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