Preschool to Grade 4

PreS—A cheerful American boy explains that everything he does in this country has a counterpart in Israel, where his cousin lives. The bright pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are an integral part of the text, since they provide the direct visual references. ("This is my home. This is my cousin Tamar's home.") The narrator then gives a one-sentence explanation of what he does with his family on various Jewish holidays. For instance, on Yom Kippur, he walks past open stores and speeding cars on his way to the synagogue. Tamar, on the other hand, walks to her synagogue through empty streets and closed stores. This book will be used often in Jewish preschools at any time of the year, but it will be especially in demand in May 2008, during the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel.—Lisa Silverman, Sinai Temple Library, Los Angeles

K-Gr 4—Cech's fluid text sparkles in this well-crafted retelling. He fleshes out the character of the prince with a refreshing addition in which the young man tells the Queen, "I didn't need a pea to tell me she is a real princess. I could see it in the gentleness of her eyes, hear it in the softness of her voice, and feel it in the kindness of her heart." The illustrations, created with colored pencils, pastels, and acrylics, glow with lustrous yellow-gold, blue, and green tones. The court clothing is portrayed in splendid detail, and bold foregrounds dominate the pictures. In one lovely spread, the prince, dressed in blue knee breeches and a doublet trimmed with green ribbon, is lying on a couch; the Queen, wearing a lace-decorated yellow gown, is gazing at him from the background; behind her are the muted figures of dancing couples. An interesting historical note informs readers that similar story elements have appeared in tales from Sweden, Italy, and Kashmir. Children will enjoy this delightful rendition of an old favorite. For readers who prefer a more playful and humorous approach, suggest Lauren Child's fabulous version (Hyperion, 2006).—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—As Hedgehog and Pig are enjoying a late supper, there's a knock at the door from a tearful lost piglet. Fia is immediately whisked inside, where she is comforted and fed. When she falls asleep with her head in her plate, Pig is smitten. The next morning, they all head into the village, where Fia is reunited with her baker mother. Sweet rolls are passed around in celebration of the reunion, and Pig declares his everlasting love for the sweet little porker. This tale of a child lost and found is never threatening or frightening, despite Fia's tears. Not even her mother, crisply attired in her chef's whites, looks the worse for wear, despite her missing offspring. The illustrations and their cozy details, such as the Blue Willow teapot, the radio on a shelf in the bakery, and the spikes peaking through the shoulders of Hedgehog's peach-colored dress, contribute to an overall feeling of benevolence and goodwill. The rhyming text reads smoothly. The subplot about Pig's adoration is slightly distracting, but why quibble about a picture book that is so sweet and comforting?—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

PreS-K—In this cheery book, a jolly, rotund baker begins his work at 5:00 A.M., taking "great care/to make one cream éclair" and concludes by 7:00 A.M. when "he knows just what it takes/to make twelve small cupcakes." He can then open his doors to greet a baker's dozen of eager customers. The star here is the oil paint on gessoed illustration board art, done in charming retro style. The two-line verse for each number appears in a crisp, clear font on a creamy pastel page, while the enthusiastic baker performs his artistry on the other. There is plenty of detail and interesting shading in the pictures to involve the eye, while at the same time the correlation between the numbers and the number of desserts is always obvious. It is refreshing to see someone who so loves and enjoys his work, and while the theme may be a bit contrary to the current campaign against childhood obesity, we all deserve a treat now and then.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 2–4—Wonderfully creative handmade characters and sets are the highlight of this over-the-top chicken tale about a beauty shop, a vain Tom turkey, and Thanksgiving Day dinner. One day, a self-important turkey enters The Chic Hen and announces that he's been invited to a special dinner. When Beauty, the owner of the shop, discovers that he is not invited for dinner but as dinner, she and the other hens strategize to save the frantic fowl. Their best and final plan, to put him in a dress and save him from the oven, works well. Every word that begins with the letters "ex" (and there are many of them) are re-spelled to fit the theme: "eggsercise," "eggsploring," "eggstensive," etc. The book is filled with puns that will be understood by older children and adults. In one instance, a beauty shop customer is reading Miss Coop Living magazine and the two feature articles are "Feathering Your First Nest" and "Living on the Other Side of the Road." The illustrations are well worth poring over. The author made chicken mannequins with polymer eyes, beaks, and shoes, as well as wool wings and yarn feathers. Her husband designed the sets, built them, and photographed the images, adjusting their size. A humorous story about dressing a turkey, but not in the usual manner.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 1–3—Little Rat comes from a musical family and wants to learn an instrument of her own. After hearing other kids playing melodious notes on the violin, she is determined to do the same. To play the violin well, however, requires a lot of practice. With the help of Kitty, a tutor, Little Rat begins to make beautiful music. Kids will be able to relate to Little Rat's impatience with practicing and find many moments humorous. The jewel-toned watercolor-and-gouache artwork will help keep readers engaged. A realistic and meaningful look at the satisfying results of hard work and perseverance.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL

Gr 3–5—"Few men will dare to look into a unicorn's eyes." Sung by a visiting minstrel, these words only fire the hunting enthusiasm of the Duke's nobles in this opulent romance. In keeping with old stories of the fabled beast, the unicorn befriends Tanisa, a kind serving girl, and lays his head in her lap as she dozes in a meadow. She's then wounded in trying to shield him from the flying arrow shot by the Duke's son, her former childhood playmate. Now nearly grown, Chris is bent on killing the creature both for the wealth its carcass will bring and to gain his father's approval. Stunned that he has wounded Tanisa, he looks into the unicorn's eyes. Of course, his hardened heart is softened and her wound is healed by the unicorn's touch. Promising to rule with wisdom when he comes into adulthood, Chris sends the girl and the unicorn off into hiding to await a safer time. Lavish scenes rendered in Photoshop blend photographs of the humans and their horses and dogs with painted landscapes and unicorns. Darkened views shot with golden lighting, lengthened images, and occasional blurred focus lend a dramatic, surreal tone to the rather hackneyed scenario. The vigorous, cinematic views and the hint of future love fit a traditional fairy-tale niche.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

PreS-K—This quiet book tells the story of a city girl who can't sleep. When she feels a breeze blow in through her open window, she gathers pillows, her blanket, and the family cat and follows the wind up to the roof of her building. She doesn't realize that her mother is also awake and is trailing her up the stairs. On the rooftop, the child snuggles into a bed made of two chairs pulled together and contemplates the wide world and the open sky, eventually falling asleep. The final scene shows her mother, sitting next to her and thoughtfully gazing at the full moon. The watercolor illustrations, some full-page, some panels, perfectly depict the shadows, darkness, and light of the slumbering city. The volume's small size makes it most appropriate for sharing one-to-one.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—Oliver Donnington Rimington-Sneep has a room full of toys, and his healthy imagination makes it impossible to sleep when there are canvases to paint, books to read, magic to create, and moons to visit. He cannot possibly stop to rest until he has exhausted all his options-and himself. Then he snuggles down with his favorite soft toys, much to the satisfaction of his parents, who are peeking at him from around the bedroom door. Starting with the picture on the title page of a wide-awake Oliver in bed but ready to spring out, there is a driven intensity about this book with its bold text and full-bleed, fanciful spreads. Young listeners will understand the message—that there are too few hours in a day. This is an excellent selection for pajama storytimes and one-on-one sharing. Pair it with Helen Cooper's The Boy Who Wouldn't Go to Bed (Dial, 1997) or Jane Dyer's Little Brown Bear Won't Take a Nap! (Little, Brown, 2002) for a satisfying bedtime experience.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

Gr 2–4—Johnnie tells of his first bear-hunting expedition in the Alaskan Wilderness with his dad and their "knowledgeable" dog, Swift. On the third day of their trip, a grizzly crashes out of the woods and attacks them. When Johnnie's father shoots and misses the bear and instead breaks his leg, he tells his son to take the dog and go for help. The dramatic oil paintings are a blend of realistic and impressionistic style created with a thickly layered palette whose texture helps convey the haunting grandeur and loneliness of various landscapes of forest, tundra, mountains, and river; the cold is palpable. The compressed text describes in staccato style some exciting events; but it lacks character development and context. Some of the elements are not fully credible. At one point, Johnnie falls into an "icy" beaver pond, and later, he cannot make a fire because his matches are wet; it seems somewhat unbelievable that he can survive the cold and snow despite his frozen feet and frozen clothing. An endpaper map suggests an immensity of space but does not convey a realistic sense of either the distance or the amount of time that the boy travels. Still, the art is spectacular, and worth sharing with children.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—A boy strolls down a street with a tasty doughnut tied to his belt. The goody, which trails enticingly behind him, attracts a hen that "…fancied herself a crumb of this thing." Soon they're joined by a cat, a dog, a little girl, and finally her costumed friends, who've been putting on a play. Before long, the doughnut parade has grown to include figures real (farm animals, firemen) and imagined (Mother Goose characters and "cloud catchers" with large nets). Then the boy's unexpected move results in a quiet conclusion. The poetic text reads well aloud ("And so followed Mabel, their Saturday sitter,/And Adelaide Bead, who'd been doing her hair"), and the watercolor figures are fluid and dynamic. However, the story lacks the spark and the inner logic of the most inspired silliness. Bond is a talented author/illustrator, but this is not her best effort.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 1—In a playful take on the stickers and lollipops that bored kids sweep up at businesses as parents do errands, Broach imagines what would happen if a dinosaur were the giveaway of the day. A boy's increasing delight at the freebies he collects from the bakery, the doctor, and barber contrast with his mother's increasing panic and dismay as the lumbering beasts start to accumulate. When they acquire the fourth behemoth, Mom decides that the errands are done and whisks everyone home. Once there, she finds some unique ways to put the stegosaurus, triceratops, hadrosaur, and pterosaur to good use doing household chores. Small's sketchy, tongue-in-cheek watercolor-and-ink artwork perfectly captures the boy's exuberance, the dinosaurs' mass, and the hubbub that a city full of these reptiles would create. Dinosaur lovers will enjoy seeing their favorite creatures pictured and named, though the book's appeal won't just be for them. Both listeners and independent readers will appreciate the humor in the text, and the book will spark imaginations and discussions on what else might make great giveaways.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1—The animal characters from Bunting's The Wedding (Charlesbridge, 2003) celebrate a new arrival in this rhyming picture book. When friends of Ms. Brindle Cow and Mr. Bull learn that the pair is expecting a baby, they set off to share in the joyous occasion. Each one brings a gift for the infant along with well wishes for the parents-to-be. The predictably happy ending has a slight twist as the couple welcomes twins. Children will enjoy the rhyming couplets: "The moon and stars lit up the sky./Fireflies came dancing by./They kept repeating to each other,/'Brindle's going to be a mother!'" Love's illustrations, done in transparent inks on Arches watercolor paper, are a charming complement to the gently plotted story. Sharp-eyed readers will notice touches of humor, including a couple of the creatures reading books that connect to their particular species. While not an essential purchase, libraries that own the earlier title will want to consider this one.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 1—A girl reads about faraway lands to her pet turtle. The turtle then decides to do a bit of exploring, digging a hole to get under the wire of his pen. He makes immediate discoveries, such as, "My legs are short and the grass is long. I think this must be the jungle." He sees a tree stump and thinks it must be an elephant leg in Africa. He mistakes a frog at first for a kangaroo leaping in Australia, and fears that the cat from next door is an Indian tiger. Just when the turtle begins to worry that he might be lost, Emma finds him and takes him home. Children will immediately get the joke that despite the turtle's impressions, he never leaves the yard. The nice twist is that he is not disappointed with his adventure. He reflects, "It is exciting to have the whole world here in my backyard." The whimsical watercolor illustrations match the tone of the story well. The turtle's face shows many emotions as he travels and discovers. The pictures are drawn on scale with the small creature himself, echoing a childlike perspective and interpretation of size in a personal world. Humorous, warm, and ultimately reassuring, this story will be appreciated by individual readers but it's also a good choice for group read-alouds.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-Gr 1—This gentle narrative invites children to join in the sounds and actions of various wild creatures. "Can you click like a dolphin,/swimming through the seas?/Can you buzz like a honeybee,/floating on a breeze?" Each uncluttered spread introduces a new animal, easily distinguishable to young children in Butler's signature hazy, pastel-hued paintings. As the pages turn, day passes into night with successively quieter activities. The book closes with a snoozing animal kingdom, each creature smiling peacefully in its sleep. Large text curves gracefully through each image. Nature is depicted as ever-friendly, where frolicking, twinkly-eyed animals lope through soft grasses. While similar works abound, Can You Growl Like a Bear? is one of the higher-quality offerings in the animal-imitation genre. This simple book will fit easily into any storytime or bedtime repertoire.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 1–2—Marcolino hates practicing scales, but does so because his mother wants him to live out her dream of becoming a grand pianist. His grandpa rescues him from this dreaded fate by reminding Mom how much she disliked playing the piano as a child and helping Marcolino choose a more appealing instrument—the tuba. Children suffering through a similar scenario may identify with the plot, but the ultra-mod style of Heliot's crisp color illustrations tends to overpower the story. Marcolino has overlong, stiff bangs and his mother is a tall, skinny woman with pointy breasts. Young children can more easily identify with Sharon Jennings's turtle in Franklin's Music Lessons (Kids Can, 2004). Beginning readers will find that Claudia Mills's Gus and Grandpa and the Piano Lesson (Farrar, 2004) is a more loving and realistic story.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 1—It's Mouse's birthday, and Mr. Panda is throwing a bash at his restaurant with many of the same animals first seen in Dinner at the Panda Palace (HarperCollins, 1995). Each guest gives Mouse a gift—described on one page in bouncy rhyme and revealed as readers turn the page and shout out the last word to complete the quatrain: "We love you so much,/We shopped all over town./You'll be a true princess/With this shiny gold…Crown!"). Her final present, from Panda, is her friend Snail "from far away," who completes the party and the story. Cushman's bright and cheery illustrations echo the lively rhymes. Children will especially enjoy the predictability of completing the verses. All in all, a fun party.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1—A high-spirited terrier creates mayhem in the fairy-tale world as an unseen narrator tries to tell a series of bedtime stories. "Once upon a time there were three billy goats named Gruff," the narrator begins, but stops short when Ivan bursts onto the scene with an enthusiastic "Arf! Arf! Arf!" After chasing away the goats, he moves on to disrupt the lives of the three bears, the three little pigs, and the gingerbread boy. The noisy pup sneaks into each story, refusing to calm down despite the narrator's increasingly strident admonitions. At last, the storyteller gives up and in one final effort intones, "There once was a little dog named Ivan." But the terrier wanders away to fall asleep in his doggie bed, probably worn out from all of his mischief. The watercolor and gouache paintings add to the humor of this imaginative story, which is presented in large, readable type. Serene, light-filled pictures of the storybook figures with the approaching terrier in the background are followed by scenes of pandemonium in which the excitable pup joyously barks with all his might as the other characters flee. The startled reactions of the fairy-tale denizens and Ivan's expressive countenance will make readers chuckle and chortle with delight.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 1–3—Emily is tired of studying about pumpkins. Her class has weighed and measured them, and counted seeds. Now, the children have to decorate them to look like self-portraits. The second grader is excited about her birthday party on Saturday, however, so when her friend Vinni doesn't show up, she's upset. Then in school Vinni behaves oddly, arguing, sulking, and damaging Emily's pumpkin. The last chapter deals with her apology (it turns out she wanted to go to the party and felt left out when she couldn't) and Emily's acceptance of it. The black-and-white illustrations are well done and expressive. Fans of Barbara Park's "Junie B. Jones" series and Patricia Reilly Giff's "Polk Street School" books (both Random) will enjoy this beginning chapter book.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

PreS-Gr 2—Embellished only with the gold of "glittering stars," Cate's black-and-white drawings perfectly evoke an urban setting in this tale of lost and found. Street-performing magician Ray and his loyal assistant, a white rabbit, enjoy apartment life and working together. A mid-performance mishap with a juggler leads to a pug chasing Bunny into unknown parts of the city. Love of popcorn and a trail of familiar golden stars lead him to a touching reunion with his partner at the subway station. Cate's succinct text has a storyteller's style, and her elegant drawings have a New Yorker cartoon feel. The sole glitch hinges on the convenient appearance of stars in a distant alley. Readers may be expected to believe magic put them there, but neither text nor illustrations give clues for practical young readers. Nevertheless, this gracefully lean tale will please more than city dwellers.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Gr 1–2—Chickens and sheep collide in a tangle of wool and feathers and pull readers into an outlandishly hilarious romp as two unconventional cows prepare a surprise for the farmer's birthday. Minnie is giving the farmer her last cream puff (left, so he can't miss it, in his slipper). Moo decides to knit a sweater, a very special sweater, but washing it reveals that it can both sneeze and talk. While both of them ignore the fact that Elvis the Rooster is missing and conclude that the sweater must be haunted, all attempts to control it and "teaching it a lesson" allow readers to laugh at their ignorance and the resulting calamity for Elvis. Cazet's colorful pen and watercolor cartoons faithfully build on the text. Nonstop action and a clever plot place this title at the top of the list for young readers ready for a slightly more complex story.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

K-Gr 3—Charlie and Lola, two endearing siblings featured in books and in a popular television series, are back just in time for Lola's "first ever school photo." She wants to be "tidy and clean" to please her mum, but it isn't "easy peasy, lemon squeezy." Lola gets her stockings muddy in a game of puddles. She gets wet playing at the water tray and spills pink milk on her clothes at lunch. While painting with her friend Lotta, she gets handprints on her face. She's neither tidy nor clean in the school picture taken with Charlie, but her big brother knows what to do. Together they make a collage of Lola from old photos, and the resulting image shows off her great smile. The illustrations are clever collages of Charlie and Lola, taken from the TV animation and arranged with other cut-outs, photos of real objects, and patterned papers. The colors are bright and the contrast is appealing. The text is based on the TV script. Words are sometimes large, sometimes bold, and sometimes wiggly. Children will identify with Lola and remember times when an older sibling made things right. Pair this story with Lynne Plourde's School Picture Day (Dutton, 2002) to lighten the tensions children feel before the event.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-Gr 2—Lili is so shy and soft-spoken that she is almost invisible in her classroom. She fails to ask for what she wants and often ends up with what she doesn't want: a partner named Cassidy. Then one day, when Mrs. Backmeyer is absent and Cassidy is being cruel to the guinea pig, Lili finds her strongest, most forceful voice and commands respect: "Even the glue in the bottle stood still." This engaging story is well written and even poetic. Lili is a well-developed character, and her growth is believable. The warm, energetic illustrations highlight the elements of humor in the story, as when the substitute teacher is on her cell phone outside the room with the class visibly out of control within. Lili's facial expressions are priceless, especially as she shrieks "STOP IT!," and children will laugh at Cassidy's archlike pigtails, and at the birds and fish that line up along with the students. While shy youngsters may claim Lili, others will relate to her. This excellent title will spark discussions on feeling shy, practicing assertiveness, and dealing with bullies.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

K-Gr 2—Caroline and her family have recently moved to Meadowview Street, in a development where all of the properties look alike and there's not a meadow in sight. The girl is about to go in search of one when she notices a small flower. "It's beautiful! Caroline said to herself. And all alone." She asks her dad to work around it while mowing the lawn, hurries inside to find string and sticks, and builds a "small wildflower preserve." As other flowers bloom, she enlarges the area. Dad puts the lawn mower up for sale, and, with the help of her parents, Caroline (surely an heir to Barbara Cooney's Miss Rumphius) sets about transforming her suburban backyard into a teeming ecosystem. Soon there are butterflies, birds, a pond, flowers, trees, and a real meadow on Meadowview Street. "And soon, the Jacksons' yard changed. And the Smiths'. And the Sotos'." Cole's economical text and tender, acrylic paintings tell the story with simplicity and energy as the barren strip of grass evolves into a lush habitat. This lovely picture book offers children a quiet approach to embracing the natural world.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

Gr 2–4—With four other complaining sons, Will Woodman's parents don't have time to listen when he needs to vent. Frustrated, he hopes that his Grandad will become his confidant. When he spends Saturdays working with the old man, who is the lighthouse keeper in a seaside village, the two strike a deal to listen to each other's "sob stories." Grandad, though, has a penchant for "one-upping." Poor Will can't seem to top any of his unbelievable stories, which involve shark bites on the head, badgers stealing schoolbags, and a bad run-in with tinfoil. Finally catching some time alone with his dad, Will learns a remarkable and amusing story about himself that he's sure can't be topped. In the end, Grandad helps Will to make a significant discovery about himself and his problems, making this a satisfying, funny, and engaging addition to the series. Quirky cartoon illustrations add to the fun, creating a perfect selection for reluctant readers. Fans of Wendelin Van Draanen's "Shredderman" (Yearling), Dave Keane's "Joe Sherlock" (HarperCollins), and Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" (Scholastic) series will enjoy this book.—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

PreS-Gr 2—Cat, Duck, and Squirrel are back in this companion to Pumpkin Soup (1999) and A Pipkin of Pepper (2005, both Farrar). Disaster has struck the pumpkin patch—no ripe pumpkins for the animals' favorite dish. The friends decide to make something new to eat, but Duck is unwilling to try either fish soup, mushroom soup, or beet soup (especially offensive because it is pink). Cat tries to trick Duck by mixing a combination of veggies and ingredients that result in a broth that is the exact color of pumpkin soup. After a tentative sip, Duck declares it "Delicious!" and order is restored in the old white cabin. The story has universal appeal—everyone either knows, or is, a fussy eater. Readers will empathize with Duck, who is obstinate without being intolerable, and cheer for Cat and Squirrel as their patience and accommodation lead to eventual success. The illustrations are warm and rustic, and the layout does an excellent job of mixing full-page portraits and white space. A recipe for "Pink Soup" is included. This beautiful book is a must-have.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

K-Gr 2—Cuyler's third "Good/Bad" title involves a field trip to the nation's capital. The young protagonist is trouble from the moment he boards the yellow DC Duck bus, through his whirlwind tour of monuments and the zoo, to his final splash into the Tidal Basin. Each brush with bad luck, however, is immediately reversed in the next action. This book is not as tightly constructed as Remy Charlip's Fortunately (S & S, 1984) or even as visually interesting as David Catrow's illustrations in the previous titles in the series. Even so, its bright digital palette, wildly skewed perspectives, and multicultural cast of kids with oversize heads will attract the Nick Jr. crowd—especially if their families or schools have planned or just returned from a jaunt to DC. The sound effects and refrain allow plenty of opportunities for audience participation. Purchase where geographical interest dictates.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—A boy loves his toy boat and he takes it everywhere, keeping it close on a string near open water. When he drops the string and the toy is carried far out on the lake, it faces the perils of high waves, stormy skies, and large, mean-spirited vessels. The small boat, near sinking, sail heavy with water, misses the child terribly and floats aimlessly all night, lonely and frightened. (Even the moon is shown weeping at such a pathetic plight.) Finally the next day, "a humble little fishing boat" takes pity on the little boat since "it knew how it felt to be pushed around on the lake." It guides the toy toward shore—and for a few moments the little boat feels the joy of freedom, wind in its sail. Then the boy sees it and the boat is home again. Now, the boy occasionally lets the string go when they are by the lake since the boat knows to come back. This story of freedom and its perils has the potential to be unsettling for a young audience. The cruel eyes of the giant ferry bearing down on the small boat and the painted sharklike teeth on the side of the speedboat with its "screaming" motor can easily be construed as menacing and can send a negative instead of heartening message. Only near the end, on the spread where the little boat is sailing, does the acrylic art show the pleasure of the open sky and freedom at the prow. This book has limited child appeal.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

Gr 1–4—The dragons are playing in heaven, riding clouds and creating things such as "thunder and lightning, flying comets…sparkling northern lights," and rain. They also look for "pearls of heavenly wisdom" that are concealed in the clouds. One day, they peer through a hole in the heavens to Earth where they spy on a boy named Ping. Although he is terrified of dragons, he keeps his feelings secret and paints elaborate pictures of the creatures. Flattered, the Heavenly Dragon visits him and—quickly realizing that the boy paints these images out of fear—promises him three treasures if he can earn them. The pearls of wisdom read "Seek Your Truth," "Find Your Truth," and "Dare to Be True." In order to attain them, Ping must overcome his apprehensions by visiting four elemental dragons: Water Dragon, Fire Dragon, Earth Dragon, and Wind Dragon. Each page contains paintings of gilt-colored creatures and swatches of delicate Chinese silk brocade. The colors range from rich purples and vibrant reds to cool blues and muted beiges, emphasizing the mood of each scene. Ping is always drawn in small scale compared to the magnificent dragons, and fold-out pages add to the book's visual impact. An elegantly told tale, enhanced by exquisite illustrations.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-K—In this sequel to Llama Llama Red Pajama (Viking, 2005), the hoofed protagonist goes shopping with his mother. Gradually the small annoyances of the Shop-O-Rama ("Yucky music,/great big feet./Ladies smelling way too sweet....Try it on and take it off./Pull and wiggle,/itch and cough") send the youngster into a tantrum: "It's no fun at Shop-O-Rama./Llama Llama/MAD at Mama!" With admirable patience and parenting skills, Mama tames the "llama drama," explaining to her son that they can make the chore fun by working together. Soon Llama Llama is helping Mama clean up the messy results of his meltdown and complete their purchases, and then they are off to pursue more pleasurable activities. Children will giggle at Dewdney's rhythmic rhymes. The inviting, oversized paintings are bold and colorful, and Llama Llama's priceless expressions carry the emotional arc of the story to its gentle conclusion. Add this amusing tale to your storytime repertoire or recommend it for one-on-one sharing.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-K—Toby is "a very cute rabbit." Everyone says so. The only problem is that he doesn't want to be seen as cute and decides to make a change. Sunglasses, a pierced ear, and a tattoo aren't quite enough, so he acquires a motorcycle, a helmet, and a long brown coat. He thinks he looks "cool," but when an attractive girl rabbit calls him a "creep," Toby realizes his mistake and decides that being cute wasn't so bad after all. There's not much of a story here: Toby makes a change, decides against it, reverts back, and wins the girl. The changes happen too quickly and there's not enough conflict to elicit interest. Softly hued illustrations are the highlight of this slight selection. They are filled with minute details of life in Toby's community. The animals, their homes, and the fields of wildflowers are charming. For a more entertaining story about self-acceptance, read Keiko Kasza's The Pigs' Picnic (Putnam, 1992).—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 3—Mary enjoys a comfortable, affluent childhood in the 1940s/'50s in her family's impressive brick home. One evening, after dropping a fork on the floor, she spies a mouse. From that day forward, Mary and the mouse each drop a utensil after dinner so they can peek at one another. As they grow up, they lead remarkably similar lives. The girl dons hippie attire and goes to college. She lives in a dorm, sleeps under a green blanket, and misses the mouse, who, in nearly identical, rodent-sized trappings, misses Mary. When Mary starts a family, she moves into an impressive home of her own. As luck would have it, the mouse moves her family under the very same roof, and it is there that the next generation of daughters discover one another. McClintock's beautiful watercolors have a great deal of charm and are fun to pore over, but they can't save the slight story. Consider it a supplemental purchase for larger collections.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 1–3—Ethan loves trivia and pogo sticks. When he reads about a pogo-stick champion from his hometown, he is so impressed by Boyd "Boing" Bower's exploits that he wants to find a way to recognize his achievements. He begins a petition to create a town holiday, tries to raise money for a statue, and distributes Boing! buttons. While trying to drum up interest in his hero, he learns about a teacher who stays after school to help struggling students and a man who mows his neighbor's lawn and cleans her gutters. Ethan's swim instructor tells him about her cousin, who helped her overcome her fear of deep water. Soon the boy realizes that anyone can be a hero and he decides to create a museum to honor all of the everyday folks who are heroes to someone in their lives. Ethan's brother surprises him by creating a museum display honoring him. This easy-to-read story demonstrates how a young boy can change and improve his community by getting involved. The lessons in the narrative are supplemented by small text boxes containing interesting bits of trivia about both anonymous and well-known American heroes. The cartoonlike illustrations portray multicultural kids in familiar situations. A "Making Connections" page urges youngsters to embark on a heroic mission of their own.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

K-Gr 2—The young raccoon introduced in Hunter's Best Friend at School (HarperCollins, 2002) returns in this story to bedevil his highly intelligent, imaginative, and bossy big sister. The siblings love acting out fairy tales, but Glenna plays all of the leading roles and casts Hunter as the "hedge of roses" in Sleeping Beauty and the pumpkin in Cinderaccoon. Hunter simply loves playing with her and teases her by tying signs to her tail or mimicking her every word. He just wants her attention and pesters her relentlessly until his copycat games accidentally place her in danger. The youngsters' glee, frustrations, and fears shine through a series of watercolor illustrations that faithfully follow text action. Mother Raccoon explains Hunter's behavior to her daughter with simplicity: "He's just teasing you because he loves you." A must-read for families with siblings.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-Gr 1—Fischer presents his own visual interpretation of the 19th-century poem/song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" as two wide-eyed children, one from Earth and one from another planet, plot to meet in outer space. Readers can flip the volume over to follow the specifics of each youngster's trip, and the two come face to face at the book's center in quadruple-size fold-outs. Rendered in Photoshop and graphite, the full-bleed illustrations show the Earth lad, clad in green button-flap pajamas, and his long-eared dog as they ride a balloon-lifted tricycle into the heavens. His red space-suited counterpart and a robotic pup blast off in a rocket-powered boat. The scenes are brightly colored and set against purple star-filled skies. What happens after the travelers meet is anyone's guess, but presumably the journey itself is the point of the story. Fans of Buzz Lightyear may enjoy this additional purchase, but the lullaby set would probably prefer Iza Trapani's Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Charlesbridge, 1994).—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—Marbled endpapers paired with sepia-tinted illustrations help to create an old-fashioned setting for this timeless tale that is set in the days when people wore greatcoats and hats and traveled on ocean liners. A girl is traveling alone to visit her grandmother in Scotland. Trouble arises when she tosses her dreaded morning oatmeal overboard, only to attract the attention of a tiny sea worm that gobbles it up and immediately quadruples in size. With endless meals of oatmeal tossed overboard, the creature grows larger and larger as does its friendship with the child. Once the ship arrives in Scotland, it proceeds up the River Ness. This pourquoi tale about how the Loch Ness Monster came to be has a lot of imagination and wonderful storytelling techniques. Dark, cartoonlike watercolors exhibit an excellent use of perspective. The simple, yet quirky narrative is nicely paired with a clever and creative layout. A folksy tale that should enjoy broad appeal.—Judy Chichinski, Skyline Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

Gr 2–4—Likable Mallory is faced with a dilemma about what to do for third-grade career day. Her classmates already know what they want to be when they grow up. Finally, an idea comes, but when others make fun of her choice, Mallory blurts out a lie about it. She soon learns that even a little fib can create a huge problem, as it becomes more and more difficult to come clean with the truth. Mallory's friends take a backseat in this episode, as she faces the internal turmoil that comes with knowing you've done something wrong, and young readers will empathize with her. When she finally makes her apologies, she explains in kid-friendly language about the peer pressure that got it all started. The first chapter is an abbreviated "fairy tale" version of the plot that serves well as a preview of the story. Pollak's simple cartoon pictures appear throughout. Recommend this book to fans of Amber Brown, Judy Moody, Junie B. Jones, and the other Mallory stories.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

Gr 3–5—In Moldy Baroness, expert ghosthunter Hetty Hyssop, her young assistant Tom, and Hugo the ASG (or Averagely Spooky Ghost) track down the awful specter of a 17th-century baroness with a nasty streak. Hetty has invented ghost-catching technologies that come in handy when confronting the ghost of Jaspara von Gloomstone, who rides around Gloomsburg Castle on her spectral horse, body-nabbing anyone unlucky enough to be nearby, and thriving on the castle's electrical power. The only way to defeat her is for Tom to reenact her death, wearing one of her old gowns, and to persuade her to touch that dress. In Muddy Monster, the now-11-year-old Tom is ready to take the exam for his GhostHunting Diploma. Suspiciously, Professor Slimeblott gives the boy an "easy" assignment-to capture a ghost (only a Danger Category Three) in the village of Bogpool. But when Tom and the other ghosthunters arrive there, it soon becomes clear that solving the mystery of what's haunting Bogpool won't be safe or easy at all. These tales are more humorous than horrific, and their plots gallop along, accompanied by fun pen-and-ink cartoons. Hugo's constant tricks and complaints provide fine comic relief, and Hetty Hyssop always has another ghost-catching invention or formula up her sleeve.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library

PreS-K—An Orthodox Jewish boy dressed in traditional garb demonstrates good manners during a bris at a neighbor's house. The polite words and phrases suitable to each situation are revealed by lifting flaps, one per colorful spread. Most of the expressions are common manners ("Please," "Thank you," etc.). Even the specifically Jewish expressions are universal in sentiment ("Mazel Tov!," which means "congratulations"). However, the Orthodox setting is likely to distract non-Orthodox readers from the book's message. This title will be most welcome in communities in which readers will find the dress, customs, and separation of genders familiar.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-Gr 2—"Three little ghosties/sat on their posties,/eating burnt toasties,/telling big boasties." Ghostie Number One brags about scaring a bunch of "ghoulsies," Number Two crows about frightening some mean witches, and Number Three tells about spooking a huge ogre. When the boasties and toasties are finished, the threesome heads off to scare some "girlsies" and "boyses." But the ghosties are the ones running for their "momsies" when the tables are turned. The rhyming text is fun to read aloud. Cantone's glossy mixed-media collages are filled with color and motion. Various fabrics, antique papers, and objects are cleverly incorporated into the artwork and add texture and detail: a spider sits on a web made from lace and the witches' brooms are cobbled out of cut ribbon. These unique pictures perfectly capture the ghosties and their antics, giving them a slightly spooky quality while emphasizing the story's humor.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 3—To get him away from the television, Jay's mother takes him to the library where he gets stacks of books about dinosaurs and robots, animals and pirates, and more. Jay takes them outdoors and continues to read until he falls asleep. When he wakes, he has become a giant. An expert tells his worried parents that the stories from all the books he read has made him grow; to return to his original size, Jay must share them with others. In doing so, "…his stories gave all of his listeners, man and woman, boy and girl, young and old, what they needed to become giants themselves—in their own way." Children may miss this abstract and rather heavy-handed message about the value of reading. The average-quality watercolors do a serviceable job of capturing the action.—Luella Teuton, Western Kentucky University College of Education, Bowling Green, KY

PreS-Gr 1—This British import is similar to Nan Bodsworth's A Nice Walk in the Jungle (Viking, 1990; o.p.). Neon cartoons accompany rhymes of varying meter as a multiethnic class investigates the chaos at a zoo. Soon, an orange-and-black anaconda with op-art eyes swallows the youngsters at an escalating pace until Molly saves the day by prying its jaws open with a stick, allowing the rest of the group to rescue the other kids, their teacher, and Joe, "a boy they didn't know." Some vocabulary and one or two unclear phrases ("they didn't see the anaconda ponder") may puzzle the younger set, but the humor on each page and the ick factor (children are slimy post-rescue) will surely tickle the fancy of most field-trip participants.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 3—Because Mouse has heard that snakes are dangerous, he hides from his friend Snake. As he looks around nervously, he falls into a hole and hurts his foot, and none of his other friends can help him. Squirrel is afraid of the dark, the hole is too narrow for Rabbit to hop out of, and Hedgehog is too prickly to carry him. Only Snake can help him, and he devises a way to rescue his friend without frightening him. When he sees who saved him, Mouse is ashamed and tries to make amends. This story has the simplicity of a fable. The appealing art is done in collographs, which are printed collages, and watercolors. By showing Mouse's rescue vertically, the hole seems very deep and Mouse's peril very real. Snake's body, created from a mesh onion bag, looks menacing, but Snake is a true friend. Leafy landscapes are used sparingly, leaving the animals to hover against the white background in some illustrations. Their kind faces make this an engaging tale and a top-notch addition.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–3—Mr. Rabbit is worried that he might not get along with his new neighbors. A wise owl gives him the advice, "Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you" and proceeds to explain what this means. Thus follows a listing of traits and qualities such as friendliness, politeness, honesty, consideration, cooperation, and sharing. Each one contains humorous examples of Mr. Rabbit and the Otters following those rules. Also included are samples of how to say certain phrases such as "Excuse me" and "Please" in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Pig Latin. Each page bursts with colorful illustrations and is scattered with words of different sizes and fonts. This simple story is certain to appeal to children.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 3–5—The fourth book in Kelly's diary-format series follows the intrepid Lucy Rose from Christmas vacation through the end of fourth grade. The child tries to figure out how to deal with a bully while also putting considerable time and thought into ways to help family friends realize their dream of opening a bakery. Readers new to the series might have trouble figuring out Lucy Rose's complicated network of extended family and friends, although the plot is strong enough to shine through a little confusion. Kelly's use of diction and phrasing usually results in a voice that sounds authentic, but sometimes she gets bogged down in unnecessary words. That said, her exploration of life in a family in which a parent manages to maintain a meaningful relationship with a daughter who lives in another state is unique, and Kelly gives a more nuanced and realistic picture of bullies than one normally sees in fiction for this audience.—Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Busy, colorful photographed scenes constructed with plastic toy animals distinguish this puzzle book. Each spread has facing pages that are almost mirror images, except for seven subtle differences among them, which readers are invited to find. Each scene also presents a riddle, the answer to which is one of the items pictured on the spread. The creative, colorful pictures and the challenge of finding differences and particular items make this book constructive fun for prereading practice as well as sheer entertainment. Children who enjoy Jean Marzollo's "I Spy" series (Scholastic) will like this book, too.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

PreS-Gr 3—The adventuresome cow returns. Clorinda is determined to fly and enlists the help of Hop the pig and Len the farmhand. Using scavenged parts, the three cobble together a plane (powered by Len's washing machine), a rocket (with canister vacuums), and a helicopter (a rowboat with oar "blades"), but each vehicle crashes. The trio finally succeeds with a hot-air balloon stitched together out of clothes from Len's wash line and filled with air heated by using sunlight and mirrors. Clorinda and Hop glide across the ocean for a visit with the Queen of England. Luckily, the generous monarch sends back a box of tea (wrapped in a Union Jack) for Len, who was unintentionally left behind. Never missing a beat, Kinerk's rhyming text celebrates friendship and cooperation: "Len, Hop, and the cow made a very good team./The guys kept her working, and she helped them dream." Kellogg's mixed water-based medium paintings show the immensity of the world and the characters' imaginations. The artist perfectly captures light, from buttery dawn to the indigo of space, and a fantastic in-between of a cloud-studded sky. Comic images abound, such as a rear view of Hop being knighted. Great fun for one-on-one sharing.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 3—Catie was trained to be a guide dog, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she ends up at the Copley Plaza in Boston helping the concierge. In true Lab fashion, she enthusiastically fulfills all aspects of her job, from going for walks with guests to playing with children. However, she dreams of doing something special. When a young visitor loses her stuffed bear, Catie finally has her chance. Her determination leads to a happy conclusion as she retrieves the toy from the laundry room and becomes a hero. The colorful illustrations bring to life the playful, yet dutiful personality of this appealing canine whether she is strolling down Newbury Street, checking out the Swan Boats in the Public Garden, or resting on her bed in the hotel lobby. This is a straightforward, enjoyable tale based on a real Lab. It will have a lot of dog enthusiasts wishing they could stay at the hotel and hang out with Catie.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

K-Gr 3—On a late-night walk with his dog, the young narrator ends up at the Zombie Nite Café, where ghouls, werewolves, and veiny eyeballs hang out, ordering from a menu that includes "scrambled brains" and "malformed meat patties." While watching all the strange goings-on, the boy has a narrow escape and is saved by his dog; then both skedaddle back home, where they hide under the covers and proffer this advice: "…that's the truth—no more to say./Beware the Zombie Nite Café!" The slight rhyming text is accompanied by pen-and-ink and digitally colored cartoon illustrations. The result is an undistinguished book that children will probably like because of its subject matter.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 1—Two class hamsters go back to school after summer break and discover that the new kids do not know their names. Embarrassed by being called Tummy and Fluffy, Max and Mo sneak out of their cage at night to make their own name tags. The next day, the little creatures are called by their right names. With plenty of simple sentences and easy vocabulary, this book will delight beginning readers. The pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are filled with activity as the hamsters set about their task, and the book concludes with directions for making a rolled-up name tag like Max's and Mo's.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL

K-Gr 2—Originally published in a Korean newspaper in 1938, this slight story tells of a very young boy waiting patiently for his mother at her streetcar stop. He asks one driver after another if she is coming, standing alone in the cold as daylight dims and snow begins to fall. The last wordless spread shows a snow-covered village with the tiny, almost imperceptible figures of a woman and child walking hand-in-hand through the storm. Readers need to look carefully at this spread to find the pair; otherwise the story is baffling and tragic. The Korean text, written in Hangeul, is accompanied by the English translation, although many pages are wordless. The lovely new pastel-and-ink illustrations depict life of the period. Some are simple ink drawings on ivory pages; others fill the pages with color and texture. The contrast is very pleasing. Changes in perspective effectively create movement and involvement. The text seems secondary to the setting and the art. An afterword on various details in the pictures is included. A worthwhile addition for its multicultural interest and its striking illustrations.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 1–3—A pun-filled tale with sheep that have names like Ewetopia, Ewecalyptus, and Ewetensil. Older children are more likely to appreciate the puns, while younger ones will simply enjoy the humor. All poor Ewetopia wants is to be noticed, and she gets her chance to shine when she is invited to the Woolyones' Ball. After trying on 57 costumes, she decides that dressing as a wolf will get her the most attention. With a sheep disguised as a wolf and a wolf as a sheep, trouble is sure to be right around the corner. The playful illustrations, suffused with expression and shades of pink, show sheep outfitted in tutus and an Elvis costume, and the wolf having a tantrum. Lester follows a familiar format in this clever tale, which would work well when compared to and contrasted with others that involve sheep and wolves.—Judy Chichinski, Skyline Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

PreS-Gr 2—In well-fashioned rhyming text, a little boy takes readers through a day onboard his father's ship, listing all of the reasons he loves his pirate-captain dad: "I love my pirate papa!/He's the bravest buccaneer./He helps me put my earring on/and buckles up my gear." After a day full of adventures together, the man tucks his son into his bunk, reads him a book about Captain Hook, and kisses him goodnight saying: "I spent my life a-plundering./My treasures bring me joy./But there's nothing I prize more than you,/my dearest pirate boy." Bright, jewel-toned acrylic and mixed-media cartoon illustrations add to the fun, drawing children into the main elements of a pirate's life—ferocious crew, skull-and-crossbones flag, desert island, etc.—but also offering interesting humorous details sprinkled throughout the pages, such as the skinny mice in almost every scene who participate in the action. The father sports an eye patch, tricorne, and unbelievably long mustache, all authentic but somehow managing not to look too scary. Both front and back endpapers display a pirate treasure map. Given the fascination children have for the topic and the relative scarcity of easy pirate books, this tale will surely be met with delight by the youngest buccaneers.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-Gr 3—Lin offers a contemporary fairy tale, using a story within a story to weave in a Chinese belief that "an invisible, unbreakable red thread connects all who are destined to be together." It begins with an Asian girl, who looks no older than five, asking her Caucasian parents to read a favorite story "again," thus introducing the main story: a royal couple both suffer a mysterious pain in their chests that nothing can remedy or explain, until a peddler gives them magic spectacles that allow them to see a red thread bound tightly around their hearts. They follow its loose end for days, crossing a sea, the pain gradually easing, until they reach a small village in a foreign land and find a gurgling, smiling baby at the end. A wise old villager tells them, "This baby belongs to you." Bright illustrations and vivid language will likely appeal even to preschoolers, though some children will need to have the connection to adopting a baby from China made more explicit through additional discussion. Karen Acres's Little Miss Ladybug & Her Magical Red Thread (Ladybug, 2003) also deals with this theme. This lovely book has general appeal, but it's particularly suitable for patrons requesting adoption titles, and especially transracial adoption of children from China.—Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA

Gr 1–3—This book opens to an ominous spread of a dark and rainy night; a large stone house; and a pale, thin boy in a black suit. The rhyming text tells the plight of this child, Mucumber McGee, who has missed lunch and dinner and is very hungry. He finds one lone hot dog in the back of the icebox and consumes half of it before his sister steps in to deliver a lecture on the hazards of eating raw meat. Mucumber spends the rest of the book dramatically awaiting his death, until Mother arrives. "Sweet Mucumber, don't worry./If you'd only looked,/the package says clearly:/Hot dogs are precooked!" While the text gets a little over-the-top, the illustrations, full of dark shadows and threatening details, are humorously macabre—the gothic figures in the old portraits are always eating something unexpected like pancakes or a turkey leg. Mucumber's faithful pet lizard also helps to keep the mood from getting too heavy. For the youngest fans of dark humor.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1–4—Lorbiecki and Graef bring their talents to the not-so-small task of creating an original story about Bunyan—his courtship of Lucette Diana Kensack of Hackensack, MN, a woman strong, brave, and clever enough for any tall-tale hero. The prose is just right for the genre: "When summer heat hung down like boiling syrup, the townsfolk would ask Lucette to shake out her rugs. If she'd do it gentle like, her breezes would cool the sweat off their bodies so quick they'd have to hold on to their clothes to keep them on." The paintings extend the story's humorous images, while firmly placing the action in a mythical time. This picture book has the verve of Audrey Wood's The Bunyans (Scholastic, 1996) and a modern ecological message. Pair it with Anne Isaacs's Pancakes for Supper (Scholastic, 2006) for a delicious celebration of new treatments of old favorites.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS-Gr 1—Trucks of all different sizes and colors roll along roadways carrying realistic and imaginary cargo. Four-line rhyming verses describe the vehicles, their loads, and the stops they make: "Trucks have trailers./Trucks have cabs./Some haul rabbits./Some haul labs" (the illustration shows Labrador Retrievers). The narrative occasionally diverts from the rhythmic pattern of the shorter, snappier rhymes: "Haul them through mountains,/over rivers, past towns—/around blue sky curves,/through rain pouring down." The trucks transport apples, giant chocolate-chip cookies, bulldozers, large puzzle pieces, and more. The side of one semi reads "Bookmobile." Frazier's hand- and digitally colored artwork pairs well with the text. His use of bold colors and varied perspectives enhance the illustrations. The orange endpapers look like a metal running board, reflecting the book's theme. Kids who love trucks will be attracted to the cover and have fun exploring the pages inside.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS-Gr 2—Beginning with a close-up image of an object, and then progressively pulling back to present a broader view, McCarthy asks readers, "Look! What do you…see?" The first spread shows a large black circle against a deep red background, and the illustrations gradually zoom out to reveal a ladybug perched on a leaf. The next series of pictures takes the same approach to depict a colorful cardinal flower, while a third set shows a ruby-throated hummingbird. The final two spreads balance out the book nicely: the first shows two hummingbirds feeding on the flowers while ladybugs crawl on the leaves below, followed by a landscape view featuring a smaller version of this particular plant surrounded by other blooms. Rendered from handmade papers and collage, the bold artwork is elegant and eye-catching. The broad lines, simple graphic images, and textured details suit the magnified perspectives, while the more expansive scenes are beautifully composed. As children take a closer look at the pages, they will enjoy making guesses and experience a sense of discovery that ties in neatly with the book's nature theme. Use this offering to focus observation skills and stimulate imaginations, or pair it with George Shannon's White Is for Blueberry (HarperCollins, 2005) to explore how we perceive the natural world.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—When Buck Bronco finds some strange eggs and takes them back to his ranch, he gets more than he bargained for—all sorts of dinosaurs hatch from his cache. The rest of the book contains Buck's tips on how to ride and care for a dino, covering subjects such as "Choosin' Yer Mount," "Saddlin' Yer Dino," and "Types of Ridin'," all the way to "At the End of the Day." Children eventually discover that Buck has an ulterior motive for all these hints—he needs to find homes for all of these eggs. Bright, goofy mixed-media collage illustrations demonstrate the cowboy's instructions and will have dinosaur fans chuckling. Bits of information are scattered throughout, but the book is mainly a fun tall tale. The oversize pictures make it a good choice for storytimes; on the other hand, the details are best appreciated one-on-one.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS—Tucker wants to look scary this Halloween and not cute like he was last year, dressed as a pumpkin. His owner tries several traditional costumes on the small canine, including dressing him as a hot dog, a bumblebee, and in a Hawaiian outfit complete with hula skirt and lei, but the dog is not happy with the image they project. He drapes himself in a white sheet for a spooky ghost costume but the sheet won't stay on. Finally deciding to be a mummy, he wraps himself in toilet paper, runs to the door where he scares off two trick-or-treating children, and is greatly satisfied. The energetic, bright-white pup stands out on each of the richly colored pages. This simple story will appeal to very young children just beginning to celebrate the day.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 3–4—In this third title in the series, Gee shares with her three grandchildren the story of her aunt Lilly Belle, who kept journals and had a poem published in Crisis magazine. The aspiring author was 12 when she stayed in Harlem with her Aunt Odessa so that she could attend a writing worshop for young people conducted by Zora Neale Hurston. When Lilly Belle discovered that a snobbish classmate plagiarized the work of a published author, she confronted Alice and learned of her troubled home life. The book ends with Gee telling the children what eventually became of the two girls. End matter includes notes on the Harlem Renaissance. Full-page drawings are scattered throughout. This easy-to-read novel has succinct chapters and sentences that, while simple, convey a feel for the characters and the time, and a vivid sense of place. It should appeal to fans of the series and anyone interested in the era.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 3—A little girl wakes up in the middle of the night. Her dog watches her go outside where "the night wraps around her like a velvet coat." The benevolent moon watches over her and smiles. She sees the stars, flowers that bloom only at night, and droplets of water hanging like jewels on a spider's web. She hears crickets, a barred owl, and a mockingbird. She runs through the garden where fireflies flash in the dark, and she feels as if she is running through stars. Then her dog comes to take her home. Through the lyrical text, children see the wonders that Fiona experiences. Shepherd places large images only partially shown against finger-painted backgrounds in shades of dark blue. Circles of color make the moon and stars soft and mysterious, and fireflies in the garden are as luminous as stars. The last spread shows Fiona and the moon looking remarkably alike. Librarians might pair Kevin Henkes's Kitten's First Full Moon (Greenwillow, 2004) with this story for a quiet but shining storytime.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–3—Accident-prone Joey is dashing to the library because he needs an idea for Science Day. On his way, he runs into four classmates working on their own projects. Each one gives Joey something to take away with him: sunscreen for his nose, ice cubes to cool himself down, advice about freckles and mosquitoes. He heads to the library to "find out about sweating and freckles. I write down some stuff about bug bites and goosebumps and how water makes skin wrinkly. I read about scabs, too—even though I'm already an expert." He comes up with the perfect idea for Science Day. Facts about skin appear in small boxes throughout the story, and color illustrations fit nicely with the text. The story includes a note to parents and educators and a "Think Like a Scientist" page with questions and activities. A fun mix of science and story.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 1–3—Jay, a star athlete, is unhappy with the "squishy belly" he has developed while recovering from a broken ankle. With the help of his mathlete sister, Amelia, who narrates the story, he tries to get in shape for the upcoming soccer tryouts. At first he tries ineffective fad diets. When a neighbor gives the kids a book entitled Shaping Up for Smarties, Amelia is delighted to discover that "getting in shape is simple-simple math." Employing observation, data collection, and communication skills needed in the scientific method, she becomes Jay's nutritionist and personal trainer and teaches him how to eat right and burn calories by exercising. As she helps her brother practice for his team tryout, Amelia develops soccer skills herself and considers going out for the junior soccer team. Cheerful cartoon illustrations enhance the lessons that readers will learn along with Jay and Amelia. The story is supplemented by factual asides highlighted in colored boxes and an activities page called "Think Like a Scientist." A useful addition for most collections.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 2–4—Mabel is annoyingly organized—a real perfectionist—while her younger sister, Violet, is a free spirit with magical abilities. This revelation comes after many subtle clues appear throughout the novel—whispered secrets among parents, a mysterious ability to find Mom's missing wallet, watching a Frisbee heading toward a window suddenly change directions. (Okay, they're not all that subtle.) As Mabel prepares lists for school shopping, organizes her life and her mom's, and carefully keeps a gift book from Uncle Vartan from Violet's grubby hands, events unfold that reveal a long-kept family secret. While this is a delightful beginning chapter book, the intended audience may stumble over Mabel's lists written in cursive. In fact, she is just entering the third grade where one traditionally learns cursive, so readers may wonder why she writes that way. Fans of Mazer's Abby Hayes will welcome this entry in a new series.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

K-Gr 3—Rory, a young raccoon, is nervous about staying overnight with his cousins while his parents attend a gourmet garbage party. Despite his enormous trepidation at trying something new, he has a great time sliding in mud and staying up way past daylight. After this experience, Rory realizes that he is not so anxious about starting Remarkable Raccoon Suburban School, but his parents voice their own anxieties. Rory reminds them of the lesson he learned; most new things are scary until you give them a try. The details of the the creatures' home life, such as Rory's mother reminding him to rinse his apple cores and broken eggs three times, are clever. However, the story is overly long, the plot too loose, and Rory's responses and reactions are, at times, too adult. The full-page and inset illustrations of Rory and family in muted, nighttime colors include some very clever images, such as Rory's parents sharing a toast beside toppled garbage cans. However, the raccoons' eyes are so dark and beady that it can be hard to read the creatures' expressions. Stick with Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (Greenwillow, 2000) or Amy Hest's Off to School, Baby Duck! (Candlewick, 1999) for titles that feature animals who are nervous about starting school.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—Squirrel's world is a dizzying blur of activity and chatter that is somehow endearing and sure to elicit a giggle or two from young readers. The well-meaning but blundering creature frisks and capers through each of the four chapters, offering "assistance" to his friends. The softly colored illustrations and understated text complement each other well. Gorbachev's lively ink-and-watercolor art captures the sleepy patience of Turtle, the tremulous fear of Mouse, and the frenzied energy of Squirrel to a tee. Readers see an exasperated Mouse try to conceal her annoyance with her friend after he accidentally buries her under a pile of food, for the second time. Repetitive text and well-designed pages support the efforts of young readers who will likely enjoy Squirrel's humorous misadventures and his unique way of talking. Despite his many missteps, Squirrel's good heart shines through as he comforts Rabbit, who is frightened of being alone in the dark. Parents may find that a little Squirrel goes a long way, but young readers who enjoy Dori Chaconas's "Cork and Fuzz" books (Viking) will laugh at his antics.—Neala Arnold, St. Francis Elementary School, MN

Gr 3–5—Cousins Sallie Gal and Wild Cat live near each other on Cumbo Road in North Carolina. Sallie Gal's father is serving in Vietnam. Although the eight-year-olds spend many of their summer days chopping cotton, they also play and scheme together. Sallie Gal's greatest desire is to have hair ribbons just like Wild Cat's, but money is tight and Momma is proud and self-sufficient. The girls try several ways to earn enough for the coveted ribbons and run into trouble along the way. Customers are few at their lemonade stand, and disaster strikes when Sallie Gal breaks her mother's glass pitcher. When the Wall-a-Kee Man, a salesman with a whole store in his station wagon, gives Sallie Gal ribbons, she knows Momma will make her return them, so she hides the gift and struggles with her conscience. Appealing black-and-white illustrations in various sizes embellish the text. Moses takes a fond look at strong family ties and the values of honesty and hard work. Short paragraphs and peppy dialogue make this easy chapter book a candidate for reading aloud.—Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

K-Gr 3—The nighttime magic of a wishing star provides the framework for a realistic story about fractions. When four children receive only a fraction of their wishes, they discover a pattern. Petey, who is four, gets one-fourth of a dollar, while two-year-old Joey gets half a cookie; eight-year-old twins Sally and Samantha each get one-eighth of a bag of marbles. On the last night that the comet is visible, the siblings decide to combine their wishes and ask for the pet they all want. Napoli's story moves smoothly between the magic of wishes granted and the reality of working with fractions. While getting half a cookie is fine, getting half a pig wouldn't do at all. Currey's watercolor-and-ink illustrations evoke summer nights when barefoot youngsters lean on porch railings and look at the stars. With faces illuminated by paper lanterns, lighted windows, and starlight, they examine cookies, quarters, and marbles. Simple, unobtrusive pictures show how much of each is required to make a whole. The mix of magic and math is irresistible. While children can read the book themselves, librarians will want the pleasure of reading it aloud and exploring the possibilities the author provides in a note at the end.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 3–5—These four gently tongue-in-cheek adventures pit clever youngsters against unusual creatures—pirate rats who steal DVDs, aliens, a mechanical dragon, and a misunderstood sea serpent. Each time, clueless adult authorities ignore or are stymied by the supposed menace, but the hero is able to resolve the situation successfully and nonviolently. There is a strong emphasis on creativity and individual initiative, and a gentle reminder that brains are better t