Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 1–4—"It's hard work being a kid," what with school, and sports, and music lessons, and babysitting, and… and…. So Brian heads to Florida where he takes up residence at the Happy Sunset Retirement Community. The swimming pool, tennis courts, ball games, golf, and long afternoon naps convince the boy that he "should have retired years ago." But living in a retirement community also means listening to endless accounts of Tex's hip replacement surgery; yoga and knitting classes; and weekly medical check-ups. When he recalls his former triumphs at school and play, Brian decides to return home to the joy of his family and friends. Agee's signature cartoon illustrations, executed in pastel watercolors, greatly add to the fun. Brian's retiree friends sport sunglasses, flowered dresses and shirts, pink sneakers, a cane, and sagging chins. There are vignettes of Brian tangled in knitting, enduring "Friday-night swing dancing," and gagging on "prune juice smoothies." Children who have been pressured by school and extracurricular activities will identify with the protagonist and listen with relish to this tongue-in-cheek tale of his rebellion. But be warned. This story is so laugh-out-loud funny that you may have difficulty getting through it the first time. Another Agee triumph!—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Gr 1–3—Big-Top star India, an elephant, plays the mouth organ in the evening show. When the circus begins to lose money, the ringmaster hires "Oswaldo the Magnificent," a stern rhinoceros in leopard pants, to teach the animals new tricks. He makes India "do things an elephant really shouldn't do," such as crossing the tightrope on a unicycle. She is not happy with this new assignment, and after she incidentally interrupts the show with a loud toot on her mouth organ, she runs away from the arena to sulk. Oswaldo is impressed by her speed and suggests that she perform her act on roller skates. At the end, India is the showstopper again. Argent's soft watercolor and colored pencil illustrations underline the animals' emotions and portray their respective facial expressions while their circus undergoes a rapid period of change. Whimsical detail, like a poodle with hair rollers or Oswaldo's leather-and-stud bracelet, adds to the characterization. India's experience is told in simple language, and children will relate to the theme of being forced to adapt to new realities. An additional purchase.—Monika Schroeder, American Embassy School Library, New Delhi, India

K-Gr 2—In this easy reader, Buzz asks permission to take Fly Guy on their family vacation, and Mom says, "He's too little…. He might get lost." But the illustration shows Dad closing the trunk with the pet inside, so Fly Guy accompanies them to the beach, art museum, and amusement park. Short chapters state the day's itinerary: "They drove to the beach." Activity is depicted in wonderful wordless illustrations, such as Fly Guy riding a wave in a clam shell, kissing a Mona Lisa look-alike at the museum, and helping to lead the way home. Arnold masterfully infuses funny, expressive cartoon illustrations with actions that further the plot, minimizing the burden of decoding for emerging readers and maximizing their ability to engage in a fun and satisfying story.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 3–5—In this addition to the series, Alex, scientific genius and creator of the world's first cardboard-box spaceship, has hit a developmental snag. His partner in crime, Zoe, tells him that, due to the theory of relativity, any interplanetary space travel will return them to Earth 50 years older than their friends and relatives. Alex decides to create a time machine to compensate, but gives up after he accidentally transforms his pesky younger brother into a baby. A cliff-hanger ending indicates that a fourth volume is planned. The plot-driven story contains a solid base of scientific fact that will please children who like astronomy or science fiction. While there is not much character development, Alex's accounts of his antagonistic relationship with his younger brother will resonate with many readers. The story is presented in a straightforward manner, but the vocabulary and subject matter are more challenging than similar books of this length, suggesting that this title will find its audience with older, reluctant readers. Asch's occasional black-and-white drawings break up the text. Try selling this one to fans of Jon Sciezka's "Time Warp Trio" (HarperCollins) or Dan Greenburg's "Weird Planet" series (Random).—Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

PreS—This dreamy bedtime book doesn't have a single unnecessary word. Alice bounces on her bed, wide awake and making demands. She will only sleep in a room in which everything is blue. Mama brings in flowers, a cup of tea, and an extra quilt. Each time, the child queries the not-blueness, but Mama whispers "Smell." "Taste." "Touch." And when the light finally clicks off, the moonlight streams in, and in its light, everything is blue, and Alice is…fast asleep. Tusa's illustrations, done in ink, watercolor, and gouache, show a child progressing from Pippi Longstocking-like energy, through acceptance, drowsiness, and finally sleep. Their soft colors and simple lines are perfectly suited to the simplicity of the language. This lovely book works well as a one-on-one bedtime read, but it would also be the perfect final selection for a pajama storytime.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

K-Gr 4—Isabel wants to buy a doll that costs 10 dollars, but she only has 50 cents. She looks around for a way to earn the money and settles on washing cars. At the hardware store, she discovers that the necessary soap and "shammies" will cost five dollars. She asks five friends to each give her a dollar, promising that she'll soon return it plus a little more, and uses the money to buy the supplies. Isabel is a hard worker and her business takes off. At the end of the day, she has 20 dollars. Keeping half for herself, she pays each friend two dollars. Everybody wins: Isabel earns enough for the doll and her investors make a profit doing nothing at all. It's American capitalism at work! The cartoon illustrations look rather 1950s-ish, featuring characters with long, skinny limbs and large, round faces. The pictures are colorful and help simplify this rather wordy book about a complicated topic. An author's note explains stock-market basics. This is a good primer for budding entrepreneurs.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—Sally the duck has ordered some purple socks. When they arrive, they are much too small, but a note states that the garments will grow to the size ordered. After "some airing," the socks fit perfectly, but then they keep expanding. As they get bigger, she uses them for a hat-and-scarf set, then curtains, then as blankets. Before long, Sally has purple carpeting throughout her house. Eventually, the purple socks ooze out the windows and doors and into the street where they block traffic. Sally hauls them into her backyard, constructs a large tent, and invites her neighbors to a circus. All goes well until it starts to rain, causing the purple blobs to shrink back to socks that are just Sally's size. The illustrations are done in flat yellow, white, green, and purple gouache paint, outlined in brushed black ink. Sally's head and beak area is all white with tiny dot eyes, making her appear a bit ghostly. Children may be amused as the situation gets more and more out of hand, and this book could be used as part of a clothing-themed storytime. An additional purchase.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 3—This picture book is based on the characters in Kenneth Grahame's beloved The Wind in the Willows. In this story, Begin tells how, as children, Badger meets Toad when Badger's mother comes to Toad Hall as a nursemaid. At first, Toad is reluctant to share his toys and feels threatened by the newcomer. Then he accidentally breaks Badger's favorite toy, and he feels sorry about being so selfish. The tale, though sweet, is predictable and the moral is heavy-handed. It has none of the easy humor and descriptive beauty of Grahame's original language. A preface explains that the story is from one of Ratty's journals. Begin's illustrations are full of interesting detail, action, and color. Each page is nicely formatted, and the book is printed on good quality, cream-colored paper. Fans of the artist's work in The Wind in the Willows (Chronicle, 2002) will recognize her humorous painterly style. Devotees of that book may welcome this picture-book prequel. For others, it is of secondary interest.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-K—Five adorable ducks spend a day at the beach. They are always on the go, and Berry uses one or two short snappy sentences per page to describe the action to reinforce the frenetic movement. "Ducks hit the shoreline. Ducks dive in./Five little ducklings bob and spin." The fun is everywhere as these diminutive ducks, portrayed in little round splotches of color, radiate personality. The layout of pictures and lively, rhyming text complement the story perfectly. The dramatic pause after all five become submerged by a wave is underscored by a page with no text—only waves, represented by a tumultuous background of aqua decorated by watercolor swirls and five tiny ducks flailing about. All, of course, is well as they gurgle up to the top and repair to the beach for lunch. The day ends with a session of kite flying, a game of tag and leapfrog, then one last dunk before the sun sets. Then it's off to home—a wash of warm pinks—for a good night's sleep. This seasonal companion to the equally charming Duck Skates (Holt, 2005) is sure to be a hit.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—Welcomed by an enthusiastic librarian, students on a field trip are introduced to many books and genres: "Picture books, chapter books, books that pop up,/nonfiction and fairy tales, too./You may look by yourselves./Take some books from the shelves./Then check out the best book for you." An illustration of the librarian sharing a book faces a picture of kids imagining themselves in a scene from it. For example, the one on space exploration inspires children to imagine themselves in a rocket ship; one about entomology shows them thinking about collecting and studying bugs in the wild. Computer-generated illustrations have clean lines and numerous details that stand out in a 3-D effect. Characters are round-faced and distinctive. Rhyming is effective and natural, and the rhythm, while occasionally forced, moves the story along at a pleasant, steady pace. This will be a teacher/librarian favorite, joining this team's The Best Place to Read (2003) and The Best Time to Read (2005, both Random) and providing many opportunities for discussion.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS—Bear is back and this time he is a postal worker. The day begins as he packs his sack with letters and packages. He walks through town stopping for deliveries at the florist and the baker, the corner newsstand and the library. He goes house to house, stopping for a break at the café, and then goes to the school, a nearby farm, and the hospital. After a long day, Bear relaxes in front of a fire. Bright, appealing illustrations in paint, ink, pencil, and crayon clearly illustrate his busy day. The activity of daily life is quite apparent with colorful flowers in the florist shop window and mouthwatering bread and pastries in the bakery window. This is a useful selection to celebrate community helpers and a delightful title to share in preschool storytime.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 1–3—In the third easy chapter book about the Pain (first-grader Jake) and the Great One (third-grader Abigail), Blume relates several common childhood concerns. Each chapter begins with an illustration to let readers know which sibling is narrating. The Great One tells about her brother losing a tooth and her phase of wanting to be known as Violet Rose. Jake explains what happened the day he was a waiter when the first graders opened the "Breakfast Club" in their classroom and about the time a student took her dog to school and it ran off with Jake's stuffed elephant. The two siblings squabble but it is normal, harmless teasing, and when the chips are down they band together, as in the chapter about their run-in with the school bully. The family cat, Fluzzy, ends the book with a brief chapter of how he also would like a new name. Stevenson's trademark ink sketches add interest and humor to the stories. No new ground is broken here, but the topics are those to which early-elementary graders can relate.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 3—In a village high in the hills of Thailand, the people make umbrellas decorated with flowers and butterflies. Finally allowed to paint one, young Noot quickly demonstrates her talent to copy her mother's example, but when she's left on her own, she fills her umbrellas with fanciful elephants having fun and "being silly" instead of the expected designs. Her parents remind her that they earn their income by selling the traditional flower-and-butterfly umbrellas, and she knows that she must follow her mother's directions. But late at night, Noot continues to depict elephants on doll-size umbrellas, proudly arranging them on the windowsill. When the King arrives to choose this year's Umbrella Queen, the woman who has created the most beautiful design, he notices the miniatures and bestows the title upon Noot, because she "paints from her heart." Yoo's orange, green, and black colored linoleum prints wonderfully establish the tone for the story, which is related through gracefully told text. The delicately detailed images convey the characters' expressions as well as the loveliness of their creations. Narrative and artwork combine to tell a universal tale about individuality and following your heart to develop your talent.—Susannah Richards, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT

K-Gr 2—Mark asks to stay up for just five minutes more. Mom acquiesces, but when the time is up, he still isn't tired. The excuses he gives as he begs for extra time get more and more fantastical: five minutes to say goodnight to his pets, five to knit a scarf for his giraffe, five to go to the moon and tuck it in for the night. The boy finally falls asleep and when his alarm goes off the next morning, he's looking for "just five more minutes" sleep. In the second book, city girl Jessica goes to visit her aunt and uncle in Texas. She's afraid of horses until she meets a shy pony named Peanut. The horse and girl bond as each helps the other overcome a fear of trying new things. Both stories are part of a series in which the lengthier text is placed on the left-hand pages for adults to read and the simpler text, intended for a child, is on the right. The degree of difficulty on the child's pages is just right for the target audience—Five Minutes is level one and Pony is level two. Both books have colorful, if undistinguished, illustrations and are good additions to easy-reader shelves.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

PreS-Gr 1—Life in a birdcage is good for Little Red Bird. Food, water, and reading material are always in ample supply. One day, she notices an interesting sight through the window and decides to venture out through the open cage door. She arrives in the park that had been beckoning to her and sees many wonderful new things—flowers, a fountain, a bench, and sticky trash. But when she spies her old home from afar, she begins to miss the comforts of her cage and must decide whether to return. Her story ends unresolved. "Should she stay?/Should she go?/She just didn't know…/I wonder what YOU would do?" Bruel relates this "grass-is-always-greener" tale in rhythmic verse that could use a little extra sparkle. The colorful watercolors show an eye for comic-book-style story progression, but the bird herself lacks the stroke of visual personality necessary to keep young audiences coming back. Despite the rough spots, Bruel's narrative invites discussion and could be considered as an additional purchase.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 1–3—This book begins on an odd note, as Tyrone Brown proclaims: "I'm a professional student and class clown." A primary-grade audience will be clueless as to what "professional student" means, and adults will be puzzled as to how a child can fall into that category. Tyrone explains that he enjoys science and math, but that books are "so last year" and that "the library is a boring place" with "stinky pages." He sits with his back to his teacher and colors on his shoe as she reads. Disappointed that the class is listening to the story instead of being awed by his "spaceship" (a paper airplane), Tyrone decides to listen, for a change. He not only discovers that he likes stories, but also that the characters emerge from the books. When Miss Libro reads about a pig, it pops off the page, and the children fall in love with it. However, after she finishes reading the book, the porker vanishes, and the children find all of the characters in the library. Tyrone's abrupt conversion is unlikely, as is his equally sudden ability to indulge in flights of fancy. Brunkus's bright and cheerful watercolor art features a multiethnic cast with expressive faces and energetic body language. Celebrity authorship and intriguing art will draw children to this entry, but for stories that combine fantasy with more logical plot development, stay with Carmen Deedy's The Library Dragon (Peachtree, 1994) or David McPhail's Edward and the Pirates (Little, Brown, 1997).—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 3–5—At first, nine-year-old Allie Finkle seems rather unlikable. She's hard on her best friend (who is very quick to tears) and acts bratty when her parents tell her the family will be moving. And even though she's promised a kitten, and prefers her new school and the more engaging friend she'll have next door once they move, she's determined to sabotage the event. However, the girl's worries are nuanced and age-appropriate. By the book's end Allie does show a more caring side, even though her methods are not always appreciated by the adults around her. Chapters all begin with one of Allie's rules ("Don't Stick a Spatula Down Your Best Friend's Throat," or "When You Finally Figure Out What the Right Thing to Do Is, You Have to Do It, Even If You Don't Want To") that, while amusing, may quickly become tiresome for some readers. With good intentions and reckless results, Allie will appeal to children who enjoyed reading about Ramona, Amber Brown, Junie B., and the other feisty girls found in beginning chapter books. This novel proves that the master of young adult popular fare is able to adapt her breezy style for a younger audience.—Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

PreS—Little Otter speeds through his day at breakneck pace, from the moment he wakes up and rouses his sleepy family to his spine-tingling sunset escape from a hungry cougar. In between, he eludes a falling tree, an eagle, a snapping turtle, and an angry fisherman. After each escape, he tells himself that "he's a big otter now," and swims away with typical preschooler bravado. His close call with the cougar leaves him shaken, however, and he retreats to the safety and comfort of the den. As he accepts some parental snuggles, he admits that "He needs his family—/no matter how big he grows." Alliteration and onomatopoeic phrases ("whippidy, slippiddy," "swishily swashily") combine to give a sense of the hustle and bustle of Little Otter's day. Sketchy watercolor drawings with multiple perspectives lend a feeling of constant movement, while the recurring image of a yellow butterfly ties the story together. As Little Otter falls asleep, he dreams of being carried away by a swarm of them, demonstrating that he is bold even in his sleep. Though a few of the illustrations are unclear, and the book is a bit too long to maintain its breathless pace, Little Otter is a likable hero with familiar childlike traits. Additionally, there is just enough information about otters to whet readers' appetite for further research.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

PreS—This simple, wordless book has instant appeal despite its misleading title. Each spread features two photographs: a picture of an animal faces a human baby in a similar pose. One spread has a baby lying on its stomach with its knees bent out opposite an image of a frog. Another page has a baby with its eyes closed, mouth open, and tongue sticking out, and the facing page depicts a yawning lion. Each photo is centered on a pastel-colored background. The matches are incredibly effective, and the photos are both crisp and attractive, whether in color or in black and white. While not all of the animals are "babies" (the frog clearly is not, and some of the others are questionable), all are appealing and work well with their human counterparts. Youngsters love to look at pictures of animals and of other babies, so this title is sure to please, even though the animals are not all immediately identifiable. Conceptually interesting, this lovely board book will enhance toddler collections.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS-Gr 1—This is the gentle story of the Moonchild, who views Earth from his telescope and yearns to go there. One night, he slips out and zooms through space to visit the colorful orb. At first, he is puzzled because everything is dark and shadowy. But then Moonchild meets Eliza, who helps him to discover and paint the colors they witness as the sun rises. The language of the story is comforting in its simplicity and repetitive nature. The illustrations are soft, round, and appealing, but like the writing, they are understated. Though this is understandable at the beginning when everything is gray-toned, it becomes unimpressive as the children verbally delight in the bright colors coming to life around them. The resulting lush rooftop garden appears overwhelmed by the dark skyscrapers surrounding it and its colors aren't as vivid as those in the paintings that Eliza and the Moonchild create. The concept is an inspired one; although it falls a few shades short of perfection, this book has potential as a soothing bedtime read.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—This companion to The Milkman (Dutton, 2005) follows the Benson family after they move to an apple farm on the bay. As the parents and children rush to pack their truck with produce for the farmer's market, they neglect to feed their cow. In their hurry, they drive off without closing the gate. As they set up their booth, they become aware of a disturbance among the other stalls. Their hungry cow has followed them and is wreaking havoc. After feeding her some apples, helping other sellers clean up the mess, and packing up, the Bensons' day is tagged a success. Once again, Cordsen's taut writing has a rolling rhyming scheme that does not miss a beat. Paired with Jones's charming vintage-style illustrations, the story transports readers to a simple time in a bucolic place. One might expect to find Sal gathering blueberries down the road. Choose this as an appealing read-aloud for farm or apple themes.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 2—A rainstorm disrupts a group of children. Some scatter, some stay and play. It's fun until the lightning and thunder begin. Then the remaining kids make a run for dad's car. The rest of the storm is waited out at home. The text is written in rhythmic two-line rhymes: "See the breeze/toss the trees./Plip, plop./Drip, drop." Though there's not much of a story here, the illustrations make the rainstorm an event. Steptoe's cut-paper collages are filled with texture and motion. Facial features rendered in paint show the joy that the youngsters feel when the cool rain starts coming down and their relief at being indoors, warm and dry. These African-American kids exuberantly jump, splash, run, and puddle-stomp all around the playground. The pictures are so lively that they may inspire readers to try this simple pastime.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Gr 2–4—Third-grader Fran is so determined to be the boss of the playground that she cheats at tetherball, shoves to advance in line, and finds that no one wants to play with her at recess. She's a match for mean Jean in Alexis O'Neill's The Recess Queen (Scholastic, 2002) but, with above-average reading skills, Fran breaks the stereotype of a dumb bully. She brings home gold stars on the days she behaves, her parents gently and patiently coach her on impulse control, and her teacher is also more patient than one might expect. Readers may relate to rude behavior that occurs beyond the sight of school staff. More importantly, they may be inspired by Fran's determination to cultivate self-control in response to negative comments from peers and teachers as she strives to maintain her lead role in the class play. Readers will also enjoy the parallel plot of Fran and her father taking their Newfoundland puppy to obedience classes, and Fran's joy about the dog's progress. A light tone, clear writing, action, vivid descriptions, and realistic school and family scenarios earn this book a place on library shelves. Björkman's expressive black-and-white illustrations appear on many pages, sustaining the mood and giving young chapter-book readers a text break. Offer this story along with Elizabeth Starr Hill's Bird Boy (Farrar, 1999) and Carolyn Marsden's The Gold Threaded Dress (Candlewick, 2002) for a broad view of behavior.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 3—In a primordial swamp, "One little polliwog swirled in the soup,/bouncing off bubbles—/Bloop./Bloop./Bloop." From that point, the author follows the development of one intrepid tadpole: "somewhere inside him deep in his core,/there slumbered an inner tyrannosaur." The rhyming text is image-rich, informational, and fun to read aloud: "Gone are the dinosaurs. Gone are the stompers,/the rippers, the roarers, the bone-crunching chompers./Gone are the dinosaurs, swept away…./But hoppers and croakers are here to stay." Cyrus's oversize artwork conveys information spectacularly, beginning with a dramatic wrap-around cover and continuing with interesting perspectives of dinosaurs and the prehistoric environment. Created in scratchboard and then colored digitally, the illustrations are luminous and striking. In "A Note from the Author," Cyrus gives additional background about frog fossils, their evolutionary development, and the impact of climate change on their survival. This is an exciting blend of science and literature that children will appreciate.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

K-Gr 3—Tiddler is a tiny fish with a propensity for tall tales. Habitually late for school, he offers a different excuse each day. He's been riding a seahorse, got trapped in a treasure chest, was captured by a squid, etc. The other students discount his stories, but Little Johnny Dory loves them and passes them on to his grandmother, who tells a crab, who tells a plaice, and so on. When Tiddler's daydreaming lands him far from home, it is the retracing of the trail of his own stories that leads him back again. The rhyme scheme here isn't precise, but it is reader-friendly, and invites participation: "'Sorry I'm late, Miss. I set off really early,/but on the way to school I was captured by a squid./I wriggled and I struggled till a turtle came and rescued me.'/'Oh no he didn't.' 'OH YES HE DID.'" The title here is a bit misleading as Tiddler doesn't tell his tales to mislead anyone deliberately, as in the original fable. Instead, he resembles Dr. Seuss's Marco from And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street (Random, 1989), whose imagination is similarly bursting at the seams. The colorful, detailed illustrations feature an endearing cast of undersea denizens with the text woven through on clean white space. This would be an engaging book to share when stories have an underwater theme or when discussing how tales proliferate.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 3—In this prehistoric setting, waterweed-eating duckbill dinosaurs live on one side of a river, and a "mean Tyrannosaurus with his grim and grisly bride" live on the other. "What a shame that bridges aren't invented yet," the Tyrannosauruses say. But then a duckbill egg accidentally lands in the T. rex nest via an egg-snatching Compsognathus. The hatchling is dubbed Tyrannosaurus Drip by his sisters because he prefers to eat plants and sings "Down with hunting! Down with war!" instead of singing "Up with hunting! Up with war!" Just as Drip discovers his true family, lightning strikes and, lo and behold, a tree bridge forms across the river. Hilarity ensues as the rather dense Tyrannosauruses attempt to cross. The dinosaurs are rendered in an Art Deco-influenced style, and the lines roll off the tongue like the rhymes of Dr. Seuss. Children will enjoy the repetitive lilt, and adults will appreciate how naturally it reads. Expressive characters enhance the humor, and the limited palette helps emphasize just how different the creatures' worlds are. An enjoyable group read-aloud.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

K-Gr 3—Young Jake creates havoc at the rodeo by accidentally opening the gates on the livestock pens. A herd of heifers, chickens, horses, pigs, etc., then take over the show area. There are "calves on carousels, rabbits on roller coasters, pigs on paddleboats!" Jake rectifies his mistake by disguising himself as a rattlesnake and scares the animals back into their pens, saving the day for the "FFA and 4-H folks" who were hoping to win scholarships. Although the topic of this tall tale is rather unique, the text and illustrations are pedestrian. Jake's Texas rattler getup is pretty unbelievable: he wraps himself in a burlap sack and uses a baby rattle on his tail (the pictures do not make clear how it is attached). Most libraries can skip this one.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 1-4—As in Hot Day on Abbott Avenue (Clarion, 2004), English explores the intricacies of childhood friendship, capturing the dialogue and experiences with near-perfect tone. Nikki is a budding writer, and Deja wants to be a decorator; the two third graders are best friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, when a new girl moves to their street, this friendship begins to unravel. Antonia isn't very friendly, so in retaliation, Nikki and Deja form an exclusive drill team club and vow to keep her out. When it comes to light that Nikki has no rhythm, the girls' insecurities come to a head, fueled by Antonia's manipulations. Eventually, Nikki and Deja realize how much they miss each other and make up. Nikki and Deja are still learning how to navigate complex relationships, alternating between codependence, jealousy, and stubbornness. And like most youngsters when faced with new emotional experiences, they don't always behave in the best manner possible. The story balances all this angst with humor: a scene in which the girls discover that their teacher actually—gasp!—shops at the same grocery store is priceless. Freeman's black-and-white illustrations depict a multicultural cast. Put this into readers' hands and they'll most likely see the ups and downs of their own friendships reflected.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

K-Gr 4—A story based on the actions of Mary Ann Goodnight, a pioneer who made great strides in saving the buffalo from extinction in the late 1800s. Molly's first-person narrative offers alliterative descriptions of the sounds made by animals native to her West Texas home, including the "huff-huff" of buffalo breath and the thunder of their pounding feet. Soon, this everyday music is replaced by the noise of gunfire, as hunters slaughter the creatures for profit. When a cowhand brings her two orphan calves, Molly nurtures them and many more, developing the first captive buffalo herd. She even sends several yearlings to Yellowstone National Park to help reestablish their herd. The story ends with Molly wistfully hoping that the buffalo and their music will return to the plains. Fern's lyrical text and Castillo's folk-style artwork beautifully capture the era and events. Done in warm, earthy hues, the mixed-media illustrations depict a rugged landscape of grays and browns speckled with touches of color-wildflowers or bright blooms on a tree. Outlined in thick black lines, the characters shimmer with vitality and Molly's affection for her fuzzy-coated orphans is tenderly depicted. Buffalo Music is perfectly suited to a young audience, clearly conveying the magnitude of the decimation and the importance of conservation efforts.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

Gr 2–5—This Civil War story about Private J.A. Joel and 20 other Jewish soldiers in the 23rd Ohio Regiment is based on an article written by Joel and published in the Jewish Messenger in 1866. The third-person narration is presented in eight short, easy-to-read chapters. Bored and homesick while guarding a railroad line in West Virginia, the soldiers secure their commander's permission to commemorate Passover. They pay a sutler (traveling merchant) to ship matzah to them and obtain ingredients for the traditional meal. They find an egg for the Seder plate and use carrottops in place of parsley, a brick for charoset, a weed for bitter herbs, and hard cider for wine. Seated around a white-clothed table, they sing the Four Questions, tell the Passover story, and join together in song. Fireside's concluding note discusses her decision "to include some former slaves to share in this celebration." Matzah ball soup is placed on the menu, providing a humorous subplot and a connection to contemporary readers. Costello's vibrant paintings blend realistic and abstract styles, filling the spreads with color. Readers will need some background on the Civil War and Passover to navigate this story, making this book most useful in collections that support Jewish studies.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 3—Ruby Louise Hawthorn, a prim little girl living on a "perfectly perfect" street, climbs her fence to retrieve an errant ball and meets eccentric Miss Wysterious, who grows teacups, eggbeaters, shoes, and other unusual items in her garden. The woman shows Ruby how to plant candy-actually, she doesn't tell her, she barks, just as she also snarls, grumbles, bellows, snaps, chuckles, and only once in the book, says. At any rate, the candy grows profusely, and Ruby knows "just what to do" with her crop of peppermint blossoms and lollipops. The cartoon illustrations show her changing from a super-neat pony-tailed child wearing a little blue dress with puffed sleeves and a Peter Pan collar to a normally untidy child in jeans and sneakers and a T-shirt, tending her garden. Ruby and Miss Wysterious are drawn in what appears to be pen-and-ink with precise outlines and set against a background that is green, almost junglelike, slightly blurry, a mysterious garden where anything could happen. The story is very slight and does not live up to its Mary Poppins-ish promise; children will be delighted with the idea of being able to plant jellybeans and grow a candy crop, but there is no suspense, and it is unlikely that anyone will want to know what happens next.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

PreS-K—All of the baby animals are preparing for sleep. Each spread features a realistic painting of a different family: deer, lions, ducks, foxes, penguins, and more. The realism brings readers closer to the bedtime rituals of the wild, while the gentle rhymes temper the scene: "Wrapped up in love,/little bear feels so snug./Cuddled goodnight/in a big mommy-hug." Not all of the youngsters are so eager to comply, and children may see bits of themselves reflected back from the imagery. The text is simple and occasionally overly sweet. With all the terrific bedtime titles available, this an additional purchase.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 1—A book that is stronger in concept than in execution. The endpapers let readers know from the outset that the action in this book takes place inside a dictionary. The first page boasts a definition of an aardvark, thus introducing the main character. Alfred is an aardvark but he does not eat ants. In fact, his pet is an ant that he calls Itty Bitty. While Mama is away, he and Itty Bitty dig down through the dictionary to visit the zoo. Along the way, they encounter a woodpecker that threatens to eat Itty Bitty. Mama comes along at just the right moment and saves the day. Back they go to their aardvark tunnel in time for bed. It's not an alphabet book per se and it is not a credible adventure, and thus the story falls flat. Children who know the alphabet will recognize that the bird that appears is a woodpecker because of where the characters are in the dictionary. Other youngsters will have to wait for the page turn to find it identified. The same is true of the ending, when they board a zeppelin with Mr. Zebra to head back home. While they make it home safe and sound, the ending leaves readers wanting more. A remarkable illustrator, George's work here is a disappointment as well.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 2–5—"The Ant and the Grasshopper" is Aesop's moralistic story about working hard in order to reap rewards. In this version, Grasshopper finds himself shut out of a share of the harvest once again and decides to sue the Ants. After all, he serenaded them as they worked all summer long and it was the rhythm of his music that helped them stay on task and bring in a significant harvest. The Ants never actually asked him to play, though, did they? Lawyers take the case and the fable's focus shifts from the value of hard work to the important place that art holds in our lives. The book is reminiscent of Toni and Slade Morrison's Who's Got Game? The Ant or the Grasshopper? (S & S, 2007), and both titles lend themselves to a serious debate about the value of art. Pairing the two, given their different endings, would enrich the discussion greatly. This version would make a powerful reader's theater for students to role-play following discussion. Raschka's watercolors keep this story solidly in the realm of fable while Giovanni's words make it somewhat more realistic. This version of the story would work well across the elementary grades because of its length and the sophistication of theme.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PreS—In this calm, reassuring picture book, a toddler stays with an older woman, presumably his grandmother, while his mother cares for a variety of farm critters. The rhyming text queries each animal mother, "When will you come back?" and the creature answers by assuring her offspring that she will return as soon as her work is done. "When will you come back,/Mama cow, mama cow?/After I graze beneath the bough/Where grass grows green, mooo, mooo!/I'll come back, come back to you." The story ends with the boy's mother returning after completing her chores and giving him a hug. Goembel's soft, realistic illustrations reinforce the gentle mood of the text. In the tradition of Kate Banks's Close Your Eyes (Farrar, 2002) and Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny (HarperCollins, 1942), this book about a mother's boundless love makes a good choice for sharing at bedtime, or for soothing young listeners who have faced a particularly challenging day.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS-Gr 1—New siblings will easily relate to the angst that baby Harry causes for his older brother. "Before Harry, nobody grabbed my gorilla and chewed on its nose. Yesterday, Harry did…. Before Harry, nobody but ME sat on Grandma's lap. Yesterday, Harry did." To restore order to his once peaceful household, the boy suggests a variety of solutions. "Flush Harry down the toilet!... Stick Harry in the zoo!... Mail Harry to the moon!" One morning the house is strangely quiet, and the older sibling worries that his parents have actually sent helpless Harry to outer space. Climbing in his laundry basket spaceship, he achieves a daring rescue and even lets Harry sit on his lap for the ride home. Emberley's strong visual punch lines bring the humor to life, and the older boy's expressions clearly get his feelings across. Young listeners are sure to giggle at the various predicaments that Harry's brother envisions for him. Mail Harry to the Moon will have broad appeal for those with or without a new baby in the family.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—The four fowl from Big Chickens (Dutton, 2005) agree that they should always stay home where it's safe "except…we've always wanted to see the farmhouse." As the hens venture out, time and again, they mistake other buildings and equipment for their destination and end up scurrying back to their coop. They almost give up, but then decide that chickens can be loud and dirty and wild. With determination, they make a pell-mell, treacherous dash through the field and arrive, at last, in front of the farmhouse. In a surprise ending, readers see the farmhouse right next to the chicken coop as the birds wonder, "Did someone move our coop?" Each traveling catastrophe is met with clever rhyming vocabulary and the repetition of phrases, all of which move the story forward with just enough predictability to engage young listeners and beginning readers. The dangers of the farm are expressed in the highly emotional reactions of the cartoon chickens and their exaggerated actions. Line, color, and placement all contrast the alternating chaos of exploring the farm with the safety of resting in the coop. A witty addition that is sure to elicit giggles from readers.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

Gr 2–4—Emma Dilemma's third adventure opens with Annie the Nanny's return from a visit to Ireland. Once again, soccer and ferrets figure largely in a convoluted plotline that involves deceiving Mom (with Annie's assistance), adding more animals to the chaotic household, attempts to wrest glory on the soccer field from teammate Katie, airline-pilot Daddy's anxiety about an impending strike, newspaper interviews, wheeling and dealing to remove Mom from her position as chaperone for Emma's traveling soccer team and replace her with the more cooperative Annie, and, lastly, a strike by the five Dilemma children. The story doesn't ring true. Any parents who employed a nanny who aided and abetted the children in deceiving them would be more likely to fire her than to smile indulgently. Chaperones for traveling soccer teams do not inject players with epinephrine (imagine the lawsuits), and journalists do not tend to interview nannies for travel features. Young readers are sure to find the antics of Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, or Clarice Bean more appealing than Emma's selfish shenanigans.—Jane Barrer, PS/IS 111 Adolph S. Ochs School, New York City

Gr 1–4—Mixed-media collage illustrations, prominently featuring oversize, digitally altered photographs of human heads, reflect Garmann's anxious thoughts in his last summer before he begins school. Signs of autumn abound in nature and in his elderly aunts' annual visit. The six-year-old side of Garmann thinks his aunts are shrinking and soon may not be able to see over the grass, naively offers one aunt his skateboard when she says that soon she will need a walker, and worries because he has not lost his first tooth. The tooth seems more urgent as he compares himself to the twins next door and notices his aunts' dentures, also shown as part of the photo collages in which size, proportion, and color draw the eye into the youngster's imagination. The introspective boy wonders about life's transitions and asks the aunts about aging and their possible fears of dying. He also asks his violinist father and his serene-looking mother, "What are you scared of?" In the end, Garmann sees that everyone feels fear and yet goes on living. He says good-bye to the aunts, organizes his school bag one last time, checks his teeth, counts the hours until school—and accepts his anxious feelings. With its literary tone and distinctive illustrative style, this unusual picture book is for larger collections.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

K-Gr 3—Calpurnia has a Block Mess Monster in her room that doesn't want to be put away. Her mom who, oddly enough, can't see it, encourages her to clean up. And that's the little girl's problem. "Just say POOF!" advises Mom. But no amount of poofing makes Block Mess disappear. And no amount of cajoling on Mom's part convinces Calpurnia that Block Mess doesn't exist. But just when she's about to lose her patience, Mom comes up with a brilliant idea that resolves the issue. Watercolor cartoons brilliantly capture the humor and exasperation of this parent-child tug-of-war. Calpurnia, always in a different getup (including an Indian outfit) repeatedly tries to discourage Mom's attempts to clean the room. Droll vignettes depict the child in various guises trying to "poof" away the dreaded monster, while Mom's oversize hand reaching to clear away clutter and a close-up of her blazing eyes and downturned mouth cause Calpurnia to quip, "Oh great. Now there are two monsters." There are many picture-book stories that urge youngsters to clean their room, but this perfect pairing of text and illustrations is irresistible.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

K-Gr 2—In this eloquent and beautifully illustrated book, Matt finds himself in yet another new home. Surrounded by an uninspiring landscape and lacking friends, he begins to poke at the mud outside his house. He quickly notices in his marks the beginning of a landscape. Bit by bit, a miniature world unfolds before Matt and readers, assisted by the timid offerings of neighborhood children. When a rainstorm threatens to flood the newly created "Mattland," helping hands appear to route the current safely away. Petricic's understated watercolors are an essential counterpart to Hutchins and Herbert's mature narrative, revealing the promise of new friendships before Matt himself realizes that he is no longer alone. The closing spread of his reflection in "Turtle Lake," surrounded by other children, is a standout. The illustrator skillfully leads readers from gray, nondescript images to a detailed world brimming with color. Children may require the helpful commentary of an adult to fully appreciate this tale, but Mattland has much to offer those who find themselves in a new place, and to creative souls needing inspiration.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—The zookeepers are busy getting ready for Zoo Day. They are cleaning cages and bathing and feeding the animals. Some of the creatures, like recalcitrant children, are ill-behaved. The llamas are spitting, the giraffes are slurping. "While out in the dirt, naughty elephants rolled,/not listening at all to what they'd been told./They frolicked in mud to cool down from the sun./Their trunks became sprinklers and soaked everyone." Finally, the sun goes down and the workers go home. The next morning, the animals and their babies prepare themselves for the crowds of children arriving on yellow buses. This silly, slight story ends abruptly with the zookeepers standing at the gates while the children enter the zoo. Large color cartoon illustrations support the text. Back matter has a fill-in matching activity, some "animal fun facts," and a writing exercise about zookeepers. A secondary purchase at best.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS—The adorable tot from Isadora's Peekaboo Morning (Putnam, 2002) is back in this getting-ready-for-bed story. As in the previous book, the child exclaims in big, bold letters, "Peekaboo! I see…," leading readers to turn the page to find the person or object of the game. Bright pictures, done with pastels, add to the fun as the child spies grandparents, parents, pets, a rubber duck, "my blankie," and finally, from atop the bed, "you!" Youngsters will enjoy searching for visual clues as they play along with the familiar toddler activity.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—Julie's favorite story is Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague, and her fondest wish is to have a pony of her own. The child convinces her farm-dwelling parents to take her to Chincoteague Island for Pony Penning Day so that she can bid in the auction. Unfortunately, she is continually outbid and realizes that the money she's earned won't be enough. Then one pony is returned and several people in the crowd pitch in to make her dream come true. This story is based on an incident that Jeffers witnessed when she went to this auction. The lovely illustrations capture Julie's love of horses, the beauty of the ponies, and the excitement of the roundup by the "saltwater cowboys" of the volunteer fire department.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Following the successful format of Mama, Do You Love Me? (1991) and Papa, Do You Love Me? (2005, both Chronicle), Joose and Lavallee once again blend universal family love with details of a specific culture. This time, a Hawaiian grandmother tells her granddaughter how beautiful and beloved she is. Lyrical text captures the lush landscapes and unique traditions of the island setting. Vibrant, stylized watercolor illustrations provide details and warmth. Traditional words like Tutu (grandma) and modern terms like talk-story (an informal conversation) are defined in clear terms. Illustrated instructions on how to make a sea turtle from string follow the glossary. This book will be a popular read-aloud or read-alone. A sweet story and lovely art.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

Gr 1–4—Children sometimes get teased when they begin to wear eyeglasses, but Jenny Sue has an additional problem: strabismus, described in an author's note as a condition when one eye (or both eyes) "misaligns and turns in, out, up, or down." While the youngster views her travelin' eye as a means for seeing the world in a special way, a caring teacher suggests that she visit an ophthalmologist. The doctor's quick diagnosis results in what Jenny Sue sees as a very ugly eye patch. Her mother, however, comes to the rescue with patches of brightly colored materials and quirky designs. Soon, Jenny Sue is the envy of her school. When she graduates from the patch but must still wear glasses, she and her mother fashion imaginative frames that delight the girl's friends. In telling her story, Kostecki-Shaw utilizes the whole page, placing different sizes of text among images that vary from large to small, from vivid to diffused (visualizing Jenny Sue's eye problem). Use of acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper creates colorful, imaginative illustrations. The jacket features Jenny Sue's wide grin below gaily decorated specs that sport a perky butterfly, setting the tone for this upbeat story. Children with a "difference" of some kind will be reassured by Jenny Sue's take on her special situation.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

K-Gr 4—This charming book is visually enticing and just plain fun to read. In simple, gentle "This Is the House That Jack Built" verse, a grandson affectionately delineates all of the tasks that his grandfather, the town beeman, performs as he cares for his hives. The child assists him, adding a nice intergenerational touch. The text conveys facts, but at the same time captures a larger understanding of and appreciation for nature: "Here is the queen bee,/who does her job well,/and lays tiny eggs/in a six-sided cell. 'She's the heart of the hive,'/says the Beeman." The acrylic illustrations are done in predominantly muted, pastel shades with occasional touches of bright colors. The slightly skewed perspectives keep readers' eyes traveling across the spreads. This is a newly illustrated version of an older title (National Geographic, 2002), with eight pages of additional information appended. This is a priority purchase for most collections as it works for beginning report writers and those with general interest, and also reads aloud well. It opens with a poem by Aileen Fisher, connecting an older poet to a new generation.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 4—The detail and rich colors of Schuett's paintings lend an appropriately realistic tone to this tale of two girls, a lighthouse keeper's daughters, who outwit British sailors during the War of 1812. Although fictionalized, Krensky's account is based on Rebecca and Abigail Bates, teenage sisters who later attained local fame for their successful ploy. Alone at the Scituate light, they are able to convince an approaching enemy vessel that there is danger on shore by suggesting the presence of marching soldiers. By hiding in the woods and playing "Yankee Doodle" on their fife and drum, they trick the British into retreating. With its wartime background, brisk plot, and crisp sentences, this original and suspenseful hero tale will engage independent readers and also captivate the storytime crowd. Use it with Emily Arnold McCully's The Battle for St. Michaels (HarperCollins, 2002) and Susan Bartoletti's The Flag Maker (Houghton, 2004) or with Peter Roop's Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie (Carolrhoda, 1985) or Deborah Hopkinson's Birdie's Lighthouse (S & S,1997).—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

K-Gr 2—Emily has a tiger living inside her. Whenever she gets angry or frustrated, it comes out and does lots of damage. Her parents' helpless reaction to all of her tiger tantrums is always the same: "Oh, Emily, what are we going to do with you?" After she wrecks the house, spoils a birthday party, and sends a plate full of food sailing through the air, Emily's granny pops in for a visit and shares her secret: she has a tiger inside her, too. It seems that Granny's tiger knows how to control herself, and likes to be happy instead of mad. Emily likes the sound of that, and gets right to work adjusting her tiger's attitude. She restrains herself on the playground, eats all her carrots, and voluntarily gets ready for bed. Later that night, Granny Tiger and Emily Tiger slip out and magically bound all over the neighborhood, in perfect harmony with everything. This effort at whimsy-with-a-message is something of a lame, confusing idea built around a weak metaphor. Most of Latimer's images are capably rendered in acrylics and incorporate collage, but the collage elements are arbitrary and inconsistent, adding little to the presentation. There are better stories available about children who act out: Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry (Scholastic, 1999) springs to mind.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

K-Gr 2—Imagine a world without numbers. Madly trying to replace them, but to no avail, two-dimensional, wide-eyed, nattily dressed animals cavort on brightly colored pages, conversing in rhyme about how pervasive and needed numbers are. Adding, subtracting, scoring games-neither winners nor losers can be chosen in sporting matches and elections. Money has no value, and the questions and confusions about postage, addresses, calendars, time, age, library-book due dates, telephone numbers, computers, calculators, heights, and weights grow. The story concludes with the culprit revealing himself—a numbers thief, armed with a vacuum, sucking up all of the numerals in his attempt to make the longest number to reach infinity. The animals celebrate once the numbers have been returned. Yet, the library books are overdue, and the judge offers a punishment that will seem illogical to readers. Still, children will enjoy locating the hidden numbers and brainstorming the countless ways numbers are important in their world.—Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR

K-Gr 3—Martin is teased by bully Adrian because he has a small zizi (penis). In fact, all of the boys tease him after someone opens the changing room door at the swimming pool just as he is removing his wet swimming trunks. To add insult to the situation, Adrian tells Martin that he'll never be able to pee very far, and that the winner of a urinating contest will become the boyfriend of the girl Martin likes. Wacky illustrations in a brownish-gray hue accompany this quirky tale. In fact, one large unappealing picture of the bully with his scowling bulbous eyes is downright grotesque and frightening. In the end, the good guy gets the girl, "Because love/isn't a question of a zizi/—large or small." The entire story smacks of adult jokes and sensibilities. It is difficult to imagine the audience for this book.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

K-Gr 3—This tale about the beloved Froggy will not disappoint devoted fans. School is over and it is time for him to go to Camp Run-A-Muck. After two false starts, he arrives and is happy to find that its leader is his long-suffering principal, Mr. Mugwort. Froggy is uncomfortable because he doesn't know anyone, but he soon makes friends and enters into the fun. Children will be delighted when he accidentally dumps eggs on Mr. Mugwort's head and later shoots him with a suction-cup arrow. As always, London's text is succinct, snappy, and full of fun sound effects. Remkiewcz's watercolor illustrations are humorous and action packed. This is a great book for youngsters who may be worried about attending overnight camp for the first time, or for anyone who just loves Froggy.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-Gr 1—Several residents of Colonial Williamsburg do their best to find out what is ailing Garrick the Gardener's horse. In a rhyming text, the characters are introduced and briefly described in terms of how they try to help the animal. The blacksmith checks its shoes, the milliner sews a blanket, the apothecary makes a special brew, etc. Through it all, the town crier acts as narrator, summing up the action. A glossary goes into more detail about the jobs, items, and places found in this colonial settlement. The watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations depict all of the participants as cheerful cuddly animals who talk and dress as people. The two horses in the story, however, do not talk and do not have clothes. That lack of consistency probably will not bother the intended audience, nor will the conclusion that Lancer needs a friend and will be happier pulling the gardener's cart if Mary the mare comes along, too. This book would make a nice introduction to Williamsburg for very young visitors.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 2–4—When Bailey comes to Hoover Elementary, Maya is picked to be her Welcome Buddy. At first, Maya likes having a new, lively friend, but at a sleepover, Bailey is cruel to another girl. Later, she overhears a conversation on the playground and broadcasts confidential information. Finally, after listening to Maya's parents fight, she spreads the rumor that they're getting a divorce, causing Maya to seek the school counselor's help. Ms. Bloom defines Bailey's actions as "trouble talk…. Spreading rumors, saying hurtful things, and sharing information that isn't hers to share are examples of the kind of talk that leads to nothing but trouble." She gives Maya tips on how to not get involved and to choose instead "kids who make you feel safe." As the story ends, Bailey works to remedy her conduct. Given the prevalence of these behaviors, young readers will readily identify with Maya's dilemma and appreciate the straightforward text. Colorful and expressive mixed-media art depicts a refreshing and realistic multicultural schoolyard. A foreword, geared toward adults, gives insight into this type of bullying, discussing the need to connect with others in constructive rather than destructive ways. Appended are an author's note with further tips for addressing the problem, discussion questions, and additional resources. This picture book would be well used by school counselors or social workers to interface with a child who's exhibiting or harmed by "trouble talk."—Martha Topol, Traverse Heights Elementary School, MI

Gr 2–4—Dan and his friends call themselves the Scrubs. They know they aren't among the school's top athletes, but they try hard, have fun, and "go for it, no matter what." Dan, however, is beginning to think he has outgrown his friends' mindset. He spends extra time training and worries more about winning than enjoying himself. He even starts hanging around with superjock Biff, the Scrubs' arch nemesis. When the gang begins rock climbing instruction, Dan is determined to be the best-no matter who gets in his way. But is he willing to trade friendship for championship? Like the previous installments, which began with Willy the Scrub (Darby Creek, 2004), this short, breezy chapter book emphasizes good sportsmanship and individuality. The Scrubs are a cohesive, supportive group who encourage one another, cheering effort as well as achievement. The dialogue is lively and realistic, with lots of humorous banter, and there's plenty of action. The large type, sports theme, and amusing cartoon vignettes make this an attractive choice with special appeal to reluctant readers, especially boys.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

K-Gr 2—Fox is hungry, and so begins his elaborate plan for a delicious dinner. He convinces Goose that she has no ears. She asks her friends for theirs, and even asks Fox for his, but to no avail. Then, out of the blue, Goose hears the siren song of Peacock announcing, "Ears for sale! Get your ears from Peacock's shop!" She fails to notice the bird's pointy snout, sharp teeth, and red tail as she follows him inside. Too late, Goose realizes she can hear, so she must have ears. Then, just as Fox reveals his dinner plans, Goose's sharp-eyed friends come to the rescue. This enjoyable story has just the right mixture of humor, friendship, and suspense. The text is aptly accompanied by Edgson's soft color illustrations; good detail and great expressions bring the characters to life. This delightful, if slightly familiar, tale is well written, perfectly illustrated, and a joy to read aloud. But it does beg the question, where are Goose's ears?—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—The duo that created Someday (S & S, 2006), a picture book celebrating a mother's affection and hopes for her daughter, now presents the reflections of a father about his young son. Once again, there is ample white space around the charming pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations. The artwork bursts with energy as the boy engages in all sorts of activities, such as playing with a truck, romping with the dog, and browsing through books. The straightforward text, written from the dad's perspective, recounts the simple things that are important to his child: "Little boy, so much depends on…a puddle to jump,/sand to dump,/truck down the hall,/pencil lines that mark how tall." A repeated refrain shows the youngster finding numerous fun uses for his "big cardboard box." This title may also resonate most with adults, though it has more child appeal than Someday.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—In this fictionalized picture-book account of an incident from Mackall's childhood, it is 1961 and Dandi's dreams center on baseball. She roots for her local pro team, the Kansas City A's, and she's a solid player who can get on base when it counts. She's bitterly frustrated when the boys ban her from their pick-up games because she's a girl. Then she hears about an essay-writing contest that the A's are holding; the winner will get to be batboy. Although the rules state "for boys only," Dandi enters and wins, only to be disqualified. Instead, the A's send her a consolation prize, a bat. She announces to the boys that she's batting, hits the ball out of sight, and walks away, purposely leaving the bat behind. She stops rooting for the A's, her passion for writing and baseball unabated, and her spirit strong and undaunted. Mackall seamlessly weaves a good deal of baseball trivia and slang into her tale, and Graef's folksy paintings add detail and character. Dandi is an engaging and sympathetic heroine, and her story will resonate with many readers.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3—Joseph describes his friendship with Jamal, a boy whose family immigrated to the United States from Somalia. He discusses their similarities-they both like to play superheroes and basketball and they sometimes get in trouble at school for talking too much—as well as their differences. Jamal's family reads the Koran, while Joseph's has a Bible; Joseph is intrigued when Jamal's mother serves pasta with bananas. The text is written in a breathless style with lots of dashes and exclamation marks to capture the casual speech of a child. Topics mentioned are of interest to young readers, such as food, smells (their mothers use different spices), games, etc. The lively, brightly colored collages consist of original photographs of the main characters and stock photos of food or objects with thickly painted outlines and accents added. Both text and pictures project an energetic, friendly tone, with the exception of one page that shows several men holding guns. Joseph says, "Jamal's mom and dad were born in Somalia, in Africa—but a lot of fighting started and people were getting killed. It was very dangerous, so they had to escape. They came here because there's no fighting." A useful title for discussing friendship or the reasons for emigrating.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 3–5—Esmerelda Swishback McCarther has spent most of her seven years living in four different countries on four different continents with her military family. Arriving back in the United States, she and her brother begin school in a suburb of Washington, DC. Unfortunately, her father must leave for a tour of duty—100 days and 99 nights. Saddened and fearful for him, Esme gives him the precious remnant square from her "blankie" to take with him. While he is away, she struggles to remain dutiful and strong, traits that her family values. Madison authentically portrays the stresses experienced not only at home but also in the classrooms of children whose loved ones are away at war. When Esme and her friend Martina spearhead a project to help the troops by collecting scrap metal, the entire community becomes involved and the news reaches her father, who proclaims Esme a hero. This is a light yet realistic novel about a reality well known to many American families. All branches of the armed forces are featured in some capacity although Esme's father is a sergeant in the Army.—D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

PreS-Gr 2—Mansfield has written a short, loving reminiscence of Christopher Hogwood, a well-loved pig adopted and raised by him and his wife, naturalist writer Sy Montgomery. The Good, Good Pig (Ballantine, 2006) details their life with Christopher from a tiny runt carried home in a shoebox to the huge (700-plus pounds) hog whose loving personality deeply touched their lives and the lives of their hens, their neighbors, friends, and even strangers. In this story, the huge hog lets himself out of his comfortable pen and goes on a spring jaunt, enjoying some lettuce in a neighbor's garden; rooting a winding trench through a lovely green lawn with his flat nose; then scaring away the backhoe operator with his congratulatory bellowing. Finally, bribed with an apple, he allows the town policeman to lead him home. Moser's realistic double-page watercolors introduce youngsters to an endearing, bright-eyed pig whose obvious enjoyment of the small pleasures of life in his rural village is contagious and childlike in its naïveté and sincerity-possibly the reason that Moser has placed himself in the role of policeman. Mansfield's story provides insight into realistic porcine character and behavior in a most enjoyable format.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 3–6—Sir Lancelot as a lighthearted, comic figure? Mais oui! Although he is the envy of every man and the object of desire for every woman, he's more concerned about keeping his armor shiny and taking naps than anything else. He's witty and clever and deftly defeats all challengers. With aplomb, Sir Lancelot even handles being shot in the bum with an arrow. Ultimately, he gets so weary from being confronted and chased that he decides to become a hermit. Guinevere's honor needs saving, however, and Lancelot returns. Illustrations, many full page, are scattered throughout. Not for the Arthurian purist, this easy-to-read tale will delight nonetheless. The book's brevity and humor make it accessible to reluctant readers, and it is a fantastic read-aloud.—Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

PreS-Gr 1—Billy and his best friend, a small stuffed rabbit, experience their first night with a babysitter while Mama goes to her pottery class. She explains why Billy cannot go with her as she gives him his bath, and her friend Lucy takes over the bedtime routine of singing a good-night song and tucking him in. But Rabbit is restless and Billy can't fall asleep. Lucy reassuringly calms his fears and tells him that his mother will be able to find her way home. The gentle watercolor pictures perfectly match the story of the teddy bearish youngster and his Mama-bear-type babysitter. This warm and fuzzy book is a good choice for soothing a child's separation anxiety.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2—Right from the glittery cover showing animal ballerinas dancing, it will be hard for young readers to resist this book. Emily the dog dances everywhere, always wears pink, and has high expectations for her first dance class. Unfortunately, her fellow classmates (a pig, cat, and rabbit) would rather play soccer, paint, or watch shyly than work on their "Oh, Little Bug!" dance. With her hopes for new friends and a wonderful princess costume dashed, Emily and her mother seek consolation at the local candy shop. At the next dance class, the pup shares small bags of jellybeans with Nicole, Anna, and Bitsy. She reminds her equally discouraged fellow dancers that, just as the first letters of their names spell out "bean," each jellybean's different flavor still goes well with the others. The dancing Jellybeans decide to make their routine special, and each one uses her talent to teach a performance-related skill to the others. With cute bug costumes and a new sense of camaraderie, the Jellybeans have a winning recital and celebrate with a trip to the store for their favorite candy. Expressive cartoon animals in pastel colors dance and stumble across the pages in an endearing fashion, working out their problems and appreciating each other's uniqueness. Despite a layout best suited for independent reading, the characters and ballet school setting also hold wide appeal for young listeners.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

K-Gr 2—When a postcard arrives announcing Uncle Bernie's imminent visit, Mom smiles, Dad grins, and the baby stares, wide-eyed. But big brother is clearly suspicious. Why isn't his uncle in the family photo albums? This line of inquiry is accompanied by mental pictures: Dracula poised to strike, a bank robber sneaking away with the loot, a technomonster that shows his fearsome teeth, etc. In the next scene, someone is knocking as the door splays, bursting at the frame. Uncle Bernie is indeed very large, very hairy, and has very big feet. Hilarious illustrations include a spread of feet, legs, and protruding tummy—plus the back of the boy's head, looking ever so tiny. The two pages are really a three-page foldout; readers finally get to see Uncle Bernie's head and torso. From where the narrator is standing, the view is downright mountainous, and the boy delves into research on "Bigfoots." The homey artwork is filled with delightful touches such as the way the youngster pictures his future self when his dad tells him that he'll probably get hairier, too, when he's older. The lesson here is that "There are a lot of people in the world and all of them have something a little different about them too," and the author adds a ton of fun by way of leavening the message. O'Connor is a sardonic, imaginative, and exuberant illustrator, and though the story stops in its tracks at the boy's uncharacteristic insight, it is only for a moment.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-K—Bouncy text and simple rhyming couplets take readers through a day in the life of a little girl and her pet as they play in the mud, enjoy a car ride, get in the way of the cat, go for a walk, and finally cuddle up together in bed. "New puppy,/young puppy,/soft puppy,/small./Grow, puppy,/run, puppy,/chase, puppy,/ball." Children will delight in the expressive, brightly colored gouache and pencil spreads of a smiling, round-faced youngster with large, oval animal-print glasses and her pup. Perfect pacing and large, uncluttered pictures make for a delightful read-aloud. While simple picture books about new puppies may seem to be everywhere, this one is sure to bound off the shelves.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—On Dylan's fifth birthday, he and his mother celebrate an annual ritual on Cape Cod. Yawning, they steal out to the beach while a few stars are still twinkling and wait at the shore for a swift, precious peek at sunrise—"A flash. A wink. A baby sun." This is a quiet story, peacefully illustrated with Catalanotto's watercolors (always tranquil, sometimes surprising in perspective and beauty). Paratore's language is likewise soft and startling: "Dad is still honk-snoring away. Huck's in dog dreamland." But the shadow muting this year's sunrise is The Baby. "Now I'm big, and soon Mom will have a new baby….it won't ever be the same." Dylan's thoughts, and his mother's sensitive responses, are portrayed gently without minimizing their power. The chiaroscuro of Dylan's emotions is echoed in the muted violet and gold of early morning at the shore.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS—Lively rhythm, effective sound words, and an eclectic collection of toddler-pleasing animals all combine to create a charming bedtime book. As a child and her mother begin their evening ritual, they wonder about how different animals say good night. Soon parent and baby pairs are hanging or skittering or bathing or howling and growling their nighttime wishes. The vocabulary will enhance the read-aloud experience, e.g., "Mama Penguin and chick would stumble and slide/on slippery rocks in a hug-and-kiss ride." Soon, however, all are "tucked in tight" with the toddler surrounded by the small stuffed versions of the featured animals—all except slow Sloth and her cub. They began kissing on the first spread, and on the last page, they are "still…kissing good night!" It's an ending that's sure to elicit giggles from young listeners. The layout of the art and text adds to the fun as many of the characteristics and action words swirl across the page or pile up on top of each other. Illustrations, done in soft watercolors, range from full-page bleeds to small ovals and feature characters that swing or prance across the white space. The book is similar in approach to Claire Freedman's Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones (Good Bks., 2005) but it has more humor. It should find a place in most collections even if they already have Freedman's book or Dawn Apperley's Good Night, Sleep Tight, Little Bunnies (Scholastic, 2002).—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—As in Punctuation Takes a Vacation (2003) and Nouns and Verbs Have a Field Day (2006, both Holiday House), Pulver and Rowe tackle another grammar lesson with humorous examples and whimsical illustrations. The students in Mr. Wright's class have decided that they have had enough of silent letters; they can't be heard and they make spelling too tough. After listening to their complaints, their teacher urges them to email the local newspaper to demand the banning of silent letters. When the letters find out, they decide to escape from the missive and teach the class a lesson. The editors of the newspaper respond with an editorial criticizing the children's "poor" spelling, whereupon the letters reappear to convince the youngsters of their importance and that practice will make the children better spellers. The acrylic cartoon art floats in mid-air against a vivid blue background, yet the usage depicted in each example is clearly matched with the speech each letter is trying to make. This topic could have easily resulted in a didactic lesson, but the story line and examples of silent letters or letter pairs appearing in everyday words lighten the presentation.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

K-Gr 2—A boy sits in a corner of his empty classroom, his misdeeds recorded on the blackboard. Without a bit of remorse, he muses, "Soon, the entire world will know of my big plans." He climbs to a mountaintop and shouts: "I got big plans! Big plans, I say!" This line becomes his mantra and is repeated many times. On the way down the mountain, he meets a mynah bird who becomes his sidekick. They head into the city, where the boy runs a big company. While flying its helicopter (with the mynah as pilot), he sees the local football team losing a game. They land the helicopter midfield and score a victory. The boy appoints himself mayor of the city and then President of the United States. There's a photograph of the White House inserted in the middle of Smith's wacky drawings. Next, it's off to the moon, where he does some redecorating. When he blasts off for his trip back to Earth, he spells out the refrain using moon rocks. Now the whole world knows. The last page shows the youngster still in the classroom corner. Smith's vivacious illustrations make this a book to pore over as there are new details to notice with each reading. The format is oversize, and the text and drawings appear in a variety of sizes and shapes. A funny and far-reaching selection.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—A child narrates her experiences with a friendly sea serpent in this quietly quirky book. The creature drops out of the bathtub faucet while the girl is bathing and the two immediately begin playing and splashing. She puts him in the aquarium next to her bed and, as they converse, she discovers how he ended up in her bathtub and that he longs to return to the sea. She is determined to take him back, but the next day it's too rainy to go out. After a few more days of precipitation, the serpent, who has grown too big for the tub, points out, "the rain isn't any wetter than the ocean," and they decide to make the trek. At the shore, the serpent is reluctant to leave his friend, but she gently assures him that his new adventures in the ocean will be spectacular. The lovely watercolor illustrations are lush with vivid blues and greens, and the bathtub and underwater scenes are full of movement and life. The impressionistic paintings allow readers to fill in details. The text flows well and highlights the strong bond between the child and the serpent, a bond that will hold even when they are oceans apart. A great choice for one-on-one sharing, and as a bedtime story.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

PreS-Gr 2—This alphabet book catalogues favorite places—everything from a "Candy Store" to a "Jungle Gym" to a "Quiet Place." Arranged alphabetically, each spot is preceded by the corresponding capital and lowercase letter. The rhyming descriptions of the locales are a bit clunky: "In the art room at school, I create in my own way./I can paint. I can draw. I can mold a pot from clay./Once I even made a lizard out of papier-mâché./All around are stacks of paper. Brushes line up in a row./I see chalks, crayons, and markers in bright colors, like the rainbow." The digitally rendered cartoon spreads give the 26 milieus a warm and cozy feel and feature diverse children. Additional.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1–4—Swain bases this story on her father's remembrances of attending the August 1963 March on Washington, DC. Fed up with Janie's impulsive behavior, Mama sends the girl on a bus trip with her father to hear Martin Luther King, Jr., speak at the Lincoln Memorial. Not many "black folks" live in Janie's part of Indianapolis, but she's seen TV news reports of "coloreds" being sprayed with fire hoses and chased by police dogs in the South. While boarding the bus, she meets the wife of one of her father's employees. Mrs. Taylor is an elegant black woman who wears a matching suit and "hat like Mrs. Kennedy." During the journey, the driver can't locate a restaurant that will serve a "mixed crowd." When they stop at a gas station, Mrs. Taylor decides to ignore the "No Coloreds" sign over the restroom door. Inspired by her determination, Janie accompanies the woman and helps teach the young attendant a quiet lesson in compassion. Listening to Dr. King speak, Janie realizes that his dream is important for everyone, not just African Americans. The text effectively describes Janie's experiences, and readers can easily imagine how they would respond in similar situations. The illustrations provide a strong sense of the period. The soft earth tones and rounded forms create a mood of safety and stability. This heartfelt tale provides an unusual and compelling perspective on a historical event.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-K—It's Cow's birthday, and Pig and Mouse decide to bake a cake. They follow the standard recipe, mixing eggs, flour, and sugar, but Duck wants to add a turnip. Outvoted, the duck nevertheless persists in trying to contribute the special ingredient, even as the others top off the finished treat with candles. A surprised Cow is overjoyed to be feted, and on seeing her friends hold up their gifts exclaims: "Is that what I think it is? Oh boy, this is the best birthday ever…a turnip." Told in simple language, this whimsical story is illustrated with somewhat abstract cartoon drawings in bright colors and strong black lines. Some of the spreads have a cluttered appearance that may be a bit confusing to the very young, but children will delight in the humor.—G. Alyssa Parkinson, Highland Township Library, MI

K-Gr 3—A green iguana who has been left at school during spring break chronicles his escapades in his diary. Without his 25 best friends in Ms. Lee's second grade, Cesar is "a puddle of sadness." Then he discovers other unattended classroom pets, and he relishes tanning under the French fry heat lamp in the cafeteria, playing hockey in the teacher's lounge, and making art in the guinea pig's room. A renegade class-mouse-gone-wild makes Cesar contemplate utter freedom, but minding Peace the turtle's advice, he follows his heart and returns to Ms. Lee's room. Some of Cesar's droll humor and fresh perspectives are interrupted by an unexplained phrase such as "thanks to Daniel's karate kick, I got my own journal and pen." Some forced puns break up the flow as well, as when Cesar encourages hockey players to "give Peace a chance," and later takes Peace to the world (a globe). Rogé's acrylic cartoons emphasize the comedy with bright colors and creative poses. Pair this with Holly Meade's John Willy and Freddy McGee (Marshall Cavendish, 1998) for another tale of escaped pets, this time in the home, or Megan McDonald's The Night Iguana Left Home (DK, 1999) to contrast a pet who decides to leave for the wide world.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS—A simple text and spacious spreads speak of the boundless love of a parent for a child, in this case Big Bear and Little Bear. The soft-focus illustrations blend well with the text to carry the message. However, some of the metaphors may be difficult for a preschooler to comprehend, such as, "I love you as bright as the sun" or "I love you as blue as the sky." Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick, 2003), Barbara Joosee's Mama, Do You Love Me? (1991) and Papa, Do You Love Me? (2005, both Chronicle), and Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny (HarperCollins, 1942) all convey the same emotions in more understandable terms.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 1–4—In this picture-book remembrance in verse, a young girl describes life with her German immigrant grandfather on his farm. Through seasonal activities—planting, harvesting, butchering—the old man teaches her the lessons of life. Years later, in the "final season," the girl feels sorrow at the man's death and learns one last lesson from him. Life is filled with love and joy, and also pain, but hard work, supportive family, and faith in God will sustain her. The story is divided into six sections. Grandpa's Enkelin (German for granddaughter) is a child in the first four, a college student when Grandpa dies in the fifth, and grown when she speaks in the last. The free verse flows smoothly as it describes a bygone era when farm work was done by horses, not tractors. It describes the activities and weaves in lines from Grandpa's song, Du, du liegst mir im Herzen. The old-fashioned times are reflected in the artwork, with bearded men, women in long skirts, and horse-drawn wagons. The elongated, sloped-shouldered people have downcast eyes that present the humble, stoic traits suggested in the verse. The paintings mix the style of P. Buckley Moss's Amish works with Depression-era regional art. This sentimental title will have a faithful, but limited, audience.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

K-Gr 2—Every year, the Finch family attends the State Fair. Though his parents and sister consistently bring home ribbons for their talents, Frederick's loud voice always stops him from doing well in the contests he enters, from turkey calling to checkers, and he has yet to be a winner. In springtime, when the competitions are announced, he takes his mother's advice to try something new and sews a brightly patterned patchwork shirt to enter in the Boys' Fashion Fair. When he drops off his garment, he is disappointed to discover that the other submissions are much more sedate. Then he happens upon a brand-new event—a Mom-Hollering Contest—and is awarded first prize for his Ferris-wheel-rattling yells. His day is complete when he also receives a blue ribbon for "Loudest Shirt." As in Sophie Laguna's Too Loud Lily (Scholastic, 2004) and Alexis O'Neill's Loud Emily (Aladdin, 2001), this title uses humor to illustrate how even an unusual and often-considered-negative talent can be useful. Frederick is a likable character who perseveres and continually tries to succeed. The watercolor-and-ink illustrations humorously depict the boy's trials without giving away the surprise ending.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

K-Gr 2—Via simple text and illustrations, children are told what a dog, frog, duck, rooster, and cow say in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. The one constant is that the cow always says "Moo." The text follows a repetitive pattern: "In English, the rooster says, 'Cock-a-doodle-do!' In Spanish, the rooster says, 'Key-key-ree-key!' In French, the rooster says, 'Ko-ko-ree-ko!' In Japanese, the rooster says, 'Ko-kay-ko-ko!'" Each phrase has its own page featuring the animal and an iconic item (the Eiffel Tower, a bullfighter, etc.). Cow gets a spread to herself and the statement, "But everywhere, the cow says, 'Moo!'" The spare and colorful cartoonlike pictures mix the look of folk art and digital precision. Bold primary colors and heavy black lines abound. A glossary includes proper and phonetic spellings. Overall, this is an interesting book that may appeal to children interested in different cultures.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 1—Ever-industrious Ruby wants to buy two Fire Angel flashing rings, one for herself and one for her friend Louise. They decide to sell lemonade so that they can earn the necessary two dollars. Max wants to lend a hand, but Ruby does not want his help, so he sets up a competing business, selling old Halloween candy that he found in his closet. He manages to sell the lot to his grandmother, who drives him to the novelty store. After a successful day at the lemonade stand, the girls cycle to the same store, only to discover that the last Fire Angel flashing ring has been sold. It's no surprise who bought it. Wells is treading familiar ground here as Ruby is outfoxed yet again by her younger brother. It hardly seems fair, though, because Ruby is guilty of no more than trying to do a good job and earn her own treat. But fans of this rabbit duo will be happy. The illustrations are clean and bright, making liberal use of pastel backgrounds and shiny metallic detail to accent Ruby's jewelry, the chrome on Max's fire truck, and the dimes on the front cover. A pleasant, though uninspiring, addition to the series.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Logan wants to talk to Grandma on the telephone, but he keeps getting the wrong number. The youngster dials "Bee-bee-bee-bah-beep!" and waits expectantly. Lifting the gatefold reveals a sheep on the line. Other misdirected calls interrupt a duck painting a picture, a cow baking a cake, and a hungry crocodile bookmarking the "Logan Pie" recipe in his cookbook. Then Grandma phones her grandson and invites him to her birthday party, along with all of his newfound friends. At the celebration, she reminds everyone of proper etiquette: "no phone calls at the table, please." This slight, silly story is enlivened by onomatopoeic phrases, colorful multimedia artwork, and clever page design.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 3—The incorrigible bird returns in his fourth full-length romp. This time, Pigeon voices another common childhood dream: he wants a puppy. And he wants it NOW. He even promises to take care of it: "I'll water it once a month." He argues his case so forcefully that a puppy appears, but it's more than he expects: "The teeth! The hair! That wet nose!...I mentioned the teeth, right?" So he sets his sights on a different pet. Kids will love this perfectly paced picture book, which offers both the expected (breaking the fourth wall, Pigeon's classic temper tantrum) and a new twist (Pigeon actually gets what he wants? Impossible!). Willems's hilariously expressive illustrations and engaging text are cinematic in their interplay. Maybe kids won't appreciate the genius behind it the way adults will, but that won't stop them from asking for this book again and again.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 1–4—Three princes, Primo, Secundo, and Terzo, are in need of brides, but only the oldest must find a real princess—one fit to be the next queen. When two bedraggled young women arrive during storms, Secundo and Terzo become enamored of them, and marry them even though they are not quite real—they do not feel the gold peas that the queen has placed under many mattresses. Finally a real princess's sleep is disturbed by the presence of a solitary pea. The king and queen have parted with all of their gold, but that solitary pea provides them with a fresh source of income. The story, referred to as a traditional tale rather than attributed to Hans Christian Andersen, is liberally laced with numbers, all highlighted by a different font. Children can count the windows in the castle, add up the number of servants, determine how much gold is remaining, and perform other tasks suggested at the back of the book. The text flows nicely and the illustrations, done in acrylics and collaged papers, are intricately detailed and will invite children to pore over them repeatedly. A nice twist on the original with opportunities for readers to interact with the text.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS—This book quickly runs out of steam. The pages are filled with adorable illustrations of a cherubic infant who grows into a cute toddler who is always accompanied by a stuffed tiger and a cat whose thoughts are captured in dialogue balloons. The child enumerates his achievements, from wearing "nappies" to crawling in the first year; speaking, walking, and potty training in the second; and joining a play group in the third. With text like, "Bouncing in my jolly jumper was fun./Bounce/Bounce/Bounce/Sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night," the cuteness factor is beyond reach by the time the boy reaches age three. There are many books that use the same theme successfully, including Judith Hindley's Baby Talk (Candlewick, 2006), Ruth Krauss's The Growing Story (HarperCollins, 2007), and Elaine Greenstein's As Big as You (Knopf, 2002).—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—These books, illustrated in a style evocative of Japanese anime, explore relationships between words through bright pictures and die cuts in the pages. Quack Shack covers the "ack," "ick," and "ock" families ("locks rock" and "chick licks…") while Wet Pet looks at words in the "et," "ed," and "am" word families ("bed sled" and "ram on jam"). Thus, "jet" becomes "pet" when the cutout page is turned. Young connoisseurs of Hello Kitty and caregivers who want extremely simple readers will gravitate to these cheery titles. The fragile pages will probably not hold up with extended use, so be prepared to order multiple copies if there's a high demand for this type of book.—Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA

PreS-Gr 3—A simple rhyming text leads children from page to page and photo to photo in the discovery of "faces" in ordinary objects. Each page has a short line of the verse and a color photograph of a manmade or natural object with facial characteristics. The photographs are clearly focused and cropped so that viewers can zoom in on the countenance. The subjects include buildings, a kitchen pot, a tree, mailboxes, and more. Youngsters will delight in finding the eyes, noses, and mouths. Some faces are more challenging to see than others, but all will encourage children to find faces even beyond the book's pages. With a format similar to Tana Hoban's books, this title will appeal to the same audience.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 2–6—Arnosky's infectious enthusiasm for nature is evident in this short overview. The author invites readers to notice the variations among the tracks of different animals native to North America and the ways that the tracks of individual species can change and fool us. Readers learn that bears walking on slippery surfaces splay their toes so that their tracks give the impression of a larger animal. Arnosky lets children in on these insiders' tips with the amiable tone of a knowledgeable guide. Three kinds of illustrations support the text. The left side of each spread displays one of the artist's signature paintings with a colorful setting backing up a precisely rendered animal. Pencil sketches of rows of tracks with measurements hint at the notebook he keeps (and surely hopes that his young readers will keep as well). Finally, life-size paintings of indented prints serve as a guide for readers lucky enough to find an animal track for comparison. Four fold-out pages add to the appeal of the book as a package but may not hold up well through many circulations. There are a number of other books on this topic for children, including Arnosky's own Crinkleroot's Guide To Animal Tracking (S & S, 1989; o.p.), but this new entry is worthy of purchase for its inviting format and its promising premise that kids can find tracks, interpret them, and have a great time outdoors.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

PreS-Gr 1—This picture book is based on the familiar nursery rhyme, "One Potato, Two Potato." One by one, 10 potatoes pop out of the ground to experience silly, unrelated things: a big black crow flying over them, being covered in snow, a rodeo. Two fruits, Tomato Flo and Watermelon Moe, join the fun briefly before the potatoes roll back to the garden and "Tally-ho!" into the ground. The fuzzy-edged, childlike illustrations were done in Adobe Photoshop and complement the bouncy tone of the text. This will be fun to share, and even young children will soon have the rhyme committed to memory.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

K-Gr 3—The biblical story of the Exodus tells how God, through Moses, prevailed upon the hard-hearted Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery by sending 10 terrible plagues to Egypt. This slim picture book retells the story in rhyme. Bright cartoonlike illustrations bring an over-the-top humor that cannot quite mask the horror of a river turned to blood or of dying cattle. The lighthearted verse is slightly forced, but bounces along at a rollicking pace. The most interesting aspect of the book is the color coding that allows it to be used as a reader's theater script. Note, however, that the parts vary in difficulty. The narrator is assigned a great deal of complex reading, while most other parts are short and repetitive. The end, when Pharaoh finally lets the Israelites go, comes abruptly and does not include the parting of the Red Sea. This book will be welcome in Jewish and Christian educational settings and may enliven family Passover Seders, but it does not provide enough context for general readers to make sense of the glossed-over terrors within.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–5—These introductory overviews are marred by occasional oversimplifications and omissions in the text and the full-color photographs, maps, and drawings. Every page is packed with text and attention-grabbing boxes of related information. The works often shine with down-to-earth comparisons, such as water usage in the everyday activities of bathing and flushing a toilet (Water Cycle). Theoretical explanations are often accompanied by real-world examples, and simple activities are included throughout, such as how to make a miniature water cycle in Ecosystems. However, some informational tidbits are confusing. For example, a dangerous increase of seven degrees Fahrenheit in body temperature is described in Weather, but this numerical increase is compared to "-14 Celsius," and the negative number is confusing in the context of the effects of overheating. Global warming is described as mainly impacting sea levels, but the worldwide impact will be felt in different ways in different places. Also, many of the photographs are not clearly labeled. The Caribbean oil spill of 1979 is illustrated in Natural Resources with a photograph of an oil-smeared puffin, a northern bird. These flawed titles are not essential purchases.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 1–3—Modeled on "Over in the Meadow," as were her Over in the Ocean (2004) and Over in the Jungle (2007, both Dawn), Berkes's rhymed tour of the solar system is framed as a dialogue between Mother Sun and her satellites. The verses introduce very basic concepts along with each planet: "'Tilt,' said the Mother /'I tilt,' said Three./So it tilted on its axis/And the seasons came to be." Pluto and its fellow dwarf planets, along with some of the solar system's smaller residents, also rate mention. The information is accurate, if not always well phrased ("Saturn really 'blows'…") and is backed up at the end with two full spreads of additional planetary facts, plus further resources and pages of suggested classroom activities. Mason's big, spattered, swirling starscapes were created with melted crayon and add loads of visual appeal to this astronomical primer.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 3 Up—Boynton is at it again, celebrating music with a CD/book kit that's filled with lots of '50s-style fun. She's urging her audience to gather 'round for "17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never," sung by a cast of recognizable names from that era. Well, they'll certainly be recognized by the grandparents, anyway. But grandparents, parents, and children alike can enjoy this collection as they listen to such classics as "One Shoe Blues," sung by none other than B.B. King; "Blue Moo," sung by Steve Lawrence; and three numbers by "The Uninvited Loud Precision Band." There's "Speed Turtle," sung in pure Beach Boys-style by Brian Wilson; "With You," a '50s-style love song by Bobby Vee; and "Rabbit Tango," performed with great verve and panache by Patti Lupone. "About the Singers" includes a photo, biography, and past hits for each artist, even those who are fictitious. Each song is labeled in jukebox fashion: A-1 through A-14. As she did with Philadelphia Chickens (Workman, 2002), Boynton has combined a roster of celebrity singers, good humor, and lots of creativity for a gift of music and fun for every member of the family.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Gr 1–4—After quoting a traditional Salish story about the origins of buffalo on Earth, Bruchac describes how a Nez Perce boy and his father found an orphaned calf in 1873 in Montana and carried it to a friend who had a small herd. The story shifts, somewhat abruptly, to this man, a historical figure named Walking Coyote, who helped to save the species from extinction. With his wife and son, he led nine calves over the mountains to the Salish people. As the herd grew over the years, he finally found a landowner who agreed to keep it safe, making it possible for its descendants to thrive today. The gentle narrative eloquently conveys the beauty and importance of this animal; though there is a bit of adventure during the journey, the heart of the tale is the respect and commitment shown toward the buffalo by Walking Coyote and others. The orphaned calf became the herd's leader, and her courageous actions represent the spirit of the species. Richly atmospheric oil paintings capture the magnificence of the creatures, the kindness of the people, and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. An afterword updates the fate of the buffalo, providing details of how this herd led to the successful growth in the later 1900s.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

K-Gr 2—Trite chapter titles in the form of questions are only the beginning of the problems with these simplistic volumes. Each of the four or five single-spread chapters contains four to seven large-font sentences opposite a full-page color photo. Vocabulary is so limited that in Tractors other large farm machines are called tools, while the brushes in Street Sweepers "turn around and around." In Trains, freight cars are described as having "air holes for carrying animals." Almost every photo is from the Internet. Readers with any agricultural background will question some of the statements in Tractors. These machines do not plow fields; plows do that (and an outdated photo of such an implement will cause students in farming areas to laugh). While providing some protection for the driver, a tractor's cab is intended more for comfort than safety as stated in the text. A vehicle without a cab is described as having an outside seat, leaving readers to wonder, "outside of where?" Trains states that some railroad cars have their own engines, in contrast to locomotives, but no name or image is furnished for these other types of conveyances. The use of magnetic rails is mentioned but not explained. Sweepers implies that the driver sits in the cab while the controls operate the machine, and mentions that some sweepers spray water, but does not explain why. The only Web site listed in the books is that of the publisher. Not worth considering.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 3–5—Written in the present tense, these "time travel guides" present basic facts about culture, religion, geography, daily life, and other topics of interest. Leveled texts and simplistic sentences dilute much of the information, leaving readers with only the most banal understanding of the civilizations. For concrete readers who struggle with the abstract concept of history and time, the present-tense writing could be confusing, although there are time lines in the back matter. These titles only scratch the surface of complex societies, offering up generalizations that can be ineffectual, at best, and misleading, at worst. "The Ancient Greeks fight a lot" is an example of this type of oversimplification, leading readers to a perhaps unfair judgment about ancient Greek society, when in fact only particular city-states were specifically militaristic. The layout is fairly engaging and the photography and artwork are solid, but the supporting text lacks the kind of depth that report writers and interested students may be looking for. The DK "Eyewitness" or "National Geographic Investigates" series are better choices for this age level.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

PreS-Gr 3—Similar in style to the author's I Am an Artist (Millbrook, 1992), this book shows girls and boys in various movements that can be defined as dance steps. In Collins's free-verse poem, they "shimmy out of bed," splash in puddles to the "steady drip-blip of rain," fly a kite, and play ball. Graham's beautiful oil paintings are filled with solidly built children on the move, while some of the backgrounds are almost ethereal. Even the brushstrokes convey action. This book is a lovely merging of art and poetry and gives a delightful sense of joyful motion. Paired with Rick Walton's How Can You Dance? (Putnam, 2001), it would make a great storytime selection.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

K-Gr 3—Each book includes 14 wordless "lessons" with four steps in each. The stylized black-and-white line drawings move left to right across the spreads. Details are minimal, and perspective, scale, and shading are not addressed. The lessons, almost without exception, result in full-frontal or side views. The final step is in full color but the drawings are never put into a context. Potentially complicated drawings are simplified; e.g., only the heads of a tiger and monkey are included in Jungle Animals. Young artists may find some of the content ho-hum. Sports Things include different types of balls, a bat, and a golf club. Thanksgiving includes leaves and bowls full of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberries. Also, the depiction of the Native American is stereotypical. Watercraft includes a raft, a kayak, and a submarine. A concluding page in each volume describes lines and their characteristics. These small volumes will get lost among the larger and ever popular but more advanced series, such as Lee J. Ames's "Draw 50…" (Doubleday).—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 3–5—A poignant memoir of a boy caught in the difficulties of life in Maoist China, this is the author's own story of how he was given a chance to break the bonds of his bleak life and become an international star. First told for adults in the bestseller Mao's Last Dancer (Berkley, 2005) and now available in a Young Readers' Edition of the same name (Walker, 2008), this picture-book version is an inspiring tale of the willingness to make the most of one's opportunities, even when it entails tremendous personal sacrifice. Li and his family lived the life that most ordinary Chinese endured during Mao's reign: substandard housing with little to eat and less to hope for. When his teacher recommended him for the Beijing Dance Academy, he got his chance to break free, but he had to train far away from his home and family. Li's intense training paid off, as he was offered the chance to dance with the Houston Ballet, and his greatest dream was realized when his parents were finally able to come to the U.S. to see him perform. This fascinating, heartfelt story is perfectly matched by Spudvilas's masterful paintings. The somber grays and blues of the first part of the story underline the bleakness of Li's life, giving way to bursts of color when he defects to America. The figures are beautifully drawn, with infinite care given to details of expressions and surroundings, resulting in a realistic portrayal of the people and places.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI

PreS—This entry in the "It's Time" series of Jewish holiday photo-essays is a charmer. Adorable preschoolers, including children of Asian and African descent, take a pretend trip to Israel to celebrate Israeli Independence Day, a common practice in Jewish schools across North America. From the imaginary plane ride on a row of chairs, to picking pretend oranges from a kibbutz orchard, to visiting a Western Wall made of blocks, the staples of Israeli tourism are re-created. Youngsters explore the desert (sand spread on a sidewalk), swim in the Dead Sea (a blue blanket on the floor), and join a parade. Straightforward text describes each photo: "It's time for lunch. Here is a felafel stand. Sophie likes salad in her felafel. Emily likes French fries." This book is a must-have for Jewish preschools, where the ideas will be familiar and the accompanying craft activity ("Israel's Birthday Hats") will be appreciated. Those looking for simple introductory materials about the country itself should try Sylvia Rouss's Sammy Spider's First Trip to Israel (2002) or Judye Groner's Let's Visit Israel (2004, both Lerner).—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 2–4—Eighteen classic songs have been transformed here into versions that range from the silly to the slightly disgusting to the extremely gross. Such titles as "Take Me Out to the Graveyard," "Creepy, Creepy Little Jar," and "If You're Scary and You Know It, Clap Your Paws" are accompanied by watercolor and mixed-media illustrations, mainly in earth tones, that make the words seem even more revolting. Sung to the tune of "Oh My Darling, Clementine," "My Delicious Frankenstein" has lyrics like, "Oh, my crispy. Oh, my crunchy./Oh, my frosted Frankenstein./You're so yummy…in my tummy…/My delicious Frankenstein." The song is illustrated with a downtrodden-looking monster, complete with whipped cream and a cherry atop his head. He's portrayed against a red-and-white-check tablecloth and opposite a woman licking her lips and brandishing a carving knife and fork. Children will recognize all the songs parodied here, making them easy to sing. These selections may not have quite the inventiveness or creativity of some of Alan Katz and David Catrow's collections, notably Where Did They Hide My Presents? (S & S, 2005), but they certainly have appeal.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—Each book has creative endpapers depicting kitchen supplies, an editor's note advising adult help and supervision during preparation, opening material that consists of a brief description of the government's new "MyPyramid," cooking tips and terms, a conversion chart, and labeled drawings of the tools needed to complete the recipes. The 13 dishes in each volume (divided into easy, intermediate, and advanced sections) have catchy titles sure to pique the interest of budding chefs, such as "Holiday Snowflakes" (S'mores), "Prepare-to-Share Salad" (Meatballs), and "Hot Dog Pizza Boats" (Tacos). Every recipe has color illustrations of tools and steps for that dish, the number of servings, preparation time, and "this recipes includes" icon(s) (showing grains, milk, etc.). There are loads of meals to try—roll-ups, pita pockets, couscous, pasta, fish, turkey, potatoes, lemonade, popcorn, chocolate fondue, decorated cookies, and more. Notes ("Lemons contain vitamin C") and food facts ("Wonton wrappers are similar to pasta") are included in some entries. These titles will be popular additions.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—This contribution to the celebrity canon is by no means the worst, and Foxworthy's collection of light verse courts both fans of the comedian and their children. The brief poems are perfect for rote memorization assignments and cover familiar, kid-friendly topics like lost baseball hats and bubble baths. Björkman's artwork peppers every page with tykes and friendly suburban wildlife in perpetual states of pop-eyed delight. Alert readers may spot a note on the verso of the title that suggests an "I Spy"-esque hunt for images in the illustrations for the poem "What Do You See?" The suggestion looks and feels like an afterthought, buried as it is in fine print amid the bibliographic data. But never mind; this is still a respectable choice. Kudos to Foxworthy for his role in the production of an appealing, easy read.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 1–5—A collection of mostly short poems about the treasures to be found "At the Beach," "In the Attic," "In the Mountains and Desert," "At the Flea Market," and "Beneath the Ground." Each section contains six poems. A driftwood bird, sea glass, a porcelain doll, baseball cards, a bronze star, a fossil, a sand rose, die-cast cars, comic books, puppets, spear points, and pottery jars all become subjects of well-crafted rhyming verses whose metaphors can bring them to life. For example, "Geode" begins, "I cracked a stone egg/dark as smoke,/and found, inside,/a crystal yolk…," and "Abalone Shell" is depicted as "a melted rainbow cupped in pearl." The imagery is enhanced by the full-color photographs that accompany a little more than half of the poems. Sometimes full-page, sometimes elegantly placed in minimalist fashion on the smooth white page, the photos, with their intense color, clarity, and focus, indeed make treasures out of these objects. A few of them have Robbins's signature hand-colored slightly surreal look, and all of them increase readers' appreciation of the lines. It's a puzzle why there is a steadily decreasing number as the book goes on, and why the photographer didn't illustrate something as unfamiliar to children as "tourmalines." Overall, though, these appealing looks at one man's treasures have immediacy and verve and spread the joy of discovery that makes collecting fun.—Nancy Palmer, The Little School, Bellevue, WA

Gr 1–3— Sharing the same format and (except for the poetry and related commentary) some of the same content, these books begin with a section called "What Is Poetry?" Here, simple terms like line, rhythm, and stanza are explained using examples from a short poem. An "I Can Read" section follows, with five or six compositions easy enough for early readers. In "Read with Me," the selections are a bit more difficult. "Kids' Corner" provides two poems written by children. Last is a spread of writing ideas called "Become a Poet!" The quality of the entries varies, from classics such as Eleanor Farjeon's "Cat!" to others that are less memorable. The colorful, simple graphics are greeting-card bland. Still, these books have appealing elements and offer some helpful ideas. If you can only buy one, Guppies is probably the best for both literary quality and child appeal.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 1–6—This book takes the search-and-find game to a new level, providing a fun entry into history. An opening rhyme gives readers an overview of all they're meant to find on these animated pages. They are asked to count the Uncle Sam hats, find the bald eagles, and identify all of the presidents. The faces of other famous Americans are also identifiable, such as Babe Ruth, Elvis, and Henry Ford. The final two pages list all of the individuals depicted, the authors of various quotes, and clues to the puzzles. The book is set up like a treasure hunt, a party game with clues from Aunt Jeanne as she leads her nephew around the country. Each page focuses on a new sight, be it a city such as New York, Boston, or San Francisco, or a place—a ballpark, a rodeo, or Mount Rushmore. The illustrations are delightful, full of energy, color, and thoughtful composition. They are jumbled but not random. Most of the people have cartoon faces, smooth and round and sweet, but interspersed among them as part of the crowd are true-to-life portraits—Louis Armstrong plays his horn on a riverboat and John Wayne watches the rodeo. Young readers will be engaged by all there is to search and find among these pages. This could be a treasured stepping stone to a greater understanding of American culture and history.—Martha Topol, Traverse Heights Elementary School, MI

Gr 3–6—The first part of this book is the fictionalized diary of Nefret, one of Cleopatra's young handmaidens. Many of the traditional stories surrounding Cleopatra and her dealings with the Romans are related, some of which are perhaps not completely true. The second part gives the historical background of ancient Egypt at the time of the queen's rule in a style reminiscent of the "Eyewitness" series (DK), while also tying the history into elements of Nefret's story. Because the whole book is relating aspects of both Egyptian and Roman history in relatively little text, it can only cover part of the story. The narrative, however, is not vague, and the second half has wonderful details about hairstyles, meals, and religion. The map of Alexandra adds great context, and the glossary and index make for easy navigation. The cover, with its three-dimensional jewels, is similar to that of the "Ologies" series (Candlewick), but the inside contains none of the extras, although it is no less exciting. The diary half of the book is illustrated with splashy full-color cartoon-style characters that have little bearing on reality (for example, Cleopatra is depicted as quite beautiful), but are humorous. The historical half has some illustrations but is mainly filled with photos of artifacts and paintings of ancient Egypt. This is a fun approach to Cleopatra's life and history, and readers will find it educational and entertaining.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Basic ballet techniques are presented in an accessible manner for very young dance enthusiasts. A group of bunnies don leotards and slippers before heading to the studio. Warming up, they "Stretch and bend, up and down, side to side. Keep tummies in." The simply drawn acrylic illustrations show the boys and girls demonstrating positions, and the easy-to-understand text gives further guidance: "Make a V with heels touching"; "Arms rounded in front, as if holding a big ball." Pliés, relevés, and arabesques are practiced until it is time to thank the teacher with a curtsy or bow and end the class. Although the rabbit heads on top of human-looking bodies seem oddly mismatched, this is a gentle introduction.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 2–5—Princess Marge, daughter of King Gluteus and Queen Esophagus, who is nearly doomed by an irate fairy to homicide by a pie wagon, has the harsh sentence modified by another ("half-deaf") fairy, Tintinnitus. The princess will become a sleeping dragon and will "one day" be awakened by "a quince." Although all pies (and pie wagons) are banned by the king, the "kind and beautiful, sweet and clever" princess has her foot run over by a suspicious but unrecognized pie wagon on her 16th birthday and becomes a loudly snoring dragon. You know the rest! Hale's sassy, tongue-in-cheek tale may sound like just another silly "Sleeping Beauty" rewrite. However, enriched by Fine's large, double-page watercolor paintings with their whimsical human visages, distinctive fairies, and frog courtiers; the inimitable sleeping dragon princess; a repetitive refrain ("Yada, yada, hippity-hop"); and those cacophonous snores, this fantastic story is a delightful treat that begs to be read aloud.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

K-Gr 3—A fluid retelling of a traditional folktale. A good-hearted barber, who sets up his business under a tree "in a small village in Bengal," does not like to charge customers who are down on their luck. His angry wife finally tells him not to return home without money. He goes to the next village and spends the night under a tree, where he encounters a ghost who threatens to eat him. The barber holds up a mirror and scares the ghost into bringing him a pot of gold and building a house filled with rice. When the ghost's uncle appears, the clever barber manages to frighten him with the same trick and ends up with a second building filled with rice and more gold. At the end, the man is back under his village tree with enough riches to share, surrounded by people who tell him stories while he trims their beards or cuts their hair. Digitally created illustrations in solid colors are printed on fabric, lending texture and depth to the artwork. The ghosts' whimsical facial expressions effectively show their gullibility, and the background colors shine through their bodies to emphasize their ethereal nature. However, the depiction of a generic Indian background in the outdoor scenes misses the opportunity to showcase Bengal-specific details of setting or clothes. A background note includes sources.—Monika Schroeder, American Embassy School Library, New Delhi, India

Gr 3–6—The experiments in this collection are based on everyday things in students' lives, such as Jell-O, potatoes, cereal, foggy mirrors, and exploding soda. Each one has clear, step-by-step directions and culminating questions. Ways to expand and change the projects are also included. Jokes are interspersed to add a bit of fun, and safety tips are included in the introduction and experiments designated "Adult Supervision Required." The illustrations offer a glimpse of what the experiment will include. There are many science-fair books available, but this one clearly introduces the steps necessary to prepare an entry for such an event.—Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

PreS-Gr 2—This story creatively shows that even animals recycle—in this case, it is a burrow under a tree that, from season to season, becomes home to a variety of different woodland creatures. After a woodchuck moves out, a mother rabbit raises her babies there. She is followed by a salamander that hibernates in it, a raccoon and her brood, and milk snakes that coil in a knot in it. Later chipmunks live there, followed by a skunk family. Finally, readers are brought full circle as a plump woodchuck uses it for his winter shelter. Simple factual information is woven into the text and in the illustrations. It includes the season the animal uses the burrow, or what it is lined with, or what the animal eats, or the number of young in a litter, or predators from which they hide. The book concludes with a short paragraph about each of the featured species. Valério's acrylic illustrations are colorfully impressionistic rather than realistically detailed. Each depiction of "moving day" is action-filled. Young children will enjoy this appealing beginning fact book.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 3—5—Forecasting! describes how the science has changed over time, moving away from reliance on proverbs, animals, and insects; highlights the instruments used to collect data today; and discusses how local stations monitor current readings and how national and world meteorological centers provide information to news outlets. Using the same chapter-per-spread format, Hurricane! and Twister! explain how these storms are formed, where they most often occur, and how scientists categorize their strength using measurements such as the Enhanced Fujita Scale for tornadoes and the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Hurricane! also covers naming systems. Hirschmann chronicles some related devastation and provides tips on how to be prepared. Color illustrations and/or photos explain concepts on every spread, though some are small and sometimes difficult to decipher. These works will be useful to students with some preexisting knowledge of the concepts.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 3–6—Hiscock has long been into "big"—think The Big Rock (S & S, 1988) and The Big Caribou Herd (Boyds Mills, 2003)-and here he focuses on North America's second-biggest owl. Snowies are Arctic dwellers whose sporadic irruptions into more southerly climes bring out birders with binoculars in bunches. Hiscock's realistic, detailed watercolors perfectly match his prose in this inviting "biography" of a typical Snowy during a cycle when lemmings, the birds' choice prey, are few. Following Ookpik from egg to hatchling to fledgling to a young adult forced into a southward flight to avoid starvation, the author presents not only the owl's general behaviors and preferred habitat, but also its coping skills in adapting to a biome not its own. A final page proffers a bundle of facts on Snowy owls-range, size, food, courtship and nesting behaviors, and more. Elegant and informative.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 3–5—"Nebamun wasn't very important. He wasn't very rich. But he knew the right people." His sumptuous 3500-year-old tomb is now lost but, focusing on surviving fragments from its walls that are now in the British Museum, Hooper offers engaging insights into how ancient Egyptian tomb paintings were created, and also how to understand what is going on in them. Illustrated with close-up color photos and speculative cutaway floor plans, plus views of goods and paintings from other tombs of the same period, this quick study will be useful for history and culture assignments, and as an effective enhancer of art-appreciation skills.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 3–5—These series entries explain in simple terms the duties and dangers of each line of work, as well as the personal qualifications and training required to take it up. The first title covers criminal investigations both on the scene and in the lab, with side notes on the (in)accuracy of the popular CSI TV shows, useful chemicals, and crime-scene types, from minor burglary to major bombings. The second book supplies information about fire watchers, "sawyers," "swampers," smokejumpers, and pilots. Both titles include simplified lists of specialized gear, full-color photos of workers in action, and multimedia resource lists. Both titles are routine assignment fare—good where needed for curriculum support but unlikely to kindle or feed an early interest in their respective occupations.—John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 3—Through poetic language and sweeping illustrations, this picture book tells the story of the biblical patriarch and matriarch Abraham and Sarah from Sarah's point of view. From her early support of her husband's revolutionary monotheism and throughout their many journeys together, Sarah is portrayed as graceful, loving, and faithful. However, her sadness about remaining childless through the years has made her lose her bright laughter. With the birth of Isaac, when she is gray-haired and wrinkled, she finally laughs again "and the whole world clapped hands and laughed with her." The events of the story have been simplified, and the focus remains tightly on Sarah's feelings. While this version may be short on biblical detail and historical context, it does a beautiful job of exploring the emotions behind Sarah's actions. She is most often portrayed in storybooks as an old woman, and it's a pleasant change to see a pretty, bright-eyed young woman and her handsome husband. Ugliano skillfully ages the characters as the tale progresses, adding a sad patience to Sarah's expression that makes her joy in the final pages all the more compelling. This lovely retelling deserves a place on the shelves of any library that collects religious materials.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–5—These titles are derived from former titles by the author including the "Historic Communities," "Life in the Old West," "Colonial People," and "Native Nations of North America" series (all Crabtree). Each volume is divided into 15 chapter spreads that vary widely but generally focus on aspects of daily life, including clothing, food, homes, and work and other activities. The treatments are cursory, particularly in Native Communities, which attempts to cover the entire North American continent. Each spread has an introductory paragraph and includes an assortment of small and spot illustrations. Terms are defined in paragraphs or in captions accompanying the many color drawings. Labeling these titles as dictionaries is somewhat deceptive. Owners of the earlier series won't need them, and others should consider North American Indian (DK, 2005), Joy Masoff's Colonial Times (Scholastic, 2000), and titles from Sally Senzell Isaacs's "Picture the Past" series (Heinemann Library) instead.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

K-Gr 2—Most teachers will agree that bringing complicated topics to a young audience is not easy, and Korb does it with mixed results. Air discusses the qualities of the substance and its benefits to humans, the atmosphere, and pollution. Unfortunately, the book oversimplifies the answer to the question, "What holds an airplane in the sky?" by responding with, "Air is even strong enough to hold up an airplane!" Henry Pluckrose's Air (Gareth Stevens, 2001) is a better choice. Clouds is the best of the bunch, but there are many other great choices available on the topic, including Tomie dePaola's The Cloud Book (Holiday House, 1975). Dirt explains the necessity of soil, the different types, and how they are formed. Its text is a step up from Air's, but in one of the illustrations, an ATV is being driven through a sprouting field, leaving readers to wonder if fragile plants are being damaged. Alice K. Flanagan's Rocks and Soil (both Compass Point, 2000) are better choices. The format is consistent throughout the books—each spread contains one or two short paragraphs in a large font. The illustrations are bright and bold, but, although fun, do not contribute to the information. Overall, the simplified writing in these volumes may leave readers with more questions than answers, and some of the illustrations can be misleading.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Gr 2–4—Young George Carver loved knowledge. He and his brother were raised by their former owners once slavery was abolished and the boys' parents died, and the younger child learned to ask questions and search for ways to continue his education. This biography introduces readers to Carver by illuminating small details of his life—how a friend's compliment persuaded him to add "Washington" as his middle name, and how he first entered college as an art student. Discrimination of the post-Civil War years shaped Carver's life, but love of learning and sharing his knowledge shaped his character. Krensky reveals his subject as an unselfish, humble man who believed his talents to be "God-given." Clay's full-page acrylic portraits exhibit both action and individual expression. The book concludes with a time line of the scientist/educator's life. With a flowing text suitable for either leisure reading or reports and quotations that reveal the man behind the scientist, this book makes a fine addition.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Gr 2–5—Dragons, centaurs, hobgoblins, and 11 other mythical creatures of worldwide origins feature in Larios's short poems and Paschkis's distinctive folk paintings. Caught for eternity in compromising situations, some creatures, such as the gargoyle, wax melancholy. "How can a beast fly/with stone wings?/I fly when the bells ring/and the hunchback is home." As in Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary (Harcourt, 2006), this bright compendium pairs each poem with a richly drawn and colored scene. An element from the painting is echoed in a decorative letter announcing the poem's title. Though brief, the selections sometimes carry sophisticated cultural references, making this title more relevant to an older audience than the earlier collection. Of the thunderbird, for instance, Larios writes, "Cedar scented,/he carries the wind/in his bent beak./Rainmaker./Whale hunter./Great Tlingit chief." The final page carries a brief paragraph describing the area of origin and the behavior of each creature. It's all a quick and alluring peek at some of the best-known denizens of folklore. Storytellers and classroom teachers will find many uses for these poetic nuggets and the art, both of which will be savored by folklore and fantasy readers of all ages.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 2–6—This colorful travelogue recounts the Lewins' trip to Mongolia to experience the annual summer celebration Naadam, in particular the horse-racing competition. It focuses on young Tamir as he prepares for and participates in the event. Information about Mongolian culture and the holiday's traditions are interspersed with an account of the competition. An introduction provides brief background, and unfamiliar terms are explained in context and in the glossary. Betsy Lewin's lively line-and-wash cartoon sketches and spot drawings are intermingled with Ted Lewin's sweeping watercolor paintings, which make effective use of light and rich color to portray both the intensity of the competition and the pageantry of the celebration. For the most part, the writing is tight and fast-paced, reflecting the event it describes. At other times, it becomes flowery and chatty. While perhaps not an essential purchase, the book provides a dynamic view of a culture rarely portrayed in children's books and an event that is sure to interest many young readers.—Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI

Gr 3–6—This attempt to bring stories of adult bad behavior (and civil disobedience) throughout history to children in a humorous way falls flat. Colorful gouache paintings on each spread feature figures from Hannibal and Napoleon Bonaparte to Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks, in their "time-out" locations in jail or in exile. Modern details, such as a garden hose and a "bling, bling" necklace in the Middle Ages, inappropriately appear in some of the pictures. Adults may appreciate the humor but the "mostly true" stories will confuse children. This is not a source for reports and it's just not that amusing.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

K-Gr 3—In this retelling of a traditional fable, Bat cannot decide whether he wants to be on the Animals' or the Birds' soccer team. At first he chooses the Animals, but when they start to fall behind, he switches to the Birds. When they start to lose, he tries to switch back. The Animals find his lack of loyalty distasteful and eject him from the game. The text is compact and has an innate rhythm characteristic of a veteran storyteller. Nobati's full-page, digitally created color illustrations are highly stylized. Readers must look carefully at some of the players to try to decide what kind of animal they are. Despite this, the pictures are full of action and re-create the mood of a heated soccer game.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 1–3—Each of these titles describes the history and traditions associated with these holidays, and then presents eight related crafts. Chinese New Year includes instructions for dancing dragon puppets, red gift envelopes, and Chinese lanterns; Day of the Dead gives directions for making paper marigolds, skull masks, skeletons, and window banners. The crafts contain materials lists and color photos of the steps and of the finished product. The directions are easy to follow, and enlargeable patterns are provided. These titles would make good additions to collections in need of cultural materials.—G. Alyssa Parkinson, Highland Township Library, MI

Gr 2–4—Addressing readers in a lively, breezy manner and inviting children to explore the structure and operation of their own bodies, this book has brightly colored pages with large cartoon-style illustrations and diagrams. The easy-to-read text is set in fairly large type and does an adequate job of explaining how the body and sensory systems work. Each paragraph or related group of short paragraphs is headed by a key word or words in bold type. In the center of each spread is an illustration, the right half of which has a bound-in flap that lifts to reveal an internal view of the body part. The spread labeled "Touch it! Taste it! Hear it!," for example, discusses nerve messages for touch, taste buds, the hearing receptors, and balance; the closed flap shows the areas of taste reception on the tongue; and the opened flap reveals a diagram of the inner-ear structure. This is a clever means of introducing body structure and functions in a way that children will enjoy reading and viewing.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–4—Murphy addresses these emotionally charged topics in a basic and direct manner. The book defines the terms and explains the differences between separation and divorce. It also covers various emotions and feelings that are often associated with them. The writing is frank yet sensitive enough in its approach and the accompanying full-color photographs effectively illustrate the text. A solid introduction to a tough topic.—Kristen Frey, Rocky River Public Library, OH

Gr 3–6—This collection of 11 articles originally appeared in Highlights magazine during the 1990s and early 2000s. Each article tells how a scientist was able to unravel a mystery about some kind of animal. Myers's stories about dolphins, polar bears, elephants, and other animals contain many interesting scientific facts and are written in accessible and engaging prose. The book has a clean, uncluttered layout that invites consecutive reading. Most of the pages have attractive watercolor illustrations. Each article opens with a humorous picture, and more informative images and diagrams appear in the body. This is a good choice for children who can read chapter books, and who enjoy nonfiction.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 2–5—In this newly illustrated edition of the well-known poem, a young girl courageously faces a series of dangers. When threatened by a bear, "Isabel, Isabel didn't worry,/Isabel didn't scream or scurry"—instead, she eats the bear. She also consumes a witch, decapitates a giant, and defeats an evil doctor. This book lacks two stanzas that appear in the version illustrated by James Marshall (Little, Brown, 1991; o.p.), which suggest that the foes that Isabel faces are all in her dreams. There is no such consolation here. Isabel is so unflappable that readers are not sure which is more menacing, the girl or the monsters. Taylor's bright watercolor illustrations are well suited to the text. The protagonist, dressed in polka-dot shorts, sometimes looks innocent, but at other times impish. Each encounter with a formidable creature takes place in a different setting, and Isabel pilots herself around in a small airplane or a power boat, always accompanied by her dog. The illustrations are full of color and action. It's interesting to hear Nash's voice on the accompanying CD, but his reading lacks drama. The poem is likely to delight children who are comfortable with books that have a certain level of gruesome humor, such as Keith Graves's Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance (Chronicle, 1999).—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 2—As in Karate Hour (2004) and Building with Dad (2006, both Marshall Cavendish), the minutia of a specific period in time is brought to eye-popping life. Nevius's rhyming text chronicles a baseball practice session. The warm-up and drills are overpowered by Thomson's unbelievably photorealistic illustrations. While the story is of a team's effort to come together, the up-close, sometimes off-kilter images serve to capture specific moments for the participants, as if the artist took a camera and shot off one snapshot after another. The action is implied by the amazing detail, such as the stretch of a wrinkled pant leg as a runner reaches out to tag a base, or the determined purse of a young batter's lips as he swings his bat. Moments are truly frozen in this book. The effect is an odd combination of sterility and drama. Readers will not learn anything new about baseball in terms of rules, history, or technique, but they will see young athletes who are squeezing every second out of their baseball hour.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—A third-person past-tense narrative tells the story of Sam, a boy with Asperger Syndrome. Positive qualities are listed first: "Sam loved to giggle…. Sam was a happy boy." Next come some of his challenges: he is afraid of loud noises, he has trouble making friends, and he does not like change. When he leaves the house at night, walking all the way to the local fairgrounds because he loved the Ferris wheel so much, his parents know that something must be done. They take him for a check-up and receive the diagnosis. The doctors and therapists give them some suggestions for helping their son at home and at school. The book concludes with Sam playing the cello at a school concert. Because of the interesting story line, the positive approach, and the notion that others can learn to help Sam instead of expecting him to change, this is an excellent introduction to the topic. The pictures are bright and lively, showing mostly happy faces. The book concludes with 10 helpful tips to remember when a friend or a classmate has Asperger's. A useful introduction for both children and adults.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

Gr 2–5—Removal of one predator—the wolf—from Yellowstone National Park caused the decline of many animal species, subsequently changing the very terrain of the area as ponds and trees also disappeared. The rise and fall and interdependence of species are explained simply in this slim survey of some of the park's wildlife. Patent begins with the Congressional designation of Yellowstone as a national park in 1872, stating that in the early years the geologic wonders rather than the animals were the main attraction. The wolf was a popular hunting target, and its demise led to an overpopulation of elk and coyotes and a complex chain of effects. The format sets small chunks of text and two or three small color photographs on a black background at the far right of the spread. A large color photo fills the remaining space, with a framed sentence superimposed on the picture. The two blocks of text become repetitive, but they're apparently intended as a dual-level text, so that children can read either the briefer explanations on the left or the longer ones opposite. Bits of background terrain are seen in the pictures, but they do not capture the dramatic decline and renewal of the ecosystem suggested. There is no map to indicate the large size and location of Yellowstone. The book concludes with a review quiz with small animal photos.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

K-Gr 3—Patkau introduces a variety of prehistoric animals and their modern-day descendants. The opening comparison between a diplodocus and a skylark covers a full four pages, a nod to the diplodocus's size and scientists' theories about modern birds and their relationship to dinosaurs. The remaining comparisons are in no apparent sequence: mollusks, fish, arachnids, sea jellies, birds, amphibians, mammals, crustaceans, fish, and insects. Each one fills a spread. Three-fourths of each page is a boldly colored computer-generated illustration of the two animals in their respective habitats. A diagonal formed by the contrasting backgrounds is the only separation. Written in first person, the one-paragraph descriptions can include physical characteristics, habitat information, and diet. Maps on the endpapers show where all of the animals were or are found. The chronology, beginning with today and going back to Precambrian times, puts these creatures in perspective, although young readers may need some help interpreting the information. There is no diagram showing the evolutionary sequence from invertebrates to vertebrates. The colorful presentation will make this an enjoyable browsing book for larger collections.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 2–6—Anna and Peter, a mother and son from Sweden, visit the Costa Rican rainforest called El Bosque Eterno de los Niños (the BEN) and learn about its unique plants and animals. As they hike to various parts of the forest, Peter is surprised to discover that fundraising that led to the BEN's establishment began 20 years ago through the efforts of a second-grade class in Sweden. One of the children was his mom. Despite the amount of information conveyed in the narrative and conversations, the story doesn't seem contrived. Small cartoons of the people appear at the bottom corners of the large, colorful illustrations of various animals and forest landscapes. The central pictures are big enough for group sharing. Older readers can find out more about the individual plants and animals in the paragraphs contained in sidebars. A two-page explanation of the origins of the Children's Eternal Rainforest and photos of the area appear after the main text. Those who want to know more about the BEN's ecology and origins can find lots of photos and information in Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's Children Save the Rain Forest (Dutton, 1996). Pratt-Serafini's book serves as a good introduction to the BEN itself and to children's conservation efforts.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 2–5—Ross offers 22 fairy-related projects, including outfits, accessories, objects, toys, and games. Each one is clearly explained in numbered steps with color illustrations to complement the instructions. Children are provided with "Here Is What You Need" (easily available supplies) and "Here Is What You Do." A perfect choice for girls who enjoy crafting but who are too young for Heidi Boyd's Fairy Crafts (F & W, 2003).—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 1–4—The art in this loving tribute to the state is so colorful, evocative, and eye-filling that it is tempting to review the title solely as a book of pictures. The text takes the form of brief, undistinguished four-line verses that highlight some interesting features in the 14 locales, or give reasons for their historical or current importance. Some of the places are well known (such as San Francisco and Los Angeles) and some will be less familiar to children outside California (such as the Channel Islands and Eureka). The illustrations, done in brilliant acrylics, fill each spread with a burst of folkloric color and energy. The Capistrano swallows, the Forty-Niners in Coloma, the whales and otters along the coast—all are shown. The back matter includes an illustrated spread featuring the state flag, bird, insect, plant, and so on. Further information on all of the places shown is also appended. This book may not be adequate for reports, but it is a wonderful way to show children the spirit of California, and it could also be useful for families planning vacations.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

PreS—With superlight content and bare tidbits of information, these books are insufficient for library collections. Arguably, they are written at two levels, yet the brief text that swoops above the more detailed information consists of only three words per spread—a subject, a verb, and an object ("Cows have horns," "Cheetahs have paws"), covering nine animals. The simpler text monotonously breaks no further ground until the last page, which asks "What would you do if you had…" (horns/paws/scales), and is followed by labeled pictures of five more creatures that have the relevant feature. The more advanced text covers more, but in only a sentence or two, hardly enough to keep readers' attention. There are two high points for three- to four-year-olds: some interesting vocabulary, such as scutes (large scales), which unfortunately did not make it into the glossary; and the color photographs of the animals, which are well posed and framed in supersaturated colors. More suitable as board books, these works will elicit a puzzled "Is that all?"—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

PreS-Gr 3—Kanchil, a mouse deer, is a popular Southeast Asian trickster who manages to outwit larger animals that would prefer to eat him. In this adventure, he falls into a pit while eating some delicious rice cakes out of a banana leaf and not watching where he is going. Stuck, he conceives a clever plan that eventually enables him to finagle his way out of the hole by attributing sacred power to the banana leaf and fooling a large snake, a boar, and a hungry tiger. The beautiful, stylized East Indian artwork was created by applying paint on cloth beginning with geometric outlines, and then filling in details on light tan or deep green backgrounds. The pit appears as a series of circular playing cards: a variety of richly colored and patterned borders festoon the outside of the rim while the underside consistently shows a ring of fish. Instructions on how to make a simple card game provide an opportunity to extend the pleasure of this handsome book. Reminiscent of Betsy Maestro's charming A Wise Monkey Tale (Crown, 1975), Scott's version of the story is anchored within its cultural context, and an author note is appended. Light humor and colloquial dialogue combine to make this a fun read-aloud.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 3–5—These delightful books offer factual information in a quick, colorful format suitable for early or reluctant readers. Seuling presents just the right mix to make the reading enjoyable and the learning almost secondary. A small, digitally created illustration appears on each spread. In the first title, for each president, dates of service are given, along with about 10 entries, not all of them "Freaky"; for example, "On the day of his wedding, Gerald Ford showed up with one brown shoe and one black" and "Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to be on the U.S. Supreme Court, was appointed by Reagan." Porcupines focuses on idiosyncrasies of the animal world, such as "badgers play leap frog" and "deer play tag," and that the chirps of snowy tree crickets can be used to tell Fahrenheit temperature within two degrees. There are more than 100 entries in each book. Fun reads that are suitable supplements for reports.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

PreS-Gr 2—While many picture books feature animals sleeping, either individually or in mother/child pairings, this title takes the concept a step further. Not only are the creatures shown in their natural habitats, but they are also depicted in their natural poses. The sloth is upside down, the giraffe is gently resting its head on a high tree branch, and the clown fish are tucked in between the gently swaying seaweed. The calming and peaceful text winds down to a "good night, sleep tight" conclusion with a little boy tucked into bed, his cat asleep at his side. The lush full-color illustrations continue the soothing effect of the text, casting shadows and layers without being too dark or too heavily drawn. Two concluding spreads suggest animal sorting cards and activities, including fill-in-the-blank types of questions that give just enough factual and interesting information to keep young minds engaged either in a classroom, during a pajama storytime, or at home on a caregiver's lap.—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

Gr 3–5—These books have an accessible format and clear writing. Each one begins with a story to help personalize the information, such as one about presidential candidate Reagan visiting a coffee shop (in Leaders) or another about a student who is unfairly treated (in Basic Rights). Charts ("How a Bill Becomes a Law" in Parts of Government; "Three Branches of Government" in Constitution) aid understanding. Relevant issues such as the disputed 2000 election are highlighted in text boxes. Differences in federal versus state and local governments are noted, and unusual issues such as Native American governments within states and the voting provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act are mentioned. Black-and-white and full-color vintage and more recent photographs appear throughout. For a younger audience than the "Library of American Government" series (World Almanac Library), this set will be helpful to libraries looking to update their voting and government offerings before the 2008 election.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 1–5—Six chapters with colorful titles ("Beer, Bread, & Bartering" and "King Tut & Other Cool Kings") begin with facts about the topic under several subheadings. Short lists of "Words 2 Know," "Then & Now" comparisons, sidebars, and jokes appear throughout the sections. A few activities follow. For the most part, the step-by-step directions are well written and easy to follow, and they are accompanied by a helpful drawing or two. The information is basic and will not give new insights into ancient Egypt, but the facts are accurate and some of the activities are creative. The book is illustrated with humorous (but not realistic) black-and-white cartoon art. Though not an essential title, it will be of interest to children and their teachers as well as homeschooling families.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

K-Gr 4—"Long ago, before maps or words were used, a little island formed." This engaging picture book traces the dramatic changes that Manhattan has undergone through the centuries as animals, people, and buildings have filled it in different ways. Each spread jumps to a new era, with a sentence or two to describe the period and pictures that reveal much more. The art is rendered in a folk-art style, with purposeful shifts in line, perspective, and composition that give each spread a distinct feel. Strong vertical lines capture the "skinny row houses" of 100 years ago, sweeping curves show the arrival of more and more people in the mid-20th century, and a bird's-eye view of modern skyscrapers shows how "it grew and it grew and people still come." Though conditions change, every scene conveys excitement and wonder at the ever-changing, always-busy island. The broad tableaux include smaller details that fill in some intriguing specifics from each period, such as the mixture of automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in 1909 and the many historical people and events represented on an 18th-century quilt. Sharp eyes will also spot a ubiquitous pair of mice. A time line provides further background, including dates, for each illustration. This is an effective visual presentation that introduces the history of Manhattan and also explores how places change over time.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

PreS-Gr 2—Voake reveals the dainty signs of spring in watercolor and ink illustrations that accompany the traditional folk song, "The Green Grass Grew All Around." Alert squirrels watch a straw-hatted girl with a younger boy and a black cat as they stroll around and picnic under "the finest tree you ever did see." While this crew interacts, a spotty-breasted mother bird hatches, then feeds her offspring. The song's music and lyrics fill the end pages. Voake's light touch and array of green shades convey the very breezes of the day, where just stretching one's arms to mimic tree branches brings on a smile. Prepare, also, to be enchanted by three blue eggs with white dots that become a trio of singers who wrap up the tale with a final "Tweedle-Dee-Dee!" The large spreads will ensure successful storytime sharing, even if you're not a singer.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Gr 2–4—In this story meant to help children understand eating disorders, two mice respond to social stressors by overeating for comfort or by failing to eat at all. Billy Blue grows fat, while Sally Rose grows thin. They don't want to trouble their parents with problems, but they do eventually confide in an aunt. Expressing their concerns puts them on the path to recovery and healthy eating. The forced nature of the rhyming text detracts from the serious message of the story. "The way for you to be your best?/Get your Heart's words off your chest./Trust your family, don't pretend,/For love will be there in the end." Paintings in an old-fashioned, realistic style match the formal tone of the text. Back matter includes an extensive note to parents, discussion questions, and Internet resources. Because few fictionalized resources exist for eating disorders, this well-intentioned book may find an audience despite the stiff presentation.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD