Preschool to Grade 4

K-Gr 4—Weaving between the present and past, this picture book introduces readers to Berber culture in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. While young Nora impatiently waits for couscous to cook, her father tells her about a famine during his childhood. Food was so scarce that his father left home to find work. Baba's resourceful mother helped him stay busy so he did not dwell on hunger. Eventually, his father returned home with food and, ultimately, the rains came. An author's note provides additional cultural information, and a glossary defines Berber words. Essakalli's decorative, folk-art illustrations done in gouache, predominantly in shades of brown and beige, provide the feel of parched land and vast mountains. Neither the story nor the art has instant child appeal. This wordy but heartfelt tale about patience and hope may take some selling, but libraries that want to build their multicultural collections should consider it.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

PreS-Gr 1—Bright images of fruits and vegetables pop off the spreads of these cheerful board books. The text on most pages is simply the name of the featured food. Together, the words set up a rhythm and rhyme: "huckleberry/strawberry/watermelon/plum/apricot/mango/Let's have some!" The books give children the opportunity to identify known foods and learn new ones, count them, discuss their uses, and identify colors, making both titles fun and attractive additions.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

Gr 2–5—Anholt tells the story behind Matisse's final masterpiece—Chapelle du Rosaire. During a serious illness, the artist becomes friends with his nurse, Monique, and he draws and paints several pictures of her. When his health improves, she leaves the man who has been like a grandfather to her and joins a strict religious order. Years later, the two friends are reunited when Matisse moves into a villa close to the nunnery. As a final gift for Monique, now Sister Jacques-Marie, he designs a simple chapel for the nuns. At first she is disappointed in the stark white building created by the "King of Color." Then the morning sun shines through the brilliant stained-glass windows, and she feels like she is floating in a beautiful sea of color. The bright and cheerful illustrations draw heavily on Matisse's drawings, paintings, and collages. Facts about the artist's life and style are also skillfully woven into the story and illustrations. Readers will be delighted to see how he drew pictures on the ceiling; he "tied chalk to a long stick so that he could draw his grandchildren" high above his bed. Photographs from inside the Chapelle du Rosaire help children see and feel the glow that chapel visitors experience firsthand. More information about Matisse, Sister Jacques-Marie, and Chapelle du Rosaire is included on the inside back cover. Whether in an art-themed storytime or one-on-one sharing, readers will find this book uplifting.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Max is looking for rhyming words ("Look what I found on the ground") while his brothers play a game of croquet. These rhymes take on a life of their own as he imagines a dragon in the clouds. The beast is soon hotly pursued by a thunderous dinosaur cloud that brings a storm of words and rain. The boys work together to banish the beast and, coincidentally, the storm ("The dinosaur fell into the well….Where he had to stay for the rest of the day"). Then they all play croquet and rhyme together. The spreads are suffused with a golden light, and Kulikov uses shadows and patterns to great effect. However, the plot and logic are not as strong as in Max's Words (Farrar, 2006), and the wordplay is less pronounced both in text and art. The book works best as a celebration of childhood imagination wherein words do indeed have power.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—When a friendly mouse knocks at his door, Bear sternly points to the "No Visitors Allowed" sign. Returning to his breakfast preparations, he opens the cupboard only to find the mouse tucked inside a bowl. "Perhaps we could have just a spot of tea," the ever-hopeful guest suggests, but he is again shown the door. Despite boarding the windows shut, stopping up the chimney, and plugging the bathtub drain, the persistent rodent keeps reappearing. Finally Bear admits defeat, "I am undone," and agrees to set out a snack. Much to his surprise, Bear enjoys the company and shares jokes and demonstrates a talent at headstands. The visit prompts him to reconsider his sign: "That's for salesmen. Not for friends." Denton's softly hued watercolor illustrations capture the humorous interplay between the unlikely companions. The fastidious, pot-bellied bear wears a tiny apron while the wee mouse with a big personality peeks out of such unlikely places as an egg carton. The lively repetition and superb pacing make this an ideal choice for storytime.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 3—"Getting lost in a good book" takes on a whole new meaning in this intriguing and captivating title. In an eclectic toy museum, children are drawn to a snow globe where it is said that, if they look hard enough, they can see the little girl who lives in the castle therein. To their delight, she is visible, as is her entire enchanted world. The girl is lonely when the museum empties, and she dreams of other children visiting her. She awakes with an idea of asking her visitors to leave a photo behind and, as if readers obeyed, the text asks, "Do you see her? She sees you." Using media as varied as clay sculpture and photography, Ceccoli has created a world that beckons young readers inside. The aerial ballet of objects and the playful use of perspective all contribute to the wondrous nature of the place. Children will eagerly enter this special world, pore over the amazing toys, and secretly wish they lived there themselves. This unusual book will jump-start the imaginations of all who are lucky enough to enter it.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 2–4—Classroom pet extraordinaire Humphrey, a golden hamster, returns in his fourth novel. Spring has arrived, and Mrs. Brisbane's students are preparing for some important tests. Humphrey learns with them as they work on math problems and vocabulary words, which he records in his tiny notebook. He also engages in adventures like coming face-to-face with a cat named Sweetums, motivating senior citizens at a rehab center, and wandering the empty halls of school at night. Furthermore, Mrs. Wright, the whistle-blowing, rule-enforcing P.E. teacher, is out to get him, and he worries that Mrs. Brisbane will decide to retire. With his usual flare, Humphrey plots to help his humans overcome their problems. Each chapter ends with a definition from his Dictionary of Wonderful Words. Humphrey is a witty, fun, and lovable character with great kid appeal. This tale can be read independently of the previous novels.—Alison Grant, Ruby S. Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV

PreS-Gr 2—Lovable odd couples are a staple of children's books on friendship, and Bloom's Bear and Goose are among the most memorable. In this story, the more reflective Bear is about to have a quiet game of Tic-tac-toe when the ever-impulsive Goose enters, stage left. The joke centers on Goose's predilection for snap misjudgments. Once again peering over Bear's head, Goose thinks that Bear's paper with one "X" in the middle is a treasure map. He hijacks the action as he rides astride the tolerant Bear, enthusiastically urging digging and diving. When there is no loot to be found, Bear reminds an outraged duck that the "treasure" they discovered was their friendship and their "splendid day." As in A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Boyds Mills, 2005), Bloom's pastel paintings present uncluttered, double-page compositions, with each white animal highlighted against saturated blue backgrounds of various hues. Brief, uncomplicated text consists of a few lines in bold, black type. Bloom's proficiency in depicting characterization with kinesics is humorously on display again. While listeners and readers must pay close attention to the initial illustration to comprehend the joke, this is a small reservation in what is otherwise an endearing treat for storytimes.—Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

Gr 2–4—Through a series of vignettes, readers learn about a year in the life of a lost baby opossum that lives in Nathan's backyard. Bogue does a terrific job of blending facts about all of the animals that enter the story—an owl, snakes, and other creatures. The family members are great stewards of nature—while they observe the opossum, they never try to rescue it or interact with it (except when it makes its way into their house). Todd's illustrations are serviceable, but are full of angled perspectives that can detract from the well-written text. Still, children will enjoy the story and be surprised at how much they've learned about this animal.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

K-Gr 3—An engaging story of a spunky girl who follows her dreams. A precocious child, Violet could fix household appliances at age two. At four, she could take apart and reassemble a grandfather clock. Her mechanical skills were amazing; her social skills were not. At age eight, Violet creates elaborate flying machines using parts from her family's junkyard, but still has no friends. Other kids find her strange and make fun of her, and her only companion is her dog, Orville. When she sees a poster for an upcoming air show, she hopes to win acceptance by participating with one of her homemade contraptions. She builds a magnificent aircraft, but on her way to the show, she passes over a river and spots several Boy Scouts who are floundering in the rapids. She stops to rescue them and misses the event. Violet thinks she has lost her chance for approval, until the townspeople declare her their hero. Done in watercolors, acrylics, and Photoshop, the lively cartoon artwork evokes a nostalgic setting. Violet's various inventions are clever and amusing. Children will be inspired by her ability to find happiness with herself, despite the rejection of her peers. Violet is a terrific role model and her story would enhance most collections.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

K-Gr 3—Cartoon illustrations that mirror television animation with the characters' oversize heads on tiny bodies and exaggerated eyes and mouths are the main draw in this book. The disjointed story line about a young rat, which supposedly demonstrates the characteristics of those born in the Year of the Rat, is less successful. It does show that Ralph the rat is resourceful and brave, but other elements seem more tenuously connected. For example, his mother collects "odds and ends" so he decides to do the same, but then he learns that he can't take a pair of earrings that belong to his human friend's mother. Ralph sees his father chew ropes so he chews the dog's leash and the rope holding the bucket that dips into a well and learns that he needs to "keep my mouth to myself," although his ability to chew does come in handy later. The illustrations are colorful and expressive. The font size is large and always clear against fully colored backgrounds. The last page shows the cartoon images for all of the animals of the zodiac since they appear as characters in this series. This is a strictly additional purchase.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-K—One morning, a hen awakens to find a chick missing from her brood. She spots him in the middle of a patch of "mucky mud," assumes he is trapped, and clucks hysterically until her friends come to help pull him out. One by one, the rescuers also become mired in the muck. Only when the situation looks hopeless does the chick jump effortlessly out of the mud and declare, "…I'm not stuck now and I wasn't stuck then!…thanks for playing with me!" Bright paintings in solid colors and simple, yet expressive cartoon animals are well suited to very young listeners, who will relate to the mischievous chick and his overprotective mom. While rhyme and rhythm are not always intuitive, the repetition of characters pushing, pulling, and becoming stuck is a delightful setup for the book's unexpected ending.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2—Marjorie has no special talents like the rest of the herd, so the chickens hatch a plan. One morning, Marjorie shrieks, "I've laid an egg!" In a clever story line, the bovine endures the taunts of the suspicious cows and the support of the ever-present, silent chickens, until the egg finally hatches a chick with an astonishing "moo" voice. Cutbill's writing is spare and amusing, and Ayto's goofy, mixed-media collages are a perfect match. Featuring expressive, wide-eyed, eccentric characters, the colorful spreads picture vivid body language, spiraling lines in wide-open mouths, and naive design. This funny book, reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg (Random, 1940), will delight children.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 1—A six-year-old loves visiting his elderly, junk-collecting neighbor. Jake's avocation inspires Andy to want a collection of his own—but Jake already has all the cool stuff cornered. Under his endlessly inventive tutelage, the boy learns the rules of collecting while finding various pieces of junk—but not enough for a collection. It is only when he gathers all the individual pieces together and turns them into a raft that Andy realizes that inventing something is just as much fun as acquiring one-of-a-kind items. The story, featuring slightly homely characters in the ink-and-watercolor illustrations, is less successful when it veers from its story line to follow a misadventure involving two lawn mowers. This slight, quirky tale will find a home in collections that need additional material on recycling and intergenerational friendship.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1–4—When her teacher displays a poster of all the American presidents, Grace asks with alarm, "Where are the girls?" Dismayed to learn that there have been no women, she announces that she will run for president someday. Mrs. Barrington proposes that she practice by running for president of the elementary school, and the race is on. Her formidable opponent is Thomas Cobb, spelling-bee champion, science-fair winner, and soccer-team captain. DiPucchio succeeds at the daunting task of explaining the Electoral College to young children as the other students are randomly assigned to represent states and their corresponding number of delegates. The illustrations of Grace capture a sense of boundless enthusiasm. Her loose dreadlocks bouncing, she seems to almost jump from the page as she throws herself into the campaign. Grace is African American, but race is never discussed as the delegates quickly begin dividing themselves along gender lines. Oddly enough for a book about equality, there are a few stereotypes present. Grace gives away cupcakes while Thomas studies his science. At the mock convention, the delegates line up to cast their votes. The boy representing Alaska looks like an Eskimo dressed in a hooded fur coat while the girl from Arizona wears a feathered headdress. The story shows how difficult an election campaign can be, as Grace tries to be everywhere and do everything possible to win support. Thought-provoking and timely, this book will be useful in discussing both the positive and negative aspects of United States election campaigns.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS—In this slight, simple picture book, a mother elephant assures her youngster: "Sometimes you're happy./Sometimes you're sad./...But no matter what you say or do,/it makes no difference…/I love you!" Each phrase is supported by a stylized African landscape in muted colors, but with bright touches—the red morning sun, a wide river, a yellow butterfly, a moonlit night. The young elephant is simply rendered, too, and quite charming. The art, and the padded cover with metallic accents, is appealing, and the comforting text is perfect for toddlers.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 5—In this companion to The Little Red Hen (S & S, 2004), Downard applies his quirky sense of humor to the famous showdown between the Tortoise and the Hare. Here he plays with the conventions of the news media (the hype of a newspaper headline, the clichés of televised sports reporting) as much as with the characters themselves. Thus, a sparkly toothed broadcaster, represented by a donkey, welcomes "viewers from around the world," while bubbles depict a reindeer, giraffes, penguins, etc., tuning in from their native habitats. The digitally manipulated photographs are hilarious, especially images of the overly confident Flash Harry Hare, shown flexing his biceps in a muscle shirt and shades or striking a John Travolta pose in a white, three-piece suit. Meanwhile the earnest, aw-shucks Tom Tortoise keeps plodding along, and the rest is history. Purists may find this somewhat surreal vision unsettling, but kids will delight in the chatty, pun-filled telling and the silly scenes filled with animals dressed and behaving like their human counterparts—whether or not they've read a more traditional version of the fable.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 3—A poetic text describes a newborn cub, "Small as a pinecone,/pink as a blob of/wriggling sunset…" and continues to depict his mother and their habitat throughout this lyrical picture book. As the book progresses, readers learn that baby pandas are 900 times smaller than their mothers, and that it takes four years for them to reach maturity. When the cub is six months old, he and his mother leave their den to look for bamboo groves. On their journey the mother protects her cub from a wild dog, teaches him to swim, and finally introduces him to his first taste of bamboo when they reach their new home. The book never anthropomorphizes the animals, and the expressive text makes this an ideal book for sharing aloud. Specific facts about pandas and their habitat, set off by red brackets in italicized text, are included throughout the book. Rong's lovely watercolor illustrations, executed in traditional Chinese techniques, enhance the graceful qualities of this book and are an ideal accompaniment to the text. The gentle hues subtly shift and change with the seasons and even the illustrations of stark winter landscapes are elegant and refined. Watercolor illustrations of bamboo branches on rice paper serve as sophisticated endpapers and set the tone for this thoughtful picture book.—Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

K-Gr 2—The Tear Thief, a ghostlike figure of a girl, is invisible except for her reflection in puddles. She slips into the homes of crying children during the time between supper and bed to steal their tears. The tears go into her sack, where they turn into jewels. Tears of rage become like rubies; those of jealousy are like emeralds. Soon a girl is spotted on a street corner, crying bitter tears of sadness—"the most precious…of all…worth more than diamonds"—for her lost dog. The Thief moves in to gather them, but the girl is standing by a puddle and sees the reflection, which forces The Thief to explain herself. Every night she takes her bag of jewels to the moon and empties her stash into its light. That is how the moon gets its glow. The acrylic illustrations are appropriately dreamy: the colors are all softened to depict the night, and The Tear Thief is transparent and ghostly. However, the static human faces and the unnerving message that the moon's glow is dependent on children who are sad or angry elevate the "creepy" factor to an uncomfortable level.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 4—Jacob explains in an artist's note that he and Duvall are building "a new mythology for Kansas," one that incorporates some of the state's symbols. This quiet tale is about Ji-Stu the Rabbit, who journeys with Wildcat to find a particular type of bird that has red and blue feathers and lives under a cottonwood tree. They play ball with the birds for hours, sip gooseberry tea, and learn about their history. Richly colored and stylized acrylic paintings feature appealing clothed animal characters in landscapes that are both natural and impressionistic. One realistic picture shows sweeping hills with running buffalo, deer, and a soaring hawk, but another, more fanciful illustration depicts a rabbit walking alongside a river as he practices bouncing a ball. In one dramatic scene, a starry sky shows constellations, and in another, deep-blue-winged birds with red heads fly above a field of bright sunflowers. An unusual brown-orange landscape appears on the endpapers, and the images and text stand out cleanly on bright white paper. Duvall's quiet story, when combined with Jacob's arresting artwork, results in an attractive book; however, the text lacks the fluidity of Gayle Ross's exceptional storytelling in How Rabbit Tricked Otter (Parabola, 2003), which Jacob illustrated.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 2–5—Ibby is reluctant to stay at Aunt Carole's house while her parents go to a conference because of her rambunctious cousins. She discovers that they have been experimenting with the contents of a box labeled "Magic for Beginners," and, to her surprise, the tricks described in the instruction book really work. From miniaturizing to levitating to disappearing, the boys try them—with disastrous results. Ibby's inclination is to tell her aunt all, but she is caught up in the excitement. When she figures out how to make Uncle Godfrey, who vanished five years ago, reappear, she becomes a true believer. This action-filled story is just right for beginning chapter book readers, who will be fascinated with the magic as well as the personalities. Bailey's black-and-white line drawings help make the book accessible to reluctant readers. Dyer weaves an interesting tale with just the right amount of humor and leaves an opening for a sequel.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX

PreS-Gr 1—Every time someone asks Oliver a question, a member of his family answers for him before the youngster can open his mouth. Sometimes the response is wrong, but he never manages to set anyone straight. He just closes his mouth. Then, on the first day of prekindergarten, a patient teacher asks him a question and waits as long as it takes for his answer. When Oliver does finally speak, his words stand out from everyone's in large white cartoon balloons. Bubble-eyed cartoon figures on a bright palette of yellows, reds, and blues are rather flat but do bring silliness to the story. There are important messages here. Unfortunately the delivery is heavy-handed, and, like Oliver, the story fails to find its own voice.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 2–5—While waking up with a cat on your head is against the odds, waking up with a talking feline on your head (especially one obsessed with probability games) creates an impossible situation for Ethan. Odds won't move an inch, even through a hated shower, until Ethan wins a game of probability. Will Ethan beat Odds at his game before leaving for the big soccer game? Tension mounts as choosing socks, sorting marbles, or arranging bits of "Oatie-Woofs" breakfast cereal create a series of probability challenges before Ethan finally rids himself of the animal—just in time to figure out the odds of his best soccer scoring possibilities. With a final nod to probability masters Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat, this slim volume introduces a math concept with a flourish of humor and embarrassing, talkative headgear. Full-page oil illustrations accentuate both the actions and expressions of Ethan's improbable morning as Odds the Cat dominates on his head or in shadow. A marvelous teaching tool and an entertaining story.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-Gr 2—Elliott looks at a rooster, a cow, a pony, a dog, sheep, a barn cat, a goat, a pig, a snake, bees, a bull, a turtle, a duck, a hen, and a rabbit in verses that are rich in vocabulary and, for the most part, written in rhyme. Large, black typeface mirrors the black lines in Meade's beautiful, color woodblock prints that superbly reflect the mood and action in the poetry. There is motion in the illustrations of the strutting, crowing rooster; the kicking hind legs of the pony; and the head-butting rams. In contrast, the artwork appropriately reflects the stillness of the grazing cows and watchful barn cat. The verses flow when read aloud and the double-page pictures can be easily seen by a group. As an extension activity, have children compare and contrast this book with Lee Bennett Hopkins's On the Farm (Little, Brown, 1991; o.p.). Elliott and Meade have crafted a picture book well worth adding to any size library collection.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS-Gr 2—When Lucy asks her grandfather why he has "crinkles" on his face, he explains, "Whenever I smiled an especially big smile, I got a wrinkle to show for it." As the girl points to each crease, Granddad recounts the occasion that caused it: the day he married Grandma, the day Lucy's mom was born, memories from her childhood, Lucy's parents' wedding, and Lucy's birth. Done in colored pencil, watercolor, and pastel, McFarland's rich, realistic illustrations convey the loving relationship between grandparent and grandchild. The wordless spreads flashing back to Granddad's special memories are particularly moving, skillfully depicting the passing of time and showing how he has aged since his wedding. Children will enjoy sharing this lovely picture book with grandparents, who are likely to be inspired to recount the memories that created their own wrinkles.—Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

K-Gr 4—This quirky story is about a brave bivalve who leaves his shell to rescue his family and friends when they are harvested to eat. The text is sometimes a little confusing: Edwin Wiggleskin asks his mother, "What would happen if we flowed with the current?" and she replies, "Stick your neck out for adventure like you always do." Since all the bivalves stick their necks out to eat, this advice does not seem to move the story forward. It is leaving the shell that initiates the adventure. The acrylic-and-ink illustrations are not always easy to decipher: body parts are very thin and elongated, and individual details blend into background colors. However, they are often humorous: in one, the wiggleskins look frantic as the two big feet of the stinky hornly scratcher who is trying to catch them appear in the water above the sand where they are trying to hide; another pictures Edwin leaping with joy as he frees himself from his shell; and in one image, the face of the hornly scratcher looks very similar to Seuss's Grinch. An illustration of a large curling wave reminiscent of Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave reveals beautiful shades of blue and green. Edwin is an endearing character; it is his story that sometimes bogs down in the mud from which he emerges.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 1–5—Childhood innocence collides with the realities of racial hatred in this sensitive story. In a small Southern 1960s town, Jelly and LuLu thrill to their friend's tales of visiting the big city and seeing "water bubblers" labeled "Colored," and they vow to find a way to taste such miraculous water for themselves. "Cherry, lemon, orange, and apple—all those flavors in one gulp!" LuLu muses. The white cousins get their chance when Jelly's father needs to pick up a part for his tractor, and they arrive in the midst of a civil rights march. The kids find a water fountain labeled "Colored" on a hill, and, as LuLu steps forward to drink from it, she sees the marchers meet the police in the street below—and sees firefighters turn their hoses on the marchers. A police officer shoos the children away ("That water ain't for you. It's for coloreds!"), and the frightened family heads home. The author focuses on this small, frightening moment, when LuLu's insulated world is smashed open, and the story begs to be discussed. An afterword gives historical context. Faulkner's scratchy watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations burst with sepia-toned folksy charm, but they also point up the ironies of the time, as when a police officer on a motorcycle lingers menacingly next to a soap billboard proclaiming "Snowy White! 100% Pure!" Readers will ask, as Jelly does, "What color does a person have to be to get a taste of colored water?"—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 2–4—This reissue of Fleischman's first book (1979) has all new watercolor illustrations. A sailor and his wife start life anew, making a three days' journey inland from the sea that has claimed their three sons. When another son, Jack, is born, the sailor plants a tree, and they grow together, the tree mimicking in its branches the ups and downs in young Jack's life. Despite his parents' precautions, the lure of the sea finally proves too strong, and they awake one morning to find the boy gone. The tree reveals how their son is faring: a gull at its top signals that he has reached the sea; abundant buds, leaves, and apples that he is well and happy; a lightning strike and diseased branches that he has been shipwrecked and may have died. Just when his parents are about to give up hope, the tree bursts into life, and weeks later they find Jack asleep in his bed. Spreads provide expansive views of the land and sky while the young boy's activities and the changing seasons are depicted in oval-shaped vignettes. Looking at one scene from below, viewers see a swirling black sky lit by a jagged streak of lightning that strikes the lone tree atop its hill. As Jack's situation worsens, the sky in subsequent illustrations becomes increasingly dark and menacing but brightens once again as the family is reunited. As is often the case with Fleischman's work, this story presents questions for readers to ponder, among them why Jack would disappear and turn up again without a word.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 1—Foley's delightful Bear is back, and he's concerned about Caterpillar, who is about to disappear inside his cocoon. Even though he promises Bear will see him again, the cub begins to worry. In the dead of night, in wind, rain, and cold, he ventures out to check on his friend. Only Mouse's reassurance that Caterpillar is simply sleeping lifts Bear's spirits—until he discovers an empty cocoon on the ground. "I'm afraid I'll never see him again," Bear moans. Alert readers who notice the creature flying above him, however, know that Bear has nothing to worry about. A page turn proves them right. The uncluttered illustrations, all spreads, and the large, spare text have pastel backgrounds. With a few strokes, Foley depicts Bear's ever-changing moods: from amusement to pondering, worry, dejection, and, finally, exuberance. The yellow background behind Bear when he first encounters Caterpillar is echoed in the final scene as he throws his arms wide in exhilaration at discovering his pal once again, in his new form. From the inviting cover showing the two friends engaged in conversation to their reunion, youngsters will welcome this charming story with open arms as well. Dina Drits's Silkworm Moths (Lerner, 2001) can help them learn more about Caterpillar's wonderful transformation.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

K-Gr 3—Davey is not thrilled about moving to Mars. When he grumpily declares, "I'm bored," his father tells him to go out and play. The boy repeats that phrase throughout the story as he and his robotic dog board a small rocket "scooter" and go off on incredible adventures. They build a fortress (Davey grumbles that the rocks are all red) and dig for treasure (finding only an "old toy"—an abandoned NASA land rover). They meet froglike Martians who smell (they can't wash because Mars has no water). When they zoom to a mountaintop and dig in a crater, things start rolling and thundering, and they escape just as an eruption sends water rushing all over the planet. With water now readily available, Mars becomes densely populated by humans. To escape congestion the family moves to Saturn, and the last page shows Davey sliding on one of its rings. The illustrations, created with an engraving technique, are precisely drawn and appropriately painted in scorching reds and oranges. The layout combines full-spread pictures with multiple panels in graphic-novel style. Amusing details—the family's spaceship resembles a souped-up camper; Davey wears jeans, sneakers, and a globelike helmet—extend the text and play off the deadpan humor. This book will be popular with young explorers who have dreamed of interstellar travel.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 2—A top-notch easy reader. A boy finds a goose egg that hatches and the gosling imprints on him. Then he finds a duck egg that hatches and the duckling imprints on the goose. What follows is a delightfully sweet case of "monkey see, monkey do" as each bird imitates its "mother." The vocabulary, sentence structure, large print, and ample white space are right on target for children just beginning to read on their own. The large, full-color illustrations are funny and expressive, showing Goose and Duck in the role of active children. Particularly memorable is the picture of Goose at the table eating spaghetti and Goose and Duck "helping" to wash a police car. It's rare to find a beginning reader with a story and illustrations that are this engaging, humorous, and educational.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

PreS-Gr 2—A forgotten pink mitten and a lone blue sock meet on a city sidewalk in this picture book about friendship and adventure. Mitten, who is stuck atop a fence post, sees a sock fall out of a laundry basket being carried by a passerby. Both lost and lonely, Mitten and Sock set off together to find their other halves. After a harrowing experience with a trash can, they sneak into a closed Laundromat to get clean. Sock, who is made from wool, shrinks in the dryer; back outside, he is grabbed by two dogs that tug and stretch him to his natural size. As he recovers, the friends fall down a grate and Mitten is unraveled by a passing subway train. Sock carefully carries the pile of pink yarn to a knitting shop where he works all night stitching her back to her familiar form. Mitten and Sock finally realize that they have found their missing halves in each other; they hug, and "from then on they were... smitten." The cheery computer-generated cartoons will appeal to younger children, while the humor, wordplay, and themes will attract older readers. Gordon balances colorful spreads with ample white space, and the personified garments are engaging. This fast-paced tale will make a fine addition to story programs and is perfect for family sharing.—Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

K-Gr 5—In this collection of poems, Grimes takes on the complicated challenges that blended families face. Xavier, a Latino boy who has lived alone with his mother for some time, voices his concerns as a new man and his son come into their lives. The new brother, an African American, is a competitor and is perfect to boot. Xavier resists liking the younger boy and actively resents his attempts at gaining his mother's affections. It isn't until later when Xavier confronts him that Chris admits that he fears that being less than perfect might make his father abandon him as his mother did. This admission softens Xavier as he realizes that Chris is as insecure as he is. The story arc is somewhat predictable and the plot neatly tied up at the end. Still, this is an important topic and the blending of a Latino and an African-American family is refreshing. Benny's artwork is bold and literal, which supports the metaphors used in the poetry.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 1–3—Romina's father comes from India, and her mother comes from Mexico. The girl is proud of her dual heritage, but when her teacher asks each child to bring something to school that represents their family, she is unsure what to do. How can she choose one of her beloved cultures without slighting the other? The girl's solution is to make a design reflecting an Indian art form using a traditional Mexican medium. Iyengar's writing is a bit stiff and didactic in some places, but it is clear, and readers will be able to navigate without trouble. Some Hindi and Spanish words are not translated in the text, but context makes them clear. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are realistic. Depicting Romina's family, their ethnic foods, and the girl's diverse classmates, they appear to be done on a heavy, textured paper that adds depth and interest. Colors are saturated and intense but not overly bright. An author's note explains rangoli and papel picado (Indian and Mexican art forms, respectively), including illustrations and fairly detailed explanations. While the answer Romina finds to her problem will not work for all interracial children, it will give them ideas for when they have to complete a similar assignment. The book can also be used to start a valuable discussion of the great diversity of this country.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—When the "number man," a government census worker, comes to Sophy's village, he notices that she is admiring his running shoes and measures her footprints with a "stick with lots of numbers." A month later, the postal van delivers a pair of shoes for her, allowing her to run eight kilometers to a one-room schoolhouse. The only female student, Sophy gains acceptance among the boys by outrunning them. The next year, when the man returns, she writes her thanks in the sand and tells him that she wants to help her village build a school someday and teach there. Because the plain text mentions only a "hot and sunny" land with long rains and does not use such terms as "kampong" or "phnom" for this small, rural village in the mountains, readers probably will not identify the setting, although Cambodia is listed in the CIP data. The illustrations give general clues like mountains, a river that could be the Mekong, and workers in rice fields. Although detailed and technically beautiful, the realistic paintings often appear stiff in facial expressions, particularly around the eyes. While the idea that a gift of shoes, which young American readers easily take for granted, can change someone's life and perhaps better her village is a noble one, the dry text and art that fails to evoke emotion obscure the message.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

Gr 1–3—Dr. K. Fisher, an advice columnist, responds to a series of "letters" pertaining to problems that various dinosaurs have. In one, a young female Diplodocus is concerned that her weight has recently skyrocketed. Dr. K. Fisher's advice is that this is perfectly normal, especially since an adult Diplodocus can weigh 40 tons and is nearly 120 feet long. In between the letters is general information about certain dinosaur species, giving height, weight, eating habits, and physical features. Each page is filled with humorous watercolor cartoons. This is a highly entertaining guide to dinosaurs that presents basic information in a way that gives each letter writer its own separate personality. Certain to amuse young dinosaur enthusiasts and perhaps teach them a few new facts as well, this title is sure to find a following.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 3—The appearance of peas on a child's plate causes mayhem at the dinner table. When the offending vegetable touches the picky eater's tongue, his "fingers become all wiggly," his eyes start to water, and he squirms in his seat. In a huff, the young boy accidentally swallows a pea and, much to his surprise, realizes "It tasted all right, really." Throughout the gastronomical tantrum, his parents remain calm. Dialogue bubbles capture their droll comments ("I particularly enjoyed the toe curling"), and with broccoli next on the menu, they gird themselves for more fights to come. The childlike charcoal line drawings on colored backgrounds are cleverly enhanced with photographs of the various foods, plates, and utensils. For a storytime feast, serve up this funny book with Lauren Child's I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (Candlewick, 2000) and Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Little Pea (Chronicle, 2005).—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-K—McGhee, a pro at addressing the qualms that often accompany important transitional events in children's lives, has done it again. This time, the hurdle is a little guy's move to his "big boy" bed. After his initial refusal to venture into what he sees as an enormous, child-eating monster, where he might get lost in the sheets, suffer frostbite, or never be heard from again, the child relents, first tossing his Red Blankie (might that someday be a cape?) and Big Pillow ahead as scouts. Seeing that they seem no worse for wear, he works up his courage (and his muscles), holds tight to his faithful stuffed sidekick, Baby Kitty, and takes the plunge himself. MacDonald's evocative art, so like his work in Another Perfect Day (Millbrook, 2002), employs the comic-book conventions, visual wit, and pulp-art palette fans know and love, and the animation in both the text and the pictures turns what might have been a ho-hum tale of trepidation into a proactive adventure with a winsome wee hero. A winner.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

PreS-K—After a successful night of foraging, a raccoon called Searcher heads home to a tree that sits on the edge of a large body of water. As dawn approaches, he snuggles down into the branches and falls asleep. A storm comes up, thunder and lightning crash about, and giant waves pound the shore. The raccoon does not wake up. As the storm becomes more and more intense, Old Tree looks less and less significant against the roiling sky and huge, pounding waves. It bends and twists, but the raccoon sleeps on. As evening approaches, the storm ebbs and things calm down. Searcher awakens and is surprised by the wet grass and scattered debris. But the old tree is still standing, and as the animal heads out for another night of foraging, the two wave to one another. The economical text has a soothing cadence. McPhail's textured pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations depict an endearing, contented raccoon and an anthropomorphized tree framed by white backgrounds. The raging storm at its peak is shown to good effect on two full spreads. In this book, home is clearly the best place to be during a storm, and this brief tale may offer comfort to children.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—A gentle story about self-acceptance and finding one's place in the world. A small, round pebble on a rocky shore longs for more to life. As it searches for a way to be "special," the other rocks encourage it to "Stop dreaming….You are what you are." The pebble tries, but the empty feeling persists. One day, a small boy visits the beach with his parents and is filled with wonder by his surroundings. When it's time to leave, he hunts for something to remind him of his day. After considering and rejecting a shard of glass, a feather, and a shell, he picks up the pebble, and as he wraps his fingers around it, they both realize that they have found what they were looking for. Collages on textured backgrounds create soft, colorful illustrations that depict the seashore and interpret the text. Children will recognize the universal themes of longing to be special and searching for a way to belong, making this a good choice for sharing aloud and eliciting discussions.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

K-Gr 3—Chico Bon Bon builds and fixes all kinds of things for his friends and family. Suddenly, lured by a banana split sitting on a small table, he is trapped by an organ-grinder and taken on a long, rough ride to the circus camp. Held captive in a box, he uses his trusty tools in a 12-step plan to escape. After catching a bus and getting home safely, he puts on his pajamas—and his tool belt—before dreaming of more things to build. The story is told with occasional rhymes, as when Chico builds "a dock for the ducks/and a clock for the clucks." The art is much stronger than the text. Monroe's watercolor-and-ink illustrations enlarge Chico's adventure. Maps show twisty roads, a busy village, and a handy bus stop, and captions label the tools in Chico's belt. Small pictures show the pipe organ he builds for a ladybug and a go-kart to transport skunks. The escape of Bobo, the organ-grinder's previous monkey, with the help of several tigers, is a real treat for observant readers. These same observant readers may also ask where Chico got the big rubber hammer to hit the organ-grinder's big toe. Because there is so much to see in the tiny, detailed pictures, this is better suited to independent reading-and looking-than to group sharing.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–3—Polar bear Winston lives in the town of Churchill, Manitoba, and is worried about the ice cap melting. He shares the book he has written about global warming with his fellow bears, who realize that they need people to help them save their habitat. Brave and fearless Winston mobilizes the others to march with picket signs in front of the tourists who have come to look at them. Sprinkled with quotes from Sir Winston Churchill, this book attempts to raise awareness of the effects of climate change. The quotes will be lost on children, and the cigar-chomping, glasses-wearing bear will not ring bells with most of them. However, the message is important, the book-within-a-book allows the author handily to present factual information, and the picket signs provide memorable visual bites: "Turn down the furnace"; "Make less garbage." Trammell's delicate illustrations are charming and friendly. This picture book should spark discussions among young readers.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS—"Dandelion Duckling loved his Mama Quack. And Dandelion's Mama completely loved him back." She tells him, "'Stay with me and you will be safe,'…And he always was." But one day the duckling has an urge to explore by himself. His mother warns him that there is danger everywhere and then reluctantly lets him go. After two narrow escapes during which Mama Quack saves her son from peril, he returns the favor by alerting her to the presence of a weasel nearby. Now confident that her youngster will be all right, she tells him, "'Be careful and you will stay safe,'...And he always was." The text is lyrical, cleverly using repetitive phrases and rhyming words without actually adhering to a strict poetic structure. Glowing with bold shades of turquoise, orange, gold, and green, the oversize illustrations vibrantly depict the ducks and pond animals—both Dandelion's friends (Dragonfly, Little Polliwog, and the Centipedes) and enemies (a large pike, a hawk, and the weasel). Although there are many duck stories available, this one is a standout. The bright-hued artwork and rhythmic text make it a wonderful choice for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as a perfect storytime selection.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 2—Snail decides to wish his three friends a good night. He catches Bunny at her den, but he travels so slowly that by the time he gets to Mouse's nest, Mouse is already asleep and Snail wakes him up. When he reaches Sparrow's tree, it's already morning. Finally, Snail decides that saying good night is hard work and he curls up in his shell and goes to sleep. The illustrations are oddly proportioned—a flower looks almost the same size as a treetop and Mouse's head appears to be too large for his body. For no apparent reason, Snail is part realism, part anthropomorphism. His torso, hands, and head are human, with button eyes and a long nose, and he wears a yellow hat and red jacket, but his body comes out of his shell. The story is sound, though, and the repetition of "snail slides slowly, slowly, slowly" should help guide readers to the logical outcome long before the sun comes up.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 2–4—The tiny gold-crowned frog from this team's The Prince Child (Front St., 2004) is now about to choose a princess with the help of a crystal ball. While waiting their turn, the many candidates talk among themselves about their qualities and their chances of being selected. As in the earlier book, a lyrical poem is paired with a realistically painted animal. The selections themselves reveal in subtle ways the character of the animals reciting them, and, therefore, what their expectations might be to deliver to the prince "the sweetest kiss." The art is the standout, with each animal so realistic that readers are tempted to stroke its feathers or fur. The birds, hippo, dog, etc., are bedecked or decorated in gorgeous attire or colors, reflecting an amalgam of cultures. The poems and the subtle ending may be puzzling for children, but the paintings will draw them back for repeated examinations. Not destined to have universal appeal, this is still a good choice for larger collections.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—Sam is a pup who is certain that boys are tough and girls are not. While his school's student population is diverse—a rabbit, a mouse, a bear, and several dogs—most of the boys agree on one thing: they don't play with girls. Therefore, Sam is unpleasantly surprised to learn that Ellie, the new student in his class and the daughter of his mother's friend, will not only be staying over at his house, but will also be sharing his bedroom. He is awakened in the middle of the night by Ellie's quiet weeping and discovers that she fears her parents are splitting up. He listens and comforts her and is amazed at the courage she exhibits. Sam's newfound respect for her opens his mind to the possibility of being friends with girls as he realizes that they can be as strong as boys. The text is printed on solid-colored backgrounds in a hue taken from the full-page oil illustrations facing it. The simplicity of the format lends an eye-pleasing charm to the book. Ellie is depicted as a sweet-faced white cat, and all of the characters have lots of personality. This third title about Sam presents a gentle lesson that will be appreciated by children of both genders.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2—Four lively kittens come upon cards in the mailbox with winter scenes on them. Three of the felines are worried about the snow and lament that they will be freezing and wet when it comes. But the fourth one "can't wait." Talking about the idea of snow as they frolic in the summer and climb trees in the fall, three of the kittens fret that piles of it will cover them. Once again, the fearless fourth kitten says, "I can't wait." When snow finally arrives, he heads out to romp about, observed by the others, who shortly follow: "We'll be right out!" Beautifully illustrated, with Rohmann's signature strong black lines framing the action and outlining the characters, the leaves, and the windowpanes, this playful look at living life to the fullest is a natural for young children. The appealing cover illustration of the frolicking felines will draw them in, and the simple but engaging plot will keep them interested. The pared-down text makes this an accessible title for beginning readers as well.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 1–4—This retelling of "Cinderella" has been created around Blair's stunning artwork, conceptual pieces originally painted for the Disney animated film. Rylant's narrative has the formal, high-romantic tone of a Victorian romance novel, recasting the tale of a poor orphan girl mistreated by a callous stepmother into "a story about Love." In fact, "Love" appears repeatedly, seeming to take on a personality of its own and dominating every other aspect of the plot. Readers are told that Cinderella "…wished for one thing only: Love." This hammered emphasis, related in sentiment-fraught elevated language, becomes even more prevalent as the narrative continues. When the prince first sees Cinderella: "How does a young man find his maiden? His heart leads him. He finds her in a room. He asks her to dance. And when he touches her, he knows." And so on. There are other minor caveats; for example, the statement, "a child of rags became a vision," does not indicate the nature of the vision or say anything about Cinderella's clothing. The paintings, however, are another story; they are spare and expressionistic, reflecting trends in the art of animation during the 1950s. The darkness of Cinderella's room, the misty blues of the royal castle and rich reds of its interior, the minimalist and energetic lines of the fairy godmother—not even a little bit sentimental, these images are a welcome counterpoint to the overrich text, and may rescue the book from oblivion. Maybe.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

Gr 1–3—One April, Mrs. Teaberry talks her friend into taking part in a marathon for seniors. Mr. Putter says he has "not run anywhere in thirty years" and has forgotten how but he decides to give it a shot since one of the prizes is a train set. He trains a little and has tea with Tabby a lot. On race day he is intimidated by how fit the other racers are and he soon falls to the back of the pack. Tabby and Mrs. Teaberry's dog, Zeke, watch from the top of a car. Unable to stay still, Zeke jumps down and joins the runners, creating chaos and some unexpected results as well. Gently humorous and with underlying messages of friendship and sharing, this is a good addition to the series. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are expressive and enliven the text.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 3–5—Santore's original tale is an elaboration of the legend regarding the discovery of silk some 5000 years ago during China's ancient Middle Kingdom. The Emperor's daughter watches a cocoon fall from a mulberry tree into her mother's teacup and unravel in the hot liquid. Curious, the child finds that she can stretch the single unraveled thread through the palace grounds and up onto the nearby mountain, where she meets a very old man—a silk weaver—who tells her the secret of harvesting the cocoons and weaving cloth. Santore has combined paint, black and red inks, oil pastel, and colored pencil to form detailed double-page illustrations that are clearly the focus of the book. Variations of perspective add depth to his paintings; his careful choice of color and incredible detail in clothing, buildings and structures, natural landscapes, and a wonderful dragon add an element of magic. The tiny print size further emphasizes the illustrations, but makes for tedious reading. In several jarring scenes, certain characters' faces—emperor, princess, and old weaver—appear to be drawn from live figures while others are painted in the same Chinese folk style as the scenery. Despite the lovely pictures, this is a marginal purchase for most collections.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—"Don't hit your brother, or you'll be sorry," say Samantha's parents. And the little mouse certainly is. Baby brother cries so hard that the carpets get wet, the house floods, the whole neighborhood is underwater, and the family has to use a rowboat to get from place to place. When they have to spend the night in the rowboat and her brother is still crying, Samantha is really sorry. She finally apologizes and comforts him, and he stops sobbing. At book's end, when Samantha is very tempted to pinch her sibling, she doesn't do it because she knows what will happen. The watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings work nicely to enhance this humorous cautionary tale. Torrents of water pour out of the youngster's eyes and cascade down the stairs, and a mouse in a family portrait holds an SOS sign. Samantha holds the same pose at the end as in the beginning, with the same mischievous look-but without the clenched fist. Silly fun with a bit of a moral.—Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL

K-Gr 2—This is a counting book, a vehicle book, and a pirate adventure, all rolled into one appealing package. It starts with one red-headed boy and a toy tractor. Next come two airplanes, one of which is piloted by a mouse. The fun really gets rolling when three miniature pirate ships arrive, complete with crews of the jolliest sort. The little swashbucklers cavort through the remaining scenes of big machines at work. There are four cranes, five big trucks, six city buses, seven fire trucks, eight bulldozers, and nine railroad cars, and the charmingly playful pirates are not always adept at using this big equipment. In the end, after rides on 10 bicycles, they return to their ships and sail away. But it is all a dream. The boy is shown sound asleep in the grass with his toy vehicles around him. The fabulous watercolor illustrations show blue sky, green grass, and all the commotion going on in between.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—A duck and his trusty blue kazoo survive a hurricane but are left alone on a beautiful lake. He entertains himself with the musical instrument until cold winter winds and loneliness force him to migrate south toward warmer climes. His talent enables him to make friends in his new location and when spring arrives, he invites them to his northern lake. Told in rhyming couplets, the simple story is graced with sweet watercolor and mixed-media art. The picture sizes are varied, which sustains interest: single page to full spread to oval or circular paintings placed on a white background. The illustrations add a humorous touch, showing the duck paddling around his lake in a canoe, another waterfowl with a polka-dotted inner tube, and a bird wearing sunglasses. This is a tender and charming tale of looking for and finding friendship.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 3—A Japanese girl recounts an afternoon at her grandmother's house. Together they feed the koi in the pond, make origami animals, and enjoy some udon noodle soup. Grandma's affections are also extended to many animals, from her pet dog and cat to the seagulls that visit her yard. As evening approaches, she offers to walk her granddaughter back home over the bridge, but Yuki is eager to ride her bicycle all by herself. When the mist rolls in, she becomes frightened, but she is calmed by the night music. The "gentle slish-slosh of the water, the gulp-gulp of a frog, and the trill-trill of the crickets" give her courage to pedal on. Colorful, digitally enhanced pencil sketches in soft colors evoke a sense of place. The warm family relationships in this quiet story will appeal to many readers.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 1—This rhyming story has been translated from von Olfers's Etwas von den Wurzelkindern, originally published in Germany in 1906. As spring draws near, Mother Earth awakens her children to help welcome the impending season with "chores" such as sewing bright clothing and painting beetles in glowing hues. When the weather warms, the miniature children emerge from their underground home to celebrate ("Beside the brook/Those earthly tots/Skip among/Forget-me-nots"). When fall arrives, they return to Mother Earth to begin their winter slumber and wait for next year. The text is illustrated with panels of a handmade quilt, which is presented in its entirety at the back of the book, along with notes about the author and illustrator. The colors and workmanship of the quilt are exquisite. It has been photographed to show the minute details of each section, and individual stitches can be seen with great clarity. The graceful characters have delicately embroidered features and the natural setting is depicted with vitality and warmth. The whimsical tone of the artwork matches the simple story quite well. With one-of-a-kind illustrations, this is an eye-catching choice for one-on-one sharing or reading aloud to small groups.—G. Alyssa Parkinson, Highland Township Library, MI

Gr 2–4—Life is difficult for Pm Smth and Sm Vwl, who lead an existence devoid of vowels until the birth of their first children, Alan and Ellen. The new parents "gggled wth glee. Alan and Ellen's clear speech made sense." But life still isn't perfect. Increasing clarity comes to the Vowel family as Iris, Otto, and Ursula are born. When Otto gets lost, Aunt Cyndy arrives and suggests that they try the library because Otto always loved a good story. Sure enough, he is there. Not only is the family finally whole, but they have also discovered a new favorite place to visit. Secure readers will enjoy guessing the masked words that Walker uses to tell the tale, though those without a strong vocabulary may be occasionally "flmmoxed." Luthardt's colorful images have an appealing, Gumby-like quality and amusing detail. Teachers looking for a read-aloud to introduce vowels to young listeners will have to be extra-creative in their delivery of this mostly vowel-less text. Meet the Vowels may not fulfill all their educational needs, but will make a fun addition to most collections.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Oscar, an inquisitive young cat, has all kinds of questions about the world around him, but he gets his information from rather unlikely sources. In the first book, Frog explains how tadpoles grow into frogs, and that many creatures lay eggs to produce their young. Then he moves on to plants and the production of seeds. Finally, there are creatures like Oscar, he explains, who come from their mothers. Next, a moth tells him how the Earth spins, creating day and night. She explains how light is warm, that days are always warmer than nights. She explains why stars are only visible at night and how some animals, like fireflies, make their own light. Then she tells him how shadows are made. Waring offers up a lot of information in these books, and each one includes a summary of the concepts on the last spread. The illustrations, done in a cartoon style, were digitally created and colored in flat tones. These starter books might send children off in search of more detailed information. Adequate, but nothing special.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—The adorable mouse from Drip, Drop (HarperCollins, 2000) is back. "Pip Squeak is a busy mouse. Today he has to clean his house. He has to get it done by three. A friend is stopping by for tea." In a flurry of activity, he sweeps, mops, dusts, vacuums, and scrubs his house from top to bottom. When the doorbell rings, Pip Squeak eagerly welcomes his friend Max. Sadly, Max is a terrible guest and makes a mess of everything, tracking footprints everywhere and throwing his coat on the floor. He eventually realizes that he has upset his host and tries to make amends by cleaning up after himself. Clearly his efforts fall short, as he is depicted standing on a table while he mops a chair. Pip Squeak forgives him in the end, but suggests that next time, he visit Max instead. This simple, engaging narrative is perfect for children learning to read, with accompanying artwork that is just as entertaining as the text. The illustrations are filled with amusing details, such as a couch upholstered in a Swiss cheese motif, and they provide good picture cues. A welcome addition to any early-reader collection.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

PreS-Gr 1—A red 18-wheeler gets stuck under a viaduct and causes a huge traffic jam. Nearby, two children who have a lemonade stand observe the incident and try to keep everyone cool by selling their wares. The police arrive and so does a tow truck, but it is too small. The traffic jam gets worse and tempers flare. The hubbub attracts news crews who interview the truck driver, and a clown hands out balloons. Eventually, a huge tow truck arrives and, after the air has been let out of the semi's tires, the road is cleared for traffic to resume just in time, because the children are out of lemonade. The bright, flat, cartoon art brings the minimal rhyming text to life and really tells the story. "Traffic cops. Whistles blow." The illustration shows the children pouring lemonade, car horns blowing, a driver losing his temper, a dog barking, police directing traffic, and a tow truck backing up. This is an excellent choice to share with youngsters, who can observe the action and name all the objects and the activities. It can also be "picture read," giving children practice in their narrative skills.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

K-Gr 2— Henry and the Fox is gorgeously illustrated and delightfully written. It is the story of how a timid young cockerel becomes a brave rooster and earns his doodle-doo reputation in the barnyard. When the other fowl show him no respect, Henry and his friend Buffy, a bantam, devise a plan to make him look more courageous. Placing a red sweater and sock from the clothesline in the nettle patch, Buffy alerts the hens that there is a fox in the yard, and Henry gallantly volunteers to protect the ladies. He goes to confront the "fox," only to learn that a real one has taken a nap on the sweater. His screeches scare the predator away and help Henry gain the confidence he needs to assume his rightful place in the barnyard hierarchy. Wormell's lovely watercolors are reminiscent of the radiant work of Jerry Pinkney. First published in England, the book is dotted with British terms that may puzzle young American readers. Nevertheless, the story is a charmer. Children will love seeing how this young rooster overcomes his fears and finally gets something to crow about. This handsome book would work well as a read-aloud and may spark conversation about confronting one's fears and gaining self-confidence.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 1–3—Mike and two friends set themselves the goal of collecting 29 books for a donation drive in order to help their class win a pizza party. As they work on their project, they subtract the number of titles they have so far from the number they need. The math problems appear in numerals, in boxes, and an additional subtraction activity is included in the back matter. The colorful, average-quality illustrations depict an enthusiastic cast. In Farmer, Troy grows sunflowers, with his mother as guide. Fact boxes with additional information appear throughout. A time line of the life cycle of the plant and directions for growing the flowers are included. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and descriptive, although the cartoon characters have exaggerated facial features. Both titles have tips for adults on sharing content-focused books with children and should be useful additions to beginning-reader collections.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 3–6—This book celebrates the nation's diversity by highlighting more than 100 cultural and ethnic groups in 51 communities, among them Clarksdale, MS; Portland, ME; Dearborn, MI; Tahlequah, OK; and Washington, DC. A spread is devoted to each one; all have several bright photos that show children engaged in a variety of activities and a box of basic facts (e.g., population, nickname, languages spoken). Unfortunately, the text and illustrations are not always well coordinated, and some captions are misleading by omission. For example, in discussing Macedonian culture, the text about Fort Wayne mentions the "gajda (bagpipe), the tapan (a traditional wooden drum), and other Balkan musical instruments," but the photo shows a girl playing the violin. Still, by sharing some of the history of Native peoples and immigrants who have formed this country, as well as customs and foods, the authors give children the opportunity to learn about tolerance and respect as they discover many common threads. The goal of this book is worthy, even though the format limits the amount of information given.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

Gr 3–5—These three books feature animals that were on the brink of extinction and explain what caused their decline and the efforts taken to increase their populations, including protecting them from predators and the environmental poisons and pollutions that threaten their survival. Full-color photos of the animals, their habitats, and methods for trying to save them appear on every page. The pictures are engaging and informative, and the books' format is open and inviting. Each title includes a fact sheet about the featured animal and another on similar species that are also in danger of extinction.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Gr 3–5—Each book provides an introduction to a particular culture and includes basic information on topics such as homes, food, clothing, celebrations, music, and education. It also explains how the environment shapes the people's way of life. The authors note current changes to the traditional nomadic lives of the Maasai of the African savannah and the Tuareg of the Sahara. Bingham stresses the importance of the Dreamtime and ancestor spirits to the Aboriginal people of Australia. Ganges concentrates on a particular place, the holy city of Varanasi, and practices of Hinduism rather than on a specific ethnic group. Each chapter spread includes two or three paragraphs of text and full-color photos. Suitable choices for collections that need updated or additional material on these topics.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

K-Gr 2— Statue of Liberty describes the history of the monument in spare prose. Bauer does a good job of linking readers to the text by describing the role schoolchildren played in raising money for the statue's pedestal. The illustrations are soft, yet colorful enough to engage the audience. In Columbus, Kurtz weaves biographical information about the man into a simple rhyming text. The gentle cartoon illustrations are bright and enjoyable.—Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

Gr 3–4—Through a question-and-answer format, the Bergers offer historical, biographical, and scientific information about these individuals. The Wright brothers' curiosity as children, which led them to create a flying machine that could carry a human, plus their adult business ventures, is the focus of the first book. Einstein's life and his theory on relativity is at the core of the second. Relativity is explained as simply as possible. Much of Einstein's life is discussed, such as his trials and tribulations with school, work, and his theories. Finally, readers learn about Bell's inquisitiveness about sounds, how the telephone works, and improvements that have been made to it. Experiments that relate to the men's work are included in all three books, such as blowing on a long strip of paper to see it rise with the air currents, feeling the vibrations in your throat as you speak, and watching light bend. Photographs and illustrations show the subjects, their families, and events during their lives. The illustrations are a mix of old photos and more current ones and colorful illustrations depicting childhood moments. Students interested in biographical information will enjoy these titles.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 3–5— In this companion volume to Nic Bishop Spiders (Scholastic, 2007), the photographer takes a nifty look at frogs. Physical characteristics, diet, reproduction, and the development of egg to tadpole to froglet are included in the clear text and super-duper photos. A nice personal touch is an enthusiastic author's note, wherein Bishop describes his methods and the pleasure of pursuing frogs to photograph. He even discusses "training" a frog to catch his leap for a fat caterpillar on a leaf over the water. Group this with Jim Arnosky's simpler, handsome All About Frogs (Scholastic, 2002) and/or Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's equally colorful Flashy Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs (Walker, 1997) for a neat ranid roundup.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—These titles present math concepts in an easy-to-read/read-aloud format. The first book illustrates how to sort items and represent quantity using horizontal and vertical bars on a graph. Toy animals, fruit, pet type, and hair color are used as examples. Pictographs introduces the idea of organizing data to "show how many" with picture representations. Comparisons are made on a variety of topics: spotted and solid-color bunnies, how students get to school (walking, bus, and bikes), beverage preferences, and the kinds of flowers in an arrangement. One page shows the number of seeds planted in relation to the number of flowers that grew. Pie Graphs begins with a strawberry pie and six children. Over the first few pages, readers are led step-by-step through the process of charting how many had a piece and how many did not. The book suggests using a pie chart to graph favorite foods, the number of girls versus boys on a team, and the occurrence of jellybean flavors in a packet. The last title is devoted to keeping count with tally marks recorded in groups of five. This concept is illustrated with pick-up sticks and then translated to pen and paper. Sports preferences, the probability of heads or tails on coin flips, and score keeping are shown. Each title encourages readers to create their own graphs. Large, colorful photographs depict the concepts and feature ethnically diverse children. The photos and graphs complement the controlled-vocabulary texts, with a few sentences per page. Good choices for math collections.—Alison Grant, Ruby S. Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV

Gr 2–4—Basic information is presented in these overviews. The full-color photographs are not always crystal clear or sharp, but they illustrate the texts nicely and are clearly captioned. Each title includes a labeled diagram of the featured animal and short, simple sentences. The two-page chapters have catchy titles to spark interest in different aspects of the animals' life cycle. "Fascinating Facts" provides interesting additional details. The chapters describing the dangers facing each species include relevant environmental issues. The glossaries define terms used throughout the texts but do not include pronunciation guides. Designed for students writing their first reports, these titles will also appeal to a general audience of curious readers.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 3–5—As he did in Beaks! (Charlesbridge, 2002), Sneed again presents brief surveys of animal anatomy. The colorful layouts feature a topical paragraph and a bold portrait per page, and each book showcases a variety of species. The first title deals with the types and numbers of teeth that fish, reptiles, and mammals have and how they are used. Saroff's paintings, though true to life, have a shiny quality that gives them an almost surreal appearance. Sneed's comments are a bit jocular in this volume: "The lizard's all-the-same teeth are…sharp and pointy enough to hold onto a moth or beetle until the lizard has a chance to swallow it." The second book looks at wing design and the shapes of birds, insects, and mammals, as well as at prehistoric flyers and birds that no longer fly. Human fascination with flying rounds out the discussion. Brickman's paper collages of winged animals are as impressive in texture and color as they were in Beaks. Varying in vocabulary and liveliness, from quite simple to challenging, the short chunks of information will be more manageable for a somewhat older audience than is suggested by the slim, almost picture-book format. Nevertheless, these books offer interesting facts and comparisons and should attract animal lovers.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 3–6—Both titles have vibrant, colorful crafts that emphasize using recyclables to create art. "Getting Started" shows how to trace a picture (in three steps), includes photos of general supplies needed, and explains how to make papier-mâché (in three steps). Text and photos are artfully arranged on softly colored background pages. The crafts are explained through step-by-step instructions and full-color photos. They include making a puppet theater, wooden bookmark, jewelry holder, treasure chest, desk organizer, and a wall organizer. Some projects require adult assistance (cutting flexible wire, hanging a tea light candleholder, spray-painting, and using varnish and a craft knife). The activities call for various materials—paint, assorted paper, cardboard, plastic, felt, CD cases, glass jar and lids, socks, string, styrofoam, plastic and paper bags and containers, and more-and will appeal to both boys and girls. Templates are clear and handy (alien, bee, hanger, mouse pad, airplane, leaf). These titles will provide endless hours of crafting.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 3–6—Donlan attempts to bring history alive in these hi/lo books, but the repetition of difficult words within a paragraph and short, choppy sentences disrupt the flow of the texts. The first title discusses the accomplishments of noted Cherokees, the Indian Removal Act, the Treaty of New Echota, and the forced relocation of the Nation in 1838, commonly known as the Trail of Tears. The attempts of many Cherokees to learn the ways of the Europeans who settled in the southeastern United States and Sequoyah's creation of a Cherokee alphabet are noted. Most of the information in Mathew Brady is about the Civil War and the accomplishments of the seminal photojournalist and his workforce in documenting it. Both books have an abundance of captioned photographs, reproductions, charts, and maps, many of which are in full color. Additional purchases.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

K-Gr 2—These introductory titles use real-life contexts for common math concepts. In the first book, a class makes a graph of favorite fruits; in the second, a mother and daughter measure dogs using an unconventional unit—cans of food; in Money, two brothers add coin values as they sell lemonade. The illustrations feature friendly faces and familiar objects; Measuring is illustrated with digital cartoonlike art and is thus not as strong as the other two, which have color photos. While some items in each selection are likely to need further explanation, these titles are effective supplements to math instruction.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

Gr 3–5—Ace McCaw, an outspoken cartoon bird, guides readers through basic map concepts and skills. Language throughout the books is casual and fun. Examples involving familiar places, such as a library and a neighborhood, will be easy for children to understand. Great activity ideas are provided, including creating a homemade compass and drawing topographical maps of students' faces. Some topics are complicated by nature and will require additional explanation. Illustrations feature a wide variety of maps and symbols.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

K-Gr 2—These small-format books leave much to be desired. Each title has one or two large-print lines per page, but there is too much repetition from one book to the other to make purchasing all three of them worthwhile. The writing is oversimplified, e.g., "The Bald Eagle Seal has special words on it"; "Special words are on the Liberty Bell." In White House, five different presidents are pictured but not identified, with no explanation that the photos are from different times in history. The books have large, clear photographs, mainly in color, and period reproductions; some artwork appears in more than one title. The time lines include the 50-year marks, with one date identified for the symbol. No other milestones are noted, which does not add to understanding. "The White House was first built in 1792. It was finished in 1800." Better choices on patriotic symbols are available.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

Gr 3–5—Kids hungry for amazing facts will reach for this oversize volume that describes 22 immense items—everything from the longest snake to the biggest diving machine to the highest number. A sharp photo nearly fills each spread, helping to put the size of the objects discussed into perspective. For example, the world's largest single-dish telescope is depicted with the Eiffel Tower lying across it, showing that the height of the tower is about the same as the width of the dish. The biggest spider on Earth is pictured stretching to the outer rim of a dinner plate. Historical and natural facts allow readers to become acquainted with each item. The tone is fun and exaggerative, emphasizing the remarkable nature of the measurements while conveying true facts.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

K-Gr 2—Here is the perfect alphabet book for racing fans who want to share their interest with young children. In rhyming verse that has introductory information, one or more terms are attached to each letter of the alphabet. Although a few choices are stretches, most accurately use real racing terms. "X is for X-factor—at each and every curve./Expect the unexpected and don't lose your nerve." Zenz's illustrations, in a blocky, cartoon style, convey the color and speed of the sport. Pictures of the cars feature numbers, but none of the sponsors' decals, so that readers are not exposed to advertising. Although white men dominate the characters pictured, a woman fan and a minority pit crew member appear. This book, attractively packaged with an appealing cover and end pages featuring racing flags, is sure to be popular where there is interest in stock-car racing.—Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH

Gr 2–4—These books have been designed as much for reading practice as for their content. The several simple sentences on each page have a varied structure, and glossary words appear in bold type. Very little biographical information is given; the emphasis is on a distinguishing character trait and how the featured individual helped to change America for the better. Lincoln serves as an example of honesty, and Rosa Parks is shown to be courageous in her civil rights activities. Washington is discussed in his role as leader in the American Revolution and in forming the U.S. government, but no specific examples are cited for his self-discipline, despite the subtitle. Impressionistic watercolor illustrations appear on every spread, some full page, but they are stiff and people's eyes have a disturbingly distant focus. These books will not be useful for reports, but they can serve as a starting place for researching the subjects' achievements. Additional purchases where easy history books are needed.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–4—Many versions of this popular Mexican folktale exist, some terrifying and bloody, some highly political, some of the kind that impatient caregivers once told to keep their children from running outside at night. Much of this book is given over to describing Maria, a discontented poor girl who goes off with Don Ramón because she thinks her life will be easier. In this version, she doesn't kill her children after he leaves her. She simply blames them and forgets about them in her tempestuous raging; when she finds them gone, she searches and weeps, first as a living woman and then as a ghost. The Spanish words and phrases are repeated in English, and a glossary gives pronunciations. The illustrations are done in soft earth tones in a style reminiscent of Mexican folk art. The cover shows a shivery-looking ghost, letting readers know what is in store for them. Given the limitations of the easy-reader format and the necessity of not terrifying young audiences too much, this is a creditable retelling. The ending, "If La Llorona sees a child by the river at night, will she think that child is her own? Will she take that child away with her forever? ¿Quién sabe? Who knows?," is sure to send delicious chills down the spines of readers.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Though visually attractive, these titles offer slight introductions to their subjects. The minimal, easy-to-read texts include the barest information about physical appearance, habitat, eating habits, predators, endangered status, and behavior. Specialized vocabulary is set in bold type with the bulk of the text boxed in unobtrusive grids, thus drawing the eye to the crystal-clear, full-color photos. Formatted well, the images look like animal poses, like ad-worthy face shots taken from photo archives, which is particularly unfortunate given that McDonald is a professional wildlife photographer. Overall, there is enough here to whet readers' appetites.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Gr 2–3—These entries have problematic features for beginning readers. New terms are in boldface in the texts but not defined, which involves a lot of flipping back to the glossaries-if children think to look there. Even a seemingly simple word such as molt, used to tell readers how spiders grow in Deadly Spiders, needs to be defined in the narrative. Each entry also includes a scanty half-page index that does not reference all the bold terms. Stingrays includes an inset photo of Steve Irwin, who was killed by an Australian bull ray when its stinger went through his heart. Good-quality, full-color, full-page photos with captions or labels add to the information in the text. These titles are better for looking at than reading for information.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 2–4—Markle surmises what the days immediately following two bushfires might have been like for a female koala and her joey. The story begins on a spring day when "the air smells of eucalyptus leaves and smoke." With her joey on her back, the mother koala climbs and escapes the fire but afterward finds her home destroyed and no food left for miles. Realistic watercolor illustrations depict the intensity of the fire and the skeletal trees that remain as the koala travels through moonlight for hours, sniffing for food. The trek leads to a swamp mahogany tree, an encounter with a pet dog, and more civilization than wild animals prefer. The language and illustrations throughout feel as gentle and reverent as the representation of the gathering suburban crowd, painted in muted colors that suggest respect for the koala survivors. Suitable for reading aloud or independently, this story of one female's risky journey makes a good choice for animal, survival, or Australian studies.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

Gr 2–5—These books will please report writers, budding entomologists, and anyone who expects children's nonfiction to be as carefully documented as adult nonfiction. Built on an effective formula, each title begins with a page clarifying what an insect is, then moves on to name and describe its exterior and interior body parts, its life cycle, and its behaviors. A comparison with similar insects, a glossary, suggested books and Web sites, and activities round out each volume. The books are notable for the sharp photos placed precisely to enhance understanding. A diagram of internal organs is simple, well labeled, and approved by an expert on the featured insect. The main texts are clear and flow well, while tidbits framed in black hexagons add punch for those drawn to snappy facts. The two activities in each book range from testing your reflexes for comparison with those of a striking praying mantis to making paper like a hornet. Luna Moths and Hornets are the only full texts available at this level on these insects. Termites and Praying Mantises have competition from other publishers but hold their own well. Purchasers should note that Termites is about African mound-building termites, not the common American varieties. There is also one minor error in Termites, an incorrect accent for the word metamorphosis. In all, these books are both professional and appealing.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Gr 2–5—This collection of seasonal folklore introduces readers to the Celtic and Gaelic festival of Samhain, or Summer's End; Christmas Eve in Austria; the Jewish New Year of the Trees (Tu B'Shevat); the Twelve Days of Christmas in the Czech Republic; the Twelfth Night in Russia; and Candlemas observed by the Slavey people of Canada. Each tale is accompanied by a brief introduction, setting the time and place for the story and providing necessary background information. Exquisite borders frame the text and lush watercolor illustrations enhance the narratives. Magical, mystical, humorous, and thoughtful, this anthology will be thoroughly enjoyed by independent readers and is a perfect choice for sharing aloud around a warm fire on a cold winter's night.-Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

K-Gr 4—There is no story here, but kids fascinated with transportation might enjoy these travel-related images and hunting for the capital-letter shape embedded in each one. Mayer employs his expertise with airbrush and digital techniques to create striking super-graphic, poster-type pictures, one for each letter of the alphabet. "A" is in the architecture of an ocean liner's gangplank; a quarter-turn reveals "B" in the arches of a bridge; and clever cropping changes a cycle wheel into "C." Young children will need help to distinguish the sometimes esoterically integrated letters, while older ones (and adults) will appreciate details like the whirring effect in "CYCLE," the exotic flavor of the characters chosen to label an East Indian "ELEPHANT," the upward movement implied by the shaded lettering of JUMP, and the stunning use of shadow and reflection that gives dimension to every illustration. There's a summary page of solutions, with bold white tracings revealing each letter's location on a thumbnail reproduction. A vehicle for the art rather than the alphabet.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

Gr 2–4—These titles provide brief histories and discuss modern-day activities common to the particular event. Halloween is explained as deriving from the ancient Celts' Samhain celebration and Christian All Souls' Day traditions. Costumes, decorating, parties, parades, and trick-or-treating are mentioned. The second title describes the day as a time for Irish people to celebrate their country and to honor Saint Patrick. Symbols such as the shamrock, leprechauns, and banshees are explained, as well as parades with bagpipes and Irish dancing. Thanksgiving is described as a harvest celebration. The book tells how the English settlers and Wampanoags feasted together in 1621. Family gatherings, turkey, football games, parades, and working in a soup kitchen are discussed. Each title includes a recipe and a craft, such as making pumpkin pie or growing shamrocks. Each spread features a high-quality color photograph with a caption that provides additional information. Pick these books up if you need to freshen up holiday collections.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

K-Gr 4—In this brightly illustrated picture book, Miller goes well beyond the basics of brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Readers view the inside of a tooth and learn about primary and permanent teeth, decay, losing teeth, and dental first aid. Especially welcome is the emphasis on eating healthy foods and avoiding sugar. The pages are loaded with fun facts and historical tidbits. Who knew that barbers removed rotten teeth in the 1200s or that Queen Elizabeth I ate too many sugar cubes? The cleanly designed, computer-generated artwork is appealing, lively, and instructive. Close-up images depict smiling children with stylized features caring for their teeth, and labeled diagrams colorfully convey information. One illustration uses arrows to demonstrate how to brush correctly, and a real X-ray image shows youngsters what a cavity looks like. This entertaining introduction to a potentially dry subject makes an informative resource for educators and a fun read for kids.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Long ago in Somalia there lived a sultan who took pleasure in thinking up riddles to test the men he ruled in order to find someone who would be his intellectual match. One day, Wiil Waal asked his subjects to bring him the one part of a sheep that would symbolize "what can divide people or unite them as one." One man shared the riddle with his oldest daughter, who thought for a moment and then swiftly cut out the sheep's gullet. At first her father was horrified, but then he decided to trust her instincts, and he was surprised when the sultan announced, "You are a wise man!" But he knew that the man had not made the selection on his own and asked to meet the one who chose the gullet. Upon seeing the beautiful and proud young woman, Wiil Waal predicted that she would someday rule the land. The English text flows well and is simple, economical, and straightforward. The Somali text does not replicate the English precisely and sometimes important words are substituted. For example, in the English version, the words "man" and "men" are used many times but they are changed to "people" in the Somali text. The art is lovely. The sweeping East African landscape is richly illustrated in lush browns and greens on full spreads. The clothing is particularly elegant: the loosely gathered cloth is heavily textured and painted in deep reds, blues, and yellows. While the book will be particularly appealing to Somali families, it can be enjoyed by anyone who likes tales with clever female characters.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

K-Gr 2—Children learning about three-dimensional shapes will benefit from these concept books. A form is introduced, followed by a wide array of real-life examples. Full-color photographs clearly convey the characteristics of each shape. Soup cans and batteries are used to demonstrate cylinders; several types of pyramids are shown from around the world; bubbles, oranges, and snowballs exemplify spheres. Facts on famous or interesting representations of each shape are included at the conclusion of each title, along with a craft project. Teachers may embrace these books as useful supplements to geometry instruction. Ample examples, along with the hands-on projects, will help students retain knowledge about a concept that can be difficult to grasp. One drawback is that it's expensive to buy the whole set instead of having all of the information in one volume, but where a need exists, these titles are a worthwhile investment.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

K-Gr 4—Breathing life into words about music for young children is never easy, but Parker makes it appear effortless. Perhaps this is due, in part, to his own understandings as a jazz musician. His first-person account about the early years of Tatum's life is a feast for the senses. Beautifully paced, spare sentences accompany introductory watercolors of the legendary jazz pianist's family. Viewers watch the toddler on tiptoe reaching for the keys that provided delight to him from this early stage. As the narrative develops and Tatum's impaired vision begins to fade, the lines lengthen, incorporating the sounds, smells, and physical sensations that were much clearer to him. Listeners can imagine the scents of furniture polish and flowers as the boy plays in church or the vibration of his father's footsteps as he dances to his son's music in the living room. Parker's palette and style vary to create just the right ambience, with compositions ranging from a brightly lit snowscape with realistic figures racing down the path to moody, impressionistic backgrounds swirling around Tatum playing his beloved "Humoresque" on the road as a young man. Notes from the author describe his personal encounter with the musician and provide an overview of his life. A bibliography of adult resources is included; there is little available for children. Showcase this title with Chris Raschka's Charlie Parker Played Be Bop (Scholastic, 1992) and Andrea Davis Pinkney's Ella Fitzgerald (Hyperion, 2002) along with some CDs for a joint-jumping, heart-pumping ride.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 2–5—Prelutsky has created yet another volume of short poems with guaranteed child appeal. Again he has assembled a zany cast of imaginary creatures and machines, among them the Blue-Bean-Bonking Bubble that bonks unsuspecting passersby; the Snoober that has 11 heads, eyes, tails, wings, songs, and beaks; the Preposterous Wosstrus "that sleeps in the back of your mind," willing to do whatever you command. Familiar animals doing silly things will amuse readers: a pig in a bathing suit that uses "oinkment" for his sunburn; a steel-eating sheep that grows a coat of steel wool; an absentminded elephant that "tries to fly, forgetting/that it hasn't any wings." Creative shape poems are sprinkled throughout: "I Am on a Bumpy Road" features words twisted back and forth across the page; "I Am Climbing Up a Ladder" is arranged into up word steps followed by a quick descent. Predictably, Prelutsky plays with language and does not shy away from challenging vocabulary, as illustrated in "The Underwater Marching Band" that "blares with gusto/and unmitigated cheer,/undaunted by the knowledge/we're impossible to hear." Stevenson's simple signature drawings capture the spirit of each poem with just the right amount of illustration.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 3–5—Broad generalizations about this country ("America is an idea"; "America is jazz") are accompanied by reproductions of thematic paintings, photographs, and other works by American artists. These unadorned statements do nothing to enhance understanding of the artwork, and no historical context is provided to help young readers make sense of either text or illustration. There is no flow or connection between the various pieces; the book feels more like a catalog than a narrative. While the reproductions are large, clear, and colorful, the page layout and the stock backgrounds are visually uninteresting. Brief information about the artists is included at the end, but most young readers are unlikely to get that far. This book might make a useful springboard for art appreciation or for discussion of American ideals in a classroom setting, but the combination of sophisticated artwork and overly simplified text may have trouble finding an audience on its own.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–6—In a well-balanced blend of cultures and gender, this collective biography introduces historical figures such as George Washington, Pocahontas, Abraham Lincoln, Sitting Bull, Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Young readers may be unfamiliar with some of the contemporary subjects: Yo-Yo Ma, Mia Hamm, and Delores Huerta. The authors provide entertaining information about each individual's childhood and youth. For example, seven-year-old Orville Wright "got into trouble for making flying machines in school." Adult accomplishments are summarized adequately, but the text often lacks the descriptive details that make the childhood passages so rich. The unique illustrations have definite appeal. Using a full spread, Powell depicts the person with a large head and a smaller body. In the background, readers view a black-and-white photograph related to that individual, such as Thomas Edison's laboratory or Davy Crockett's log cabin. Spot art appears on all of the text pages. The child-friendly anecdotes and illustrations make this a fun introduction to these people.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

Gr 3–5—Ross suggests 20 projects that kids can make and give as gifts. Each one uses readily available craft materials or household items. Some of them are a bit hokey (a cup holder made out of a sock and a piece of feather boa) or impractical (using chenille sticks to hold handmade shower shoes on your feet, and to hold the several layers of craft foam together) but others allow children to make easy gifts for family members (a yarn dispenser made out of a plastic wipes dispenser, a frog pin from glass stones). The watercolor illustrations are clear and helpful and show children of a variety of ethnicities and both genders.—Nancy Kunz, Tuckahoe Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—These titles feature easy-to-read texts with colorful supporting illustrations. Two to three sentences are featured in a large, easy-to-read font across the bottom of each spread, while accompanying photographs fill the remainder of each page. The basic information is presented in clear, simple language: "Walruses hook their tusks onto the ice and pull themselves out of the water." Overall, these titles are solid additions to beginning nonfiction collections.—Cathie Bashaw Morton, Millbrook Central School District, NY

Gr 3–5—This is an introduction to puberty and sexual intercourse in the context of a loving relationship between a man and woman. The book covers topics that kids often inquire about, such as bodily changes and how babies are born. Bright, cartoon illustrations of the human body at different stages and ages and labeled diagrams fill the pages. The clear, straightforward text uses language that young children can easily grasp while the running commentary that accompanies the art takes a lighter, more conversational approach. The book concludes with suggestions for discussing sexuality with children.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr3—Basic information is presented in a well-organized format. Each book includes a description of how the sense works along with a diagram of relevant parts of the body. A comparison is also drawn between the human sense and that of one or two animals. The books conclude with healthy suggestions on how to protect our senses. Fun facts (for example, that camels have four-inch-long eyelashes) are included here and there. Bold photographs of children of diverse ethnicities are framed with colorful borders throughout each title. The suggested book and Web extensions have the texts' same literacy level, making them appropriate for the intended audience. These titles duplicate information found in Mary Mackill's "Super Senses" series (Steck-Vaughn, 2006), but if there is a need for new ones, they are a safe bet.—Christine Lindsey, Lake Superior Primary School, Ashland, WI

PreS-Gr 1—These books have dual texts-a larger font and limited information for the very young, and a smaller font and a little more information for slightly older readers. Two-dimensional childlike paintings are brightly colored, with few details. Each title contains a labeled diagram of the featured animal with the basic parts-head, eyes, ears, tail, etc. All titles conclude with a short glossary, a page containing eight "fun facts," and an index. The information is basically accurate, but very simplistic. In Pig Pen, readers are given the impression that adult pigs are pink. Piglets are pink only because their hair is so thin and white that their skin shows through. Their hair, or bristles, is described as being hard. Coarse or stiff might be better choices. Duck Pond oddly mentions that "Ducks do not drink milk from the mother," having already stated that they eat bugs. (The fact that they eat grain has been omitted entirely.) The remaining two titles do not have any glaring problems-just little content. Marginal purchases only, where there is a need.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

K-Gr 2—These books outline the history and traditions of these holidays and include related songs, crafts, further reading, and Web resources to accompany the texts. Although clear and filled with facts, the writing is unimaginative and tedious. Simple cartoon drawings don't add any excitement, depicting images such as a single hat and firecrackers for Presidents' Day with no background or captions and headstones for Memorial Day. It is difficult to imagine children choosing these books for pleasure reading or for reports. These titles are cause for little celebration.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

Gr 3–5—Though the texts are simply written, these titles contain a wealth of information. Venezia relates his subjects' life stories and records their influence in getting recognition for African-American artists. Ringgold works in a variety of mediums and her art always packs an emotional punch. From textiles and paintings to prints and masks, she has made her mark in the art world with the creation of story quilts. With no formal art training, Pippin is considered one of the great artists of America, best known for his ability to capture the essence of life in America during slavery and the years of segregation. Both books have many reproductions of the artists' works as well as those of the masters who influenced them. To help illustrate his points, Venezia has incorporated his own cartoon-style illustrations. These books can be read for pleasure, as biography, or used in an art curriculum.—Judy Chichinski, Skyline Elementary School, Tacoma, WA