Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 2–5—The hilarious Wilbur and Orville Riot are back in this book full of clever fun. The adventure-seeking brothers set out to rescue a damsel in distress (requiring a lot of knightly vocabulary, of course), trick their mother on April Fools' Day, and become mad scientists. Imaginations are in full swing as the two boys make eyeballs out of rocks and attempt to cook macaroni in Orville's mouth. Plenty of wordplay; fast-paced, episodic chapters; and lively cartoon illustrations will keep readers engaged. Many of the pair's original games, such as Knot-a-Sock, can be tried successfully at home. Adults will appreciate the brothers' positive, teammate-style relationship. A smart choice for children looking for humor, including reluctant readers.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

Gr 2–4—Hallie and her grandmother aren't afraid of anything but storms, and they comfort each other whenever one occurs. When the girl and her family join a wagon train and head west to start a new life in Oregon, Grandma gives the child a special quilt to snuggle in during storms, and paper to write about all the things she sees and hears, especially the buffalo. She exclaims, "What a gift to hear the earth rumble as they run!" One day, after rescuing a buffalo calf, Hallie thinks she hears thunder and starts to tremble, but then realizes that it is the herd on the move, and she watches as they thunder past, "huge and surly and crazed with life." Ordinary storms now pale in comparison, and Hallie is no longer fearful. Applegate has written a story with an engaging plot, but the narrative is overladen with adjectives, metaphors, and similes, some of which are evocative (thunder seemed like "a tinny echo of something more grand") but others can be cumbersome ("the wagon waited, oiled canvas top gleaming like a bread loaf ready for the oven"). However, Ormerod's watercolor and pastel spreads are strong enough to carry the heavy-handed text. This is a useful purchase for those needing more materials that capture the bits and pieces of the Westward movement, and will also find an audience in those looking for books about conquering fears.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 2—Arrarás threads traditional folktale elements into a moral tale, beginning with a childhood friendship between two very different boys. Rich and spoiled Moconoco breaks an old woman's golden cane into three pieces that then fade into ordinary wood. His one friend, the peasant boy Karmelo, tries to help her, and she gives him the wooden pieces, which are later unleashed by his three children as wind, fire, and water. The one intriguing piece of the story, energetically portrayed in text and pictures, is Moconoco's punishment. Because he has no sense of right or wrong, the old woman promises him three of all his other senses. Years later, when he is an evil emperor, he grows three eyes, three noses, three mouths, and three sets of ears, all of which drive him crazy. Comic-book artist Raimondi draws an impressively monstrous adult Moconoco in royal garb. Unfortunately, Karmelo's children are clumsy figures who are courageous but vapid characters. They try to use the magic properties to free the emperor's slaves, but his many senses find them out. Presto! The three pieces of the cane come together in their original gold splendor, the three powers washing the angry ruler out to sea. And as the old woman says before disappearing into the trees, "It was only a matter of time….Evil is always punished and goodness rewarded." The graphic style and the colorful bad-guy portrayal will likely have boy appeal, so this offering may have passing interest in some collections.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 1–3—Mrs. Marlowe is an attractive feline in gray suit and pearls who works in the Purrington Street library. One day her nosy neighbor accuses her of hiding something in her apartment since she never invites her inside. And Mrs. Marlowe is hiding something—a large and happy family of mice that keep her home clean and tidy. Suddenly the police are banging on the door, and the neighbor is watching through her window. Mrs. Marlowe convinces the officers that the mice are for snacking and proves the point by "eating" one of them. Once the police have left, she produces the little mouse from under her tongue, everyone has supper and a good story, and the feline falls fast asleep. The illustrations are magnificent. Done in Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter with extraordinary sepia tones, they are realistic and detailed and could be pored over for hours. Unfortunately, the story is far too wordy, and is arranged in large blocks of bland text. It would almost seem that the illustrator got "hooked" on the technique and the writer provided a story to complement his work. Fans of Mr. Maxwell's Mouse (Kids Can, 2004) might like this one as well, and it's perfect for schools that use picture books to highlight illustration techniques in their design classes.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

PreS-Gr 1—Aylesworth and Hague steamroll the alphabet-book competition with this rhyming adventure. Realistically drawn but purple-frocked Little Bitty Mousie explores a human home, from a bowl full of apples to the Zs of a snoring cat. The text stays on the right side of sweet, and storyhour audiences will connect with the quarterly refrain, "Tip-tip tippy tippy/Went her little mousie toes./Sniff-sniff sniffy sniffy/Went her little mousie nose." Hague's pencil illustrations, vibrantly colored in Photoshop, offer a three-dimensional effect that enhances the fantasy-meets-reality mood. Mousie's expressions range from bliss among the roses to slight distaste over pepper. The "lady's Lipstick" page is classic. The book is an ideal balance of the familiar with a few twists on the theme-and there's not a whisker out of place here.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 2—Boelts does an outstanding job of exploring the adoption of a rescued dog from a shelter. An unnamed boy whose family takes in this sweet-looking pet describes what the animal's life might have been like "before you were mine." The child wonders if his dog was loved, but too mischievous for the previous owners, or if they moved into a "no dogs allowed" apartment, or if he got lost, and "they never heard that…you look for him...until you find him." The boy also imagines how tough life must have been when the animal was on his own, and how frightened he might have been, even after being rescued. Walker's illustrations—some muted, others vibrantly colored—perfectly capture the misery and fear, the uncertainty, and ultimately the rapture of this pup because "you're home." The text and illustrations create moods that shift between poignant and blissful. A short essay about the "ripple of hope" created by a successful adoption of a dog from a shelter is appended. Pair this title with Marc Simont's The Stray Dog (HarperCollins, 2001) to drive home the joyous outcome when the right family meets up with the right dog.—Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA

Gr 1–3—Duck and Rat have been running their bookstore for many years and they work hard to find the right selections for their customers. Using simple vocabulary and short chapters, this easy reader tells about a busy day at Duck & Company. In the first episode, Rat sees Cat approaching the door and hides under the desk. Cat asks for a title on how to cook rats, but Duck convinces him that carrots would be healthier. In another chapter, Badger is not satisfied with any of the joke books Duck suggests, but gets a good laugh when Duck accidentally falls into the trash can. The shoppers bring humorous situations to the story as Rat and Duck eagerly try to help them. Charming illustrations done in pen, ink, and gouache echo the text's humor and draw in even the most reluctant readers.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL

Gr 1–4—Having painted portraits of fairy-tale characters in The Mysterious Collection of Dr. David Harleyson (Walker, 2004), the world-famous pig now takes his nephew John D. down South to capture Br'er Rabbit on canvas. In alternating letters home, John D. and his uncle recount their adventures searching for the elusive rabbit. On long summer afternoons they enjoy the hospitality, food, and stories of Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear, while becoming part of a few stories themselves. Dr. Harleyson paints formal, full-page portraits of each animal, including Br'er Fox with a book of things to do with tar, Br'er Bear in dappled shade, practical Br'er Buzzard, handsome Br'er Wolf, and even Br'er Rabbit sitting quietly on his porch with a bucket of blackberries. Cassels captures the cadence of Southern speech without using heavy dialect. The gouache paintings expand the letters, as does the assortment of train tickets, recipes, blackberries, and insects arranged on the page as if someone had laid them on a wooden table. Bees hover over the honey-colored pages, and the flies look so real that readers will try to brush them away. The artist's fondness for these stories shines through, and young readers may well be inspired to read more traditional tellings, such as Julius Lester's Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales (Dial, 1999) or even Joel Chandler Harris's original Br'er Rabbit stories. An author's note explains the origin of the stories and their importance to American literature.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2—Cynthia Coppersmith, a fictional character in Karon's popular adult Christian fiction "Mitford Years" series, writes books about a little white cat. Here, Alice, the owner of the bookstore where she and Violet live, visit Alice's aunt and uncle. The feline is excited about the country, a place she has heard about but never experienced. Once there she finds lots to be curious about and gets into plenty of mischief. She nearly drives Uncle Leo crazy, but when he rescues her from a tall tree, the two form a bond that transcends his mantra: "Never was much of a cat person." While the book kicks off with Proverbs 10:12, "Love covers all transgressions," this gentle story is less heavy-handed than Violet Comes to Stay (Viking, 2006). The soft watercolor illustrations done in an autumn palette set an idyllic mood, and the little white cat helps bring the story to life. The lengthy text and soft, detailed illustrations make the book best for sharing one-on-one.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—In this nostalgic look at life on the home front during World War II, a boy struggles to find the perfect birthday gift for his father, a soldier fighting overseas. Haunted by Dad's childhood story of being bitten by a horse, the boy is afraid of the street horses—belonging to the ragman, the milkman, and the garbage man—that pass in front of his house. When a photographer walks by with a small pony named Freedom, the youngster realizes that he must conquer his fear. He pays 50 cents from the jar of pennies that he has been saving for his father's present, and the man lifts him into the pony's saddle and takes his picture. The child proudly sends it to his father as a gift. The text is dense and weighted down by excessive details. However, Lewin's photorealistic watercolors take advantage of the large double pages and capture the heartbreak and anxiety of a youngster whose father has gone off to war. This quiet story takes readers back to a time and place very different from today, but one that will resonate with contemporary children, especially those with parents in the military overseas.—Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI

Gr 2–5—Clarice Bean and her endearingly harried family are back, and life is more chaotic than ever. Clarice is codifying her fears into a list of worst worries when the kitchen ceiling comes crashing down after her older sister floods the bathroom. Since the stove is ruined in the process and Mom is extra busy at work, the siblings are forced to make their own dinner ("worry no. 11: Can one live off toast alone?"). Troubles continue at school when her best friend, Betty, announces that she is moving to San Francisco, and a strange new student from Sweden arrives. These transitions ("worry no. 3: change") force Clarice into survival mode, a state encouraged by frequent readings of one of her favorite books, The Ruby Redfort Survival Handbook. The story is told in Child's familiar stream-of-consciousness style and punctuated with creative vocabulary ("exceptionordinarily"). Clarice is quickly stepping out from behind the shadow of other witty characters such as Junie B. Jones and Judy Moody.—Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

PreS-Gr 2—Mother monkey and her five children are off to do some back-to-school shopping. Stay together, she implores, but soon enough one or more wander off-to check out the toys, look for water, or find the bathroom. Mama searches for those who are missing, returning each time to find a different number of children from those she left only minutes before. The situation gets especially convoluted when her own group is joined by three friends whose dad is off searching for their two sisters. While Mama is understandably confused, she's adept at mental math, using equations, shown in thought balloons, to keep track of her brood. A helpful saleslady also keeps her focused, finally stepping in to make a storewide announcement calling all stray monkeys back to the children's clothing department. Will this number add up to 10, as readers expect? Certainly not, as a grandma's also out shopping with her four. With its winning combination of art and text, this book will strike a chord with many readers. Kids will love the slapstick plot and energetic, expressive characters, and surprising conclusion, and teachers will appreciate the seamless integration of math skills from counting to addition and subtraction.—Martha Topol, Traverse Heights Elementary School, MI

PreS-K—Little Apple Goat has unusual eating habits. Specifically, she likes the apples, pears, and cherries in the nearby orchard. Every autumn, she spends her days there, eating the fruit from the ground. And, each evening, she spits the pits and seeds over the hedge as she returns to her meadow. One night, a terrific storm topples every tree in the orchard, making Little Apple Goat sad. When spring arrives, she notices blossoms peeking over the hedge. Then, one autumn, fruit hangs from the branches of the new trees. All the animals wonder who could have planted them, but readers will know the answer. However, the transition from blossoms just peeking over the hedge on one spread to full-grown trees with ripe fruit on every branch on the next seems rather abrupt and is likely to confuse children. Still, the tale's simple plot, predictable conclusion, and regular pacing make it suitable for group sharing. Colorful cartoon illustrations, done in collage, watercolor, and black ink, add a bit of visual humor and provide enough background details to lead up to the ending.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

K-Gr 3—Rachel asks Grandpa Nick why she goes to synagogue and he goes to church. He explains that she is Jewish and he is Christian, and retells the biblical story of Jethro, the Midianite father-in-law to Moses. Grandpa Nick describes how Moses fell in love with Jethro's daughter Zipporah even though they had different religious beliefs, and raised their children as Israelites. He emphasizes that despite their differences, Jethro and his grandson Gershom maintained a respectful and loving relationship. When Rachel asks if it matters that they are of different faiths, Grandpa Nick responds, "…you are my granddaughter. Nothing else matters." The cheerful watercolor illustrations enhance the text and add to its gentle sweetness. A valuable author's note provides additional information about the biblical story, pointing out that "the Torah speaks to the diversity and complexity of today's Jewish families." Readers who have a relative of a different religion will especially appreciate how this book reflects and validates their own families, but all youngsters will gain an understanding of how the lessons of the Torah still resonate in modern times. The author's note is especially valuable, making this a worthwhile purchase.—Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI

PreS-Gr 3—Fans of Diary of a Spider (2005) and Diary of a Worm (2003, both HarperCollins) will be thrilled with this latest mix of whimsy and scientific fact. Fly, a sassy insect with a red bow on her purple head, writes in her diary about her first-day-of-school worries (will everyone else eat regurgitated food?), the challenges of fly-school classes, a visit to her aunt who is stuck on the wrong side of a screen door, and playdates with her pals Worm and Spider. The ick factor is ramped up from the previous two books, which will delight buggy fans even more. Learning about the food chain according to Worm—an explanation illustrated by Spider's Grandfather holding a fork over Fly, as well as the ladybug babysitter's method of keeping a lid on mischief by bringing a frog along to keep order while she reads her Teen Bugs magazine—will have kids laughing out loud. Fly's dream of being a superhero and her doubts that she can be one is a feeling children will respond to—as well as Worm's encouragement when he tells her, "the world needs all kinds of heroes." As usual, the attention to detail (flies sitting on thumbtack seats at a toothpaste-box table in the cafeteria, Fly in her time-out is just glowing eyes on a two-page black spread) and a lively layout that has a comic-book vibe are sure to appeal. Hilarious.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—During an ocean voyage from Denmark to Peru, Paul Gauguin's father dies. Unable to comprehend death's finality, the child sees the red sun setting over the ocean as a giant balloon-shaped heart carrying his father away. With his imaginary orange dog at his side, the boy waits on deck for his father's return. As the ship reaches shore, an old man befriends him and introduces him to the magic powers of painting. Ties to Gauguin's life are slight at best. Clovis Gauguin did die as the family sailed from France to Peru, but Paul was about three years old, much younger than the boy in this book. As fiction, the speculative story fails to grab attention. The static illustrations lack the intense color and striking images of Gauguin's paintings. Among the pasty-faced people in the scenes, only the orange dog adds notes of vitality. Because the book neither introduces the historical Gauguin nor stands on its own as a compelling narrative, it is hard to imagine an audience for it.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

PreS-K—Two animal friends of indeterminable species decide to go on a picnic and accidentally get separated. However, the pals are soon reunited and vow to bring maps along on their next adventure. The simple text, brief number of words per page, and repetition make this story appropriate for the youngest beginning readers. The colorful illustrations are whimsical and provide visual clues to support the narrative.—Danielle Nicole Du Puis, Forest Ridge Elementary School, Laurel, MD

Gr 3–5—Mac is determined to be "the best fourth-grade scientist ever," and to do so, he picks mold as his topic of interest. He becomes so fascinated with it that he wants to open a museum of mold to display his specimens. In the meantime, he has agreed to help his two friends with their projects; Ben is being pushed by his father to run for class president and needs help with his campaign and Aretha needs help making penicillin. Mac also has to deal with his babysitter, Sarah, whom he calls the "Teenage Girl Space Alien from the planet of Really Pink Stuff." This is a funny, easy read that will entertain both average and reluctant readers. The characters are thoughtful, genuine kids who are creative in their problem solving and truly understand the meaning of friendship. Mac worries about Ben, who he knows doesn't stand a chance of winning the election. Mac has a great sense of humor, and there are lots of facts about mold woven into the narrative. The print is large and well spaced, and the black-and-white computer-generated illustrations reinforce the lightheartedness of the story.—Carly B. Wiskoff, Sayville Library, NY

K-Gr 2—A young girl informs readers that everyone in her family has a job: her father is an entertainment lawyer, her mother writes children's books, and the narrator attends school. Their dog is a volunteer at the hospital, visiting sick children and making them feel happy. The story describes how the family prepares Duncan for his important job, and his interactions with the young patients. One day he is called to another floor to comfort a grandma who had been injured in a skateboard accident. The illustration shows the pooch sitting on the edge of her bed beside her blanketed body, but her face is concealed behind a curtain. The book ends abruptly with assurances that the woman will be okay, and the girl pointing out how her family members are all "so happy about the work they do." The stylized computer-generated illustrations combine the decorative and colorful elements of Ethiopian art with seemingly unrelated visual elements. Whimsical touches include dramatic eyeglasses, peace buttons, and colorfully costumed characters in vibrantly decorated interiors. A poster of Wangari Maathai, an African environmentalist, decorates the child's room. Unfortunately, both the text and illustrations hop around without a sense of purpose or direction. Missing plot and substance, there is little to draw youngsters back to this book for a second read.—Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 2—In pleasing cumulative rhyme, a farm family in 19th-century America shows how sheep are shorn, how wool is prepared by carding and spinning, how dye is gathered from plants, and, finally, how the loom turns the wool, dyed a rich yellow from goldenrod, into a warm blanket. "This is the baby, snug at night…/wrapped in the blanket, warm and bright," as winter arrives and snow falls outside the cozy farmhouse, barn, and "the pen that Pa built." The poetry that explains the process—"gold from the flowers simmered for hours,/soft to the feel, spun by the wheel"—lifts the common explanation of wool preparation to the proper magic it deserves and will hold children's attention. The peaceful pastoral images, done in black gesso and gouache, offer up constant small surprises: baby chicks, nesting birds, a sleepy cat stretching in a basket of yarn, and seasonal details from apple blossoms to autumn pumpkins that will have young readers wanting to go back and study the pages. The back page provides further details about wool and plant dye.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—A child opens a brand-new box of sidewalk chalk, all colors, "With long perfect sticks/All smooth and dusty." A sunny afternoon, a long driveway to draw on, and an active imagination all help the girl tell her story. With each new color, the narrator adds characters and exuberant details, and when rain washes out her drawing, she uses her chalk to draw a rainbow. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and naive, each page filled with color from edge to edge. Simple and dreamy, this is a good choice for young children just learning their colors, and for those who love to draw.—Marian Drabkin, Richmond Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 3—Feiffer's story features droll humor, wonderfully outlandish plot twists, and a satisfying journey of self-discovery. Henry, an Australian shepherd, longs for a tail. All of his canine friends have them and can do amazing things with them. With his human family's blessings, he leaves home to seek his heart's desire, "And naturally, when a dog goes in search of a tail, he goes to the tailor's." While this gentleman doesn't have the requested item on hand, he offers to make one, and Henry soon returns to the park with a long, straplike appendage buttoned to his derriere. When his pals point out that it's not a real tail unless it can be wagged, Henry asks a wagon maker for help, to no avail. The downhearted canine wanders for days, ending up in New York City's Battery Park (depicted as a battery-strewn field). Henry puts one on his tail, which begins to wag, moving faster and faster until he is lifted into the air, "flying like a helicopter." After landing tangled in a tree, he carefully climbs down, leaving his appendage behind him and declaring himself content to be "a dog with no tail and a tale to tell." Bristling with wordplay, the understated text becomes funnier with each reading. The charcoal and watercolor illustrations use loose lines and color splashes deftly to convey the action and capture the characters' personalities. Pair this gem with Bob Graham's Benny (Candlewick, 1999), about another lovable pup who finds his place in the world.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—Armando and his family live in a colonia near the Tiajuana city dump. Like most of their neighbors, they eke out a meager living by hunting through the mounds of foul-smelling garbage for anything they can use or sell. Then Señor David arrives, spreads a blue tarp on the ground, and sets up a school. At first the boy's parents are reluctant to let him attend because they need him to work for the family, but eventually they realize that this school could lead to a better life for their son. An extensive author's note explains that Señor David is based on David Lynch, a former special-education teacher who has devoted 27 years to teaching children like Armando in a similar colonia. The well-written text will be an eye-opener for children who take school for granted, and Sosa's masking fluid, watercolor, and ink illustrations, while offering little variety in facial expression, accurately depict the environment.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 3–5—A series of vignettes covers the school year of the infamous fourth graders at Aesop Elementary and the only teacher willing to take them on, Mr. Jupiter. Each story purports to be a modern-day Aesop's fable illustrating a moral (stated at the end). Melvin Moody learns that liars aren't believed even when they tell the truth in "The Boy Who Cried Lunch Monitor." Ashley Z. helps the school bully out of a jam and the bully then stops other kids from teasing Ashley about his feminine name, showing: "One good turn deserves another." Even the teachers are not above learning a thing or two: the librarian, Paige Turner, realizes that appearances aren't everything and the gym teacher, Mrs. Gluteal, should practice what she preaches about healthy eating. "March Madness," a not-so-subtle dig at standardized testing, claims: "Time is often wasted on things of little consequence." Not all of the stories illustrate their morals as effectively as these examples, but overall the collection is entertaining and would make for interesting comparisons with the well-known animal fables. The humor and occasionally bizarre situations the students find themselves in may appeal to fans of Louis Sachar's "Wayside School" books (HarperCollins).—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

K-Gr 2—Anyone who has ever loved an exuberant but untrained pup can relate to this family's dilemma. They bring home dynamic Dave, only to find that his joyfully energetic behavior is just too much. In desperation, Mom and Dad call "Pup Breakers: We Tame Troublesome Beasts." The next day, the Brigadier appears, and his training is quite effective. It's so effective, in fact, that poor Dave is cowed; he's lost his sparkle, "he's lost his crackle and fizz." What to do next? The ending, though predictable, finds everyone happy, and Dave back to his old, loving, and out-of-control self. Lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations on plenty of white background are as energetic and expressive as the little dog himself, showing a disheveled but loving family, Mom with a nose ring and a tattoo, Dad wearing flip-flops and shapeless jeans. Dog owners may wonder if there couldn't be some middle ground that would leave Dave exuberant but teach him some manners, but that seems a quibble in the face of this good-humored, relaxed acceptance of a pup's excitable nature.—Marian Drabkin, Richmond Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3—Billy describes himself as having two families—one at home and one at the fire station. Readers are given a child's-eye glimpse at the life of a firefighter as he tells about stopping by the station on his way to school, hearing the Floral Avenue fire engine race down his street, and the camaraderie among the crew. He's proud of his mom and enjoys his "uncles," who tease him but are also genuinely caring. The story is sure to intrigue kids who have never thought about life in the fire station, much less what it would be like to have a mom who is a firefighter. She is shown teaching fire safety at a PTA night, which serves to instruct readers as well. The watercolor illustrations reinforce the action and depict a multicultural cast of characters.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 1–3—Hildy the pig and her friend Moose return in another adventure. Hildy's cousin Vincent comes to visit and he is such a know-it-all that none of the other animals want to be around him. He claims to be an expert on every subject and talks so much that no one can get a word in edgewise. After he mistakes poison ivy for clover, Moose and Hildy try to cheer him up by having a party. When Vincent drives the guests outdoors with his boring show-off antics, Moose helps him find a way to get the gathering hopping and ultimately teaches him what it means to be a friend. This beginning chapter book is full of gentle humor. The pencil-and-gray-wash illustrations work well with the story. The scenes are filled with action and the characters' faces are expressive. A solid choice for newly independent readers, this book will please fans of the series and win new devotees.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 1–4—This follow-up to Waltur Buys a Pig in a Poke (Houghton, 2006) contains three short stories for beginning readers, each based on an idiom. In the first tale, the bear is so confident of winning first prize for his honey cake at the Summer Fair that he is already writing a thank-you speech, despite a caution from his friend Matilda. Along the road, he hitches a ride with a horse pulling a wagon. In his rush to get there, "Waltur Puts the Cart Before the Horse," literally, resulting in a downhill tumble that sends the bear, his cake, and his speech flying into the air. The dialogue is awkward and the writing is stilted. The story doesn't quite explain the saying and young readers may wonder, since Waltur no longer has an entry for the contest, why he's given a prize at the end. The other tales work much better. Sorra's colorful, comical illustrations help make the connection between the spotlighted phrases and the characters' actions, especially in the title story. The last page explains what idioms are and what the examples used in the book mean. Idioms are a tough concept for this age group, and this title will work best when read with a parent or teacher. Buy it where the first book is popular.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

PreS-K—This newly illustrated edition of a title first published in Great Britain in 1986 is packed with child appeal. Youngsters with a new baby in the house will appreciate the titular refrain. The narrator, a young ginger-colored cat, notices that her baby brother is allowed to make a mess, scream, and ride in a stroller while she cannot do any of those things. She is unafraid to express herself and clearly labels her angry feelings. The tables turn, however, as the brother gets bigger and becomes upset when he is not permitted to do things that his big sister does like walking in the rain, sliding down a hill, or going to a playgroup. Featuring a variety of animal characters, the quirky, earth-tone illustrations are humorous without detracting from the deeply felt emotions. A pleasant addition to the cadre of books dealing with new babies and sibling relationships.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—In this sequel to Just Grace (Houghton, 2007), the third-grade narrator struggles to maintain her identity around Grace W., Gracie, and Grace F.; to avoid classmate Sammy Stringer; and to spend as much time as she can with her best friend and next-door neighbor, Mimi. Changes are in store, however—a new boy has moved into the house on the other side of Mimi. Max can do walking handstands and says his favorite television show is the one that Grace and Mimi watch. Will Mimi like him better? An exciting visit to Chicago to help her grandmother move into an apartment for seniors is a distraction, but what will Grace find when she returns home? Grandma tells Grace that change is a tricky thing—what seems bad at first might turn out to be good, you just have to wait and see. Hard to do, but Grace finds that Grandma is right as the number of her friends expands to include Max, Sammy Stringer, and even her nemesis, Grace F. Fun illustrations on most pages display Grace's spirited style. Dealing with the problems of friendship and change in a lively way, this book is a good addition to the middle-grade shelves, joining newcomers Ivy and Bean and Clementine, and older favorites Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3—Jenny finds a penny and puts it into an empty pickle jar. She finds four more, and earns two nickels, a dime, and a half-dollar. With the quarter her uncle gives her, she has enough to go to the dollar store. When the cashier counts the girl's money, however, "the total somehow lacks/seven cents to pay the tax." If things weren't bad enough, Jenny trips outside the shop, breaks the jar, and spills her money. When she and her sister gather it up and count it again, Jenny has an extra dime and buys the pink piggy bank she wants. The collage spreads depict Jenny and her family against bright backgrounds with interesting textures and subtle shadows. The rhyming text connects the value and name of each coin naturally, and the addition problem Jenny displays has decimal points and dollar signs. The realistic, life-size coins in the sidebars are shown both front and back. Besides being a useful lesson in counting money, this book succeeds as a believable story of earning, saving, and spending it, which many children will have experienced themselves.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2—This is a wonderful picture book about counting, community, and the variety of life within a neighborhood. The text on the left of each spread starts, "There may be only one bakery, but there are many kinds of bread," The facing page has a detailed picture of what's inside each establishment, such as a market, toy store, delicatessen, including items from various cultures, and offers opportunity for a lot of browsing. There are numerous concepts to be explored. Readers can count cars; name colors; describe animals, toys, and vegetables in the pictures; and discuss how all are at once the same and different. This delightful book would be best used one-to-one. The illustrations are just too detailed to share with a large group. The book ends, "In one city, there are many neighborhoods. In one country, there are many cities. In one world, there are many countries. But there is only one wish: PEACE." The pictures are collagraphs, described on the verso as a blend of collage and graphics. The technique is quite sophisticated, but it provides a soft realism. This book offers a fine discussion opportunity.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

PreS-Gr 2—A boy's tall-tale adventures are imaginatively conveyed through full-page illustrations and onomatopoeic action phrases. The youngster duels with a Viking ("Clinkity-Clank"), walks a tightrope ("Wibbly-Wobbly"), and hits a home run ("Zingity-Zonk"). The typeface changes with each outlandish vignette: "Whirly-Twirly" curves around the page as the hero wrestles a tornado, a karate chop to a robot knocks the letters in "Clinkity-Clonk" out of line, and "Topsy-Turvy" is appropriately written upside down. The line drawings have a comic-book-style energy and feature bold background colors of orange, green, and purple. In the final pages, a skeptical girl dismisses the fantastical feats as "Mishity-Mash." Language arts classes will enjoy expanding on the wordplay.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 4—While visiting her grandparents, young Julie is treated to Grandpa's tall tales of his youth, with many interruptions and corrections from Grandma. He tells of his magical immigration from Russia to America, zooming across the ocean in a solid-gold wagon pulled by a goat, and the tall castle that he lived in when he arrived. Refusing to stand for such nonsense, his wife explains the hardships of Ellis Island and the small, dismal room he shared with two other men. Grandpa describes the buttons—carved from gemstones and as big as sleds—that he sold from his pushcart, while Grandma clarifies that they were just regular buttons. Both agree, however, that their new life of freedom in America made everything worthwhile. This unusually playful approach to the history of Jewish immigration is highly appealing. Kulikov's artwork, too, is playful, with bright colors, whimsical perspectives, and effective use of light. The original edition (Jewish Pubn. Society, 1982), sweetly illustrated by the author in a more limited palette, focused on the relationship between the child and her grandparents; this new, more energetic version pictures Julie only as a framing device and places the emphasis on the couple's experiences. Both approaches convey the importance of family history. This entertaining story may prompt readers to ask their own grandparents for tales about the past.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-K—A mother asks, "Willy John Jones, are you in the tub?/I'm waiting to hear you splash and scrub." Her son is in the bathroom, watching a duck, turtles, seal, an octopus, and a porpoise playing in his claw-foot tub. As they hop out, Willy gets in, aided in scrubbing by the helpful purple octopus. Once he is clean, he brings his toys into the tub, all of which resemble the animals of the initial pages. The call-and-response text is delivered in a tight rhyme scheme, and youngsters will delight in sharing Willy's adventure completely out of his mother's sight, with the action portrayed in the pictures but not in the text. Several captivating spreads feature graduated pages that help to advance the story. This winning celebration of imagination and bathtime is a worthy companion to Peter Sís's Dinosaur! (Greenwillow, 2000), Julia Jarman's Big Red Tub (Scholastic, 2004), and Andrew Pelletier's The Amazing Adventures of Bathman! (Dutton, 2005).—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 3—The book's author, depicted as a stylized figure wearing a parti-colored blouse and black triangle skirt, introduces herself on the first page. She's holding the story's manuscript in her hand and realizes that she never gave it to the illustrator, who has no idea what to put in the pictures. When the pages are lost, the artist takes over, painting a pushy duck, a pink-haired troll, and other creatures unrelated to the original plot. Before long, the author figures out that she herself is the main character and takes control once again, penning notes to the artist (delivered by the duck), who paints the protagonist into a series of exciting adventures. When she finds her lost manuscript, the author deems it boring and begins work on a much more imaginative tale. A combination of acrylic paints on canvas with cut-out photos of various objects, Reed's colorful collages match the anything-can-happen tone of the text. The pages are packed with energy and humor, as the main character is manipulated—stuck into ridiculous slippers, dressed in a pink tutu, or perched atop a giant ant hill—at the illustrator's whim. Use this book to discuss the basic elements of a story (character, conflict, setting, resolution) or to explore the creative balance between text and pictures.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 1–3—This book, written by a chaplain and bereavement counselor, is based on the grieving process of a nine-year-old girl after the loss of her beloved older sister. Melissa describes happy memories of Laura, her puzzlement at Laura's sudden death, and the feelings she experiences in the aftermath. The child's grief occasionally expresses itself as moodiness or anger or worry. But Melissa has learned to recognize it and to accept it as part of her daily life. In doing so, she offers hope to others coping with loss. The text is written as a poem, but the rhyme scheme is very bumpy and sometimes lands with quite a thud. "Now if you will come with me to my world,/I've got a lesson I want to tell./It's something I might not have learned so quickly/if Laura hadn't fell." Charcoal and pastel illustrations are soft and simple, showing Melissa surrounded by her loving pets and friends even when she feels most lonely. Balloons and yellow stars are scattered throughout to provide a cheery note. A well-meaning but ultimately unsuccessful effort.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 2–5—Little Slue Foot Sal, Pecos Bill's daughter, wants a pet. Ike Levy, who has a mail-order house in Chicago, sends her two hamsters because one might get lonesome. The hamsters increase by leaps and bounds, outgrow their cages, and mysteriously disappear. They reappear on the open range, where they eat all the grass, terrorize the longhorns, and take over the water holes. If Pecos Bill can get those thousands of hamsters to Abilene, they can go by train to city kids in Chicago. So the Great Texas Hamster Drive begins. Despite wide rivers, thunderstorms, stampedes, and the allure of prairie dog tunnels, the hamsters make it to their destination. A teary-eyed Sal waves good-bye but brightens at the thought of another pet—maybe a gerbil or two. Whatley's cartoon-style illustrations are rendered in watercolor, the blue and brown palette reminiscent of the Texas sky and open range. Kimmel's droll humor and understated, believable style is a good contrast to the traditional, larger-than-life retelling in Steven Kellogg's Pecos Bill (HarperCollins, 1986). Inspired by a school in Texas where children helped a commercial breeder take care of thousands of hamsters, Kimmel's tall tale is sure to make young readers smile.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 2–4—Hezekiah, a grumpy old Bactrian camel, is lonely. There are no other camels at the zoo for him to talk to. One day he figures out how to open the gate to his paddock and he's off on an amazing and funny adventure. He encounters children and some humorous Holsteins that direct him to the great country estate of the Earl of Basin, who has established a wildlife safari park on his grounds. Hezekiah decides that this is the man he needs to see. The Earl has a real affinity for camels, having ridden one when he was a boy, and he arranges for Hezekiah to live in his park. By the end, he also serves as a matchmaker by arranging to trade a gorilla for Hephzibah, "a beautiful brown hairy young female Bactrian camel." Information on camels is subtly introduced into this story, which is enhanced by Bruel's amusing line drawings. With word repetition, some challenging vocabulary, graphic support, and comical characters, this is an ideal early chapter book.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

K-Gr 2—Sam has a cozy home in the wall behind the children's reference books at the library. By day he sleeps and by night he reads, reads, reads. One night, he decides to write his own book. Once his autobiography is finished, he shelves it in the biography section. It's a huge hit with the children and the staff, as are the mystery and picture books he pens. This leads the head librarian to post a letter inviting the mystery writer to a "Meet the Author" day. Since he is a bit shy around people, he comes up with a better idea. He sets up a display using a mirror to show each student as the author, then puts out booklets and pencils for them to write their own stories. This book has an excellent premise, but the text is a bit wordy. It's the art that brings it to life. The detailed illustrations show a bright, light, busy library filled with books, a few computers, and lots of patrons. Sam, attired in a different outfit on almost every page, is an engaging, expressive mouse, and kids will enjoy seeing him having the run of the building at night. This offering would work well as a catalyst for a writing project.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—In this sequel to Punk Farm (Knopf, 2005), the animals take their rock band on tour while Farmer Joe is away at a tractor conference. Sheep, Pig, Goat, Chicken, and Cow fix up an old van and hit the road, singing in barns and fields across the country. Their new hit, inspired by their journey, takes the country by storm: "The wheels on the van go round and round…all through the town." And when the van pops a tire or the engine breaks down, they just add another verse to their song. They play their final concert and rush home just ahead of Farmer Joe. The text is slight, really just an embellished version of the children's song, but the peppy acrylic illustrations triple the fun. The performers sport cool shades and funky stage accessories: Sheep wears a headband; Cow has a big chain (with cowbell) around her neck; Pig has spiked wristbands; and Goat wears (what else?) a goatee. Children will enjoy seeing this familiar song brought to life and can sing along with the verses. Pair this book with Paul O. Zelinsky's The Wheels on the Bus (Dutton, 1990) for a rock-and-rolling storytime.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

K-Gr 3—Arlo and his father love to spend time hiking together, exploring the woods while they search for the elusive Sasquatch. But finding the creature is secondary to enjoying one another's company and learning about the natural world. After a fun-filled summer, Arlo is mocked when he shares his adventures with his classmates. His teacher says that Sasquatch is a myth. Arlo and his father discover giant footprints on their next outing, only to learn that they were made by one of the school bullies as a practical joke. Arlo's embarrassment fades when his father shows him how to laugh at the trick, and they start planning their next adventure. The story is a bit quirky, yet it has a thread of sweetness and hope that gives it some appeal. Also, the notion that holding onto one's dreams and pursuing a goal in the face of obstacles is admirable. The illustrations are adequate but not remarkable. Sasquatch is shown hiding behind trees, playing on the playground—obvious to readers but unseen by Arlo and his father. He was there all along, but the searching was more important than the finding. An alternate selection.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

K-Gr 3—As a father cooks, a brother and sister watch TV, gleefully celebrating when the weatherman predicts an overnight snow. The unidentified first-person narrator contemplates the possibility of a snow day, describing plans to cuddle on the sofa, go sledding, build a snow fort, and read. However, the expected snowfall does not occur, and as the family members hurry to get ready for school, readers discover that the narrator is actually the father, who is a teacher. Unfortunately, the surprise ending, which is reminiscent of Julie Danneberg's First Day Jitters (Charlesbridge, 2000), does not carry the book. Because the snow play is predicted rather than experienced, the story offers few of the sensory descriptions of wonder found in many titles on this topic. Gustavson's sumptuous oil paintings bring life to the spare text. The mostly two-page illustrations are rich in color, texture, perspective, and kinesthetic energy. Stick with titles such as Ezra Jack Keats's The Snowy Day (Viking, 1962), Uri Shulevitz's Snow (Farrar, 1998), Will Hubbell's Snow Day Dance (Albert Whitman, 2005), and Lynn Rae Perkins's Snow Music (Greenwillow, 2003) to celebrate the season.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—At bedtime, a noisy household and neighborhood prompt Nicholas to pack his lunch box, don his space suit, and launch himself in his rocket for a landing on the moon. Once there he eats his snack, cavorts on a moonwalk, and enjoys the blissful silence. After a while, he begins to think of home and returns to his spaceship, travels back to his house where all is now quiet, and tucks himself into bed. Simple lines and shapes become much more in the bright watercolor-and-pen paintings. Through varying perspectives and generous spreads, Landry makes the most of his diminutive astronaut set against the wide expanse of the yellow moon and the deep blue space background. Kids who love outer space and rockets will adore this quiet, imaginative adventure, and early readers can enjoy this tale on their own.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

K-Gr 5—The cover alone will draw in readers, such is the power of Lewin's artwork in this striking window into the world of boxing. At the heart of the book is the famous Gleason's Gym, where such greats as Jake La Motta and Muhammad Ali trained. Departing from his usual soft palette of watercolors, Lewin uses rich colors to depict the intensity of the sport. Following Sugar Boy Younan, a nine-year-old boy, as he trains for the National Silver Gloves Championship, readers see and almost smell the gym in all its raw glory. Through an interesting use of bold color and font, Lewin blasts the constant, repetitive sounds of feet on mat, gloves on bags, and jumping ropes on floors across the pages. Midway through is a respite from the intensity of color as black-and-white sketches round out the story. Readers can see and feel the dedication that these athletes have for their sport, a dedication that carries over into their everyday lives. The appeal of this book is in its visual presentation and in the view of boxing as a sport for young children—both boys and girls—as well as adults. A glossary provides clear definitions of boxing jargon. This is a must-have for all collections.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

K-Gr 2—This picture book is based on a true story about refugees from Afghanistan. The author focuses on Ziba's bravery and her mother's hope for a better future. Yet it is Ingpen's watercolor portraits that translate the enormity of the immigrants' feelings as the great gray sea surrounds them on a small boat. Indeed, the beauty of the illustrations often outweighs the text, which leaves readers with unanswered questions, such as why the pair left their homeland. One hint to the answer is found on a spread with a splash of reddish-orange against a dark background and the sentence, "Gunfire echoed through the village." However, the words are too subtle to be understood by this age group. With no background notes for adult readers to supplement the text for a young audience, the tale suffers from oversimplification. This story will have limited child appeal.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-K—Brief sentences and bright gouache artwork in primary hues capture the excitement and attraction of trains. The text is filled with appealing rhythms and rhymes: "A train could be fast,/like a silvery gleam./Or a train could be slow,/like a lazy stream." Other spreads describe trains that are old or new, those that carry passengers and different cargoes, and the noises they make as they clatter down the track or clang to connect the cars. Simply drawn travelers enjoy their journey as they read, eat a meal from a cart, and watch the passing scenery. This colorful book will be a big hit with train lovers for borrowing and listening to during storytime.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 2–4—This collection of three stories, previously published in Great Britain, is fair at best. "The Perfect Hamburger" features a boy who helps a struggling local burger-joint owner compete with a chain by locating the source of a delicious mystery spice. In "The Spaghetti Tangle," a brother and sister who live with their organic-food-only aunt win a contest and take a trip to the local pasta factory. Their aunt eventually marries the owner and the kids finally get to eat noodles. "The Doughnut Ring" tells of a fund-raiser to help a school janitor buy a car by selling doughnuts obtained via an email chain-letter request. These stories have an old-fashioned feel, much like stories from the Homer Price era, and they do not have much originality.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

K-Gr 2—When a boy who lives in a large house and wears fine clothes decides to build a snowman, he outfits his creation in style: with a big carrot nose, "his father's finest hat, favorite scarf, and best umbrella," and many perfect coal buttons. He goes home for supper, and the snowman, much admired by children peeking over the walls, assumes a haughty air, looking down his carrot at the poor, imperfect creatures who pass by. A rabbit and her bunnies make their hungry way through the snow, and she asks him if they may have some of his carrot to eat, for they are starving. Reluctantly, he gives his nose to them. The warm hat and scarf are given to a mangy cat. And, finally, the snowman gives his buttons and umbrella to an angelic young girl who needs the coal to keep warm. Stripped of all that made him feel special, the snowman sadly awaits spring alone. The warm weather sends him to heaven, where the girl (now an angel) welcomes his arrival. The story seems familiar and unimaginative, but the blended-graphite, monotone illustrations are lovely and have a magic quality. The snow drips like frosting from the houses and trees, coating the ground with cottony drifts. The scarf fringe spikes and curls like a witch's knobbly fingers, and the village youngsters wear Dickensian-era hats. Use this book in a snowman storytime or to spark discussion of life for children during different periods in history.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 2–5—Embarrassed after being tossed off a bridge and into a river by a giant billy goat ("the shame of it"), Egbert Troll has forced his wife and son, Ulrick, to move from their comfy cave in the blue hills of Norway to Number 10 Mountain View Street, Biddlesden. Unfortunately, their nosy new neighbors are suspicious of them. Mr. Priddle keeps a diary of the family's odd behavior, intending to call the police when the time is right, and young Warren maliciously gives Ulrick advice that gets him into trouble at school. MacDonald's wit and clever characterization are reminiscent of Roald Dahl, and youngsters will immediately empathize with Ulrick's plight as he tries to fit into his new environment. Readers will also relish the wordplay and plot turns as misunderstandings between the families are resolved, and will delight in Ulrick's heroism as he saves the class field trip by facing down a marauding mountain goat in a unique way. Beech's funny black-and-white line drawings play up the text's humor and keep things lively for those new to chapter books.—Linda Ward-Callaghan, Joliet Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 2—On a summer day, a brother and sister set out to catch some fish for supper. While they are waiting for bites on their lines, a breeze blows an apple windfall into the water, and they return home with their buckets full. The family enjoys a fruit pie instead of a fish fry. Kemly's sunny illustrations capture the rural setting, and children can follow the parallel adventures of two curious raccoons. Underwater perspectives show the apples bobbing below the surface alongside frogs and trout. Told in rhyming, staccato verse ("Eyes on the water/Sun feeling hotter/Sitting fishing/Mostly wishing"), this simple story will appeal to children, including beginning readers.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 1—Thanksgiving time at the farm can only mean one thing—Run, Turkey, Run! He tries to outdistance the farmer in the horse barn, pig sty, and duck pond, but the man is always close behind. With the helpful shouts of his animal friends, Turkey heads for the woods and finally manages to fool his pursuer by disguising himself as a tree. The farmer and his family have grilled-cheese sandwiches with all the trimmings while Turkey gives thanks. The pair meet again when the farmer goes to the woods in search of a Christmas tree—and the refrain begins all over again. This fast-paced romp is as much fun to read as it is to listen to. The simple text conveys just enough excitement to be suspenseful but not frightening (unless you're a turkey). The illustrations are light and humorous with a comical turkey, determined farmer, and great cast of barnyard extras. The animals' expressions are priceless. Good choice for storytime.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 3—When his family moves from a city apartment to the suburbs, Noah feels lonely. His parents invite their old friends over for a Hanukkat Habayit, a party to celebrate and dedicate their new house as a Jewish home. The gathering includes a short ceremony in which a mezuzah (a parchment inscribed with Hebrew verses held in a decorative case) is hung on the doorpost. After another mezuzah has been placed on Noah's bedroom door and his friends have touched it, his loneliness is dispelled; when he puts his fingers on it, he feels, as his mother says, "like I'm holding hands with everyone else who has touched it." This gentle tale is both comforting and effective as an explanation of the mezuzah. Noah's emotional arc rings true, and information is smoothly woven into the narrative. The art is warm, welcoming, and interesting with its combination of watercolor, collage, pen and ink, and a scratching technique. An endnote provides more information and a prayer. Orthodox Jewish readers should be aware that the characters do not dress according to Orthodox standards (e.g., the women have bare arms). While the book will be of interest mainly to Jewish audiences, non-Jewish readers will find the characters likable and may be interested in learning about a family tradition.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-K—A child, accompanied by her mother and dog, visits a local playground with a wagon full of toys in tow. She pretends to be various animals as she makes the rounds on the jungle gym, slide, swings, etc.—"Scurry, scatter,/chitter, chatter,/I hide like a…/SQUIRREL; Stretching, swaying,/jungle playing,/I climb like a…/MONKEY." The cut- and torn-paper collages are filled with color, depth, and texture, making the pages come alive with the girl's joy and enthusiasm. The engaging text and illustrations invite children to move around and to make the animal sounds. An enjoyable selection for storytimes.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—A seven-year-old Pippi Longstocking look-alike is "just like everybody else," except that she is covered from top to toe in freckles. In attempts to rid herself of the oft-commented-upon affliction, she tries scrubbing, bleaching with lemons, and using "make-up." When these efforts fail, she dons a ski mask, long sleeves, and pants to hide her body completely. After an adult mentions that the freckles may fade as the girl gets older, she decides to accept them—for now. The humorous illustrations, using a Japanese brush pen, are digitally colored in browns, golds, olives, and rusty reds, giving the pictures a retro look. The child, with her gap-toothed grin and determined antics, makes for an appealing character. Her energetic and inquisitive friends provide entertainment, as well. Read this title along with Judy Blume's Freckle Juice (Random, 1978) for a look at both sides of this "spotty" subject.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—Parr's distinctive use of bright primary colors outlined in black to create people and animals holds great appeal to young children. Here he uses simple, short sentences to convey powerful messages about adoption as a positive way to unite parents and children who want, and need, one another. Although this theme is similar to that of The Family Book (Little, Brown, 2003), the author delineates subtle differences, as he writes, "We belong together because…you needed a home and I had one to share. Now we are a family." He also cleverly works in a parallel with pet adoption by illustrating the phrase "you needed a friend and I knew where to find one," with a dog looking forlornly out of the window of an animal shelter, then gleefully playing catch with his new family in the next picture. This book differs from the many other excellent titles that focus on particular situations, usually using specific names, and even countries of origin. Parr's mission is to be as inclusive as possible, and he even recommends that readers change the pronouns to suit their family situations.—Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA

Gr 3–5—Isabel feels powerless to control all the unfair blows that she feels life has thrown her way. First, a new baby has invaded her bedroom with her stinky diaper smells. Then, her father is away from home much more often. Finally, her mother has changed for the worse because of the effects of her cancer treatments. Isabel has no friends in her class. Her only playmate is Tara, a neighbor, and she isn't allowed to see her anymore because of a lack of supervision. But Isabel's biggest problem is her mother's insistence that she's a big girl now, and that she can help with the baby and can make new friends, just like that. This story, told from the eight-year-old's point of view, perfectly captures her fierce desire to be independent and to disobey her mother's rules while still wanting to be held and cuddled like her new sister. Isabel is a real girl who sometimes laughs at the mistakes of her classmates and says hurtful things. Her better nature is revealed when she reluctantly helps a new boy in her class. Pearce gets into the mind and soul of a child who would forgo her conscience and do and say nearly anything to belong to the pack of pink-and-purple girls. That struggle is what sets this book apart from the dozens of others with the new-sibling theme.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—Set in a 19th-century Canadian logging town, this quiet story explores a defining moment in a Finnish immigrant's life. As the youngest child, Marja yearns to be as resilient and brave as her elders. The winter she turns seven, her father encourages her to go to school: "When you are strong inside, you can do anything." By learning how to ski, she is able to cross the frozen fields on her own. When her father dies, she resolves to keep her promise of staying strong. Her courage is tested when she rescues a man who has fallen through the ice. Marton's naive oil pastel illustrations have a softly focused, ethereal quality. The evocative text is rich with elements of Nordic culture, and endnotes provide a historical context. While the period will be unfamiliar to young readers, Marja's emotions ring true.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 2—While exploring one day, Charlie the duck finds his way to a nearby zoo, where he sees hippos, orangutans, chameleons, sea lions, and leopards. Back at home, he regales his family with tales of his adventures. Pfister's story has two distinct styles. A narrative tone describes the duck's wanderings in the wider world. Once he enters the zoo, the text becomes a primer on various animals. Each species is introduced by a guessing game that provides a few hints and cut-out views of the next page, followed by a spread containing an illustration of the animals in their enclosure, information about their habits and habitat, and an outline map. The artwork is detailed and softly realistic with the exception of Charlie, who is depicted in a cartoon style. The cut-outs add visual interest but aren't particularly helpful in suggesting what's on the next page. The reading and comprehension level of the text increases from the story to the animal fact pages, which makes it tricky to determine the book's most likely audience.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—Molly's parents caution her every morning not to forget her mittens. Molly remembers them during morning, lunch, and afternoon recess, but at the end of the day something always happens, and they land in the lost-and-found box, resulting in "Mittens, mittens, my oh my! A mountain of mittens piled up high." The situations that cause her to leave her mittens behind range from the mildly silly (the class turtle sneezed and needs them to keep warm) to over-the-top ridiculous (the school bus slides off the road, and the children use the crocheted strings their parents have attached to them in the vain hope of keeping them together to pull the bus back onto the road). Vane's watercolor and India ink illustrations are bright and busy and add to the fun. Pair this with Candace Christiansen's The Mitten Tree (Fulcrum, 1997) and Stuart J. Murphy's Missing Mittens (HarperCollins, 2001) for a winter-themed storytime, or read it before sending children off to search through those overflowing lost-and-found boxes for their own missing mittens.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 2–4—Best friends Traci and Marilyn are having a wonderful year in fifth grade with their warm, caring teacher. Miss Wichelman ends each day with the message, "if life hands you a lemon or two today…make lemonade." In the midst of this lovely school year, Marilyn is diagnosed with leukemia. The explanations of cancer, chemotherapy, hair loss, and fatigue are simple and clear. The two girls and Miss Wichelman get together to share their feelings and ideas, calling themselves the Lemonade Club. When Marilyn returns to school wearing a head scarf, she is met by her classmates and teacher wearing colorful hats that, when removed, reveal that they have all shaved their heads in solidarity. Months later, as Marilyn is getting better, a classmate notices that Miss Wichelman is still wearing her scarf. She confides in the girls that she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The story ends five years later with her wedding and Marilyn and Traci as bridesmaids. An author's note explains that this is a true story. The colorful illustrations are typical Polacco-soft, a little fuzzy, and warm. While more message-driven than pure narrative, this picture book is a good choice for opening a discussion on empathy, understanding, and the importance of friendship in the face of adversity.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

Gr 2–4—Maddie has had to leave the bustling town of Manassas, VA, to move to the country with her mother and new stepfather. Hesitant about this unfamiliar lifestyle, the eight-year-old is afraid of losing the "Perfect Days" spent alone with her mother, which involved the cherished ritual of sharing a maple-walnut sundae at Rudy's, visiting the library, and rubbing the hoof of the horse statue in the park for luck. Fortunately, kind and playful Sam is eager to reassure Maddie and help make her transition smooth and positive. He builds her a tree house, makes her a basement swing, and helps her rescue her lost stuffed animal, slowly proving to Maddie that she can have Perfect Days in her new home. As she grows in maturity at handling her circumstances, she also discovers the beauty and wonder of nature in her rural surroundings. Ransom makes it clear that although both Sam and Maddie have insecurities about forming a new family, these fears are natural. With well-drawn characters, honestly expressed emotions, and a genuinely childlike perspective, this is a gentle, soothing story about trust and acceptance.—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

K-Gr 3—Strolling at the zoo, a girl is called aside—"Pssst!"—by a variety of animals who have special requests. The gorilla needs a new tire; the sloths, who are hanging upside down, could use bicycle helmets; and the penguins, some paint. "Why paint?" she asks. "Take a look around," they say. Their icy white world makes the request clear. Everything is purchased with coins the peacock collects from the fountains and delivered via wheelbarrow as suggested by the tortoise. The creatures then use their collective haul to build a getaway car, "The Zoomobile." While the girl is not aware of the zoo break, she's at least savvy enough, a week later at the circus, to rebuff the elephant as he tries to get her attention with a "pssst!" This book is intriguing more for its innovative artwork than for its slight, and slightly wacky, story line. The oil and acrylic illustrations are a combination of styles. Line art is printed on a revolving door of hues, including a peach-colored spread with sepia ink and a green page with blue ink. The girl stands out as seemingly three-dimensional, along with the animals. Conversations take place in six cartoon-style boxes per page. This is a clever title for visually sophisticated youngsters who will appreciate the off-the-wall humor.—Martha Topol, Traverse Heights Elementary School, MI

PreS-Gr 2—A large, amiable-looking bear has a habit of asking himself questions."I'm a bear in a cave. In a cave? In a cave." He goes for a stroll by the sea ("By the sea? By the sea!") but he is distracted by the sound of the city in the distance. His curiosity prompts him to investigate, and soon he is among the throngs of people, including a group who laugh at him when he sits on a swing in a park. He runs off and some children find him sitting on a bench looking more dazed than disconsolate. Determining he is lost, they return him to the beach by sunset where they splash happily in the waves. The repetitive questioning of the perpetually bewildered bear becomes more tiresome than engaging and the sound effects—"chuffy, chuff," "whooshy, whoosh," "vroomy vroom"—do not effectively lift this pleasant if uninspired tale to the level of the art. Reynolds's watercolors are quite appealing, full of rich colors and golden hues, and an especially nice spread silhouette of the bear and children on a bridge and then on a train. All in all, this is a good-natured effort that would work when paired with David McPhail's Lost! (Little, Brown, 1993).—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

PreS—Mother Pig asks Cornelius a series of questions to determine if he is ready to go to school, to which he repeatedly answers, "Yes!" However, the pictures make readers wonder, since they show him floating in the air tied to a bunch of balloons, eating cotton candy, tossing toys into his backpack, and doing other unlikely things. After Mom kisses him good-bye, he is pictured bouncing along upside down toward the school bus. The final spread attempts to explain these crazy shenanigans by revealing that the bus is headed for Clown School. The illustrations are not as successful as those in Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? (Candlewick, 2005). Instead of adding humor with pictures that are contrary to the text, Cornelius's silly actions are merely puzzling, and one gets rather tired of seeing him standing on his head so many times. The punch line does not make up for the weak plot. Children getting ready for school would be much better off with Miss Bindergarten than with this disappointing effort.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 1–3—The Clubhouse kids are back. In this story, Arthur has trained his homing pigeons to do tricks, so when he has to give the flock away because of his allergies, the Clubhouse gang doesn't hesitate to take them. However, when they are faced with the reality of caring for the messy birds and unhappy neighbors, they change their minds and must figure out how to get rid of them. San Souci's story is set in a pleasant past, with TV antennas and mothers in circle skirts. The children have great imaginations and play outside all day. The youngsters and the flock are drawn with humor and personality. San Souci has woven facts about homing pigeons into the story, so children will learn some important facts about them and their role throughout history. This somewhat lengthy picture book will be welcomed in elementary classrooms.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 1–3—In six simple, large-scale pop-ups that incorporate their trademarked "Swing Card" design, the Santoros conduct an imaginary journey taken by train, plane, boat, car, spacecraft, and, finally, moon lander. Twigging, perhaps, to the lameness of the accompanying poem ("I'm waiting here at the station,/to board a train called Imagination./To get there you just close your eyes/for the greatest journey of your lives"), they hide several of the verses on pull-out sliders that are hard to spot—but the text is superfluous anyway. The pop-ups are more memorable, sophisticated designs that unfold as the spread opens into one to three big, 3-D shapes or scenes. Some of them are multilayered, can be propped up by the insertion of a large tab into a slot, and feature smaller, loosely attached swinging elements. Good marks for height, and for bright colors, but too fragile for any use other than display.—John Peters, New York Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—This simple yet engaging story demonstrates the importance of friendship. Moose prefers to spend most of his time alone in the forest, "like an island unto himself." One day, a small bird falls from the sky into