the child and his mother put away his warm woolen clothes. He watches in wonder as the flowers bloom, pears ripen, and the puppy grows into a dog. He asks his mother, "Am I growing too?" Despite her affectionate reassurances, the youngster is still unsure. As the leaves grow red and yellow and brown, the days grow shorter, and the air grows colder, they take the box of warm clothes from the shelf. The little boy is delighted to find that everything is too small, and, with a cartwheel of delight, proudly shouts to the dog and the chickens, "I am growing too." The illustrations perfectly capture the gentle spirit of Krauss's classic text (HarperCollins, 1947). Oxenbury conveys the expressive postures of childhood in the boy's skipping gait, his stance as he ponders something, and his pensive gaze as he considers his changing world. The expressive watercolors are especially suited to the beauty of the changing landscape. The text is nicely paced and well suited for storytimes or one-on-one sharing. A great selection for a new generation of readers.—Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

PreS-Gr 3—As six children sail down the Nile River, they visit seven sites including the Valley of the Kings, Al-Faiyum Oasis, Cairo, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. The immensity of temple statues, the activity of the marketplace, and the difference between farmland and Cairo's skyline come alive in the printed collaged papers on painted backgrounds in naive style. The mediums and layout emphasize the warm colors of the Egyptian desert in contrast with the cool colors of the river, sky, and vegetation. Following the story, the destinations are highlighted on a map and described in two sentences each, leaving out important details. The author misses an opportunity to introduce the term "felucca" for the Egyptian sailboat and never states that the Nile is the world's longest river or explains why it flows north. Appended pages summarize the periods of ancient Egyptian history, social classes, mummies and pyramids, the mighty floods, and "Egyptian Scripts." Despite a spread devoted to ancient gods and goddesses, it never becomes clear why each page of the story includes a box featuring a god and his/her symbol. Despite some flaws in the overall package, the rhyming verses of the children's journey and the accompanying illustrations do create a simple introduction to Egyptian sites.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

PreS-Gr 1—Suspense builds from the very first page of this new twist on the not-such-a-big-bad-wolf theme. The simple rhyming text describes the various ways in which the denizens of the forest prepare for Wolf's imminent arrival. With a powerful sense of impending doom, the absurdly anthropomorphized creatures frantically leap into action, ostensibly to protect their young: "Closer, CLOSER./Next to me./Pull the shade/so he can't see./WOLF'S COMING!" The ending will bring a huge sigh of comic relief as the reason for all the preparation is revealed. Saturated with color, the cartoonlike illustrations depict characters that are more human than animal, but will likely appeal to young children. With each turn of the page, the pictures grow progressively darker, helping to create and sustain the intended mood.—Debbie Lewis O'Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

PreS-K—This third Mrs. Hippopotamus tale begins with an aerial view in which 15 indistinct gray ovals are surrounded by a large expanse of azure water outlined by a verdant forest. As Landström focuses in, the activity centers on hippos bathing and playing, while Mrs. H. finishes her baking and looks forward to a rejuvenating bath—until a monkey in a fishing boat shows up on her private beach. By the next morning, Mrs. Hippo takes action. And when that idea doesn't pan out, she's on to Plan B. The attractive ink-and-watercolor illustrations in a cool palette will entertain children. They will rejoice in the hippo's cleverness and smile at the slight humor in the story. Similar to the situations in Jill Murphy's books, such as Peace at Last (Puffin, 1992), this title will be popular with Landström's fans.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-K—A black-and-white bunny tells it like it is: "Babies aren't much fun." Every time he turns around, Baby has taken over his space, whether it be rocking with Mommy "in our chair" or singing the special "scrub-a-dub song" with Nana. The adults keep saying, "Help me love the baby," but he only pretends to do so, and his feelings of resentment persist. Then one night, he's the only one to respond to his sibling's crying. He plays all the favorite games with Baby until the little one finally falls asleep. His declaration, "I'm all done pretending. I love my baby!" is a satisfying and believable conclusion. This book presents a realistic view of the emotional difficulty of becoming a sibling. The short, simple text flows smoothly and uses repetition to keep the focus on the theme. The loose, lively illustrations are full of fun details that support both human and animal aspects of these rabbits. For instance, the big brother has a cowboy hat and lasso and Baby plays with colorful wooden blocks, yet the mobile over the crib is made of vegetables and a lantern is lit by fireflies. The underground setting is also a nice touch. This story could well become a favorite for children who are grappling with accepting a new baby into the family.—Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

K-Gr 2—Lissy, a new girl at school, discovers that her imagination can help her make friends when an inspiration comes from an unlikely source. Sitting alone in the cafeteria, she folds her menu into a little paper crane. (If the story has a bumpy moment, this is it. A school cafeteria table that offers a menu is unusual if not an anomaly.) She names the paper figure "Menu," and it can blink and flutter its wings. Lissy's mom asks her if she has made any friends that day at school and she truthfully replies, "I did make one friend." She makes many more, but when she leads the origami cats, dogs, birds, and a giraffe to the playground, they are swept away by a gust of wind. A girl named Paige returns Menu to Lissy and asks if she'll show her how to make a crane of her own. Well-illustrated directions for folding a paper crane are appended. The illustrations are bright and variously patterned, much like a busy Matisse, but also call to mind quality origami paper. Children will find the artwork compelling and the story of making friends of interest.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

K-Gr 1—"Once on a misty morning I crashed into the sky, then hid its broken pieces in my pocket." What would normally be just a bad fall off his bike propels a young boy into the wild blue yonder. Luján follows the boy's adventure through his crash, setting in motion a series of celestial happenings. "Lost clouds stumbled around bumbling into corners, while the moon directed traffic through empty spaces." Teachers fly and clouds wander aimlessly, and the moon must redirect all. Wide-eyed children are surrounded by their childlike scribblings of chalk and crayon houses or birds on pages washed in a deep azure coat of color. Simple images in gouache and pastel record the dreamlike sequences, while children run up ladders to paint the heavens and share in the final insertion of the last triangle of replaced sky. The brief poetic and bilingual text is complemented with art that's sure to spark the imagination.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Gr 3–5—In this genial sequel to Digory the Dragon Slayer (Bloomsbury, 2006), the reluctant young knight is preparing for his first tournament. Even with Princess Enid's rigorous training program, Digory isn't much good at jousting. Fortunately, his opponent is even worse and it seems impossible to find a form of combat that either of them can win. Following the lengthy contest, which proceeds from lances to fists to thumb-wrestling, Digory and Enid discover that her father, befuddled King Widget, has disappeared. They suspect that he has gone off to look for his twin brother, Wortle, who vanished 10 years earlier, and the two friends set off to find him. Sheltering in a cave their first night out, they find an abandoned, newly hatched dragon. Little Pounce is immediately adopted by Digory's horse. However, the locals are suspicious of anyone traveling with a dragon, even a small one, and Digory is arrested as a wizard and condemned to death. Fortunately, the execution is temporarily delayed when Pounce sets the stables on fire. In the resulting confusion, Digory has time to locate the missing twins. Illustrated with amusing black-and-white drawings, this lighthearted fantasy spoof is filled with mock heroic dialogue and derring-do.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

PreS-K—From the golden yellow endpapers scattered with leaves to the final, color-saturated spread of three joyous friends, this appealing offering is sure to capture children's fancy. Little Roo, Quacker Duck, and Country Mouse are having a lovely day together making a big pile of leaves, until Roo challenges Duck to jump over a big log. When she fails, the others laugh at her, and so it goes, with each character failing at a task and the others laughing, until everyone is in a bad mood. Along comes Roo's mother, who tells them that no one likes to be ridiculed and suggests that they all show what they can do. After successes and congratulations, Mother asks if they can be friends, which garners an enthusiastic, "Yes we can!" While they are slightly precious, the full-bleed, brightly colored spreads interspersed with full-page illustrations and spot art move the story along nicely. Fuge's characters have expressive faces, effectively capturing their emotions, from laughter to dismay to anger. The large trim size and bright colors will work well for group sharing while the small details will keep lap-sitters entranced. This sweet, if slightly didactic, tale is sure to hit a chord with parents and teachers looking for stories dealing with friendships and being respectful. Libraries that own other books by this team or that have a demand for themes of getting along will likely find this a popular addition.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 2—Two incorrigible corgis lead the police on a merry chase after they escape from their yard by digging under the fence. The mischievous pups quickly discard their blue-and-green plaid vests and run free for more than a week. They are spotted pilfering food at a barbecue and from a vending machine. They cavort on the golf course until they are chased away. While Winnie and Jean enjoy their freedom, their owners, two freckle-faced children dressed in cozy yellow sweaters, search high and low for their lost pets, expressing their worries and concern to Officer Dean. When poor Winnie falls into a ravine, the policemen rescue her and take the runaways home at last. The grateful children fortify the fence with some screen, but on the final page, the dogs manage to wriggle under it and take off on yet another adventure. Told in verse, the story quickly becomes repetitive as every line rhymes with Jean. However, the richly colored gouache illustrations enhance the narrative, lending an old-fashioned air and a bit of humor to the tale. The illustrations of the children looking for the animals by the sea and in the meadow are particularly striking. Rosemary Wells's McDuff Comes Home (Hyperion, 1997) is a more heartfelt story of a lost dog.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

K-Gr 2—Charlie, the smallest kid in class, hates lining up by size. One day, his teacher brings three pumpkins to school—small, medium, and large—and asks the children to guess which one contains the most seeds. After a round of guessing, they open them up and dig in to find out. This messy job yields a surprising answer that leaves Charlie saying, "Small things can have a lot going on inside them." Karas's characteristic watercolor illustrations done in a fall palette depict a diverse, modern classroom full of warm and humorous details. Spreads of the seeds sorted by twos, fives, and tens encourage readers to count along with the students. Intriguing facts about pumpkins, including how to tell which yield the most seeds, conclude the book. This enjoyable story, sprinkled with math and science lessons, should be a first-purchase consideration.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-K—When Mom asks her uncharacteristically sad daughter what would cheer her up, Sweet Pea responds that she just doesn't know. So she goes on a quest to figure out what makes others happy and finds out that it's a lot of different things. "What makes you happy?" she asks her dog, and the pooch tells her, "Taking a bath!" She repeats her question to a woman with long golden locks, who answers, "Playing with my hair." Stretched out on the ground, nose-to-nose with a mole peeking out of its hole, Sweet Pea asks again, and the creature replies, "Digging." Vibrant solid-color backgrounds vary on each spread, and vivid illustrations, done in ink, watercolor, and digitally, make great use of pattern, line, and perspective to showcase Sweet Pea's encounters with various people and animals. The youngster finally figures out that a lot of things can make others smile and lists some of her own favorites, such as riding her bike, sticking finger puppets on her toes, and slurping spaghetti. While taking a bath with her dog, Sweet Pea also discovers that some things can make you and someone else happy at the same time.—Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 1—Despite his siblings' encouragement, Little Louie just cannot figure out how to fly. Come migration time, the small bird has to take a plane south while the rest of his family travels down under their own power. He awaits their arrival on a hotel rooftop, feeling very lonely. If only he could fly, he could visit the penguin he sees through his binoculars. Then his return plane ticket flutters away on a breeze and Louie swoops after it without thinking. Before he can crash, nature takes over and he is soon soaring along with the ticket in his beak. Now he can pass the time with his new penguin friend, Gwynn. Louie's family arrives, and they are overjoyed at his accomplishment. When it's time to head north, Louie is excited to join the others for the long trip. Gwynn is even more excited; she will use the return plane ticket. The pedestrian text is matched by the uninspired illustrations. The watercolor pictures are in a limited palette of washed-out shades of blue, beige, and red and done in a style that somehow manages to be both dated and slightly modern. And penguin-savvy kids are sure to notice that Gwynn has a very big, clawlike beak. A mediocre effort.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 1–2—A simple story becomes a tongue-twisting puzzle of contractions. Six children decide to build a tree house. The first boy to climb the tree is named Didn't, and he doesn't begin the construction because a bird's nest filled with babies is perched on a nearby limb. Didn't's friend Doesn't climbs up to assist but sees the problem. Wouldn't, Shouldn't, Can't, and Couldn't arrive to pitch in, but they're also unable to disturb the nest. The youngsters don't talk, but communicate through gestures while an unseen narrator tells the brief but convoluted story. The pen-and-ink and watercolor spreads in bright pastels reveal a range of perspectives—from the ground, in the tree, and from above in a bird's-eye view. The children wear the first letter of their name somewhere on their bodies to make it easier to remember who's who. While this looks like a picture book, it requires scrutiny and may only be understood and appreciated by adults.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1—In this follow-up to Good Night Engines (Clarion, 2003), a boy greets the new day with the help of his many rigs and vehicles. As he brushes his teeth, he imagines the street sweeper—"City sweeper/rumble, hiss./Scrubbing brushes/SWISH!/SWISH!/SWISH!" The bright acrylic paints are appropriate for a story about waking up and the illustrations are satisfying to look at whether depicting the child or highlighting a vehicle at work.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 1–3—Bow-Wow wakes up one morning, has a snack, and notices a small black bug. He follows it out of the house and down the street and encounters more dogs and more bugs of various sizes and stripes before returning home and going to sleep. The clever circular plot is funny, quirky, and even suspenseful, working well as a wordless picture book. The simple, bold, expressive illustrations, outlined with heavy black line, challenge viewers to follow the visual story line and sequences of events. Single-page and full-spread layouts combine with comic-strip panels to show the perspective of Bow-Wow, the other canines, and the bugs. The ingenuity and humor of this book will be most appreciated by youngsters who have the patience and interest to examine and decode the pictures.—Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI

Gr 1–4—Simon is an apprentice to a master scribe in a medieval monastery. An orphan, he endears himself to his caregivers, preparing the parchment and grinding the pigments for the illuminated manuscripts, but he yearns to do more. While surveying Simon's sketches, Father Anselm encourages the boy to transcend the copying stage by using his imagination to "capture" the pesky mice. (There's one hidden in every spread.) After getting nowhere with a literal interpretation, Simon gradually understands the word's double meaning; his humorous drawings of a rodent illuminator and another challenging a fiery dragon win the abbot's approval. A preface explains Nikola-Lisa's inspiration, and Christensen's art, done in the ink and egg tempera, ties the mood of her marginalia to Simon's dawning comprehension. In the opening scenes, the borders consist of decorative scrollwork; later pages are laced with whimsical creatures in entertaining poses. The afterword explains the purpose and design conventions of illuminations, but the author presumes that readers will know why books were made by hand and what "illumination" in this context means. More information about these ideas, the tools of the trade, and the process would contribute to a child's understanding. Nevertheless, the message about using one's imagination and the unique subject matter make this title a valued find for educators.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-K—This cheerful book features a little girl who demonstrates for her sympathetic dog all the things that she can do (whistle, skate, leap, creep, etc.), with one exception: "But I can't skip./It's not my fault." Her mother overhears her and asks if she can hop—of course she can—many times. With Mom's help, from hopping to skipping is easy: "My feet are flying!/Skipping's cool./Tomorrow I can skip.../to school." Exuberant color and black line illustrations on a white background depict the actions with élan and convey the special camaraderie between girl and dog and mother and daughter. Although one might question whether skipping is harder to learn than roller skating or whistling, children who haven't mastered a particular skill will be reassured and entertained by the story.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 2–4—Mokie and Bik are fraternal twins who live on a houseboat. "They lived in it, on it, all around it, monkeying up ladders and down ropes, over the wheelhouse and across the cabin floor." They live with their artist mother and their nanny, Ruby, while their father is on his ship at sea. This active pair are "always overboard and underfoot," and Ruby uses a boathook to fish them out of the water. The twins have a colorful language all their own—cats are "hissers," fish are "fisk," potatoes are "tatties," and their Mum is always "arting" or "botormiking." Orr has created a memorable tale with vivid characters reminiscent of those in the "Pippi Longstocking" stories. The author has infused her tale with whimsical language ("Erik was humph, grumph mumphry thundercloud grumpy," and seagulls go "squawk wawk rawking") that will both surprise and delight listeners and confident chapter-book readers. Bean's pen-and-ink drawings and colorful cover capture the exuberant spirit of the twins and splendidly match their energetic adventures.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

K-Gr 2—Rhyming couplets tell a tale of bullying, hurt feelings, mediation, and a happy ending. The narrator and his dragon buddy set off for Camp Camelot, only to be taunted by three boys who don't want any tall, green knights around. The narrator seeks the help of the king and queen (counselors) who comfort the dragon and confront the bullies. The bullies are invited to set out on a quest to fix what they've done wrong. They apologize, and the dragon proves his worth when a kitten must be rescued from a tree. The medieval trappings can't hide the fact that this book is little more than an extended therapy session. The pencil-crayon cartoon illustrations reflect an ethnically diverse crowd of knights and nobles, but the awkward, long-winded text makes this didactic story a marginal purchase. Other titles, such as Denis Roche's Mim, Gym, and June (Houghton, 2003) address the same situation more effectively.—Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA

Gr 1–2—In this story told in Spanish and English, Amada and her siblings eagerly await the arrival of their recently widowed grandmother from Mexico. They build her a chicken coop because Nana "[knows] everything about raising chickens." Once she arrives, she teaches Amada and her brothers how to take care of the chicks, dance the pasodoble, and make an altar for their late grandfather. Finally, having been healed by her doting family, Nana returns to her hometown. The illustrations, made of collaged materials over acrylic paint, are beautifully detailed, richly textured, and vibrantly colored. Unfortunately, the text doesn't do them justice. Pérez's imagery is clear and detailed and her characters are endearing. Still, there isn't much of a clear story arc because the book begins slowly and meanders in the middle. Nana spends much of her time with her grandchildren lecturing, as when she explains that "birth, life, and death are a cycle that every living thing must go through—people as well as chickens." The point that "it's natural to grieve, too, and to find comfort in the love of your family" should develop organically from the story and not have to be explicitly stated.—Daisy Porter, San Jose Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—This picture book, illustrated with high-quality, full-color photographs, celebrates Latino culture through the senses. The text begins with the invitation to "listen to the melody in my language." The author then introduces common Spanish phrases with their translations. Sadly, no phonetic guide is provided to aid with pronunciation. Next, readers are invited to "feel my music explode" with photographs of children performing various movements that correspond to Latino dances. The next segment, "see the love in my family," is illustrated with photos of family members interacting. Unfortunately, some of the individuals are depicted and described stereotypically. For example, Papa is "strong" and Mama is "caring." The smells and tastes of Latino foods comprise the last section. The text lists various dishes ("Tamales") with one-word adjectives ("Mouthwatering"). Regrettably, the foods are not adequately described and the words are printed in a block, instead of appearing near the photo of the particular edible being highlighted. Still, the images are colorful and appealing, and the text is rhythmic. Although not an essential purchase, readers will take pleasure in this quiet, joyful book.—Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

Gr 3–5—Best known for his irreverent musical concoctions, Polisar here tackles the dramatic story of Joseph Cinque and the 1839 revolt on the slave ship Amistad. He tells the story entirely from Cinque's point of view, imagining his horror at being captured and torn from his family, his growing determination to escape, and his confusion at landing in the hands of the American justice system. While the writing is gripping, there are some major omissions, and there is no time line, list of sources, or suggestions for further reading. The afterword deals only with Polisar's own connection to the story. The Story of the Amistad Rebellion appears on the cover, but the word "Amistad" is never referred to again or explained. John Quincy Adams, who led Cinque's defense in front of the Supreme Court, is referred to only as a great "Chief" and is never named. No years are mentioned. These and similar failings lessen the book's value as historical fiction. Veronica Chambers's Amistad Rising (Harcourt, 1998) is also fictionalized, but has a firmer grounding in history and striking illustrations. Polisar's book will whet readers' appetites to know more; librarians will need to be at the ready to fill in the gaps.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 3—A creepy tower looms at the end of an ordinary neighborhood street; inside, a wicked and bored wizard is pondering "what evil deeds he'll do this day." He amuses himself by turning a bullfrog into a flea, which turns into two mice "that dive into a bubbling brew/emerging as one cockatoo." He continues his circular transforming spells until at last the bullfrog appears. The poem, adapted from "The Wizard" in Prelutsky's Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (HarperCollins, 1976), ends with a sinister warning: "He may pluck someone off the spot/and turn him into…who knows what?" Just whom he spots from his tower window is revealed through Dorman's vivid illustration: an unfortunate skateboarding kid who is zapped into a lizard. The digitally created spreads are spectacular, featuring a variety of perspectives from a close-up of the wizard's disgusting fingernails to a panoramic view from the tower. Readers will be fascinated by the rich details—the peculiar items on the shelves and in the rest of the wicked wizard's abode. There is much about this book for kids to love.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 2—In this follow-up to I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track (Sterling, 2006), Prince has once again created a tour de force that uses a dizzying array of rhymes for the word "lot." "Now minivans are surely not/a mini-peril/when you've got/a mini-ant out on a trot/across a mega parking lot." Dot, the "ticket matron," spies the ant and a minivan heading toward a collision. She throws her doughnut into the path of the speeding car to prevent a disaster. Now safe, ant and Dot enjoy a doughnut breakfast together. Even though the story is slight, the rhyme and wordplay make this a buoyant read-aloud. While Pamintuan's full-page spreads, featuring a caricature Dot and cartoon ant in semi-realistic backgrounds, do not totally mesh, many children will respond to the art's animationlike sensibility. Fans of the ant's first adventure will enjoy this one, but its minivans and malls do not have the timeless appeal of the trains and tracks that dominated the earlier book.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Emotions ring true in this simple tale of learning right from wrong. A young fox loves teeny tiny toys and is delighted when she finds a miniature camera on the school playground. When confronted by the classmate who dropped it, she lets her desires get the better of her and tells the teacher that the camera was a birthday present. Ruthie's growing guilt is heartrendingly displayed in her expression and posture as she forgets the answer to 2+2 and rejects her dinner of macaroni and cheese. When she tells the truth and apologizes, her relief is palpable. Emotionally authentic in text and art, this story gets its message across without preaching. The didactic-sounding title is the book's weakest point, but that's a minor flaw. An excellent choice for bibliotherapy as well as for entertaining reading.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-Gr 2—In this paean to trying new things, Rosenthal and Lichtenheld tip the word "OK" over to create a childlike stick figure who is able to do many things, if not perfectly. Each page features simple graphic line drawings with a touch of color portraying the truly symbolic character trying various activities: jumping, fishing, roasting marshmallows, climbing trees, and playing baseball. Though clearly not a complete success at any single activity, OK is undeterred. "One day I'll grow up to be really excellent at something. I don't know what it is yet…but I sure am having fun figuring it out." The illustrations use the simplest of lines to convey a world of emotion and meaning. A refreshing change of pace for children who live in a goals-driven society, this "I'm OK" book will find a welcoming audience among readers and listeners of every ability.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—In this second Mittens book, Nick invites his curious kitten to come for a walk with him. The feline is excited to follow along, until he sees a butterfly that he cannot resist chasing. When it flies out of reach, Mittens realizes that he is alone, and that Nick is nowhere in sight. This seems to frighten him at first, but he solves his problem by following the sound of Nick calling for him, ending the story with a joyful, purr-filled reunion. Charming watercolor illustrations expose Mittens's proud and confident personality, while the nimble, flowing text mimics the pair's romp through the sunny spring meadow. This pleasant story, filled with simple sentences and a repetitive style, will appeal to children.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

K-Gr 2—In this story based on a TV script, Jodie, Samantha, and Freddi use "The Book" to warp back to 1937 and answer a distress call from Amelia Earhart. They have a hunch that Fred Noonan, the navigator, may have been responsible for the aviator's disappearance; however, these time travelers are not allowed to alter history. This is not their only problem, as "The Book" keeps disappearing, and without it, the girls might not be able to return to their own time zone. Colorful cartoon illustrations on every page enhance this plot-driven tale that packs a great deal of action into a few short chapters. Hopefully this early exposure will pique children's interest and encourage them to tackle the original books when they are ready.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS—Each spread has two round pictures with descriptions of what the character portrayed is doing for baby, opposite the refrain, "We all love Baby. Yes, we do" in large colorful letters that match the illustrations' background. The closing pages declare, "Sleepy family./Happy Baby./We have each other. Yes, we do!" The collages are stiff and unremarkable, and the repetitive layout has a static feel. While the use of the refrain supports the idea of the book as a "lullaby," its simplicity gives it more of a rhythmic than a musical sensibility, and the awkward ending breaks the flow. The rest of the text comes off as a laundry list of things one might do with an infant; while they are positive and reassuring, they are neither original nor exciting. Children may find this bland offering comforting, but it is more likely to appeal to new mothers and grandparents, and even they may be less than enamored of the blocky pictures.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 2—A young boy is convinced that his pet fish will die of boredom, so his mother suggests that he give it a poem as she departs for her tuba lesson. This improbable premise leads into an equally improbable search for what exactly a poem is. The bright paintings do not relieve a dull book that is pitched above its audience. "A poem!? But what is a poem? Arthur goes to look in the kitchen cabinet.—Is there a poem in there?—Nooo po-eeeem, the noodles sigh in reply." The boy asks a neighbor, who says, "A poem is when you hear the heartbeat of a stone." The child asks his pet bird; it responds, "A poem is when words beat their wings. It is a song sung in a cage." The best way for children to understand what a poem is is to hear wonderful poetry. Skip this book and buy another copy of Caroline Kennedy's A Family of Poems (Hyperion, 2005).—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS—"Who is playing at home today?" asks the first page of this interactive book. Lifting a door flap opposite reveals the answer: It's Carrie and Carl! This engaging, attractive format continues for the rest of the book, posing questions about the family's activities and then answering them on the other side of the spread. The text consists of the kinds of simple, direct questions and answers that adults use to teach small children about their world. The warm gouache illustrations depict a biracial family enjoying the kinds of activities that toddlers love: playing peek-a-boo, knocking down blocks, etc. This book is sure to join Lucy Cousins's "Maisy" (Candlewick) and Eric Hill's "Spot" (Putnam) series as perennial toddler favorites.—Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA

Gr 1–4—Precocious Diana loves astronomy, poetry, and sleepovers with her best friend, Rose. She's content with the way things are: her sun poem won the school contest, she is painting her room midnight blue to go with her star charts, and a bird family has made a nest in a wreath on the front door of her house. She even enjoys her little sister, Twink, who can be pesky at times, gets itchy on long car rides, and manages to get covered in midnight blue paint. Then, Diana gets bad news: her dad has lost his job, and they're moving six hours away to live with Grandpa Joe. She must say goodbye to her old home and to her best friend. Spinelli crafts a reassuring and engaging story in verse, and young readers facing similar circumstances will find their experiences and emotions echoed in Diana's thoughtful musings. The girl finds great solace in her poetry journal and is able to work through her emotions in a creative way. Phelan's charming pencil drawings are a perfect complement to this heartfelt tale.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 1–4—In this fable that "draws inspiration from real life," the monks of a Thai temple at the edge of the jungle are saddened when local tigers are killed by poachers. One young monk hears a voice imploring him to take in a pair of abandoned cubs, and the monastery soon becomes a sanctuary for the animals. When the temple becomes overcrowded, the voice returns and tells the monks to dig a moat that turns the grounds into an island refuge. The "Tiger Temple" in Thailand is a real place where these animals are protected and cared for, and an endnote tells the true story of the monks' efforts to save the endangered animals. The solemn atmosphere and mysterious unidentified voices cloud the facts and turn the story into a fairy tale. While the lush illustrations help readers connect with the animals and their caregivers, the vague mysticism of the storytelling leaves readers feeling powerless despite the final statement that miracles are "within us all." Overall, the book succeeds in rousing readers' sympathy but not in channeling it.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

K-Gr 2—Following on the heels of A Spree in Paree (Holiday House, 2004), Monsieur Monmouton's farm animals are now off to New York. After the farmer throws their tickets in the trash bin, the critters manage to retrieve them and sneak away. The chase is on as Monsieur Monmouton and his faithful dog, Cabot, head to the Big Apple with only the animals' sightseeing list as a guide. After just missing them at Blooming Dells, a boat ride around the island, Central Park, MOOMA, Chinatown, and the Empire State Building, the man and his dog lie in wait at the last destination on their list, the Kool Kat Klub. Monsieur Monmouton makes a special friend of the waitress and is in a magnanimous mood when the animals arrive. They all have a grand time and after the last set, Cabot herds the whole lot to the airport. The text works beautifully with the illustrations to create a humorous romp. Stock uses just the right amount of French to give the story some panache without being overwhelming. Her pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations present an amusing and colorful look at the bustling city. The picture of the animals hiding in plain sight at the art museum is especially comical. Pair this title with John Himmelman's Chickens to the Rescue (Holt, 2006) or David McPhail's Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore! (Puffin, 1996) for a domestic-animals-gone-wild storytime.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-K—The author of the humorous "Minerva Louis" books (Dutton) offers a gentle look at a first ride on a school bus. Soft pastel illustrations depict three kindergartners as they head to the neighborhood stop. The rhyming verses are simple and to the point; each student is depicted as unique, but possessing similar fears and anxieties. Their ride is presented as an exciting part of the day, and all three youngsters look forward to the return trip after school. The cartoon artwork is colorful and inviting, showing characters with sweetly delineated features. The repetitive text invites participation while portraying this rite of passage in an upbeat manner. This playful little gem can be used to introduce new experiences to children and is sure to be popular with those preparing for kindergarten.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

Gr 1–5—The fisherman's pregnant wife wants sugar cane, and in an attempt to satisfy her cravings he cuts some from the garden of Madame Fate, an infamous "conjure-woman." In return, the sorceress demands the couple's unborn child, who will be named Sugar Cane. On the girl's first birthday, the woman takes her to live in a tower without stairs. As Sugar Cane grows, she learns music from her spirit-teachers—an angel from the heavenly choir, a 500-year-old Spanish Gypsy, and a "jazz master from New Orleans." One evening the lonely girl's voice attracts King, a young man renowned for his songs. Colón's colored-pencil-and-watercolor illustrations mirror the lyrical text. Contours and curves scratched into the sun-drenched landscapes create a rhythm of their own. Not only does Sugar Cane eventually find and marry King once she escapes the sorceress, but she is also reunited with her parents on her wedding day. Music from the Italian Renaissance permeates Paul O. Zelinsky's Rapunzel (Dutton, 1997), but Storace's Sugar Cane dances "the rumba, the bolero, the samba, and the mambo." This lovely book begs to be read aloud.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS—Various animals respond to their children in this playful rhyming book. "How do you make a baby laugh?/Twist your neck like Papa Giraffe,/Or make a face like Mama Baboon,/Or play peekaboo like Daddy Raccoon." The opening page shows a human baby who, at the close of the book, is cozily tucked in with stuffed animals that correspond to the creatures featured. Strevens-Marzo's cheerful spreads with friendly, smiling animals will appeal to children. The bright monochromatic backgrounds, thick bold outlines, and use of interesting perspectives make the illustrations quite striking. A charming book for one-on-one sharing or storytimes.—Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

Gr 2–4—This first book in a new series is fun fluff that will appeal to a variety of readers. When nine-year-old Beth Parish spends two weeks with Aunt Evelyn, she is surprised to learn that she is a marigold fairy and that her aunt is a monarch butterfly fairy and her mentor. She gives Beth her first wand, a pussy willow branch. A handbook appears out of thin air and will age with the child, providing more information as she matures. Her aunt takes Beth to a fairy circle where she meets a diverse group of girls her age. The brownies have lost the feather of hope and the girls must rescue it from a house that has gremlins. This easy chapter book is nicely designed with full-page, attractive pastel-colored paintings and accents at chapter beginnings and throughout the book. An opening spread introduces the four girls that make up the fairy team. Back matter features a recipe, fairy facts, and information on the Cottingley fairies. Children who want to practice their reading wings will probably be enticed to keep turning pages.—Debbie S. Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

K-Gr 3—This is a beautifully written story about an African-American family dealing with cancer. Eight-year-old Marcus is concerned for his mother, who has lost her hair because of chemotherapy and doesn't want to be in their traditional October family picture. After unsuccessfully trying to find a suitable wig from the Halloween-costume aisle, the child hits on the perfect solution. When he goes to the barbershop for his pre-picture haircut, he asks to have his head shaved so he can give his hair to his mother. Things don't go exactly as planned, but Marcus and his mother learn that hair is not nearly as important as love and family, and they all go to the park to take their photo. Reminiscent of Jerry Pinkney's work, the lovely watercolor illustrations fit the text well, using gold, brown, orange, and green tones to show a family going through tough times together. The story ends on an optimistic note—after three months, Mama is clear of cancer and her hair begins to grow back. A simple, sensitive, and articulate look at an illness through the eyes of a child, the book should be comforting to any youngster facing a similar situation, or as a general introduction to the subject.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 1–3—Mischievous and energetic Billy Tartle can't bear the thought of another boring photograph for picture day at school. He tries to convince the barber to give him a pink Mohawk like his TV favorite, "Supermonkey," but his mother and the barber nix the idea. Instead, he provides "fun pops" for all his classmates, a colorful candy that results in a hilarious and unforgettable class picture. The comic-book style with dialogue bubbles is fun for kids to pore over as they notice the many details. The illustrations are done in pen and ink with digital coloring and the end result is sharp and bright.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 3–6—The gang from Solomon Snow and the Silver Spoon (Candlewick, 2005) returns for a second adventure. Solly is determined to help his best friend, Prudence, break her father out of jail. As they travel by donkey cart to Seaport, where the man awaits deportation, their story becomes entwined with two others: one dealing with the Infant Prodigy (a syrupy-sweet yet hard-as-nails circus performer from the first book), her pet bunny, and a corrupt dwarf; and the other describing an evil doctor, his not-too-smart manservant, and a stolen ruby. Somehow, as long as readers are able to suspend all logic, all three plots merge at the end in a neat, but not totally predicable, way. Fans of Lemony Snicket will enjoy this fast-paced read, as long as they are willing to sacrifice any character development whatsoever for some Victorian-tinted atmosphere and humor. Reluctant readers might find the short chapters, silly comedy, and simple characters attractive. Although events in the first book are referred to, this volume stands alone.—Carly B. Wiskoff, Sayville Library, NY

K-Gr 1—Amanda Pig is looking forward to first grade. She explains her excitement to her friend Lollipop: "We don't have to take naps and we get to play on the big playground and have real desks and jobs and homework. And we'll know how to read!" Unfortunately, Amanda is disappointed when she chooses her first book at school and discovers that she knows only one word. As the little pig learns the routine of a busy first grader with important jobs, she adds new vocabulary to the classroom "Word Wall." Somehow, reading that first book is now exciting and not so daunting. Amanda and her friends glow in a series of soft colored pencil and watercolor illustrations. While she voices the fears of a young child, her confidence grows as she endures losing her way in the halls and facing down the big second graders on the playground. While intended for independent reading, the message of perseverance in the face of new experiences is one that may also be shared aloud.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS—Another concept book by Walsh that has a simple story line and cut-paper collages. When a cat chases three mice, they hide in a heap of colorful shapes and make an assortment of pictures using them. First they use a square with a triangle on top to create a perfect house; later, they add two circles to a rectangle to make a wagon. They finally combine a bunch of shapes to create "three big scary mice" that frighten the cat away. The collage technique works well for distinguishing the brightly colored shapes, and the simple story is pitched perfectly for sharing with the youngest of listeners.—Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL

Gr 2–4—Emma returns in another installment about the true-to-life troubles of third-grade girls. She and her friend Annie Pat are looking forward to a great weekend visit to a marine aquarium. When a new girl arrives in class, Emma decides to try to win her over before her nemesis, Cynthia, can. Forgetting about her plans with her best friend and neglecting to ask her mom first, Emma tries to impress Krysten with an invitation to lunch out and a movie on Saturday. Furious, Annie Pat cancels the trip. When Emma's mother finds out what happened, she helps her daughter to understand that she treated Annie Pat poorly and makes Emma write apology letters instead of going anywhere. Although her feelings are terribly hurt, Annie Pat eventually forgives Emma, and their friendship is saved. Harper's whimsical drawings add humor and warmth to the story. Told in first-person narrative, the story will appeal to fans of Judy Moody, Amber Brown, and such. However, Emma is not very likable here. And with practically no action other than the girls' catty behavior, most readers will not find the story intriguing enough to persevere to the end.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

PreS—In this follow-up to Piglet and Mama (Abrams, 2005), Piglet loves to play with her papa, but one day she chews his tail—hard—and he chases her out of the sty. Not sure if he really loves her anymore, she asks the other farm animals if they do and receives reassurances from all: "Hello, Horse'….'Do you love me?' 'I like your cute little ears,' said Horse, 'and I do love you—but someone else loves you ten times more.'" Each creature mentions another attribute: "snub little nose," "curly-whirly tail," "little pink trotters," "fat little tummy"—escalating how much the "someone else" loves her, up to "a billion times more." When Piglet is tired and goes home, Papa is waiting for her and loving her "best of all in the whole wide world!" "I knew that!" says Piglet, and she sits on his head, bounces on his belly, and chews his tail—gently. Although this is another in a growing number of books in the "Guess How Much I Love You" mode, it is exceptional. The characters are all wonderfully drawn with humor and sensitivity in the brief text and softly colored cartoon illustrations. The little pig's emotions are beautifully portrayed, and her relationship with her papa is perfect. Sure to be a winner in storytimes, and on laps one-on-one as well.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 3–5—When Addy enters her classroom one morning, she finds "the bad luck chair" sitting at her desk. Her teacher is not sympathetic to her problem and orders her to sit in it. But she and her classmates know that anyone who does so is doomed to have bad luck from that moment on. Addy does sit in The Chair, and from that point everything seems to go wrong. Readers will be quickly drawn into the fourth grader's predicament and wonder how she will reverse this curse. As Addy searches for a solution, she goes from being a student who stays as far in the background as possible to one who takes charge and brings about changes in her life. There are several illustrations in each chapter that serve as graphic support for younger readers. Mystery, fantasy, and reality are skillfully woven together, making this a great read-aloud or read-alone. Black-and-white spot art offers additional humor and gives The Chair a distinct personality.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

K-Gr 3—Williams explores the habitats of various and sundry creatures around the world in simple verse. For example, "Busy beaver uses logs/To dam a stream and build a lodge." "Chattering monkeys screech and yell;/Jungle living suits them well." Definitions and factual descriptions of specific habitats and the animals inhabiting them are appended. A final spread is devoted to the characteristics and ecology of spiders, creatures that "live all over the world, except Antarctica." Unfortunately, the rhyming text seems contrived, and the informational paragraphs are occasionally inaccurate and confusing. For example, the book states that female kangaroos have pouches "in which their babies are born." Those looking for materials on this topic should try Laura Purdie Salas's Do Turtles Sleep in Treetops? (Picture Window, 2006) or Wendy Perkins's Animals Building Homes (Capstone, 2004). The charming folk-art-style illustrations done in watercolor and ink are the bright spot of this book. As an added bit of whimsy, Fowler has hidden a spider in every scene, which young readers may delight in finding.—Debbie Lewis O'Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

PreS-Gr 2—Wilson's goofy rhymes and enthusiasm for things big and beautiful were previously experienced through the fancy footwork of a hippopotamus in Hilda Must Be Dancing (S & S, 2004). Here, the author successfully applies the same elements to describe how Grandpa concocts a "whopper chocolate cake" for Grandma's birthday. The scope of his love requires that he use a pickup truck for a bowl, an oar to stir the ingredients, and an army of neighbors bearing shovels to spread the icing. With a technique mirroring Jackson Pollock's approach to a drip painting, the crew creates a mouthwatering masterpiece. Rendered in ink and egg tempera, Hillenbrand's illustrations spill off the spreads. The artwork is further enlivened by the texture offered by the canvas surface and the depth created by the contrasting of full-color foreground paintings with sepia background sketches. Full-bodied figures decked out in '70s paisleys and prints, a flower-powered VW driven by the matriarch, and high-energy compositions make this a surefire crowd pleaser. The programming possibilities are numerous; this title will easily mix with books on birthdays, grandparents, tall tales, or cooking, to name a few. Chocolate cake aficionados should be sure to follow the appended recipe, not the one invented by Grandpa!—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—The brothers from Digger Man (Holt, 2003) are back, this time imagining the job and equipment of firefighters. The same colorful acrylic illustrations greet readers, and have enough detail to interest yet not overwhelm them. The text moves at a brisk pace as the narrator describes important tasks: "I will hook up my hose. I will help the other firefighters fight the fire." The child again warmly includes his younger brother in his plans. Fans of the earlier title and other transportation stories will love this one.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—Zolotow's powerful story, first published in 1971 (HarperCollins), has been updated with Pham's realistic, mixed-media illustrations featuring African-American characters. In rhythmic text, a boy whose dad left before he was born talks about all of the things he would want his father to do and be if he were there. At the end, his mother tells him that she likes the man he describes, saying, "...in case he never comes...when you grow up, you can be a father like that yourself!" The narrative candidly conveys the child's situation and imagined scenarios and ends on a positive note. The text captures the hopes and wishes of all children for the perfect parent. The color-saturated paintings start on the endpapers with the boy's childlike drawings of his idealized father and come full circle with an illustration of him playing in the street with a parent-sized shadow of himself on a nearby building. The expressive artwork depicts the characters' emotions and the love they share. This offering will fill a need for parents and children in similar situations and could be a good jumping-off point for discussing these issues in counseling or classroom settings.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 2–4—This biography begins with what is probably Hancock's most famous act, the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It then takes readers back to the beginning of his life to tell how he became such an important and influential part of America's Revolutionary War. Details of his upbringing and personal life are spare, as the focus of the book is really on his political activities, from early acts of rebellion against the British to his participation in the Second Continental Congress. Terse explanations of major events may seem too brief to those with previous knowledge, but they are enough for budding historians to understand the primary causes of the war. Quotations appear throughout and are cited at the end. Himler's watercolors in muted tones offer visual guides to historical events. This title covers similar ground as that in Jean Fritz's Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? (Putnam, 1976) and is a solid addition to biography collections.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

PreS—Beginning with the tender "Good Morning, Baby!" and ending with the cozy "Rocking," 15 poems cover the gamut of activities in which babies and toddlers participate: a first step, clomping around in adult shoes, exploring faces in a mirror, introducing oneself to the family cat, and so on. "Splish! Splash!/Take a bath/Here in the big white tub./Bubble me clean/Like a beauty queen/And wrap me in a hug!" The oil-on-paper illustrations are in a style reminiscent of art in the 1950s. On various pages, the text is surrounded by a zigzag frame that adds to the old-fashioned feel. The plump children, some with pink skin, a few with tan, have rounded tummies and a variety of hair and eye colors. Dressed in onesies, ruffled outfits, or just a towel, they sport happy, curious, amazed, and satisfied expressions as they soak up new information gained through their five senses. A sweet tribute to young children.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—On Saturdays, Ryan and his grandfather always go out for an early breakfast and then go fishing. Their routine is shattered when the man suffers a stroke and is unable to move the left side of his body. He slowly makes a partial recovery, but Ryan still has difficulty seeing him unable to sit, stand, or even go to the bathroom alone. Eventually, after he moves in with Ryan's family, the boy figures out how he and his grandfather can establish a new fishing routine, one in which Ryan can play a major role. Illustrations deftly parallel the story's tone with backgrounds of muted colors highlighted with some bright spots. The informative tale gently depicts how strokes can cause paralysis and what needs to be done to help the patient recover as fully as possible. Though the boy is afraid, he pushes through his fear to help his beloved relative. A lengthy "Note to Parents" explains what a stroke is, children's various reactions, and suggestions on helping them handle the stressful situation.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 3–6— Titanic describes the 1912 collision of this "unsinkable" ship with an iceberg, and the resulting horror. Three Mile Island discusses the 1979 malfunction of a nuclear reactor that could have cost thousands of lives and devastated the area but, fortunately, did not. A 1911 fire in a New York City sweatshop where 146 people died because of dangerous conditions is the subject of Triangle, which also describes resulting changes in workers' rights. Texas covers the 1947 explosion of a ship loading fertilizer that set off a chain reaction in which 550 people died. The disaster might have been prevented by warning labels on the fertilizer. In each of these titles, the writing is clear and concise, and nothing is described purely for shock value; the facts are allowed to speak for themselves. The books are liberally laced with pertinent period photographs and numerous quotes from people who played significant roles in the events. Brief profiles of these figures are also provided. While none of the books actively seeks to place blame, there is also no attempt to gloss over failings. Emphasis is on the laws and policies that have been adopted to ensure that such tragedies do not reoccur. Useful additions to explain painful but important pieces of history.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 2–4—These formulaic and oversimplified titles use a scattershot approach to their subjects. In the first book, readers are told that blizzards are very fierce snowstorms and that they usually happen in winter. The city of Philadelphia is singled out for its 2005 storm. Heat Wave gives repeated advice about drinking plenty of water. After noting that heat waves often happen in places far from large bodies of water, an illustration shows a Mediterranean scene. In Hurricane, the emphasis is on the possible damage, with a few illustrations of Katrina. In Tornado, a basic definition is given as a spinning funnel of wind resulting in a lot of damage. In the limited glossary, debris is defined only as relating to tornadoes. Mention is made of Tornado Alley but only Oklahoma is discussed. In a section entitled "More Books to Read," each volume lists two titles, one of which is repeated in several volumes. The other is by the publisher of this set. The "Fact File" in each book offers two to three basic facts, one of which is usually about the numbers of deaths in a given event. The photos, although clear and often dramatic, have few relevant captions and do not aid in understanding the subjects under discussion. Pass on this set.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

K-Gr 4—A stray dog's first day in a family's home is more or less a test of whether he'll get to stay. Of course, the innocent creature lives entirely in the moment, and the human perspective doesn't come into play until the end. Clements shadows the pup closely and maintains a canine's view of everything—food, loving pals, bath time, sunshine, shade, the lure of garbage and household objects to chew, the loneliness of the school bus leaving, and the joy when it returns. The story is familiar but still entirely fresh due to Clements's original presentation. He tells the entire tale in haiku, a remarkably effective vehicle for delivering such a sweet and simple story. The family's deliberation over what to call the dog is captured perfectly with the form's structure: "A dog needs a name./Rags? Mutt? Pooch? No, not Rover./Mooch. Yes. Mooch! Perfect." While each haiku is typically spare, Bowers's vibrant illustrations are busy and bright, filling the pages with the same unbounded energy as the lovable pooch. This joyful tale is guaranteed to evoke storytime cheers.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-Gr 1—At first glance, these books look attractive, but the texts are oversimplified. Air is the weakest offering. It includes an experiment in which children place a glass bowl over a candle: "When the candle has used up the air in the glass, it goes out." This is incorrect; only the oxygen has been used up. Some statements sound awkward, such as, "Air is not nothing." The chapter entitled "How Do We Use Air?" claims: "We also use air to have fun. Scuba divers use tanks of air to dive deep in the ocean." It is more accurate to say that scuba divers need tanks of air in order to breathe underwater. The books on soil and water both pose unanswered questions. Chapter headings ask: "Will We Ever Run Out of Soil?" and "Can We Run Out of Water?" but don't provide clear answers. In some cases, the author fails to explain concepts adequately. Water says that ocean water is salty and that people "need fresh water," but does not explain how fresh water is different from seawater. Skip the title on air; consider the other three if you're desperate for material on a very easy reading level.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

PreS-Gr 1—This uninspired spin-off features a child driving a red bus through the fields, picking up various farm animals on his way. The pencil and watercolor pictures are pleasant enough, but follow the text exactly and add no surprises or additional information to the story. Children expecting to sing along will get bogged down at "The boy on the bus says…" because, unlike the traditional song, his instructions do not rhyme and they are not repeated three times. The book ends with a bus full of noisy animals driving around without any clear destination or purpose, except to take a ride. It all seems rather pointless. Lenny Hort's The Seals on the Bus (Holt, 2000) is far more inventive and humorous.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 3—Simple facts about the hunting and nesting habits of barn owls intertwine with the story of two humans who put a nesting box for them high in a tree. Narrated by a girl whose grandfather explains owl behavior as the two watch for avian visitors in the evenings, the story also contains insets of information bits. Well-chosen design elements move both fiction and fact along with clarity and ease, with different fonts clearly separating the two. Foreman's artwork includes lovely watercolor and pastel paintings of the birds in flight and peering from the nesting box. Appealing shades of blue suggest the night, and these scenes are paired with beige pages or panels carrying alternate text. Brief explanations of feathers and flight, the contents of owl pellets, and the hatching of eggs pair well with the child's realistic first encounter with the barn owls. This simpler introduction complements Tony Johnston's poetic The Barn Owls (Charlesbridge, 2000) and Sally Tagholm's more informative Barn Owl (Kingfisher, 2003), which is for a slightly older audience. This lovely title will be enjoyed widely for personal reading and teaching purposes.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

K-Gr 2—These books are presented in two parts. The first introduces the animal and is complemented with color photos of children and their pets; the second part is a rhyming tale about care, accompanied by cartoon illustrations. Each volume closes with a page of "Fun facts." The layout, like the language and vocabulary, is straightforward and uncluttered, free of distracting sidebars or factoids. These excellent books are attractive and easy to read.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

Gr 3–6—This collection of factoids covers a number of topics ranging from the game's origins to how it is played today. It briefly touches on the highlights of baseball's history: the oldest major-league teams, greatest hitters and fielders, and some key points in World Series history. Each topic is covered in one paragraph of text, placed across artfully designed full-color or color-tinted black-and-white photographs. Many of the topics include links to Smithsonian Web sites; for example, readers seeking more information on curveballs can link to an article on Sandy Koufax that summarizes the athlete's career and includes black-and-white photos and a brief biography. Additional factoids introduce the Negro Leagues, the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, Little League, and the sport's worldwide appeal. This is an attractive volume, but readers seeking a general introduction to baseball will not find it here—there's just too little information and many other books offer so much more.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Although the introduction hints at a general overview of animal reproduction, Ehrlich discusses only birds and mammals. He gives facts about small birds such as robins and large ones such as ostriches but provides the most detail about emperor penguins. He never mentions fish, reptiles, amphibians, or insects that lay eggs or acknowledges that mammals have their start as an egg inside their mother. Yet, he devotes two pages to egg-laying mammals like the platypus. Inserted between straightforward explanations are poems of varying lengths. For example, the spiny anteaters opine, "Our rarity is quite extreme./We're egg-laying, mammalian monotremes!" The final chapter compares developmental milestones of chimps and humans from birth to six years. Haley's cartoon art is pleasant enough to hold browsers' attention for a while, but an attractive layout can't salvage a hodgepodge of information.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 1–5—Nothing gladdens the heart of believers in good poetry for children more than a new collection by Florian, whose verses and paintings consistently capture the essence of his featured themes. This one literally sings the music of the spheres. Twenty playfully lyrical poems treat topics such as the universe, the individual planets, constellations, and black holes. Each selection is presented on its own spread and adorned with a magical painting done in gouache, collage, and rubber stamps on brown paper. Circles abound in the artwork, and many pages have round cut-outs that lead into the next picture. For example, "the earth" ("Two-thirds water./One-third land./Valleys deep./Mountains grand") is illustrated with a colorful globe decorated with circled collage prints of animals and plants. A smaller orb appears nearby, made from a cut-out circle that reveals part of the illustration for the next selection, "the moon." Some of the paintings incorporate mythological names and images. The pleasing blend of faded shades and brilliant colors, of old-fashioned prints and fanciful sketches, makes the illustrations seem both antique and high-tech. An appended "Galactic Glossary" provides additional information. In both language and artwork, Florian strikes the perfect balance between grandeur and whimsy. Like Myra Cohn Livingston and Leonard Everett Fisher's Space Songs (Holiday House, 1988; o.p.), this book is a work of art worthy of the vastness of its subject.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

Gr 2–4—Acceptable introductions to high-profile careers. The many illustrations, limited number of pages, small format, and large print is more appropriate for younger students, but the topics may have some appeal to older struggling readers. Each title covers the hard work that goes into being successful and provides information about fans, volunteer work performed by celebrities, sports contests, and awards. Color photos of well-known movie stars, racecar drivers, and baseball players grace the pages, alternating with pages of text. Each title has a one-page glossary that offers pronunciation assistance and a simple definition. A thorough index rounds out each volume. Ethnic and gender representation varies by title.—Colleen D. Bocka, Nathaniel Rochester Community School, Rochester, NY

K-Gr 3—A clear, informative introduction to eight groups of vegetables, categorized by the part of the plant that is eaten. For each group, Gibbons includes an illustration of one representative veggie as it grows in a garden. The rest of the page includes illustrations of related plants. For example, readers see green beans on a plant but discover other seed vegetables such as peas, lima beans, and corn. Small insets show people harvesting or eating the crops. The author offers basic suggestions for starting a garden and shows how produce goes from large farms to processing plants and grocery stores. No matter if readers find their vegetables in their backyards, in the grocery store, or at a farmers market, they will have a better understanding of the origins of these vital foods. Familiar paneled illustrations and accessible text combine to present a simple, effective approach to the topic.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

K-Gr 4—Gilchrist's original three-stanza poem serves as the text for this passionate, dynamic representation of our national treasures. "Have you seen my country?/Seen my magic skies?/Seen my mighty waters?/Have you seen my land?" A broad, inclusive view of America is portrayed: countryside and city, flora and fauna, and the people "who hail from every shore" and call America their home. Bryan's and Gilchrist's paintings provide stunning backdrops for this testament to the country's beauty and diversity. All readers will relate at some level, and many children will find their views of America expanded.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

K-Gr 3—Twenty short selections by poets both classical (Christina Rossetti, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mother Goose) and contemporary (Eileen Spinelli, Aileen Fisher, Laura Godwin) stress respect for animals and the wonders of nature. The digitally enhanced art in watercolor, pencil, and ink ranges from small vignettes within circles and half-page scenes to spreads, all done in the soft colors of the natural world. The pictures show a child in timeless, classic dress observing the wild creature or pet featured in the accompanying poem (spider, caterpillar, bird, field mouse, whale, dog). Precious details give many of the illustrations a fairy-tale quality. A sweet, enjoyable read-aloud.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

K-Gr 2—These attractive titles include the size and description of the featured subject, a description and map of its habitat, diet, camouflage, life cycle, and whether or not it is endangered. Most spreads include two to five large-type sentences, a boxed fact, and a large, colorful photograph. Jenny Tesar's What on Earth Is a Bustard? (Gale, 1996) is for a slightly older audience. Rod Theodorou's Leatherback Sea Turtle (Heinemann Library, 2001) and Valerie J. Weber's Anacondas (Gareth Stevens, 2003) offer the same information for the same age group. Students could use Hall's and Smith's books for reports or for general enjoyment.—Ann Joslin, Fort LeBoef School District, Waterford, PA

Gr 3–5—These books give basic information about various military and governmental organizations. Written in simple vocabulary and organized into sections of a spread or two, they have plenty of clear, well-captioned photos. Glossary words are printed in red within the text. Large sidebars lend variety to the books' design and provide engaging facts. Each title has a time line giving highlights of the agency as well as a narrative discussing its historical development, purpose, and activities. Sections are devoted to describing jobs, special equipment and the training necessary to execute them, and the agency's future. FBI has a section about the work of the laboratory. Marine Corps and Navy include charts that indicate the various ranks attainable for officers and enlisted personnel. Special Forces discusses Army Rangers, Green Berets, Delta Force, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, and Air Force Special Operations. One page indicates that there is a link from the publisher's Web site to appropriate subject sites, but there is no link listed for this series. These easy-to-read books provide introductory information that may be adequate for rudimentary reports or career introductions.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 3–6—These books describe their subjects' times as well as what was known about their lives. Hamilton does not glorify these ruthless men, but she also does not dwell on the fact that they were savage murderers. Each book is broken down into several chapters ("Master of Fear," "Privateer or Pirate?," "Morgan's End") complete with color illustrations and photographs. However, in some of the cases in which actors are used to portray the pirates, the captions read as though the photograph is of the actual historical figure. These books cannot compete with William Lubber's Pirateology (Candlewick, 2006) in terms of lively information, illustration, and a more appropriate view of the pirate hunter. No sources are cited. Though the books are informative (including some gory details), they are lacking in excitement for pure pleasure reading.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

K-Gr 2—These marginal selections introduce readers who are not quite ready for chapter books to two famous queens through fictionalized anecdotes from their childhoods. Cleopatra recounts the young princess's intelligence and loyalty in discovering plots against her father and protecting him, even against her own sisters. Elizabeth tells of the nine-year-old future queen's attempts to train a pony and her eventual success after having carefully sought out and listened to the advice of many people. The pastel floral-patterned covers reflect the emphasis on themes of girl power. Unfortunately, a worthy concept is marred by several flaws in execution. Though the covers boast that these tales are "based on a true story," the protagonists' viewpoints and dialogue are clearly embellished. Holub's portrayal of these heroines as early feminists is questionable. There are no pronunciation guides or glossaries, and new readers will likely trip over "Boleyn," "royal litter," and "Tryphaena." The figures in Aleshina's unappealing watercolor illustrations are rendered inconsistently. Though each title closes with a summary of the princess's transition to queen and a historical time line, the information contained in these volumes will not suffice for reports. While these books might have had appeal for readers who are not yet ready for "The Royal Diaries" series (Scholastic), they fall too far short to merit purchase.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 3–5—Each colorful, clearly written survey profiles from 8 to 10 creatures that pose a significant danger to humans; most are venomous. In two- to four-page sections, short paragraphs of text outline the animals' geographic range, habitats, distinctive characteristics, etc. The methods they employ to attack and kill prey are described in more detail, and encounters with people are included. Most of the creatures discussed are predators, but Bugs also has sections on plant eaters, parasites, etc., that describe how the respective insects feed. One or two sharp color photographs appear on every spread; most are close-ups of the creatures, but the first two titles also include a few shots of injured human body parts. All three titles are marred by oversimplification and the omission of some important information. The lack of captions is a handicap as some of the photos don't match the text. Another flaw—the books are sprinkled with mild pejoratives that display an unscientific bias (e.g., "horrible" hobo spiders). Although these books will attract browsers, Nathan Aaseng's Poisonous Creatures (21st Century Bks., 1997) is a better choice as it includes more detailed information on animal venom, profiles many of the same creatures, and has a more scientific point of view.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 3–6—This poignant meditation about death combines 18th-century haiku with Karas's illustrations made with rice paper, wood planks, and pencils, and done in a muted palette. The book is divided by season, with each section announced by a painting of a cherry branch. Karas has imagined a family, and it is their poignant tale that commands readers' attention. The family members share those moments when time appears to stand still: "The spring day/lingers/in the pools" and, during a summer night, "even the stars/are whispering to each other." Children will be able to make inferences through the many symbols within the book: the grandfather is offered a chair at the beginning; in autumn, he is seen with a blanket over his lap; and just before the close of autumn, an empty chair is followed by a lifeless sprig of cherry tree weighted by snow. A winter scene shows the small family in a cemetery. The story comes full circle with the last page showing the child outside, with the same cherry branch in full bloom.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

Gr 3–5—Each clear, approachable book contains six chapters that describe the particular system, how it works, diseases, treatment, and more. A final chapter promotes a healthy lifestyle and educates readers on first aid and avoiding possible problems associated with the system. Health tips appear throughout, and an activity is included. These books are interactive in tone and provide plenty of sidebar material, along with color photographs, drawings, charts, and diagrams, and a fascinating "under the microscope" look at parts of the body. Filled with information, they are worthwhile additions, well suited for reports and general reading.—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

Gr 2–5—After she discovered a box containing hundreds of tracings of feet in her grandparents' attic, Judge wrote this story of their generosity following World War II in the voice of her mother, a child at the time. When the Hamerstroms received a letter from their German friend, Dr. Kramer, informing them of his family's dire need in the war's aftermath, they mailed food and clothing. His thank-you note contained the plea: "Please send no more to me. Help others." Kramer provided names along with so many foot tracings for shoes that the Hamerstroms began a letter campaign asking other American families for help. They knitted, collected clothing and shoes, and mailed an ever greater number of packages. The exchange resulted in a friendship between the narrator and a young German girl, Eliza. The gift of a rag doll for Eliza was repaid with a painting of a swallow. Each page of text describes activities between 1946 and 1948, and several are punctuated with quotes from actual letters. The soft-edged paintings are colorful and fluid and create a strong sense of time and place. Collages of letters, foot tracings, and original photographs heighten awareness of the suffering brought upon thousands in war-torn Europe. Judge's endnote describes her attic discovery. This unique and important book illustrates how reaching out to others, even those once considered the "enemy," can help to heal the wounds of war.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Gr 3–5—A colorfully illustrated cover welcomes children to this fact-filled, fun-to-read compendium of American history and 25 related activities. A varied typeface; a red, white, and blue color scheme; and page numbers printed within blue stars add to the overall appeal. The six chapters focus on "Your World, Your Land," "The Average American: Who's That?" "Breaking Away from England," "All-American Symbols," "Songs, Sayings, and Speeches," and "All-American Holidays." Many topics and fascinating facts are covered in brief, sometimes humorous explanations. Coverage includes the early immigrants, how America got its name, Native Americans, the l3 colonies, currency, songs, and holidays. Activities, such as making a five-pointed star, a compass, and Liberty Bell cookies, list "What You Need" and then "What You Do," which is color-illustrated. Safety issues are addressed where needed. Libraries will find these activities useful for assignments and programming. This book makes history come alive.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—Lang and Lynch have once again combined amazing photos and biologically accurate text to create a book that is both visually appealing and accessible to young readers. In clear, concise language, the author describes a mother leatherback sea turtle as she comes ashore on a Caribbean beach late one night to lay her eggs. The informative text delineates the many dangers that imperil the eggs and later the hatchlings as they struggle to survive against incredible odds. "Did you know?" sections provide interesting facts for beginning researchers. Simpler than the "Nature's Children" series (Grolier) and containing more information than the "Welcome Books" (Children's Press), this book will fill a niche and make an excellent addition to both school and public libraries.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

PreS-Gr 1—A family demonstrates how it celebrates Cinco de Mayo, as Mama takes part in a parade, Papa plays in a mariachi band, and Abuelita prepares a special meal. In the midst of the festivities, Abuelito retells the story of the battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862, between the French and Mexican armies, and how Mexico triumphed. Levy provides brief information about the history and the cultural traditions that surround the holiday. The simple text appears in both English and Spanish. Lopez's brightly colored illustrations add to the festive air of the narrative, and the family's excitement is palpable. The traditional dresses, costumes, and hairstyles all enhance the book's authenticity. Appended are craft activities and reproductions of illustrations from the story with items missing (children are asked to identify them). Presented in an appealing and accessible manner, this offering will serve its audience well.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 3—Simple texts explain what the featured machine is and discuss the major parts of each one and what they do. The tires, cab, hitch, plow, planter, and mower are featured in Tractors, while the cars, cargo, engine, and whistle are highlighted in Trains. The glossaries feature easy-to-read-and-understand definitions, such as "loads carried by trucks, ships, trains, or planes" for "cargo" in Trucks and "a machine that uses fuel to move" for "engine" in Ships. With their exciting, full-color photos on every spread, these colorful titles will certainly appeal to the mighty curiosity of young readers interested in machines of all kinds.—Cathie Bashaw Morton, Millbrook Central School District, NY

Gr 1–5—An entertaining introduction to a fitness guru and entrepreneur. Beginning with young Angelo Siciliano's arrival at Ellis Island, the book describes the scrawny Italian immigrant's boyhood in a rough Brooklyn neighborhood and-when he was older-the storied seaside encounter with a sand-kicking bully (witnessed by his date). Humiliated and determined to change his life, the young man decided to change his body. While at the zoo, he watched a lion stretch and noticed its muscles rippling beneath its skin. "Eureka!" He devised and followed an exercise routine that pitted one muscle against another, gradually becoming "Strong as an ox!" The rest of the book covers his new name (for his resemblance to a statue of Atlas), his success as a sideshow strongman and bodybuilder, his famed fitness course, and his emphasis on healthy living. An author's note makes it clear that Atlas's story has been much mythologized and that little is known about his private life. McCarthy cleverly makes the most of this, smoothly weaving facts, quotes, and dialogue balloons into a comic-book-like narrative that perfectly suits its subject. Similarly, the acrylic illustrations feature cartoon characters and appropriately over-the-top humor. One scene shows the skinny youth locked in a staring contest with a muscle-bound statue of Hercules, while another shows the pumped-up Atlas, goggle eyes bulging, straining to pull a train. This colorful book captures both the essence and mystique of an American icon.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—While the cover of this book is unlikely to encourage browsing, the rhyming riddles inside will engage children. The one letter/one riddle per page format includes images that provide clues to the answers. "They are salty and green./They come in a jar./They begin with an O./Can you guess what they are?" shows a ring of green olives in a circle with pimentos intact. Five keys form the shape of a K, while three nails form an N. Answers appear at the end. A final rhyme illustrated with small pictures from the book challenges children to identify the items they saw throughout the volume. The large, bold print; simple text; and small format may appeal to beginning readers. An adequate choice where reinforcement of the letters of the alphabet and items associated with each are needed.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Gr 1–2—The focal point of each book is the featured animal's early stages of life, but a concluding spread shows the complete life cycle. Most of the discussion is about how they hatch from eggs and the first days of their life. Survival techniques of the newborns are touched upon. These easy-to-read titles have little detail or depth, but they will spark children's curiosity, and the colorful photos add appeal. Pronunciation guides appear in an opening spread, "Word Hunt," and are duplicated at the end in a "Your New Words" glossary.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-K—On the whole, this is an unexceptionable volume, but with a good dollop of eye-catching pictures. It is less than ear-pleasing, though, with graceless prose that lacks the appeal of earlier tellings. Especially disappointing is the pigs' chinny-chin-chin sequence, which has lost its bounce and rhyme: "'Little pig, little pig, let me in!'/'NO, you will only eat me,' said the pig./'Let me in, or I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll bloooooooooow your house down,' said the wolf…." The revisions are just small enough to be moderately surprising. There is a subplot revolving around turnips that ends with the pigs dining on wolf-flavored turnip soup. Goldilocks doesn't run away from the three bears; in fact, she stays long enough to make amends—indeed, to make friends. The cool pastel backgrounds (the pink is too much of a good thing in the first story) host characters that have pleasingly delineated shapes and facial expressions. Humorous touches like the pigs' signs that warn off wolves and a newspaper on the floor of the bears' house declaring, "WOLF IS SOUP!" are entertaining. And the illustrations of the gorge in which the goats meet the troll are, naturally, gorgeous. Overall, Miller's work is a bit upward of OK.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 1–3—This is a lively guide to spending time at the beach, containing safety tips and etiquette, science experiments, games, crafts, riddles, and suggestions for at-home beach-theme parties. The carefree feel of the text is reinforced by the sunny cartoon-style illustrations. However, a number of elements cause concern. Some suggestions promote littering (message in a bottle), touching trash (using discarded Popsicle sticks for a craft), and temporarily capturing wildlife for a seaside aquarium. While generations of children have engaged in such activities, it seems less than responsible for adults to advocate them. In addition, the structured nature of many of the games seems at odds with the free and easy spirit of a day at the beach. While kids would find this light fare engaging, a more deeply enjoyable (and more environmentally sensitive) title like Jim Arnosky's Beachcombing (Dutton, 2004) has more lasting benefit.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 1–2—Following a precise format, each title is divided into several two- or three-page chapters. The text in the first chapter of each book ("What Is a Life Cycle?") is identical except for the necessary vocabulary specific to each topic. The font is appropriate for younger readers. A high-quality color photo appears on almost every page, though some (especially those depicting machinery) are somewhat dated. Captions usually add to the text. Though it is a versatile plant, the soybean featured in Beans is an unusual choice. Chickens contains a grammatical error, while all of the titles have an annoying habit of beginning sentences with "and." These books are not wonderful, but they are acceptable additional purchases.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 3–4—Each of these 20 simple crafts begins with a list of supplies, and then describes how to proceed. The illustrations effectively demonstrate each step. Most use supplies found around the house, but a few require beads or glass gems and fancy chenille strips. Crafts include handlebar tassels made from mylar balloons, a quarter bank in the form of a graduate for a graduation gift, a cold-drink coaster, a Fourth of July toss game, and caterpillar tablecloth weights. Most of the projects seem to be easy enough for children to do without much adult supervision, but they might need help with such things as cutting chenille strips in half.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Gr 1–3—This evocative photo-essay combines appealing full-color photographs with simple unrhymed verse to celebrate the unique qualities of each season. Beginning with the statement, "I love spring," the enthusiastic narrator highlights the natural changes, leisure activities, and delicious foods enjoyed during each time of year. In spring, "grass grows green," "Crocuses pop," and "We hold rabbits,/lambs,/ puppies,/and chicks." During summer, "The sun/shines strong/and hot," "Shorebirds scurry and peck," and we "splash and swim" in ocean waves. Autumn is for tasting "apples,/pears,/and pies" and watching "Chipmunks/store acorns/in a secret/spot." In winter, "We make snow angels/then sip hot chocolate." Some words within the text are printed in a concrete fashion to reflect their meaning (the letters in "scatter" spread across the page, as if blown by an autumn breeze). The book comes full circle, repeating the opening line on the final page. A large photo introduces each season, followed by spreads featuring a mixture of images of varying sizes and compositions. The artistic pictures—depicting smiling children, colorful animals, and inviting natural settings—and accompanying text perfectly capture the joys of each season. This should be a year-round favorite.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 1–5—This volume, along with Dinosaurs (2005) and Sharks and Other Sea Monsters (2006, both Candlewick), completes the authors' superlative pop-up series on prehistoric animals. Here, six spectacular spreads spotlight the incredible, often colossal, creatures that roamed the planet millions of years ago. Beginning with "Sky Lizards" (pterosaurs) and other winged wonders, the book progresses logically, describing therapsids (reptiles with mammalian characteristics), briefly tracing the rise of mammals, and then introducing intriguing examples of various species of this class—both predators and prey. The final spread highlights denizens of the Ice Age and hints at things to come, making mention of primitive human hunters. The tone remains pleasingly chatty throughout, and clever subtitles grab youngsters' attention. Sabuda and Reinhart continue to create innovative, artistic, and effective pop-up designs: an enormous pterosaur spreads its wings wide, a rhinoceroslike giant gallops across the landscape, and a gargantuan woolly mammoth rears its head at readers. Smaller, booklike foldouts are also packed with text and pop-up fireworks (in one example, four pictures of horse ancestors quickly flip by to show the animal's evolution). Although the information is cursory, the book covers a wide-ranging and fascinating spectrum of animals and may encourage further investigation. A delectable, though not very durable, browser's delight.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 2–4—This introduction to electricity traces the path of electrons from the power station to electronic devices used in the home. A series of spreads with a few paragraphs of text describes each stage along the way. This progression works well, covering the physical implements and machines as well as general scientific concepts. The important role of transformers, for example, emerges in a logical way, reinforcing the key concept that electricity is an energy that can be controlled and guided. Acrylic mixed-media illustrations are informative, with clear labels to identify specific components. The uncrowded layout and three-dimensional look are especially effective. Each spread leads neatly into the next one, so the visual flow is uninterrupted. Readers see wires reaching the electric meter, then a page turn shows that meter close up, while the subsequent spread reveals the inside wires moving out from the meter. A few descriptions are oversimplified, but a glossary fills in needed details. Joanna Cole's The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip (Scholastic, 1997) and Barbara Seuling's Flick a Switch (Holiday House, 2003) cover more ground, and Molly Bang's My Light (Scholastic, 2004) is more visually dazzling, but this title succeeds with its carefully focused approach. By sticking consistently to the topic of how electricity reaches the home without trying to cover history, trivia, or more complex science, the fundamental information comes through in an appealing way that kids can fully understand.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 2–5—Truss and Timmons pair up again to deliver another humorous and educationally effective book about punctuation, this one dealing with the misuse of the apostrophe. In the same format as Eats, Shoots and Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! (Putnam, 2006), this book presents readers with two identical sentences whose meaning changes with the simple placement of the apostrophe. The plural versus the possessive is depicted through lively cartoons illustrating the sentences. Truss again manages to keep her lessons funny and full of kid appeal with examples such as, "Those smelly things are my brother's" and "those smelly things are my brothers." Just as in the earlier title, endnotes give detailed explanations of all of the sentences, describing how their meaning is strongly influenced by the almighty apostrophe. Pair this fun and interactive book with similarly themed titles by Brian Cleary or Ruth Heller. Wordplay or "grammarplay" at its finest.—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

PreS-Gr 2—These 16 selections read aloud well and use different rhyme schemes. Bright cartoon pictures show mainly smiling children of various ethnicities helping to plant a garden, do laundry, wash dishes, etc. In the first poem, "Bores," a child exclaims to her mother: "I don't want to clean my room!/It looks fine to me./I like my toys out on the floor—/they're easier to see." The last one, "All Done," shows the same pair shaking hands and concludes, "The tub is scrubbed,/the windows washed./The house smells sweet and new./And everything looks twice as nice/Because I cleaned with you." A satisfying book for the younger crowd.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 2—These titles focus on children who compare their experiences as immigrants in the U.S. to life in their homelands. Bahishta compares life in Afghanistan to that in California, while Suhith compares India to Wisconsin. The narrators briefly discuss their home life, food, faith, education, clothing, and festivals. Colorful photographs and graphics relate to the texts. Both titles include a map of the country of origin and of the relevant U.S. state, but there is no indication of the distance between the two. Boldfaced words are defined in the glossaries, but there are no pronunciation guides. These books are attractive but there is not enough information for reports.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA