Preschool to Grade 4

PreS-Gr 2—Alexander tells about his life with his two-year-old brother, who is not yet verbal and who won't play with him. Benjamin also exhibits strange behaviors. Then he is diagnosed with autism. When two teachers come to the house to help him with his language and social skills, Alexander is jealous of the extra attention his brother receives. As time passes, Benjamin begins to develop some language and is now able to play with Alexander, who is no longer embarrassed to have friends over. Realistic illustrations depict the characters and their emotions. The story's message is obvious and direct, as well as somewhat unrealistic considering that not all youngsters will make the progress shown by Benjamin. Still, the book may be useful as an introduction for young children who have a sibling with this condition.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

Gr 2–4—Bandanna Bear and Tuxedo Teddy want to vacation together, but the cousins have different ideas about what to do. The country bear wants to hike and explore and sleep under the stars. Tuxedo likes to shop, visit museums, and stay in luxury hotels. At first they take turns being in charge, with Bandanna leading them to Mount Rushmore and Old Faithful, and Tuxedo opting for Chicago and New Orleans. Soon, each bear becomes fed up with the other's idea of a good time. When they go their separate ways, however, they discover that they miss one another's company. They reunite, and the tour ends with lunch at the White House, where the president appoints Bandanna Head Ranger of National Parks and Tuxedo Honorary Historian of American Cities. Using "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" as inspiration for this cultural exploration is a fun and clever idea, yet the book forgets its purpose. The wordy text focuses on the bears' complaints rather than the diversity of our heritage. The text also gives a skewed sense of America's size as travel between destinations is impossibly quick. The illustrations have a folk-art flavor rich in color and precise details, with adorable dressed-up bears, but they are stiff and often lacking in depth. Readers are likely to become bored long before these travelers are through with their holiday.—Martha Topol, Traverse Heights Elementary School, MI

PreS-Gr 1—"Eeny, meeny, miney, moe!/Who ate all the cookie dough?" a kangaroo asks various animal friends as she searches for the culprit. Each creature denies the theft and joins Kanga in the hunt. Monkey seems the likely suspect until the critters lead Kanga and readers to a lift-up flap that reveals her pouched joey licking a spoon. The stylized gouache illustrations place the characters against white backdrops decorated with abstract patterns that suggest flowers and trees. The animals are large and painted with a light, humorous touch. This book's repetition and rhymes—reminiscent of the question-and-answer rhythm of Bill Martin, Jr.'s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Holt, 1983)—make it a good choice for beginning readers and for chant-along storytimes.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1–4—This is a quirky story in which an old woman who lives alone at the edge of a dark, scary wood is protected by her pet frog. The creature easily handles any danger by swallowing each potential evildoer whole. The first villain to meet his fate is Greedy Goblin, followed by Smelly Troll, and finally Giant Hungry Ogre. As each bad guy nears Mrs. Collywobbles's house, he recites a rhyme themed around his distinct characteristics. "Nickerty-noo, nickerty-noo,/if I get a chance,/I'll steal from you," sings Greedy Goblin. The tale ends with a wicked twist. The narration and illustrations are joined tightly together. The text describes the scene in the pictures, pointing out specific things to notice. "Look! There is little Mrs. Collywobbles, hiding in her bathroom." The pen-and-ink and Macintosh artwork statically captures the "action" and creatively portrays each character. As he gobbles each villain, the frog sits passively with the feet, tail, and clothes of his victim hanging out of his mouth. Bright, flat colors contrast sharply against the white background. Stylized flowers and leaves give the pictures a 1960s look. The odd deadpan humor will not appeal to every child, but older readers and literature students will appreciate the irony of this almost fairy tale.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

PreS—Most books about a child's first bed focus on a youngster's resistance to change or a new baby that needs the crib. Bergstein's book takes a natural approach by comparing a boy's growth to how different animals mature. In simple terms, each sequence describes how three animals are born, carried by their parents, take their first steps, and sleep in their own cozy small places and shows how a child parallels the experience. As the animals get bigger, each one graduates to a larger sleeping area, just as the boy is now able to do. The absence of the anxiety, whining, or excuses common to books of this ilk is refreshing. Rather, moving to a big bed is simply explained as the next step in the process of growing up. Soft pictures of birds, a sea turtle, a kangaroo, a koala bear, a dog, and a horse precede pictures of the youngster and his parents. The final spread, bathed in shades of blue, features several of the creatures asleep in their resting places as the boy and his teddy bear, shown through a window, are safe in their own bed. This sweet book provides a gentle, matter-of-fact introduction to a sometimes-difficult transition, and should be a first purchase for most picture-book collections.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—When the unnamed protagonist refuses to wear clothes because he doesn't like them, his parents spend the rest of the story trying to convince him why he needs them. Unpleasant but hilarious scenarios ensue describing what would happen if he went nude—no pockets for stuff, freezing in winter, the pain of stealing second base, etc. After considering all the arguments, the boy decides that if he must wear something, then he'll choose his own outfit, and off he goes dressed as a superhero, cape and all. This fun-to-read story is written in rhyming couplets. "If you went to school naked when the sun's overhead,/you would get a sunburn and turn very RED!/You might be confused with a big red tomato,/stewed in a pot with a russet potato!" The illustrations aptly depict each consequence, and the characters' expressions bring them to life. The pictures have a vaguely 1950s cartoon sensibility both in style and color choice, which works well with the text. This one's great for storytime or one-on-one sharing. Just be prepared for gales of laughter.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 3—A tale of separation anxiety, kangaroo-style. In a twist on Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny (HarperCollins, 1942), Mama Kangaroo, who "loves her little Jo-Jo a lot, lot, lot," tries to coax him out of her pouch. She shows him the beautiful things around them, like a bird and a cloud in the sky, and asks, "Wouldn't you like to be a floating cloud?" Jo-Jo has no interest—he wants to stay warm and protected in her pocket. She eases him out little by little, however, and places him gently onto the ground so that the two can bound off together to explore the world. It's okay now, because Jo-Jo knows that Mama "will always hold his heart in her pocket." The gentle, well-crafted text is sweet, but not overly so. The watercolor illustrations have a soft palette dominated by yellowish tans and light blues, and expressively portray a wise and loving mother with her shy, slightly fearful child.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Pres-Gr 1—At spring's arrival, Frog heads home to the pond, but stops to frolic with his pals Badger, Hedgehog, Rabbit, and Mouse. He borrows Mouse's lantern as dark approaches, is startled by the black "Pond Monster" (his shadow) that appears in the reeds, and flees in terror. Each friend takes a turn accompanying Frog back, each viewing her/his own version of the monster. When the first four see Mouse's shadow rise across the bank as she approaches, they realize their error and Frog finally splashes in. Preschoolers who fear the dark will relate to Frog's feelings, and will surmise the joke early on. Chapman's lush swamp paintings make perfect frames for the rounded animal stars. The refrain, "Woo-woo! the wind blew in the trees. Squeak-squeak! went the lanterns. 'Wait for me!' cried Mouse" provides interactive storytelling opportunities. Though the story is not particularly original in concept, the book's pace and large scenes will engage young listeners, and it could encourage active experimentation with shadows.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS—Carluccio tracks the ambient sounds in a baby's world from morning to night. Beginning "When the sun comes up, the birds start to sing," the rhyming text follows the youngster through his day. Vibrant painted-paper collages are sprinkled with labels identifying the sounds in each setting. For example, "tweet, tweet" is next to the bird outside the window; "swish, swish" appears as the child swings in the park; and "clank, clank" by the cement mixer on the street. Striped and polka-dotted buildings, sidewalks patterned with scraps of newspaper, and a taxi roof cut from what looks like a phone book all combine to make a stimulating, noisy environment for this simple story. Endpapers are filled with childlike drawings of things that create sound (cat, bee, fish, bells, bird, car, phone, tea kettle, etc.), providing another opportunity for toddlers to identify. This book is a fine choice for a lap-sit or a bedtime story.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 1–3—"One spring day, when the willow trees had turned green and the wind was softly blowing, a golden creature hatched, unnoticed, from a thousand-year-old egg." As he begins to explore the world, he encounters numerous animals, all of whom see themselves in him, and they name him Jin Jin. He has scales like the fish, claws like the eagle, emerald eyes like the hare, etc. He is advised to find Old Turtle and Crane, who will be able to help him solve the mystery of his true identity. On his journey, he meets many more animals, and also begins to find clues in the form of Chinese characters that guide him on his way. Finally, Jin Jin discovers not only who he is, but also why he is special. The place of dragons in Chinese culture is explained in an author's note, and there is additional information about Chinese characters. The writing is clear, at times lyrical, and nicely paced. The illustrations, done in Chinese watercolors, feature soft, peaceful greens that allow the golden Jin Jin, with his comical, expressive face, to take center stage. Dragons and dragon lore are always popular subjects, and this title will be appreciated by children longing for more.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 2—Mouse parents Mildred and Sam send their children off to Mrs. Sunnyseed's class, where they experience show-and-tell, take a field trip, and learn about planets. The topics are presented in three short chapters, and the soft-hued illustrations are appealing. However, the story is tinged with worry. Though Sam reminds his wife that "It is not that far," Mildred frets each time her children embark on a new adventure. Collicott plays up the fear factor by employing a peculiar device. Repeatedly, the mice children share a single dream in which they must confront threatening animals, such as an oversize moth, an enormous frog, and sky kittens, which put an end to imagined journey. Instead of focusing on children adjusting to school, this is a hovering-parent tale.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-Gr 3—For weeks the burning sun has been beating down on a small village in Kenya. No one is gathering firewood and no one is milking the cows. The water well has dried up and the crops are perishing. One evening, Lila overhears her grandfather tell a story about a man who climbed to the top of a mountain and told the sky the saddest things he could think of. The sky began to cry and the much-needed rain fell. The next morning, she sets out to find a mountain and talk to the sky. The rain starts falling soon after she pours her heart out, and "each raindrop felt like one of her mama's kisses." Lila and her grandfather keep the secret of how it came to rain to themselves. This quiet story offers inspiration and hope. Readers will sigh with relief to see the rain and will cheer with the villagers as they celebrate. The illustrations are quite lovely. A huge orange sun in a brilliant blue sky dominates most pages. The prominence of the brown baked earth intensifies the unwanted result of the lack of rain. Villagers and animals alike are stick thin. This story will work well both as a read-aloud and for sharing one-on-one.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

PreS-Gr 2—These kid-friendly stories illustrate symptoms and describe appropriate medical treatment for common childhood ailments. In the first title, Katie, a bear, is sneezing and sniffling and cannot practice for the ice-skating show. In Fever, little Peeper, a frog, is excited about the special picnic, but is not allowed to attend because he has a fever. Finally, Sadie, a giraffe, is preparing to go to the school fair but develops a sore throat. In each book, the protagonist's mother consults Dr. Hippo, a pediatrician. The bright, colorful illustrations depict comfortable home settings. Though the stories are formulaic and idealize doctor-patient relationships, they clearly describe the conditions and offer kids and caregivers suitable medical advice. A pamphlet for parents is included on the inside back cover.—Kristen Frey, Rocky River Public Library, OH

K-Gr 2—Mrs. Millie loves to play with words. On a field trip to Philadelphia, she amuses her students by substituting words with similar sounds to get new meanings. For instance, the kids are asked to wear their name "badgers" rather than badges. One field trip rule is to hold "hens" with your buddy. She takes the youngsters to see the Liberty "Bull" and, at Betsy Ross's "mouse," they see a flag with "thirteen starfish—one starfish for each colony." The students respond by calling her silly, over and over again. This is a one-joke book that quickly becomes stale. Broad cartoon illustrations show a cow in the classroom ("Cow are you today?") or chickens on the bus ("We don't want any lost chickens!"). Mrs. Millie with her frizzy red head, dressed in red, white, and blue stars and stripes, and her animated students make one happy group. This book fails in its attempt to combine the attributes of Amelia Bedelia and Ms. Frizzle. Nothing is left to readers' imagination and there's little educational value.—Martha Topol, Traverse Heights Elementary School, MI

Gr 1–4—Jim Mulholland is a young man ready to see the world as a cabin boy on the Titanic. He comes from a family with maritime roots; he understands the traditions of life on the sea, as well as its superstitions. When he is charged with taking care of the ship cat while the vessel runs through its trials and prepares for its maiden voyage, Jim takes his job seriously. And when the cat gives birth to four kittens, he becomes extra vigilant. He cannot believe how lucky he is to be working on such a beautiful new ship. But while the Titanic is docked at Southampton, Jim spots the cat removing her kittens one by one. Concerned that she has forgotten one, he takes it to her and consequently misses the sailing. His duffle bag, his dreams—gone. Six days later, he learns just how lucky he is. An author's note details how Crisp researched this true story about a ship cat and the boy she saved. Papp's fresh-faced Jim and winsome kittens provide a sense of optimism as they await the great adventure that will never be. The picture-book format works well for this brief episode in the disaster. Reluctant readers will be able to read this amazing tale on their own, while listeners with a taste for longer read-alouds will enjoy hearing it.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 3–6—Five pond geese trade security for the exhilaration of freedom to lead a lost one-eyed heron to the migration gathering in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Foolhardy Skylar has some vague memories of his first migration when he was grounded and left behind during a storm. He leads opinionated Roosevelt, stalwart Esther, pudgy Loomis, and anxious little Weedle through several adventures and scrapes to their goal. Liwska's shaded black-and-white pencil renderings work with the text to give readers a strong sense of place. Realistic geese behaviors and touches of humor keep pace with strong themes (facing fears and learning through experience). Grounded in nature, like Donna Jo Napoli's Ugly (Hyperion, 2006), Skylar also includes a fatal scene with a hunter. The writing is strong, though a few wobbly phrases such as "The sun opened the horizon like an invitation" and geese descending from the sky "as if delivered of it" may need some clarification. With its evocative descriptions and some challenging vocabulary, this book makes a great read-aloud.—Susan Hepler, formerly at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

PreS-K—Ready to go to sleep, a multi-legged, long-tailed monster heads upstairs and into a bedroom only to hurt itself on toy blocks left on the floor. Grossed out by stinky socks and shoes, a juice-stained sheet, and general untidiness, the creature decides to "Clean, clean,/I'll make the room so neat," while the room's young occupant snoozes in the bed. In the morning, the child awakens ("Ring,/ring,/it's time to start the day") and happily discovers his visitor ("Giggle,/giggle!/'A monster's come to stay./Let's play!'"). The watercolor illustrations at times show only part of the creature as its head or other body parts extend off the page. Its numerous arms allow it to accomplish many tasks at once, an enviable feature. The font varies, emphasizing action words in larger boldface letters ("Stuff,/stuff…") and the rest of the line is a smaller size ("the/clothes/into/the/drawers"). Rhyming, repetitive text and whimsical images whirl on the pages, making this a fun read-aloud.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—At the annual Elephant Islands Carnival, Ella reluctantly lends her treasured red hat to her friend Belinda, who loses it on the Ferris wheel. As the hat floats into the sea, Ella borrows Mr. Pelican's rowboat and sets off despite the rainy weather. Caught in a storm, she is washed ashore on an unfamiliar island. Luckily, Ella is welcomed by a friendly family who invite her in for lunch. Their fisherman father coincidentally has found Ella's lucky hat. When the storm passes, Ella safely returns home. After enduring a gentle scolding from Mr. Pelican and her mother, she promises never to take a boat out in stormy weather again. The next day, she sets off in Mr. Pelican's boat to bring a freshly baked pineapple pie to the family who came to her aid. Whimsical, fanciful, and refreshingly old-fashioned art is the hallmark of this series. While this adorable and independent little elephant's latest adventure is a bit far-fetched, fans of Ella the Elegant Elephant (2004), Ella Takes the Cake (2005), and Ella Sets the Stage (2006, all Scholastic) will enjoy setting sail with her.—Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 1–5—One snowy night in ancient China, a poor boy named Ping becomes lost while searching for firewood. A friendly innkeeper offers him shelter and food, while a great magician, also staying at the inn, entertains him. When he hears the boy express longing for wealth, power, and fame, the kindly man offers him a pillow that will grant his wishes. Sleeping on the pillow, which is decorated with the Taoist yang/yin symbol, Ping dreams of a long life. He commands an army, becomes prime minister, loses everything only to regain it once more, then watches his sons and grandsons repeat the cycle. In the end, "Money was like a flash of lightning in a summer cloud, power was like a flickering lamp, and fame lasted no longer than a bubble in a stream." Ping wakes to find his circumstances the same as they were, but his heart at peace. Demi sets her characteristic tightly drawn, flat-colored figures inside golden circles. Showing the fortunes of Ping's dream descendants, she fills the circles with repeating figures, decoratively visualizing an endless cycle of existence. A detailed note identifies the source for her story. The lesson Ping learns is central to Taoist and Buddhist thinking, so the book would pair nicely with Jon J. Muth's Zen Shorts (Scholastic, 2005) and Ed Young's Night Visitors (Philomel, 1995) where an introduction to East Asian thought is part of the elementary curriculum. However, adults may appreciate the book's message more than children.—Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams

PreS-K—On Sunday morning, a mischievous young dragon makes trouble for his mother and is sent to quiet time. Felix decides to deprive Mama of his special embraces (the "soft snuggle," the "super squeeze," and the "monster mash") and makes "No Hug" signs to place all over the house. As the day progresses, his mother trades "slobbery baby hugs" with his sister, while Felix keeps looking at the calendar and cutting the number of days with no hugs ("actually, I meant…Friday") until he arrives at bedtime, and admits that he can't go any longer. Mama agrees and is the recipient of a "super, special, gigantic monster mash"—and then one more cuddle for each day of the week. The last page shows Felix surreptitiously putting a sign displaying the word "hug" with a red "X" through it on his sister's crib. The soft-edged paintings show a lovable green dragon and humorously depict his antics. Many small details make this a book that perhaps would be most fully enjoyed one-on-one, but it could also be used for a dragon or days-of-the-week storytime. Featuring a believably childlike protagonist, a cozy parent-child relationship, and a satisfying resolution, it is a delightfully warmhearted choice for most collections.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-Gr 2—Doyle and Rinaldi briefly describe, in simple text and handsome artwork, the springtime birth of a foal and his first year of growth, culminating on a fine morning a year later when his young owner slips a bridle over his head and leads him quietly around the field for the first time. The stunning double-page oil paintings cover every inch of space, showing farm fields, barn stall, and paddock as well as the human and equine characters. Several illustrations are so realistic that they appear to be painted-over photographs. Like Cow (S & S, 2002), Horse is a beautifully rendered, loving introduction to a familiar animal.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

K-Gr 3—With fluid pen-and-wash artwork and lively text, the author/illustrator of Liberty! (2002) and The Flyers (2003, both Farrar) celebrates the centenary of the Model T Ford. Opening endpapers depict this old-timer along with a multitude of cars beloved throughout the 20th century. As the story begins, narrator Eliza enumerates her grandfather's talent with anything wheeled, from prams to skateboards, as well as his cherished long-term project, fixing up a Model T. Several years, and three more grandchildren later, the job is finally done, and Grandpa packs the kids aboard Tin Lizzie for a road trip. As they encounter escalating traffic and the resulting pollution, the family launches into an ecologically sensitive discussion of alternatives to current transportation. The kids brainstorm solutions, encouraging readers to consider their own ideas. Drummond's spirited illustrations neatly depict vehicles both old and new, presenting a colorful fleet of cars, buses, RVs, and trucks. An afterword presents an illustrated capsule biography of Henry Ford and reiterates the author's points. The closing endpapers get serious with bubbles highlighting automobile-related problems (including traffic deaths) and possible solutions. This book makes a useful introduction for environmental units, as well as fun browsing fare for young car enthusiasts. For Model T fans, pair it with Peter Spier's title of the same name (Doubleday, 1975).—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 1—Constantly teased for being "teeny tiny" and "teensy-weensy," Tiny is excluded from all of the other dinosaurs' games. He feels sorry for himself, until he is befriended by a small bird named Archie. When the two discover Tyro the Tyrannosaurus rex trapped on shaky ground, it is Tiny who is able to rescue him. All of the dinosaurs now want to be his friend, the teasing ceases, and his Mom declares: "You may be small…but you've got a big heart." Playful pastel illustrations depict expressive, fun-loving dinosaurs in a fanciful prehistoric setting, but there is nothing unusual or original in this predictable plot. It's a shame that Tiny has to prove his courage and usefulness before the other dinosaurs will accept him. And, it isn't until they want to become friends with him that Tiny comes to accept himself. Nonetheless, children will relate to the familiar message, especially if they have ever felt left out.—Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

K-Gr 2—Quite accidentally, Gideon, a grub, briefly experiences the exhilarating, free-flying life that awaits him as a butterfly. This first taste of freedom—a thrilling though somewhat scary descent to earth while perched on a falling leaf—fills him with a single purpose. He dreams of flying and "would figure out this…thing if it was the last thing this little grub would ever do." Retiring to a reed in a meadow where he builds a cabin, Gideon devotes himself to trying to solve the mystery of flight. But, ultimately, nature intervenes, and he emerges from his chrysalis to find that he has wings. Reassuringly, the midnight-blue illustrations make way for the "gray-green and growing grasses" of a springtime morning. Splashes of vibrant color adorn both the final pages and the endpapers, showing the magnificence of caterpillars transformed into soaring butterflies. As a metaphor for maximizing human potential, however, the book falls short as readers will not be convinced that Gideon's dreams and ambitions have anything to do with his growth and change. More dazzling titles on the topic of metamorphosis include Lois Ehlert's Waiting for Wings (Harcourt, 2001) and Anne Rockwell's Becoming Butterflies (Walker, 2002).—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-Gr 1—These titles feature characters who struggle with self-esteem and acceptance. Predictably, the animal's "flaw" is pointed out (often unkindly) by others, he or she feels bad, and then a twist in the plot turns the problem into an asset. Arnie, for example, keeps disturbing a burrow of mice with his sticky tongue, but is redeemed when one of their babies falls into a tiny hole and he is the only one who can rescue it. Opie is ridiculed for the stinky smell he sometimes emits, but it is his odor that ends up saving him and several nose-holding rabbits from a wolf. The books are written in choppy, sometimes confusing prose, with errors as glaring as the repeated reference to the anteater's "nose" disturbing the mice, when it is actually his sticky tongue that is the problem. Most incongruous is the fact that the illustrator seems not to have read the text carefully, resulting in a snake described in the text as "brown" being depicted as bright green. The illustrations are reminiscent of clip art, with a limited color palette, generic facial expressions, and an overall lack of any distinctive style. The back page of each volume lists "questions to answer," most of which are close-ended and do little to encourage discussion. The idea that self-esteem depends on the approval of others is the misguided message of these poorly executed books.—Amy Rowland, Guggenheim Elementary School, Port Washington, NY

PreS-K—Martha's the middle mouse in her family. Older sister Clara is big and sensible. Brother Ben is a "cutesy-wootsy little baby." But when Martha does something good, all she hears is, "Well done, Martha." She is just there, feeling unnoticed, so she runs away to the far end of the garden where she meets Frog. After Martha tells him her woes, he tries to convince her that middle things are special and important. The examples he uses to illustrate his point are ripples in a pond, seeds in the centers of sunflowers, nectar in the centers of blossoms, peas in a pod, and a juicy slice of watermelon. That turns Martha's thinking around and, when Clara and Ben come looking for her, she happily returns to the fold. The watercolor and ink illustrations fill every square inch and are so exuberant that they jump off the page. The facial expressions and poses of the characters are expressive and entertaining, and the nature scenes are lush and beautiful. The large size and joyous nature of this book will make it a storytime favorite.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-Gr 3—This sequel to Buster (Holt, 2003) surpasses that book. When Brown Shoes takes a weekend trip, his dog is sent to Cowboy Camp at Sagebrush Kennels. Grieving over his separation from all that is familiar, Buster is surprised and thrilled to learn that cowboy camp is dog heaven. The pups are too busy to be sad or homesick; they create paw paintings, herd balls into pens, play "buckaroo ball," gather sticks for the campfire, and sing along as Red Boots strums his guitar. Fleming's cleverly themed camp/kennel will appeal to both dog lovers and buckaroos. The tale is filled with "Cowpoke Words" (with a glossary on the back cover) and amusing Western touches (dogs have bandannas tied around their necks upon arrival). From nights in the bunkhouse to meals at the chuck wagon, every page will make readers smile. The artist's signature pulp-painting illustrations are perfect: they're full of sun-baked colors and dry, sandy textures with personality on every dog's face. The story is ideal preparation for children anticipating a first sleepover away from home or a first summer camp venture.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 2—A simple story about loneliness and the power of friendliness. Spare charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil drawings illustrate first a lonely dog, then a sad little boy as they longingly watch and finally join an exuberant group of children playing ball. Lots of white space and thoughtful page layout emphasize the emotions being conveyed, as does the judicious use of color and detail. The dog serves as the best role model in the book, being outgoing ("Can I play too?") and inviting the little boy to join the fun. The closing message: "When someone's feeling left out, low, it doesn't take much to say…hello!" is a valuable one for all ages. Though the endpapers exuberantly display the word "hello" in many different languages, the group of children depicted is homogenous. In spite of that weakness, this book would be especially useful for discussions about bullying, empathy, and character education.—Amy Rowland, Guggenheim Elementary School, Port Washington, NY

K-Gr 2—What could be better than having a sister to share everything with? Having a mermaid sister! Fed up with her annoying little brother and longing for a more amenable sibling, Shelly comes up with a plan. While on a trip to the beach, she writes a note advertising for a sister, slips it into a bottle, and tosses it into the ocean. Before long a mermaid swims up and accepts the position. Coral moves in with Shelly (which presents certain problems) and their time together is full of fun (playing dress up and painting toenails/fins) and even their first fight (followed by making up). All good things must end, though, and Coral eventually returns to the sea, but she has a plan for keeping in touch. Filled with peach and turquoise hues, the acrylic paintings sing of summer by the sea. The scenes are depicted with warmth and gentle humor and the text keeps the tone light. A somewhat frivolous read, this book may tickle fans of Fancy Nancy or sisters with problematic little brothers.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PreS-Gr 1—These engaging books use vibrant photographs and simple clues related to recognizable characteristics to help readers identify a variety of familiar insects and animals. Readers lift the flap and the answer unfolds in a larger-than-life photograph. Bugs includes a ladybug, a bee, a grasshopper, a dragonfly, a caterpillar, and a butterfly. Pets features a cat, a dog, a bunny, a goldfish, a hamster, and a bird. Young readers will feel successful when they correctly identify the creatures. However, the format will limit the lifespan of these books.—Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

PreS-Gr 2—The Mermaid Parade, a summer solstice ritual to open the beach season at Coney Island, started in 1983 as the revival of an older festival. Greenberg paints detailed—and accurate—layouts of the neighborhood, complete with shops, arcades, the F train to Coney Island, Astroland, and diverse people decked out in their sea-creature finery. She lavishes each joyful spread with upbeat colors and patterns. Skies echo the changing blue tints of the ocean. The minimal story line—a young girl narrates as she marches in the parade with her parents—functions like a tour guide, calling attention to the sights. The wealth of detail turns the pages into a Where's Waldo game: adults and children might challenge each other to locate the three main characters in an amusement-park panorama, or to count the number of pirates dancing on the Boardwalk. This is a fine way to keep the warm sun, sand, and celebration around all year.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 2–4—Bella, introduced in Bella Balistica and the African Safari (Milet, 2007), is once again united with her animal twin, the Quetzal bird, through the magic in a pendant once owned by her Guatemalan birth mother. The bird takes her to Ghana, where she helps some children with the cacao harvest and learns how they prepare the seeds used to make chocolate. While the work is difficult, the children's family receives Fair Trade money that pays living and school expenses. When Bella returns to London to enjoy her birthday celebration, complete with chocolate cake, she resolves to send chocolate to the Ghanaian children, who have never experienced its taste. Boldly outlined, the pictures depict Ghanaians, most in Western clothing, hard at work cheerfully harvesting fancifully colored cacao pods. Thatched huts; two women, one carrying a basket on her head and the other a baby on her back; and lush vegetation give readers a sense of life in a remote West African village. Although this story, sprinkled with British expressions, is a rather heavy-handed endorsement for Fair Trade products, it does offer some facts about chocolate and cacao harvesting.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 2—In jazzy rhyming couplets, a young boy describes an unusual sight: "I was strollin' on home through the woods the other night,/When I saw something a-flashin'—it was shinin' mighty bright!/It was blinkin' and a-winkin' near the bottom of a tree,/So I scurried on over just to see what I could see." A delightful illustration shows the narrator peering in through a small door at an exuberant insect gala where imaginatively conceived bugs crowd the dance floor. Jaunty rhymes detail the event and its various attendees, including a colony of Ants who shake "…their behinds/Like they had people in their pants," a fanciful Humbug who "drummed with a stick" in each of his six hands, and a trumpet-blowing Termite who "…played a TAT-a-TAT-a-TOOT,/While the Ladybug was groovin' on her tiny little flute." Vibrant hues and frenetic energy suffuse the artwork, and the close-up images of the featured musicians are charmingly detailed. This antic tale will be fun to read aloud; just practice the pacing. Children will gleefully chime in with the onomatopoeic sounds ("Froppit! Froppit!," "Weedle? Weedle?," "Freega. Freega.") and the repeated refrain: "The Bugtown Boogie, shakin' up the woods tonight." Pair this with Joyce Maxner's Nicholas Cricket (HarperCollins, 1989) and David Kirk's Miss Spider's Tea Party (Scholastic, 1994) for a bug-themed romp.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—Written in rhyme with playful language, this picture-book fantasy with rollicking artwork makes a fun read. A whistle blows. Children, adults, and animals board a locomotive for an imaginative ride to Dreamland. The train's inventive cars and lively, abstract cartoonlike passengers zig zag, make loopy loops, and clickety-clack across the bouncy railroad tracks, passing through "Wiggletown," "Giggletown," "Yawwwwwn," "Groggy Grove," and "Snuggle Cove." The energetic train gradually slows as dozing passengers arrive in Dreamland. Watercolor and marker artwork with accents of graph-paper shapes convey the tale's changing moods. This entertaining bedtime story is a worthy choice for most collections.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS-Gr 2—Ben's classroom goes to the dogs when a pup named Riff is introduced as the new teacher. The curriculum for the day includes scratching, sniffing, tail wagging, digging, panting, and growling. Then the principal shows up and asks about the children's day. Colorful full-page illustrations add to the doggone good fun. The placement of the illustrations and text lets readers' eyes scamper across the page. Particularly well done are the stacked faces that show a group of children and create depth in the flatly colored artwork. Basic text is large and simple to read. Additional words and sentences appear in conversation balloons scattered throughout the pictures. While children will enjoy reading this title alone, storytime participants will eagerly join in the activities and beg for repeated readings.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 2–4—Five kids with distinct personalities—Henry, Goose, Rocky, Rita, and Jazz—are the stars of this new series. Basketball Bats focuses on Henry, who rounds up his friends to play basketball against some bullies. Unfortunately, he becomes a ball hog, but he can count on his friends to remind him that they need to work together. The lesson, of course, is that there is no "I" in "team." In Goof-Off Goalie, Goose must focus so that he can convince the soccer coach that he's the best choice for goalie. His friends help him train for the big game, and he learns that, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. It's no surprise that both Henry and Goose win their respective games in the end. McCauley's illustrations have a childlike quality, giving the impression that the characters themselves doodled in their school notebooks. These titles are ideal for easy chapter-book readers who aren't quite ready for Matt Christopher or Mike Lupica. The series will likely develop a following among sports lovers. However, the question remains: Will any of the characters in the sequels actually lose a game?—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Boris is a cat without a home. Mostly, he is content, but once in a while he wishes for a nice soft spot for a catnap. One day he finds a perfect cardboard box and makes himself comfortable. Unfortunately, the box is being sent to Lady Snootlethorpe, who is waiting for a teapot, not a cat. When she sees Boris, she sends him on, and the box ends up at the North Pole and many other places. Each time, no one wants a small hungry cat in need of a cozy place to sleep. Finally, Boris gets lucky. He is sent to a pleasantly surprised Grandma Flapjack, who isn't expecting a delivery but who has always wanted a cat, and he settles down for a little nap on "the world's most comfy pillow." The fun illustrations spill over the pages in imaginative and colorful collages of all sorts of materials and designs, creating a feast for the eyes. Children will love following Boris's adventures and picking out all the details of his trips.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-Gr 1—In this sequel to Silly Suzy Goose (Candlewick, 2006), Suzy Goose again finds herself feeling dissatisfied with her life. The incessant honking of her fellow geese sends her flip-flopping to the woods to find a quiet respite. "But Suzy Goose was not alone." Soon she is unwittingly pursued by a fox, a wolf, and a bear—tiptoeing, creeping, and padding behind her, until the hoot of a noisy owl startles away the predators, ruining their dinner plans. Visually stimulating mixed-media illustrations, including textured paints and paper collage, evoke those fundamental emotions often found in stories involving the fabled "woods"—intense red signals danger while predominant blacks and grays represent fear and unawareness. Suzy Goose's stalkers act unnaturally as animals (e.g., the bear hunts other large predators), but they function perfectly as symbols for a spectrum of childhood apprehensions. Despite its mildly scary content, this book is amusing, relatively short, and overall suitable for younger children. Nonetheless, it should probably be read well before bedtime.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—Airplanes soar off the pages in this introduction to flying machines. Descriptive, rhyming text is succinct, straightforward, and instructive. Planes of different sizes, with different engines and with different purposes, glide, turn, dive, and race within the artwork. While there are many picture books about airplanes, this one's illustrations set it apart. Halsey and Addy's intermixing of etchings, drawings, and clip art results in changing settings for each plane. Most pages are spreads that run horizontally; a couple of them are printed vertically. Details such as a pirate plane, a bunny crop duster, an outline of the Statue of Liberty, and Santa invite closer inspection. This title is a fine selection for one-on-one sharing, especially with aircraft fanatics.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS—A spirited African-American toddler makes his way through a busy day, fraught with messes and mischief. On each page, there is a peaceful, everyday tableau with a one- or two-word description—"Diaper," "Kitty cat," "Ice cream," etc. When the page is turned, the opposite side reveals the word, "uh-oh," and the illustration reflects the result of some mishap. The child has taken all the wipes out of the box, the cat has run up a tree, and the ice-cream cone has fallen to the ground. The final "uh-oh" comes when Grandpa reads the boy a bedtime story and ends up falling asleep himself. The very simple language, along with the repetition of the universal toddler distress signal, "uh-oh," will entice its target audience. However, one illustration is difficult to decipher as it's unclear whether the problem is that the child has thrown the toys out of the bathtub, or climbed out alone. Still, this is a fairly appealing addition to the "toddler-on-the-move" genre.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

K-Gr 2—Quiet, reflective Andy Shane continues his determination to stand up to his boisterous, exuberant friend Dolores. As he heads to school, Granny Webb gives him a scarab necklace for his African-country assignment. When he announces that he has chosen Egypt, Dolores, wearing elaborate, self-made Egyptian accessories, proclaims herself "Queen of Egypt" and tells Andy that he can't have it. She builds a pyramid out of pineapple chunks despite his preference for pineapple on his pizza, and, at T-ball, she distracts him and the entire outfield with an Egyptian dance in the stands, causing him to miss a catch and lose the game. The next day, Dolores shows her support during class presentations and they agree to be partners on their assignment. Andy's sensitivity and personal growth are deftly and humorously conveyed in Jacobson's text. Readers new to the series may wonder about Andy's relationship to Granny Webb, but that does not diminish this engaging and satisfying entry that can stand alone. Carter's pencil and black watercolor wash illustrations depict a cast of expressive Caucasian characters, and while the gray tones are somber, they perfectly reflect Andy's contemplative nature.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—A child leaves her favorite toy at the doctor's office and ponders its fate should they fail to be reunited "RIGHT NOW!" On each spread, Jesset's speculation about the beloved stuffed animal's current state is matched with Korthues's Tim Burton-esque illustrations rendered in vibrant colors, often muted to depict the nighttime setting. The simple, rhythmic prose recalls a small child's inner dialogue or storytelling voice, but the tenor of the book is set by the slightly creepy, stylized pencil drawings that accompany it. "Mommy says I should sleep with another toy tonight"; readers look at the toys to choose from and see among them a cockeyed, heavy-lidded owl and a bear with a self-satisfied smile. When the child imagines the garbage truck devouring Loopy, readers see the bunny's ears hanging from the truck's mechanical jaws. On a nearby rooftop, a man in a stovepipe hat sits on a chimney. Stark streets and surreal inhabitants, like birds on strings, make appearances as Loopy's owner's imagination takes over the night. What a relief when the doorbell rings, the doctor returns Loopy, and "Everything is all right now." Originally published in Switzerland, this enjoyable story's distinctly foreign flavor may be offered as a contrast to Mo Willems's very American Knuffle Bunny Too (Hyperion, 2007), which features a similar nighttime bunny recognizance mission.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS—These board books all begin with the fill-in sentences, "Let's get ready for…! Take off pajamas and choose…." The pages that follow show articles of clothing children might wear during the given season, such as "jeans" in autumn and "rain boots" in spring; the closing sentence states, "Now we're ready for…!" (summer, etc.). Joyful youngsters are depicted on the covers and in the final pages. As in Jocelyn's Mayfly (Tundra, 2004), the folksy collage illustrations clearly show different textures against patterned backgrounds. Children will be familiar with the items of clothing, and the colors and backgrounds reflect the seasons. These books are sedate companions to Kit Allen's Swimsuit, Galoshes, Longjohns, and Sweater (all Houghton, 2003).—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

PreS-Gr 2—Twin giants are born on a mountaintop and named (E)Normus and (There's a)Lottavim by their proud parents. The boys are identical and enjoy the same things (except that one is a vegetarian). They race up and down mountains, roll boulders, and sing off-key at the top of their lungs. On the same day, at age 20, they decide that the time has come to seek wives. Pursuing two giantesses is no easy task, and the brothers find slim pickings. After a search over seven mountains, a few proposals, and a couple cases of mistaken identity, the two find the perfect mates. Delightful illustrations in ink, watercolor, colored pencil, and digital collage are engaging and add much to the somewhat convoluted story. This is an early romance chapter-book for newly independent readers, made more appealing by its artwork.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-K—An African-American child and her classmates make their way through a day at school. Full of enthusiasm and smiles, Keisha Ann accomplishes all of her activities with élan, as the rhyming text asks a series of "Who can..." questions and reiterates, "Keisha Ann can!" The poetry is catchy and upbeat: "Who can count her coins/and count again in case she's wrong?/Who can play marimba/as she sings the sweetest song?" Gouache paintings done in a striking, childlike style are filled with motion and color. The characters, who represent a variety of cultural backgrounds, are outlined in darker lines and set against brightly hued backgrounds. The images are clear and crisp, making the book ideal for sharing aloud. The story ends on a positive, all-inclusive note: "Who can learn,/and work,/and play,/and make her dreams/come true?/Keisha Ann can/do these things,/and YOU can do them, too!" Although there are many positive picture books about school, this one is special because its heroine is shown ready to tackle anything with grace and confidence.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 1–3—Riley is the only one in his group of friends who is constantly being bitten by mosquitoes, and he sets out to discover why. After a lot of research as well as some experimentation, Riley solves the mystery. It turns out that mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of Limburger cheese, which resembles the odor of his stinky sneakers. Clear and simple sentences, colorful realistic illustrations, and diverse characters all contribute to this appealing easy reader. Sidebars full of mosquito facts clutter up the layout, but are worth it because of the amount of interesting information they contain. Riley's activities serve as a great model of the research process as well as the scientific method. He visits the library and uses books, he goes online, and he has an interview with a "bug expert" at the local college, and then he tests out his ideas before coming to a conclusion. The facts are delivered with humor, making for a thoroughly enjoyable read. "Think Like a Scientist" activities round out this appealing title.—Amy Rowland, Guggenheim Elementary School, Port Washington, NY

PreS—Barefoot, tiara-sporting Beatrice is bored. Her mother, too busy to play Princess Yolanda, tells her to go outside. When Bea protests that "there's nothing to play," her mother tells her to use her imagination. In the garden, Beatrice meets a talking dog who wastes no time in getting her into loads of messy fun. "Let's do something we're not supposed to do," he suggests, and they do—digging a hole for a fort, dragging pillows into it, eating between meals, and trampling the daisies. Meanwhile, Bea's mother remains oblivious, responding to periodic updates with, "That's nice." When she finally walks outside to greet the damage with sputtering disbelief, Bea blames it all on Bingo—who is, of course, invisible. The pup is still real enough to inspire Bea to smooth things over, though. She presents her mother with a daisy chain, and she and Bingo are then left alone to clean up their mess—right after they chase that squirrel. Bingo is an appealing embodiment of the unpredictability of a child's imagination on a hot summer day in a not-too-distant past. Though he leads Bea into trouble, he also gives her the tools to amuse herself, and ultimately inspires a sweet gesture of reconciliation.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

Gr 2–5—These stories have easy-to-read texts and colorful, expressive illustrations on every page. In Ghost Town, Max is apprehensive about meeting a ghost when his class takes a trip to an abandoned mining town. The students visit the bank, general store, boarded-up mine, and old house. With effective use of foreshadowing and suspense, he and Sara encounter an apparent presence, and Max's confidence increases when he discovers the "ghost's" true identity, leading to a satisfying conclusion. Fact boxes about the gold rush and patterns of community development are included, as are simple questions and activities. In Bay School, Bailey creates a secret blog, "Ruler of the School," to inspire change at her elementary school. She and her friend Joel open the blog on each workstation prior to computer class to bring it to everyone's attention. Bailey suggests to her growing readership that spray paint art "should replace those boring hallway posters" and "cheerleaders love my idea to change our mascot from a bull dog to a basset hound." Her suggestion that students weigh their backpacks and wear a sign with the weight on their backs draws mass student involvement and leads to praise from the principal and new lockers from the PTA—unrealistic developments in contemporary schools. Facts about communication are provided on some pages, from talking, writing, and emailing to the sharing of ideas. Unfortunately, there is no mention of Internet safety or cyberbullying.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—In this wordless picture book, illustrations done in watercolor, gouache, and ink present the fanciful story of a child's train trip. A girl and her parents board a subway that travels aboveground through a cityscape and then plunges into a tunnel. When the train again emerges into the light, the window suddenly reveals a view of a green countryside with houses and a windmill in the distance. A man wearing striped pants and holding a straw hat brings the train to a halt with a long, bannerlike flag. The child disembarks and is welcomed by a group of miniature people. They lead her to a tree where a plane and its presumed pilot are entangled. With help from a little person, the youngster rescues both the plane and pilot. Waving good-bye, she returns to the train and eventually disembarks with her parents at their urban home. The pilot and a friend fly to her building, giving the girl a gift to commemorate her adventure. The plot of the narrative illustrations is easy to follow. The artwork varies in size from six panels per page to full spreads. The characters' facial features are kept to a minimum, but the placement of dot eyes, dot noses, and line mouths clearly presents their emotions. Lehman's simple fantasy offers a positive lesson on helping others that will stretch readers' imaginations.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS-Gr 3—In this story about how children should treat their elders, grandparents and grandchildren representing all kinds of animal species play together, enjoy snacks, take trips, tell stories, snuggle, and share secrets. Lloyd-Jones's text is both charming and tongue-in-cheek as she explains the rules for a variety of youngster/oldster interactions: "It's important to let your grandpa have some of your ice cream, and let him build you big sand castles like when he was a boy"; or, "You need to teach your grandma football, let her score touchdowns, and then shout, 'Good job, Grandma!'" Emberley's enchanting illustrations mirror each character's personality: a monkey grandfather, wearing a hoop earring and pushed-up spectacles, sits on a lounge chair and reads to a lap full of squirming grandbabies; a large bear is hugged by a circle of smiling cubs; and a pig grandmother sits on a couch with two piglets and a bucket of popcorn. The joys, frivolities, and frustrations that are part of the intergenerational dynamic as well as the special bond that exists nowhere else are all delightfully conveyed with deadpan humor in both text and art.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

K-Gr 4—Based on diary and journal entries of 19th-century settlers, this story depicts one family's journey by covered wagon from Missouri to California in 1859. Lily Rose continually wonders why people say, "We're going to see the Elephant," when they head west. Working with her grandmother and mother, the girl stitches her experiences into a quilt representing their adventures. The family crosses mountain ranges, copes with harsh weather, and even welcomes a new baby girl into their fold. They come across gold miners, camp out with an Apache chief, and meet kind Pima (Akimel O'otham) people before reaching their destination. The story concludes with a celebration and quilting bee on the one-year anniversary of their arrival. As they sew, Lily Rose sees the Elephant as a metaphor for their journey, and observant readers will see an elephant shape in the final illustration of the completed quilt. Told in a conversational style, this book works best when describing the girl's family and their fears and feelings; the text isn't as effective when detailing their encounter with the Pima, whose beautiful painted faces are simplistically described as "BO-dacious." The folk-art illustrations, which resemble woodcuts, are appropriate for the setting. An author's note provides information on the primary sources.—Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

Gr 2–5—Nine-year-old Minneapolis resident Julia Gillian leads a comfortable urban life surrounded by caring parents and helpful neighbors. Her parents permit her to be on her own and take a nine-square-block walk for one hour with her devoted dog, Bigfoot. Each day, within these parameters, Julia Gillian explores her world. A pattern of repeated conversations, moods, and outcomes gives the child sufficient information to analyze the behavior of her neighbors, her dog, her parents, and herself. Her list of accomplishments includes making papier-mâché animal masks and knowing how other people feel. When her parents insist that she finish reading a book about a boy and an old dog, she is sure it will have an unhappy ending and goes to great lengths to avoid it. Her neighbor tells her about her own demons and says that, "Sometimes the only way out is through," and Julia's self-absorption starts to recede as she discovers that she is not alone in being afraid. The illustrations of Julia Gillian's masks and supersize St. Bernard add a whimsical note to the book. Julia Gillian isn't the perky, smart-mouthed heroine one finds in many contemporary books. Instead, she is acutely conscious of achieving a new maturity that allows her to question authority and to assert herself-not bad for a nine-year-old.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Maisie Moo loves her dog, playing drums, sleeping late, and hearing her father's sound-effects-filled stories. Her favorite color is "magenta polka dots." She does NOT care for being called "an angel." ("I am always an angel in the Venice Christmas concert. I would rather play the drums or be the donkey"). She also dislikes sweeping the family's gift shop. Maisie's imaginary friend, Invisible Lucy, agrees with her on every matter: the dog is "as lazy as a pillow" and growls at garden gnomes; the earth in the morning is "as red as toffee apples." A handful of Aussie phrases might need to be explained: "fairy floss," "the Royal Show," "kookaburras," "He is a bit of a dill." The primitive cartoons are as wild as Maisie. An energetic mix of acrylics on canvas and paper is balanced with watercolors, ink, and pencil. The book has hand lettering and is awash in smeary colors, with some figures in black and white. Lauren Child's fans will appreciate McKimmie's style. This unique portrait's sole flaw is its stylized font, which is difficult to read and will not invite independent readers. Nevertheless, children will agree with the narrator of this richly told tale, who says her life is "a little bit wonderful."—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 2—Like Cheech the School Bus Driver (HarperCollins, 2007), this self-indulgent story suffers from forced humor, a predictable plot, and Ramírez's clichéd caricatures. It's as if the Magic School Bus were forced to land on Nickelodeon's "Dora the Explorer" set and take on its formulaic design conventions, while deleting all substance. Picture perpetually amazed eyes widening above ever-rosy cheeks in bodies perched against pixilated backgrounds. This time, the Cheecharrones want to compete in a boat race, their only hope being the conversion of Cheech's vehicle into a "sailbus." Little of note happens during the race or at the climax. For a genuinely entertaining ride, stick with the exploits of Ms. Frizzle in Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's still-popular series (Scholastic).—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 3—An enigmatic offering. The Lord of Flight, a sort-of hummingbird/human/insect hybrid, plays God when he blows the gift of flight into the wings of the dormant butterflies that line the walls of the mountain hall in which he lives. Kaito, a poppetlike child whose dearest wish is to see her own butterflies aloft again, carries them on the three-day journey up the Mountain of Dreams to see if the Lord of Flight will grant her desire. But when she reaches her destination, she finds that she is too late—her insects have died. The Lord of Flight comforts her by saying that, while even he cannot revive them, they have "danced upon the breath of heaven and have gladdened the hearts of all who saw them." He explains that though their wings are stilled when they die, "Flight is eternal." His words inspire Kaito and she crafts a gossamer kite that will continually provide her the gift of flight, even during winter. Chapman uses pens, pigment, and stamps to create illustrations with repeated elements and rendered in pleasing complementary shades of crimson, cerulean, and yellow. Featuring the foreshadowing of Kaito's own someday-death and her perilous perching on stalagmite-like crags, they are charming and disturbing at once. Combined with the heavily symbolic text, they make for a message that flies above the heads of its audience.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

PreS-K—There are many picture books about the first day of school, and this one, though pleasant enough, adds nothing new to the topic. The story follows a variety of generic children from different ethnic and family backgrounds as they wake up and get ready for the big day. Some are eager while others are apprehensive. Finally, the students and parents assemble in "an enormous room" surrounded by caring teachers and staff and wish one another a "Happy School Year." The text is simple and the pacing is a little slow. Milord spends eight pages before she even announces that it is the first day of school. The book mentions some common concerns, but they magically float away when the principal delivers her welcome. DePalma's simple acrylic cartoon illustrations match the tepid, nonthreatening tone of the text. Pastel colors and smiley faces abound. This book might help soothe an individual child who is apprehensive about the first day of school, but it does not have enough story or humor to hold the attention of a group. Try Katie Davis's Kindergarten Rocks (Harcourt, 2005) for a good read-aloud.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-K—As Abuelita tucks her three bouncy grandchildren into bed, she calms them by reminding them of the many small animals that also sleep when darkness falls: "Shh, shh, the squirrels are sleeping." Spreads containing unremarkable watercolor illustrations and a choppy text jump back and forth between the progressively drowsy youngsters and various snoozing creatures. Kids may relate to the portrayal of familiar critters and perhaps be lulled to sleep by Abuelita's steady "Shh," but overall, the book's comforting elements cannot compensate for their haphazard presentation. For better bilingual stories with a bedtime theme, try Sandra Cisneros's Hairs/Pelitos (Random, 1997), Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's Rabbit's Bedtime (Houghton, 1999), or Ginger Foglesong Guy's Siesta (HarperCollins, 2005).—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

PreS—A noted Pop artist tries his hand at a children's book with decidedly mixed results. The slight story centers on a dog so big that he straddles the globe and is friendless because no one can actually see him. A little girl finally notices him, climbs up onto his face, and sings to him, and they become friends. "No matter how alone you are, there is always someone, somewhere, waiting to meet you. Just look and you will find them!" The artist uses many close-ups of both the dog and the girl to convey the immensity of the creature and the girl's reaction to him. The book is much more a showcase of one man's distinctive style than a coherent or interesting story. It will appeal primarily to Nara's fans or to libraries with large picture-book art collections.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—In this slice-of-life picture book, a contemporary Cree boy accompanies his grandmother on a trip to pick rosehips. The simple text, written in both Cree and English, shows the child mirroring his grandmother's every move ("Kôhkom walks. I walk") until the end when "Kôhkom sits" and the boy instead plays with his slingshot ("Not me!"). Unfortunately, the narrative is so understated that children may not know what is happening without adult assistance. Textured acrylic paintings, done in rich earth tones, give a sense of the bond between the two, and portray the sanctity of the natural environment. While not an essential purchase, this title does offer a sensitive, respectful portrayal of contemporary Native Americans. Unfortunately, there is no pronunciation guide for the Cree text. David Bouchard's poem, Nokum Is My Teacher (Red Deer, 2007) also features the relationship between a grandmother and grandchild and includes a Cree-English audio recording.—Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1—Every night, Billy tosses and turns in bed and kicks off the covers. His mama warns him that "the Belly Button Beastie is going to come and take your belly button right...out...of your...BELLY." Although the child is not afraid, young readers/listeners may find this prospect alarming. Furthermore, when the Beastie does appear, it is indeed quite beastly, portrayed in garish green and blue with a gaping mouth. The next morning, Billy drinks milk and the liquid gushes out of the hole in his abdomen. In the bathtub, soapy water pours in and soap bubbles float out. School friends plug the hole with bubblegum, string, tape, etc., but nothing works until someone suggests trying chocolate (the same brown color as Billy). That night, he tricks the monster into trading his belly button for the good-smelling chocolate substitute. After the boy searches through the Beastie's bag full of belly buttons to find his own, the switch is made. From then on, the creature pursues candy instead of belly buttons. The simple cartoon illustrations include several images that are disturbing and somewhat bizarre. Judy Sierra's Tasty Baby Belly Buttons (Knopf, 1999) and Olga Loya's "The Belly Button Monster," from More Ready-to-Tell Tales from Around the World (August House, 2000), are better versions of this story.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 2–4—Written in a whimsical style that borders on poetry, this second book about seafaring twins tells of preparations for the Bullfrog to go to sea. The children are always underfoot and have the run of the houseboat as their parents prepare to depart. The text is a bit confusing. For example, one passage reads, "Dad didn't want anyone to know he was a parrot. That's why he brought Waggles when he came home…instead of a pirate named Jezebel." The story involves children overboard, adventures with a seal, and fueling up the vessel. Readers have to contend with odd letter substitutions like "botormike," "tortle," and "neagle"; there are exclamations of "illy-ally-o"; and there's ship talk. Frequent black-and-white illustrations add to the zaniness of the fast-paced story. The book packs so much energy that readers will be panting when they finish. Additional.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

K-Gr 3—This follow-up to Mañana Iguana (2004) and Fiesta Fiasco (2007, both Holiday House) features the same four friends. When Iguana stubs her toe on a stone, she is unable to make a pan of her famous cactus-butter dulces (candies). Everyone has suggestions, but it is Culebra (snake) who finds the cure. He tells Tortuga (turtle) and Conejo (rabbit) to tie a rope to Iguana's tale and attach "un rolling pin," "dos kettles," "tres skillets," and so on, all the way up to "diez spoons." As the lizard walks around, the resulting clatter soon causes her to forget about her injury, and the friends work together to make the sweets. This slapstick tale seamlessly incorporates Spanish counting words as well as animal names. At the end, the animals are shown enjoying the treats, for which a no-cook recipe is appended, along with a glossary and pronunciations. The bright, cheerful cartoons, done in vibrant Southwestern hues, are set against white backgrounds. The characters' faces are expressive and their actions humorously exaggerated. Which will young listeners remember more, the "uno, dos, tres" or the "PLINK, PLANK, PLANG, BLATTER, BLITTER, BLING" of the kitchen utensils? Whichever it is, they will have fun with this book, and perhaps those Spanish names will stick.—Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Irrepressible and delightful Clementine is back. She is enjoying third grade—she is in sync with her teacher, Mr. D'Matz, and is rarely sent to speak with Principal Rice, a major accomplishment in her school life. Then Mr. D'Matz is selected as one of three finalists for an Adventures for Teachers archaeological dig in Egypt and leaves for a week to meet with the committee. Clementine is distraught to learn that if chosen as the winner, he will be gone for the rest of the school year. When the substitute arrives, Clementine learns that she has to follow completely different rules. The next week is not an easy one for the child as she adjusts to Mrs. Nagel, worries about losing Mr. D'Matz, copes with her everyday life as an impulsive eight-year-old, and frets about the letter she is supposed to write to the prize committee about her teacher. Through it all, she shines with a vibrant spirit that can never be completely extinguished, even when she is feeling down. Frazee's pen-and-ink drawings perfectly capture Clementine's personality and her world.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

PreS-K—Poor Four, the runt of the owl clutch, is the last to hatch and may never catch up with his siblings. But when a storm threatens his family's willow tree home, he is finally able to fly. Four's story of perseverance and hope is told in warm, rhythmic prose and supported by lush pastel drawings of fluffy, wide-eyed owlets and dense forest backgrounds. Although Pitcher shows some of the owlet's day-to-day frustrations (like being crushed in the nest or being last to find a worm), readers never fear for him—he never worries himself. When the storm comes and his siblings flee, there's little doubt that he will fly or find a safe warm place to wait it out. Despite the predictability, young children will find Four's story reassuring.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 1—Reiss and Catrow team up again for another humorous picture book. Edward, a "frightful boy," will not share any toys with his younger sister. When she touches something, he cries, "IT'S MINE. MINE. MINE!" Overcome by greed, he gets stuck in his tangle of toys and misses the opportunity for homemade fudge. Claire, not one to hold grudges, helps free her brother and shares her chocolate. After Edward apologizes profusely, the siblings spend the day playing happily. The rhyming text is pleasant but flawed. Edward's dramatic character shift is hard to believe, and one wonders why he doesn't shout "help" when his mother is nearby. Catrow's colorful, amusing illustrations are the highlight here. With every viewing, readers see additional delightful details, such as a blow-up Frankenstein doll drinking tea from a dainty cup and a cat whose stripes match the easy chair. The varying perspectives of the children and the toys add to the fun. Edward's sour, grumpy expressions are exaggerated and comical; children learning to share will belly laugh even as they see a reflection of themselves. Overall, this would be a good addition to early childhood collections.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

K-Gr 4—This unusual picture book is a tribute to a real metal sculptor, Mitch Levin, a friend of the author. Devon, a young African-American boy, loves to watch "Metal Man" create art out of junk in his city workshop. When he envisions a house in a shining star, the sculptor helps him to bring his idea into reality. Beautifully understated, the story is about the capacity of art to empower the artist and to affect how others see the world. The poetic text is visceral—readers experience the sounds, vibrations, textures, and heat of the metal shop. "'Whatcha makin', Metal Man? I say./He don't answer. He never does./'Whaddya see?' That's all he says." The cartoon illustrations, in rusty browns and shiny blues, depict the metal man as tall, strong, gentle, and wise, a larger-than-life hero. He encourages Devon to embrace his own vision, but also protects him from the dangerous tools he is not ready to use. In the space of an afternoon, the youngster grows in understanding and confidence. A wonderful example of sensory writing and colloquial storytelling, this would be an excellent book to read before embarking on art projects, museum trips, art-appreciation lessons, or community-helper units, and will inspire independent readers with a desire to try their own hand at sculpture or artistic creation.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–5—While her parents are off traveling the world collecting "interesting things," Ottoline Brown lives in an elaborate apartment in Big City with her best friend, guardian, and accomplice in forming clever plans. He is called Mr. Monroe and is a silent creature from Norway who resembles Cousin Itt from the Addams Family. Ottoline solves a mystery involving a cat burglar, who is actually a cat, and the missing lapdogs of well-to-do women. The story is told through the text and the detailed line drawings that appear on each page. Done in black and white with red highlighting a quirky detail or two, the illustrations add humor, depth, and momentum to the narrative. The quickly moving plot is grounded in real emotion. Ottoline is a precocious child who misses her absent parents; in one scene she unwittingly treats Mr. Monroe with a childish cruelty that most parents will recognize. The equal ratio of text to illustrations makes this a good choice for reluctant readers, although there is some challenging vocabulary. There is enough detail in the exceptional illustrations to satisfy any graphic novel fan.—Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

PreS-Gr 1—In this addition to the series, Sammy the spider learns about Shavuot, which "celebrates the time when God gave the Torah to Moses." He watches as the Shapiro family makes blintzes and reads parts of a small Torah scroll. The brightly colored paper-collage illustrations have child appeal, but may not be enough to overcome the nonexistent story line. As in the previous books, the text is centered on a concept, such as counting, colors, or shapes. This time, the words "first," "then," and "now" are repeated as Sammy chats with his mother and learns the concept of sequencing while they observe the holiday preparations. Jewish educators often bemoan the dearth of picture books about this particular celebration, but only those wishing to complete their set of the Sammy Spider tales will want to add this one to their collection. Barbara Diamond Goldin's A Mountain of Blintzes (Harcourt, 2001) is a better choice for Shavuot sharing.—Lisa Silverman, Sinai Temple Library, Los Angeles

PreS-K—Bambi, the fawn made popular by Disney's animated movie in 1942, experiences his first day of life in this picture book. Unfazed by the hustle and bustle of the forest, a doe cleans and nuzzles her new son as he slowly awakens to experience his new life. Realistic images of deer rendered in burnt orange oil paints contrast nicely with the green, sun-dappled foliage of the forest. Illustrations vary little from one spread to the next and seem to portray Bambi and his mother in a state of suspended animation. The text, taken directly from the original English translation of Salten's novel Bambi, ein Leben im Walde (Bambi: A Life in the Woods), proves rich and intricate. Indeed, readers will find their tongues tripping over sentences such as, "The whole forest resounded with myriad voices, was penetrated by them in a joyous agitation." Moreover, the subject matter—the tender bonding moment directly following childbirth—is more apt to be appreciated by new mothers than by children. Aside from Bambi aficionados, this book may have trouble finding a suitable audience.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2—In Crazy Hair Day (2003) and Star of the Week (2006, both Candlewick), Stanley landed in awkward situations, but all was happily resolved with the aid of his kind and insightful teacher, Mr. Winger. While this book follows the same formula, the result is problematic. Stanley finally gets to take the class pet home for the weekend. Persuaded by his friend Larry that the bright green bird needs exercise, Stanley opens the cage door and Figgy escapes, never to return. At first Stanley blames Larry, but he eventually accepts responsibility, and both boys apologize to Mr. Winger. At his suggestion, the children share a few fond memories of the bird and then the class replaces him with not one but four new pets. On the last spread, Figgy is pictured against a serene blue background enjoying his new life in a tree with other birds. First, allowing a pet to go home with a child who does not have a clear idea of how to care for it is tantamount to abuse. Second, domestic pets released into the wild rarely survive; Stanley's actions have probably killed the bird, and picturing Figgy enjoying his freedom is misleading. Third, the idea that living things are so easily replaced does not sit well.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 2—Joey is reluctant to go to his grandparents' house even though Mom reassures him that he will have a wonderful visit. Each time his grandparents mention an activity, thought balloons depict him anticipating the worst. When Grandpa suggests a fishing trip, the boy envisions himself feeling nauseated and even being swallowed by a huge fish. On the facing page, however, he is shown smiling and standing with his grandfather in a stream rife with fish. This sequence repeats itself with grocery shopping, a cousin's birthday party, a visit to a museum, cooking, and camping in the yard. Then, when Joey's mom and dad come for him, he doesn't want to leave. This book is just right for children who are facing their first overnight away from home. The brightly colored ink and watercolor cartoons cleverly show Joey's worst nightmares, and youngsters will laugh out loud at his imagination.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

PreS—Folksy rhyming stanzas introduce readers to Blue, the eponymous pickup truck, and the barnyard critters he greets as he navigates the country roads near his farmhouse. The first half of the book is an enchanting, toddler-entrancing symphony of animal noises and beeps. The cheerful text mimics the bouncing of the truck, and the warm folk-art illustrations call to mind the paintings of Grandma Moses. Then it begins to rain, and a mean, self-important dump truck enters the story. When the Dump gets mired in the mud and honks for help, he gets no response: "nobody heard/(or nobody cared)." Then Blue drives into the puddle to assist, but also gets stuck. When Blue cries for help, the animals rush to the rescue. From this, the dump truck learns that "a lot depends/on a helping hand/from a few good friends." While the message might be a little heavy-handed, this is still a fun, rollicking story that should find a place in most collections.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

PreS-Gr 1—When Addison's parents get divorced, he ends up with two homes, and he feels safe in both of them. He knows that his mom and dad will always love him. The text uses simple straightforward statements; for example, "Mom and Dad do not always get along. But it's not because of me" and "Even though I wish we could all live together again, that probably won't happen. It's not up to me." Schmitz uses repetition in the best possible way to drive home her main points of unconditional love and that Addison is not to blame for the divorce. The brightly colored illustrations have exactly the right images to support the story. Due to its positive feel, easy-to-understand message, and topical nature, this book is an excellent choice for most libraries.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 2—Fans of Scotton's Russell the Sheep will immediately recognize the offbeat humor in Splat the Cat. The fuzzy black feline is worried about his first day of school, and despite determined attempts to avoid the inevitable, he ends up there. School is a combination of fantastic revelations and baffling mysteries. Most puzzling of all for Splat is the news that cats chase mice. He does not chase mice. In fact, he has a pet mouse whom he has packed in his lunchbox because he wants a friend with him on his first day. The sight of the mouse causes chaos, but proves fortuitous when Seymour saves the day by crawling through a small hole to unlock the milk pantry. Cheered by the fact that school is, in fact, wonderful, Splat excitedly returns on the second day. This lighthearted story, told with a generous helping of humor and goofy characterizations, will have broad appeal. The backgrounds are full of great details, like the fish-bone wallpaper in Splat's room and one of his classmates clutching a Russell the Sheep doll. There is something new to find with each reading. The use of monochrome in the illustrations, with a touch of color here and there, emphasizes the idea of school as a place of uniformity where fresh ideas are allowed to break through. Splat is a welcome addition to the first-day-jitters canon and a fun book to read any time of year.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—An unnamed child tells about his friendship with Matt, a boy with autism. Matt's condition is addressed directly, but then glossed over, as if his behavior were not really a problem. For example, when talking about playing basketball, the narrator says, "Sometimes Matt has a hard time following directions at practice…. Since we're friends, I show Matt what to do." Children who are autistic don't simply have a hard time following directions; they have difficulty attending to what is going on around them. They often have trouble with any organized sports, and while it is thoughtful for a child to volunteer to show Matt what to do, it is unrealistic to expect that he will respond to this "extra" help so easily. Both boys are drawn as cartoon characters; one is white and one is black. They are generally smiling, although Matt's expressions change with his mood. The message in this book is not to be ignored; it is important for normally functioning children to befriend those with disabilities. But, it is unreasonable and a little disingenuous to suggest that a classmate can ensure that a child with autism will play well with others and be accepted by the group. Accomplishing this is beyond what most professionals could attain.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

PreS-Gr 2—The blue giant squid introduced in I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean (Dial, 2007) returns to challenge the art world. Drawing readers underwater for simple demonstrations of artistic skill, the creature happily splashes his ink across page after page of a watercolor-washed sea world. "I can draw ANYTHING!" he shouts to all listening ears. Changing expression with the smallest alterations in his bulbous eyes, the enormous squid has a childlike enthusiasm that encourages youngsters to follow him past doodling efforts and an exhibition of his artistic flair. He's unstoppable by fish or shark, and turns a whale into a canvas for a four-page foldout of Picasso-inspired art. There's no deep plot here. A mildly threatening shark from cut paper contrasted by angry and ink-bedaubed clownfish provides all the drama, with a lush background of purples and blues in an ocean palette. A pleasing additional purchase.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

K-Gr 3—A confident girl walks readers through a typical day at home and at school (Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary) as she fantasizes about herself as president. Her first executive order is for waffles. She then negotiates a treaty between a cat and dog and appoints a toy cabinet; Mr. Potato Head is a dapper Secretary of Agriculture. In decisive fonts, the Head of State vetoes tuna casserole and other schoolhouse aberrations. She "leads by example" when it's time to straighten up her bedroom, but wisely delegates an ambassador's visit to the VP as weariness sets in. Smith's understated text is accompanied by clean, cleverly designed compositions. The heroine's trapezoidal head and triangulated body are offset by stylized trees whose leaves are trimmed to float in perfect orbs. In what appears to be mixed media involving digital and hand-painted scenes as well as collage, the artist creates a '60s feel with earth-toned backgrounds that resemble the faux grass wallpaper so evocative of the period. Mid-20th-century games and presidential biographies for children are part of this fearless leader's paraphernalia. As in Smith's other spoofs, this book blends message with medium for maximum delight. Kathleen Krull's A Woman for President (Walker, 2004) and Jarrett Krosoczka's Max for President (Knopf, 2004) offer complementary glimpses at females and the Executive Branch. Hail to the chief!—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 2—Emily is heading off for her first day of school, and she insists that her mother stays with her. "Forever!" "I promise….And a promise is a promise. I'll stay at school for a million gazillion years with my Emily right on my lap." Mrs. Beekman is true to her word. Even when her daughter discovers that school is actually a fun place, the woman won't leave. Teacher Sue nicely but firmly insists repeatedly that it's time for all adults to go home, but Mrs. Beekman is not deterred. She resorts to disguising herself as a coatrack and, on subsequent days, as a big purple hat, green dog, yellow bird, and oversize hula hoop. Finally, Emily kindly convinces her mother that she wants to be in school by herself. Careful readers will note that Mrs. Beekman's disguises match items Emily mentions in the book's first pages. The illustrations work perfectly with the text. The characters' facial expressions are spot-on, and Carrington captures the feel of kindergarten, the love between Emily and her mother, and a child's first steps toward independence. This enjoyable if slightly familiar tale would work well for one-on-one sharing or storytime.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-K—Otto the otter is writing down the things he can and can't do, and even though the first side of his list is longer, the one item on his "I CAN'T DO" list makes him very sad: he wants, more than anything, to swim. With encouragement from his sister, he starts small, first hopping on the riverbed, then starting to float, then learning to splash and kick—and finally he is able to jump from the Highest-Ever Rock and swim in the Deepest-Ever Pool below. The message will resonate with children learning this skill and others "little by little," and Marlow's expressive watercolor and ink illustrations will capture their interest. The real star here, however, is the peppy text, which bounces along with all the energy of Otto rolling through the water.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-K—A simple rhyming story about children visiting their school library. The bright artwork has strong black outlines, and careful inspection reveals familiar picture-book covers such as The Little Engine That Could, The Snowy Day, and Stoeke's own Minerva Louise. Students of various ethnicities are shown, as are a female principal and welcoming librarian. An engaging introduction for most collections.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 1–3—Bright colors, heavy doses of humor, and puns to make readers groan fill the pages as a boy's art supplies prepare for a personality-plus party. Tougas draws upon the tools of an art studio, loading each page with double meanings, e.g., "the pastels arrived. They blended in smoothly" or "the crayons rolled in…. Those guys sure know how to think outside the box." Art's endearing, off-centered features combine with google-eyed markers, crayons, boxes, brushes, tapes, scissors, and glue. Antics of the supplies create opportunities to display the use of various media and inject a frenzied levity in the world of the supplies. Brushes of paint whiz by in long swathes of color, made grainy by thinned bristles. Childlike pencil and crayon drawings propel readers into Art's imaginary world where he dips his toes in the rinse jars alongside the animated wide eyes of soaking brushes. This lively title is sure to be a favorite of youngsters learning to appreciate both subtle humor and engaging cartoon art.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-Gr 1—Alphabet books abound, but playful verse and an inventive concept set this "Isn't Alphabet" apart from more traditional titles. Ulmer tells her listeners what each letter does not stand for before offering a word that begins with the correct sound. "A isn't for box; it isn't for fox/A is for ants that crawl over your socks./B isn't for kite; it isn't for light./B is for bats that fly by in the night." Though the entertaining non-examples show an appreciation for the audience's sense of the silly, Knorr's charming paintings of winking cats, smiling jellyfish, trumpeting lions, and pillow-fighting llamas are worth the purchase price alone. Each letter is presented in upper- and lowercase with an accompanying array of images. Children who are confident in their phonemic prowess will be enticed to identify the appropriate noun pictured with each letter. Artful compositions will invite even younger listeners to linger over each illustration, regardless of the potential lesson. The anthropomorphized images make even the less-familiar creatures in Ulmer's examples ("nuthatch," "Xenops") more accessible. This pleasant work will be at home in most libraries.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 3—Children who have experienced an invasion of nits will readily empathize with the dilemma facing the red-haired protagonist in this rollicking look at a lice infestation and the drastic steps one family takes to remove the bugs. Told in verse, using the voice of a young girl who consistently drops her "g's," this humorous tale has a down-home comic charm: "I was scritcha-scratchin'/while a batch-a bugs/was hatchin',/yes, those cooties were/attachin' to my head." The lively text is complemented by the over-the-top antics observed in Booth's cartoon illustrations. The grandmother's facial expressions are particularly giggle-inducing. The top margin of each page is a close-up view of the nit-infested scalp that detail-oriented readers will enjoy studying. Libraries looking for a humorous introduction to the topic will want to consider purchasing this book for a laugh-filled lesson on a common childhood condition.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Sometimes keeping things simple is the best practice. That is the moral of this story about two best friends, Coppernickel the bird and Tungsten the dog, who set out to invent a machine for picking hard-to-reach elderberries. The clever cartoon characters are outlined in bold strokes, filled in with flat colors, and have elongated dot eyes. They are quite expressive despite their minimalist rendering. The slightest change in line—the shape of his mouth, for instance—has Tungsten shifting from reflective to horrified to angry. As both he and Coppernickel sketch out their inventions on sheets of paper, the bird's illustrations rapidly spill over to the walls and the floor, while the dog's sheet remains relatively blank. Although essentially a line drawing, Coppernickel's diagram is quite complicated in the number of gears it has; and when he becomes physically caught in his own invention, van Reek shifts to depicting the sequence of events in a series of miniature square panels. The eclectic mix of visual simplicity and detail combined with straightforward text results in a timeless tale of imagination and friendship that children will be drawn to and enjoy again and again.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

K-Gr 3—An enormous meatball "bomple[s] and bounce[s] his way" through the countryside, blissfully oblivious to the problems he creates. Despite leaving behind a trail of farms with crushed raspberry patches and disquieted cows, and disrupting city streets, the meatball remains confident that the people "…can't get enough of me." The townsfolk's polite suggestions for caution graduate to furious billboards, which get no results. Fed up, the mayor decides to give the troublemaker "a good talking-to," but the meatball temporarily flattens her. The final page shows the villagers seated at a large table that holds a gargantuan (covered) dish with a sign, "Menu du Jour—Meatball." The dialogue is likely to confound some kids: "He sullies our jellies and jeopardizes our jams." Although the cartoon artwork, drawn with black Prismacolor pencil and colored in Adobe Illustrator, has quirky charm, the lead character is vaguely disturbing. Apparently raw, he is a lumpy pink blob with dents, one eyebrow, and short arms and legs. He wears white socks and dress shoes, and has buck teeth. If you have a picture-book audience for dark humor and oddball characters, you might consider this book for your collection.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 1—When big, hairy Boris the grizzly bear joins Miss Cluck's classroom, the other animals are afraid of him despite his friendly overtures. They reject him over and over, only embracing him when he unwittingly scares away the bullies in the rat pack. Cozy text and sweet illustrations are not enough to save this flawed story. Boris is judged by his appearance as a "hairy, scary grizzly bear" from beginning to end; at first he is seen as a threat, and later as a protector. His classmates never learn that he is simply a youngster like themselves, looking for friendship. Even the teacher blames the victim, saying, "Boris, please try to be less scary, dear." Alone in the library corner, he sobs, "I'm just a great big grizzly bear." When his appearance frightens away the rats and his classmates finally claim him as their own, he declares, "If you're going to be a bear, then it's probably best to be a hairy, scary grizzly bear." Boris has been brainwashed. Whether the story is meant as a lesson on how to treat the new kid, or on judging by appearances, the message it ultimately sends is an unfortunate one.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 1–3—An author's note explains that in 17th- and 18th-century Japan, provincial governors were required to divide their time between Kyoto, home of the Emperor, and Edo (modern Tokyo), where the Shogun exercised temporal power. Accompanied by numerous retainers, these feudal lords frequently traveled the 300-mile Tokaido Road, stopping at inns and teahouses built to accommodate their retinue. A famous series of woodcuts by Japanese printmaker Utagawa Hiroshige, depicting the landscapes they traversed, inspired Whelan to imagine this journey as seen through the eyes of Yuki, a governor's young daughter, who travels with her mother and small dog. Their party, with its 1000 carriers, passes over a river, through snowy mountains, and beside the ocean, where Mt. Fuji rises in the distance. Yuki describes the sights she sees through the shuttered windows of her palanquin, as well as the food and accommodations along the way. The haiku she writes at the request of her teacher are interspersed throughout the first-person narrative. These brief poems chart her homesickness and eventual acceptance of change. The handsome, well-composed watercolor illustrations, executed in subtle shades and reminiscent of Japanese woodcuts, lend specificity to the tale. A useful supplement to curriculums focusing on Japan.—Margaret A. Chang, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams

K-Gr 2—This charming picture book celebrates a child's enthusiasm for her world. From the moment she arrives in class, through the bus ride and tour of the museum, Bella's lively interest in everyone and everything she encounters earn her reprimands from the adults and the cold shoulder from her peers. Bella's excitement is finally cowed by the guide, who scolds her, and a classmate who tells her she is "ruining everything." Bella flees the museum in despair, planning to take refuge on her bus, but she accidentally boards the wrong one. Upon realizing her error, she bellows, "Stop the bus! I'm on the wrong bus!" Bella's self-esteem is restored when the chaperone on that vehicle comments, "Good thing she has a loud voice." Bella's teacher agrees, which helps restore the child's happy mood. Mai-Wyss's colorful watercolor cartoons are a nice match for the text. Bella's irrepressible personality shines through in the active cartoon illustrations. The scenes in the museum are particularly pleasing as the child admires framed works of art done in traditional styles. The book's design adds to the story's appeal; Bella's speech appears in large and various colored fonts. An enjoyable read-aloud choice.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 1—An invite to picnic with the King and Queen of France brings a man, his son, two big dogs, and three wild aunts skipping and dancing along to the palace on a blisteringly hot day. Once there and about to be seated for a meal, poor Papa has a wardrobe malfunction—his pants rip with a healthy "BRRRRRRPT!!," leaving him with his underwear exposed. The court dandies burst into laughter, but the day and Papa are saved when the King declares that everyone must strip down to undies to dance. Stock's airy, riotous watercolors are a perfect match for this silly rhyming tale. Her dancers leap and cavort across the color-filled pages, and the pantaloons, bloomers, and unmentionables allow the dancers a welcome coolness. This lesson in kindness and grace in ameliorating an embarrassing situation is one that grown-ups will appreciate, while the joie de vivre of the characters, rhyme, and art will have children—who are always game for an underwear adventure—dancing to the rhythm.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1–4—It is 1933, and Ruth is feeling the effects of the Great Depression. Her father has a job with the Civilian Conservation Corps, but it takes him hundreds of miles from home. With her mother also working and the school closed because the town cannot afford to hire a teacher and heat the building, she is pessimistic about the future for herself and her younger sister, Janie. Their mother is a constant source of optimism, telling the nine-year-old, "We don't have much but remember, there's always someone who is worse off than you are. So count your lucky stars that you've got what you've got." Then one morning Ruth decides that she will instruct the younger children in the neighborhood. She teaches them their letters by writing in leftover biscuit flour and uses pebbles to illustrate basic math. An author's note provides historical context about the Depression while the story itself concentrates on the human elements. The illustrations reflect the family's love and warmth. Rich, vibrant colors light the home and the surrounding countryside. Pinks, blues, and yellows are repeated in the characters' clothing and the flowers in the garden. Sepia-toned images are used for flashbacks when Ruth considers previous events. This title succeeds in capturing a particular time period as well as in delivering a timeless message.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-Gr 3—Ana, six, impatiently observes that while she gets to mix the cornmeal to make Christmas tamales, "My sister Lidia is eight, so she gets to spread the dough on the corn husk leaves." She goes on to explain all of the things she will be able to do, "But when I am eight, Lidia will be ten. So she will get to fill and roll the tamales. I wish I was ten." The bilingual text, which stands out boldly on warm golden-colored paper, progresses in two-year increments until Ana cheerfully resolves she will open her own tamale factory when she is 18, and her older sister can come work for her. The Spanish translation is accurate, but the title is significantly different. The Spanish title, "Ana's Tamales," seems less awkward than the English and foreshadows nicely the sweet ending and the name of Ana's delivery truck. This is an upbeat multicultural family story with brilliantly colored artwork.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

K-Gr 3—These titles are neither engaging enough to stand as a set of story books nor organized enough for ready reference. While information about pet care is introduced and then reinforced by a closing set of "From the Veterinarian" guidelines, the episodic nature of the presentation and the constantly shifting point of view diminishes the authors' authority. Each book presents a family preparing to bring home a new friend and then taking care of it. Practical information about readying the living quarters, how to hold the animal, and whether or not to adopt more than one creature is discussed in each book. The pastel illustrations are sweet and homey and clearly indicate the young audience for which the books are intended, despite the fact that the texts frequently discourage young children from handling pets. C. A. Nobens's "Perfect Pets" (ABDO, 2007) or Julia Barnes's "Pet Pals" (Gareth Stevens, 2006) are more successful at stressing the responsibility of ownership while emphasizing the fun and rewards.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—The 21 poems in this collection chronicle a boy's school year. The book begins with "School Fever," when he claims that he has to stay home due to a computer virus ("I was on a school computer/And it played a dirty trick,/It zapped me with a virus/And I feel a little sick"). The last poem shows the start of summer vacation, when he realizes how much he's learned throughout the year ("Nine whole months of learning/It's been an awesome year,/And I'm headed for a future/I no longer have to fear"). These two examples show both the book's strengths (in the first one, a breezy humor and fresh eye) and weaknesses (an adult didacticism in the last one). In between, there are poems about a crush on his teacher, a mouse in the school library, and wishing a superhero would rescue him from a bully. Most of them read aloud well, although occasionally Bagert resorts to padded language to make the rhythm work (for instance, in "The Savage Beast," the librarian, "…read with great expression,/Her voice was really dramatic"). The colorful pictures have bold lines, comic exaggeration, and an effective simplicity that match the verses well. A bit of a mixed bag, this book is not as entirely successful as Carol Shields's Lunch Money: And Other Poems about School (Dutton, 1995).—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 3–5—These brief, accessible entries feature lively layouts, short chapters, and fictitious characters who pose questions and share information about the historical figures who are the focus of the works. Digby Platt is a young antique collector. His skeptical older sister, Hannah, accompanies him each week to Mr. Rummage's stall of old, interesting objects at London's Knicknack Market, where he finds, for example, Columbus's chart. In Shakespeare, they meet Mr. Clumpmugger, who runs the rare book, map, and print stall, and, in Mother Teresa, Saffron, who works at the spice stall. The books present information about the subjects' families and childhoods through conversations among the characters and in nonfiction inserts. The children also learn about the port city of Lisbon, daily life aboard one of Columbus's ships, Shakespeare's London, Elizabethan theater, the Roman Catholic Church, Indian independence and partition, and leprosy. The first spread is identical in all three offerings; it introduces the characters and sets the stage. Columbus and Shakespeare include a brief "Myths and Stories" section that dispells popular misconceptions. It should be noted that a glaring error in the volume about the Bard refers to "The Lost Years: 1885–92" in both the table of contents and in the chapter heading. Full-color archival paintings and photographs as well as cartoons appear throughout. Various typefaces are set against green or lavender spiral graph-effect paper with numerous subheadings and sidebars. Unfortunately, none of the books include sources. These informative works will entertain without overwhelming.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 1–4—From its unique cardboard cutout "picture-frame" cover to its 3 "Rs" to recycling, this craft book lives up to its motto: "Don't trash it—treasure it!" As good for its ideas in suggesting alternate materials as for its instructions, it will be sheer joy for young crafters, as well as for older artists. Projects are divided by basic type of material. The paper section has instructions for making boxes, an airplane, bowls, "junk mail mâché" bowls and jewelry, and woven pictures and collages. The plastic section uses discarded small toys to make a picture frame, various items from bottles, bottle-top art, party streamers, bubble-wrap cushions, and a candy-wrap screen. The metal section includes a fishing game and refrigerator magnets, a dancing-cat picture, mobile, and robots. The fabric section shows how to create glove and hat puppets, woven mats, change purses from old garment pockets, larger totes from old pants and skirts, and cushions from T-shirts. The projects are easy and clever, and all of the pages are profusely illustrated with large, colorful photos of a boy and girl working on the crafts.—Lynda Ritterman, formerly at Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 3–6—Rather than providing information about the history or care of a pet, these books introduce the inner workings of the animals. Each volume is narrated by the featured animal, and Burstein has given each one a distinct voice—the cat is slightly condescending, the dog eager to please, and the bird chatty. Facts about skeletal make-up, muscles, the five senses, and fur (or feathers) are divulged in relation to a human's attributes; e.g., a cat has five more bones in its spine than a human does, which is why it can twist and bend in ways that we cannot. There is a lot of information here, and it is relayed in an informal but well-organized style. Color photographs and technical illustrations along with facts (dogs' eyes each have three eyelids) and tips (because its bones are fragile, you must hold your bird carefully) break up the text to make for entertaining reading. These books are suitable for reports and will have broad appeal.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 2–4—Carson asks 20 planet-related questions, such as, "Why is Mars called the Red Planet?" and "What's a Kuiper Belt Object?" and answers each with a paragraph or two of basic, clearly presented information. Each Q & A also features a URL for a related Smithsonian or other authoritative site, and these are sturdily supplemented by annotated lists of Web and print resources. Aside from two inexact statements on the first spread (no, planets are not quite spherical and yes, large space objects do occasionally cross their orbits—just look what happened, probably, to the dinosaurs), the author won't lead readers astray, and a brief closing interview with a working astronomer adds a valuable human element to the content. This book doesn't quite live up to the title's hype, but it presents some unusual facts, and the big, colorful space photos and digital art provide plenty of visual interest to draw browsers.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 3–5—On each chapter spread, a heading poses a simple question about the featured animals or their habitats, and is followed with the answer in a succinct paragraph of large-print text. One, two, or more labeled illustrations appear on each spread-an eclectic mix of sharp color photographs and realistic paintings of representative species, simple anatomical diagrams, and some cross-sections revealing skeletons and/or internal organs. Extended captions have additional information; oval-shaped sidebars offer miscellaneous facts. Some pages are translucent; however, this is only effective in the two sections per title with an "X-Ray Vision" icon. When a specially designed, full-page painting is held up to the light, an animal's internal organs, developing embryos, other animals previously concealed, etc., are visible. While the amount of detail these brief texts can offer on any topic is necessarily limited, the books are clearly written, if loosely organized; much of the information in the captions or sidebars is general rather than specific to the section themes. The series title is more hyperbolic than accurate—while a few of the species discussed are dangerous to humans, the majority pose no threat. Rain Forest, in particular, overuses the word "scary." One section heading, "Are Rain Forests Dark and Scary?" and the caption "Meeting a jaguar in the rain forest would be very scary!" are so inane that they insult readers' intelligence. While the busy, colorful formats have definite browser appeal, there are many better-organized introductions to these animals.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 3–5—Finally, joke books with more to them than just the same old gags rehashed with new names and places (although there are some of those, too). They also teach children how to write rib-ticklers of their own. After several chapters of jokes, each one describes a specific type ("Daffynitions" in Classroom, tongue twisters in Let's Eat, riddles in Let's Go, and puns in Science) and how to write it. Readers are encouraged to brainstorm and to submit entries of their own to the publisher in hopes of having them posted on its Web site and perhaps included in a future book. Brightly colored, eye-catching cartoons complement the texts.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Gr 3–5—A quartet for motorcycle enthusiasts. Loaded with crisp color photos of snarling machines, glittering chrome, colorful body armor, and customized paint jobs, these books' combination of heavy-duty interest matter and lightweight texts spells appeal. Each one covers equipment and the experience of riding one of these machines, and Motocross and Enduro also discuss competition. The books contain a brief glossary (think "fairing" or "v-twin," both terms listed in Cruisers), a short list of further readings, and a step-by-step road map for reaching a pertinent Web site. From comfortable cruisers to ape-hanger choppers to the sturdy knobbies of dirt bikes, this collection is a satisfying two-wheeler daydream.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 2–6—From the scarlet whiplike tails of a Puss Moth caterpillar to the glittering armor of the Blue Ground Beetle, from the clustered eyes of a Greenbottle Blue Tarantula to the eerily alien face of the Devil's Flower Mantis, Davies introduces a host of insects made "super-size" by the camera lens. Paragraphs of text and detailed captions provide interesting snippets of information, but it is the superb photos that rivet the eye to these oversize pages. Similar in format to Hannah Wilson's Life-Size Reptiles (Sterling, 2007), and bigger than Diane Swanson's equally handsome Bugs Up Close (Kids Can, 2007), this book has 10 foldout pages (and oh! those foldouts!) and conceals a super-duper beetle poster on the reverse of the dust jacket. Eye-grabbing and informative, with a tidy amount of "eeyouw"-factor, this slim giant will engross monster lovers and budding entomologists alike.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 1–4—These spare retellings convey the essence of each story, but with some deviation from the original details. Unfortunately, there is no attribution of the author other than an added entry in the cataloging information in The Little Mermaid. The colored, cartoonlike illustrations have the sinister tone found in many teen graphic novels, too dark for the audience that would want to read these books. Although the fairly simple vocabulary makes them accessible to beginning readers, these titles are mediocre at best.—Lynda Ritterman, formerly at Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–5—Each chapter spread focuses on a specific topic, such as "The Castle at Peace" and "Knights' Last Stand," and includes a short paragraph about each element in the picture. These explanations are rich with information, and the computer-generated illustrations contain many details that will be pored over again and again. The book does not glamorize medieval life, discussing such things as sieges and the long path to becoming a knight. It discusses the reasons for the decline of both knights and castles and gives examples of structures from various periods throughout history. The one problem with the book is the layout imposed by the series. The first part is called "Introducing" and the second part is entitled "In Focus," with both of these containing material about knights and castles. There isn't much difference between the two sections, and dividing the book this way prevents a natural flow of information. Nonetheless, this volume will be useful for reports, and the lifelike illustrations and ease of reading make it appealing for children intrigued by the subject.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—This oversize book contains the Spanish and English terms for colors, foods, toys, clothing, animals, things that go, shapes, numbers 1-10, and items familiar to bath and bedtime routines. Each noun is accompanied by a brilliant collage illustration. The bright page borders and white backgrounds will draw readers' eyes to the marvelous art. The book will serve both families and classroom teachers desiring to teach young children basic Spanish words.—Teresa Moffett, Fulton High School, Knoxville, TN

PreS-Gr 2—Potter's fanciful, artistic interpretation is ideal for this 19th-century poem about the wistful place between sleep and dreams. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod are portrayed as three young boys in matching green pajamas, wooden shoes, and red hats. They embark in their vessel, a large wooden shoe, and sail "...on a river of crystal light,/Into a sea of dew." Sea and sky flow into one another and soon the lads are speeding through the air, where the "little stars" are "herring fish" and the young fishermen cast their nets. The wooden shoe brings them home, where readers learn that the episode is a lullaby sung by a mother to her son who is tucked in bed, snug in his green pajamas with his toy fish. Done in Potter's characteristic style, each spread is a dreamy still life; the mixed-media paintings are drenched in the calming blues of the sea and sky, and the muted hues lend a soporific tone. There is an otherworldly quality to the artwork, and a note describes why the illustrator was attracted to this poem. Share this vividly imagined book with youngsters who need a little help gaining entry to the world of dreams.—Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

Gr 1–4—These sports-themed stories are comparable to average early readers. In Adverbs, sports announcer Buzz Star gives a play-by-play account of the King of Swing Classic golf tournament. He returns in Pronouns for the big High Hoops Trophy basketball game. Readers will find the relevant part of speech highlighted in bold throughout each book, with definitions and explanatory notes (referred to as "Hole-in-One Hints" and "Hoop Hints") in text boxes every few pages. Presented in large font with ample white space and polished, cartoon-style illustrations, these stories may interest dedicated sports fans in need of an alternative lesson strategy. However, readers with more neutral tastes may be bored by the lack of drama, or turned off by the repeated use of sports vocabulary. Teachers will appreciate the succinct recap of grammar rules that follows each story, as well as the "All-Star Activity" and accompanying answer key. Best used for grammar practice rather than as reference works, these titles should be considered additional purchases where sports stories are a common request.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 1–4—Designed to appeal to browsers, these volumes use a question-and-answer format to provide general overviews. Varied page layouts have an effective combination of white space and color paintings. Two acetate pages in each book allow see-through viewing for a different perspective (for example, in Ocean Life, a shell-encrusted rock on one of the acetate pages lifts to show animals that live at the bottom of a rock pool). Many spreads include a small box with a true-or-false question (answers can be found at the end of the book). Rain Forest considers only those in tropical areas. Dinosaurs shows the size of each animal compared to a human adult. These titles are worth considering as supplementary materials, but they're not essential.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 2–4—Dwellings varying from the royal palace in Tokyo to mobile homes, stilt homes, and the desert tents used by the Tuareg people of the Sahara are skillfully photographed and presented in these brief works. Colorful, large, well-labeled pictures will maintain the interest of even reluctant readers. Students will enjoy browsing through the texts, though they will probably not gravitate toward them unless directed. Additional.—Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS

Gr 1–4—With a minimum of scientific terms, each title describes a few general characteristics of all insects and some distinctive characteristics of those that are featured here. On each chapter spread, several short sentences of text, set against a pastel background, are illustrated by a full-page (or a page and a quarter) color picture of one or more of the species. Most of the photos are sharply defined close-ups, so detailed that in shots of the insects' eggs, each one is distinct. Antennae segments, hairs, and spines on the insects' legs and bodies, etc., are clearly visible as well. Leaf-shaped sidebars offer miscellaneous facts; a one-page appendix describes general characteristics of invertebrates and includes photos of four related insects. While the brief texts are clearly written, the amount of information offered is limited, particularly on anatomy. The three main body parts of insects are only mentioned in each title's glossary, in the definition of "insects"; Butterflies doesn't describe scales; Stink Bugs mentions the insects' wings but doesn't describe or depict them. Ting Morris's Butterfly (Smart Apple Media, 2004), illustrated by fine color drawings, covers the same topics in more detail and includes anatomical diagrams of both the larval and adult stages. Of the three Goldish titles, Walkingsticks will be the most useful; its close-ups are superior to those of Patrick Merrick's Walkingsticks (The Child's World, l997) and Emily K. Green's Walkingsticks (Children's Press, 2006) and it contains a detail not included in either of these titles—that some species have wings.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 1–4—The photography surpasses the texts in these slight introductions. Most spreads consist of a full-page sharp, color close-up of one or more of the featured insects facing five short sentences of text. In some sections, smaller photos of body parts, egg cases, etc., also appear. The images are remarkably detailed, showing, for example, wing membranes and individual hairs, on larvae and adult bodies. The titles briefly describe a few traits of insects, some distinctive physical and behavioral characteristics of the featured animal, diet, natural enemies, and life cycles, but each has a slightly different emphasis. Mosquitoes focuses on the females' need to consume blood, and names some diseases spread by bites; Praying Mantises concentrates on the creatures' unusual physiology and their effective hunting techniques; Cockroaches emphasizes eating habits and speed. Leaf-shaped sidebars offer miscellaneous information; a one-page appendix includes general facts about invertebrates and photos of four related bugs. While the information is limited, particularly on anatomy (none of the books describe insects' three main body parts, and Praying Mantises doesn't mention the insects' spines, although they are depicted in the photos), most of the texts are clearly written. Mosquitoes, however, oversimplifies in using the word "beak" instead of "proboscis." Janet Piehl's Flying Mosquitoes (Lerner, 2006), Colleen Sexton's Praying Mantises (Children's Press, 2007), and Patrick Merrick's Cockroaches (The Child's World, 2003) offer more detail.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 3–5—Following the twists and turns of fate that brought World War I stretcher bearer Jack Simpson back into contact with a wounded childhood friend, this story attempts to pack too much information into a telling that is too simple. There are several hooks to attract readers' attention: Jack's adventurous nature, the drama of war, his coincidental reunion with Billy, and the role of Jack's donkey in rescuing wounded soldiers. However, with so many threads to follow, the story lacks focus. Complex historical events are pared down so much that they become nearly meaningless: How are children to understand why English Jack, who has been working in Australia, enlists because of the war with Germany, sails to Egypt, and ends up in Turkey? The folksy gouache paintings are colorful, dramatic, and detailed, and help to make the story's action more understandable. However, their sweet, cartoony style may limit the book to younger readers, while the story might be better appreciated by older readers who have studied World War I. Perhaps the most interesting information is in the back matter, where more straightforward explanations are provided about donkeys, mascots, Billy, and the respectful relationship between the Turks and their enemies.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–5—These colorful, compact introductions have straightforward, easily accessible texts. Each spread has an introductory paragraph, several short blocks of text, and three or four sharp, color photographs. The two-page chapters describe the animals' common physical and behavioral characteristics, habitats, diets, and typical life cycles, and give more detail on seven representatives of the group. Each title also includes a world map, color coded to indicate habitats, and one or two sidebars per section. All four books are concise and well organized. Each section has a well-varied layout, with eye-catching arrangements of text and photos—some images resemble puzzle pieces, while others are set within circles, trapezoids, etc. Greg Pyers's "Classifying Animals" series (Raintree) offers similar information on life cycles, but each book usually includes just one animal's development as an example. By focusing on multiple creatures, these volumes impart a better idea of the remarkable diversity among taxonomic classes.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 2–5—In a book about animal camouflage, photos are key, and Jecan's colorful, crisp, and beautifully composed nature shots—taken all over the world—do a fine job of showing how various creatures adapt to their environments. The book is divided by habitat (savanna/grasslands, sea, desert, etc.); each page features a photo of a particular species along with a brief description. Well-known critters like the sea otter are included, as are lesser-known species like the ruddy turnstone. While some of the photos require a hard look to find the hidden animal, this is no "Where's Waldo" (for example, a three-toed sloth hangs from a tree in plain view); however, all of the pictures clearly highlight the use of camouflage (the sloth's hair is tinted green by algae, which helps it blend in with its rain forest home). The text provides useful information but follows no clear pattern for choice of content. The author's style is not particularly fluid, and occasionally slips into unnecessary slang: "Mom is off scoring lunch." In "The Back Story," each photo is repeated in a smaller version with the creature circled in red. Photo locations and additional animal facts are provided. An enjoyable offering for browsers, this title will whet appetites for learning more about the individual species.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Gr 2–4—Realistic, handsome cut/torn paper collages form a visual lure for this attractive book on siblings and young in the animal world. Only children (giant anteaters), quadruplets (armadillos), families (elephants), and armies (termites) are just some of the creatures depicted and described. Brief paragraphs provide factual information on their behaviors and physical characteristics, some of which are further detailed in the "Animal Facts" pages (though the parthenogenesis of whiptail lizards is not addressed other than to mention the absence of males). Enough data is afforded to satisfy many children, and adults are offered some further readings to suggest to the insatiably curious. Eye-catching, and with an interesting approach to the animal world, this book should appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

PreS-K—There is no shortage of published collections of prayers for children, but even in such a crowded field, this one stands out. Simple meditations, both familiar and less well known, are presented along with warmhearted illustrations for the purpose of exposing children to the spiritual benefits of prayer. The well-chosen selections begin at the start of the day and follow different youngsters and their families through school, meals, and other typical pursuits, offering prayers of blessing, thanksgiving, or praise suited to each endeavor. The pencil, watercolor, and oil-wash artwork skillfully depicts the charismatic characters, who hale from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and live in both city and rural settings. The detailed illustrations provide numerous realistic entry points for readers to identify with the highlighted activities and the associated spiritual feelings they may evoke. The offerings contain attribution when possible, and an author's note explains why some do not. Libraries with a need to update their 200s section will find this a solid choice.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Gr 3—5—Fartiste revives the memory of performance artist Joseph Pujol, who turned the Moulin Rouge on its ear with his talented backside. The narrative breezily explains how a young Pujol discovered that he could command his bowels to do all kinds of things. His symphonic farting was purely recreational until, as an adult struggling to support 10 children, he ventured into Paris and took the artistic community by storm. Much of his act's success apparently relied on his deadpan delivery; his hilariously expressionless face allowed him to play straight man to the low (but impressive) comedy provided by his butt. Eyewitness accounts and film footage report that he could carry tunes, make animal noises, extinguish flames, and more. (Thomas Edison filmed a few seconds of the act for the Paris Exhibition of 1900.) Written in well-rhymed couplets, this gleefully tasteless tale reads easily. Kulikov's illustrations allude to the age of vaudevillian stage performance, painted playbills, and fire-hazard footlights that bronzed everything nearest them in golden warmth. (Predictably, the backs of Pujol's calves, knees, and thighs are most often depicted aglow.) The name-dropping, anecdotal epilogue spans four pages and explains Pujol's real-life notoriety and legitimacy among the most celebrated figures of the day. It's a kitschy, irreverent, silly true story, and what child doesn't love to hear the word "fart" spoken aloud?—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 3–6—This hi/lo title describes the layers of the earth; active, dormant, and dead volcanoes; the different volcanic structures that can be found (strato- and shield volcanoes, and cinder cones), and their effects on the environment. What volcanologists do and the potential dangers they face are addressed as well. The book is broken down into easy-to-read chapter spreads, and color photographs and illustrations contribute to the text. However, the "Heads up on Expert Reading" insets are potentially patronizing to the intended audience.—Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA

K-Gr 3—"As the spring sun sets into the tropical sea, two flamingos build a cone-shaped mud nest at the water's edge." Soon the female lays a single egg, and after the adult birds warm the egg for 30 days a chick hatches. This attractive picture book joins simple narrative and well-drawn scenes rendered in colored pencil and watercolor wash to follow the flamingos and their large flock through their yearly pattern. The chick is first fed "fat-rich crop 'milk'" by his mother but then learns to find food for himself. One day the birds experience a violent storm, and then all is bright and sunny again. Weeks pass, and finally the chick is nearly full grown, ready to fly and follow his parents on a feeding trip; next year they'll all be back to build new cone-shaped nests. The richly rendered views, both compelling and absorbing, tell the story perfectly, introducing these striking, exotic creatures in an account that will be enjoyable read-aloud fare as well as perfect material for science lessons. The author's note adds a few facts for adults, including a warning about the need for conservation efforts.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

K-Gr 3—McCarthy speaks directly to children who dream of someday "BLASTING into outer space," inviting them to experience astronaut school with four aspiring recruits. Painted in a cartoon style, the three men and one woman have large saucerlike eyes and off-center smiles. The book gives a very real picture of the arduous training required before going into space. Full-color spreads done in acrylics on gessoed paper show authentic facilities like a swimming pool, a jet, and the Vomit Comet (a plane ride that allows passengers to experience weightlessness). The text and illustrations are simply done, and their very sparseness highlights important stages in astronaut preparation. A space suit and toilet are shown against white backgrounds, and their parts are clearly labeled. The space-shuttle liftoff, painted vertically, and images of the smiling characters in space capture the excitement of this ultimate adventure. The author includes a page of fascinating facts as well as a list of places to visit. This appealing book is sure to find a wide audience.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 2–5—This picture book presents what is essentially the "creation story" of Deaf Culture in America. Though the author is not a member of that culture herself, she chose her source material well by drawing on Harlan Lane's much-respected When the Mind Hears: A History of the Deaf (Random, 1984) and presenting its most compelling moments, including Lane's imagined dialogue during the meeting between Alice Cogswell and Laurent Clerc, the first deaf teacher in the U.S. McCully wisely keeps the focus on young Alice, the girl who lost her hearing during a bout of spotted fever, and, by virtue of being the daughter of a wealthy doctor and philanthropist who lived next door to minister Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, inspired the advent of deaf education in the United States. At her father's request, Gallaudet traveled first to England and then France to research methods of teaching deaf children, and in Paris met Laurent Clerc, with whom he would found the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States in 1817. And it is at that school that Clerc's French Sign Language mingled with the students' home signs to become American Sign Language. McCully's watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture the ever-proper feel of early-1800s Connecticut. An informative author's note gives more historical details and context, particularly to explain the stilted English of Alice's letters, written before she began her education under Clerc. This is a book that has been sorely needed for some time, and McCully pulls it off with panache.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 2–4—This well-organized book is filled with interesting facts and large, colorful photographs. Much to the author's credit, it is one of the few books that provides correct pronunciation for culturally specific words like Muslims ("MUS-limz"). Nearly half of the book discusses Muhammad, the five Pillars of Islam, mosques, minarets, and the Qur'an. The first Pillar, Shahadah—Declaration of Faith—is translated from Arabic as "There is no God but Allah…," which is confusing for a non-Arab audience. It would have been more accurate to say "There is no god but God" or "There is nothing worthy of worship except for God," since "Allah" is the Arabic term for God used by Arab Christians and Muslims alike. Discussion on Ramadan and Id al-Fitr exposes readers to a variety of culturally different Muslims living in America, the Middle East, and Asia. With only a minor shortcoming, this book is a valuable resource for introducing Islam and these two important holidays.—Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Oberlin Public Library, OH

Gr 2–5—Starting with evocative collective animal nouns, such as a "tower of giraffes" and a "charm of butterflies," Maddox offers 14 brief poems. Teachers will appreciate the use of alliterative language, imagery, and lighter-than-air whimsy. In "A Rumba of Rattlesnakes," for example, the poet conjures up an image of the animals' dangerous, hypnotic dance with crisp rhythm and wordplay: "They rattle maracas and rat-tat on drums,/blow on tin trumpets, uncurl their tongues." Huber's appealing scratchboard with colored-ink illustrations add texture, color, and fanciful detail. An author's note gives some of the history behind the development and use of collective nouns. An enticing treat for would-be wordsmiths and animal lovers, this short collection will also make an excellent read-aloud.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 3–5—Animal tricksters from many countries practice their crafty ways in this handsome volume. Each of the 20 folktales is introduced with a detailed, full-page ink drawing that resembles a fine print, and illustrations in varying sizes appear throughout. The pictures are both energetic and eloquent, and their formal tone is echoed in generally well-shaped narrative. Occasionally the telling is prolonged or wordy or falls into contemporary colloquial language that is sometimes smooth and at other times jarring: "Hey, Bright One, I've come shopping. I want to buy all of your stories." A brief note about the country of origin appears at the beginning of each story: "This Cossack tale from Russia features a whole gang of creatures—but as usual, it is Fox who comes out on top." No source notes are provided, so readers unfamiliar with any of these tales can only guess at their cultural authenticity. While the attractive animals will appeal to many children, and some of the offerings will read aloud well, the book is most likely to find use with storytellers interested in the trickster tales.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 2–4—Mis discusses Coretta Scott King's work founding the King Center, and continues the story of the struggle for civil rights into more recent times. Malcolm X addresses the leader's evolution, touching on his early criminal behavior, his conversion to Islam, and his belief that violence can have a legitimate role in fomenting social action. Like the other books, Martin Luther King Jr. is admirable in its simplicity. It describes the various types of discrimination that the man fought against (educational, voting, housing, etc.), the measures that he took, and the accolades he earned. The biographies distill the essence of these figures in an easy-to-understand manner accompanied by plenty of photographs and sidebars. While there is nothing wildly exciting or innovative about them, they are serviceable.—Tracy H. Chrenka, Forest Hills Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI

Gr 3–5—Each of these instructional manuals gives aspiring cartoonists the rudiments of manga-style art while focusing on subjects popular with children. Each volume briefly explains the style (as compared to the Western comic book) and has a list of needed supplies. Nishida provides the basics of drawing characters and creating scenarios and offers some historical background on each of the subjects. The texts are easy to read and understand and the art is appealingly manga-influenced without being manga-specific. The presentations include short comics using the drawing projects and a glossary of common comic-related terms (such as plot, text, and technique) and subject-specific terms (such as chivalry or opponent). Although some finished examples may be a little advanced for younger artists, the author succeeds in providing quality instruction in the basics of cartooning.—Dave Inabnitt, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—Action-packed photos, most depicting soldiers with machine guns and other weapons in hand, skimpy content, and simplistic vocabulary characterize these slim titles. Each one opens with a short (as few as eight sentences) account of a battle: Green Berets tells of a roadside attack in Iraq; Delta Force describes a Panama prisoner rescue; and Army Rangers discusses the response after the September 11th attacks. Small maps show the locations of the action. The rest of each text is devoted to describing the qualifications, training requirements, and duties of each unit. Sidebars add information, as do some captions. Army Rangers is especially problematic. The Normandy invasion's battle at Pointe du Hoc is covered in four paragraphs, and the rescue of the prisoners of war at Philippine Camp Cabanatuan sounds as though the operation was easy. Also, a caption omits Italy as a World War II Axis power. Sharp readers will question the use of some of the same photos in all three volumes. Delta Force describes a soldier as having an M4-A1 Carbine. The same photo in Army Rangers is captioned as an M4 Carbine rifle. Delta Force and Green Berets share another photo, with the negative reversed. One describes the featured weapon as an M-4 Carbine while the other labels it as an M-203 Grenade Launcher. These titles don't pass inspection.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 3–5—A look at saber-toothed cats, with an emphasis on Smilodon, which perished in the thousands in the La Brea Tar Pits, leaving their blackened bones to be discovered 10,000 years later. O'Brien traces the feline family back to early Proailurus (30 to 20 million years ago), mentions a number of species, and includes some non-feline predators with saberlike canines. Realistic watercolor and gouache illustrations lend eye-catching glamour to the captionlike text, showing Smilodon's skeletal makeup and making life-size comparisons of teeth from a sabertooth, a modern tiger, and a modern human. Other contemporary predators are illustrated as well, along with a picture gallery of possible prey. While some recent research seems to indicate a measure of dental "fragility" limiting bite pressure, O'Brien opts for the cat's "huge teeth" as "perfect for biting through the thick, hairy hide of big beasts, such as mammoths and buffalo." Even if you already own Barbara Hehner's dramatic Ice Age Sabertooth: The Most Ferocious Cat That Ever Lived (Crown, 2002), you might want to make room for this sure-to-be-popular work.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 3–5—These short introductions are accompanied by large, eye-catching color photos and vintage art. In some cases, however, there are gaps in the narratives. In Movies, some actors are given briefer billing than deserved, or are not mentioned at all. Jet Li, for example, receives only a short biography (as opposed to Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, who have fuller profiles). Masters is more successful as it has a number of biographies of the historical figures involved in beginning various martial arts. In Ninja, spies and assassins are placed in historical perspective, and the current practice of ninjitsu is mentioned, but how ninja clans formed is never explained. In Samurai, the history of how the warriors came to exist is quite clear, but in that book and in Masters, the complicated history of the end of the samurai era is oversimplified: one book says that rogue samurai were exiled, while the other says that, after increasingly restrictive rules against the class, carrying swords was outlawed. Weapons is a shining example of the potential of the books, presenting equipment from a wide range of arts and clearly explaining its history (sometimes legendary, sometimes factual) and use. Despite flaws, these titles will appeal to students of martial arts, fans of martial arts movies or manga, and those interested in the real history of ninjas and samurai, and the fine illustrations will draw browsers.—Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 1–4—Pringle explores the history and traits of Eastern and Western dragons. He suggests why ancient civilizations might have believed in them and differentiates among their traits in different parts of the world. Illustrations, done in acrylic in a somewhat dark palette, invite readers, as the title suggests, to use their imaginations. All are filled with swirling colors, a few so kaleidoscopic that viewers must search for the creatures among the curves and lines. Patterns in backgrounds and borders reflect the various cultures from which they come. Among the eye-popping dragon books published recently, this one has a more scholarly feel. The summaries of stories about these mythical animals lack the richness of true storytelling, but the book will show young readers that there is much to learn about dragons and may lead them to research and dreaming of their own.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Gr 3–5—The history and functions of the presidential residence are unveiled in the typical series format. The questions are organized so that the story of the White House unfolds logically—first with a definition of what it is, how it came to be, some of its history, how to visit, special rooms, and, of course, a look at how the first families live. Anecdotes are plentiful and child-centered. Each spread is devoted to one question and its answer. The answers are clear, but some miss opportunities to give historical reference points. Information on visiting the White House fails to explain how to make the reservation that it mentions as necessary. The final section, an interview with the White House curator, explains his background and functions. The elegant page layout includes full-color, full-bleed illustrations from Smithsonian archives and some presidential libraries. Small inset illustrations and caption boxes provide further information. Several of the photos and artworks have been seen elsewhere but others are less familiar. "Smithsonian links," URLs leading to more photos and other primary-source materials, are provided on several pages. A solid addition to use with Jane O'Connor's If the Walls Could Talk (S & S, 2004).—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

PreS-Gr 2—An informative book about behaviors shared by animals and humans. The delightful, colorful illustrations reveal adult creatures teaching, feeding, protecting, and playing with their offspring. Charming and intricately detailed, the pictures have a "Peaceable Kingdom" quality, showing bears, elephants, owls, monkeys, tigers, and possums existing together in harmony. The wide array of animals includes those that live in snowy regions, deserts, and underwater. The descriptive text discusses the sizes and abilities of a variety of babies at birth, how they're fed, how they bathe, who takes on the responsibility of raising them, and what happens when an infant is orphaned. Though the text is somewhat anthropomorphic—"One animal searches for another to love"—and the illustrations often depict the animals smiling, children will enjoy learning about the similarities shared by animals and people. This appealing title offers the valuable lesson that all living creatures have much in common.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—Children will be attracted to these books because of the subject matter and adorable color photographs. The repetition, simple vocabulary, and predictability make them suitable for beginning readers; however, when youngsters attempt to decode the texts, in most cases they will find the pictures to be more decorative than helpful. The books are too simplified to be considered quality nonfiction. Important information is presented (for example, "Newborn puppies cannot see or hear"), but no scientific detail is included, such as how much time passes before puppies open their eyes. Vague terms like "soon" are used where exact or approximate time frames would have been more helpful. Books in the "See How They Grow" series (DK) are much more scientific and easier to read. These titles may do just fine in beginning-reader sections, but look for something better to fill nonfiction shelves.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

K-Gr 2—A little girl mourns the "death" of her favorite purple sneakers, but then it's off to the store for some new ones. She explores the merits of different kinds of shoes, from Mary Janes ("Why not Saras? Amys? Sues?") to moccasins ("Walk like a deer, these moccasins say./You can clomp like a cow any old day") to waders ("Does anyone make rubber waders/the size for almost second-graders?") to T-straps ("They taught me my first letter of the alphabet"), with many in between, until she finally settles on chartreuse high-tops. The shopping expedition is related through a series of 29 linked poems, and the rhythms are witty and always boppy. Nakata's vibrant, stylized watercolors are a perfect match for the bouncy text. With curricular connections to shoes and poetry, this book is a natural fit for classrooms.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 2–4—This remarkable story was created from a single line reference in Boone's autobiography. He was in fact captured by Shawnee warriors and brokered a deal where he would remain with them and work to convince settlers to give up without a fight. When he learned of their plans to attack his family's settlement in Kentucky, he could not sit idly by. He escaped in an effort to get word to the settlers of the tribe's plan. Boone's journey back home was the stuff of derring-do as he eluded the Indians who were tracking him. Pushing himself beyond human capacity, he ran for more than four days and a total of 160 miles. For young readers interested in history and those who are drawn to adventure, this true story is a compelling one. The illustrations, however, at times seem a poor fit for the text, depicting Boone in an almost comic fashion. Nevertheless, this well-documented vignette from the frontiersman's life will find a place in most collections.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 2–4—Following on the heels of A Is for Astronaut (2006) and C Is for Caboose (2007, both Chronicle), this attractive title is an eye-pleaser filled with a mix of photographs, illustrations, and graphic images set on textured, wood-grain backgrounds. Images are both vintage and contemporary, and range from black-and-white to full-color reproductions. Letters of the alphabet appear with anywhere from one word (V is for Vikings) to four words (S is for steamship, submarine, sextant, and square-rigger). The elegant scrapbook style offers great visual interest. The definitions of the sea-related terms, however, may be too difficult for alphabet learners while too simple for ardent young nautical fans. Definitions consist mainly of concise phrases. For example, a fireboat is described as "a boat that's like a fire engine on the water," while a hornpipe is defined as "a sailor's dance." A spread depicting an array of sailors' knots, a page illustrating Morse code, a spread labeling the parts of a ship, and the endpapers with the international code of maritime flags will be of interest to older children. The "Captain's Challenge," a series of questions pertaining to the content of the book, appears on the back flap.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

PreS-Gr 3—This adaptation of Mozart's famous opera is pitched toward a younger audience than Anne Gatti's version (Chronicle, 1997), illustrated with Peter Malone's stylized paintings. An introductory spread presents "the cast," a helpful tool given the similarities among some of the names. The story of the handsome prince who encounters the forbidding Queen of the Night and endures three tests of his mettle before winning the hand of the lovely Pamina is told in simple prose, peppered with dialogue and occasional sound effects. Children raised on Disney will be attracted to the bright palette and the abundance of purple and pink, although Teis's painted papers and collages offer much more texture and design interest than those animated antecedents. The artist's ethnically diverse characters enrich the telling as well: each of the three servants to the Queen is portrayed with a different skin tone and hair quality, and the wise Sarastro sports flowing, ivory dreadlocks. Gatti's longer, more detailed presentation includes musical excerpts on an accompanying CD. The delightful "Mozart's Magic Fantasy" CD in the "Classical Kids" series (Children's Group, 1995) employs a contemporary character to help young listeners appreciate the composer's tale and glorious music. All three items have something unique to offer. Teis concludes with a brief note about Mozart, her childhood experience with his music, and extension ideas.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 1–3—Accurate information about historical pirates is often intermixed with popular myths about buried treasure and walking the plank. While the color photographs and illustrations in this book support all of the usual stereotypes, the text at least implies that some of the legends were simply great stories. A brief overview of the differences among buccaneers, privateers, and Vikings (some might object to the inclusion of the latter group) provides a good introduction, but on the whole, the text reads as if it were designed to appeal to children about to embark on a pirate amusement-park ride. A small section on female pirates mentions Anne Bonny and Mary Read, but not Grace O'Malley.—Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA

K-Gr 3—Each of 26 large, alphabetically arranged color photos showing a species of bird—many familiar, a few exotic, and one (the rooster) domesticated—faces a mundane, uninformative, unpunctuated, and sometimes misleading four-stanza rhyme (for example, E is for Egret: "Look over here/Look over there/But whatever you do/Don't look at my hair"). Some of the species shown are identified only by their general name (e.g., the "pheasant" is actually a ring-necked pheasant; the "vulture," a turkey vulture). The "loon" in the photo is a common loon in its white-breasted, mottled grayish winter plumage, which differs vastly from the remarkable jet-black head and exquisite black-and-white square and stripe patterns of summer that make this bird so distinctive. The minuscule facts that are offered amid the verse are quite general (one bird has keen senses; another can see well at night; a third has long legs and beak that help it to catch food). Clearly designed to showcase Terzian's photos, this avian alphabet serves no other apparent purpose.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 2–4—Engaging introductory titles. Tieck discusses each location's historical importance, features, construction, and attractions. "Detour" sections present interesting details and facts. While these books are well suited to beginning researchers, some youngsters will want to browse them. Average-quality full-color photographs along with black-and-white historical photos appear throughout. Serviceable additions, especially where there is regional interest.—Colleen D. Bocka, Nathaniel Rochester Community School, Rochester, NY

K-Gr 4—Through this illustrated version of her upbeat song, Winans encourages youngsters to recognize their unique talents and abilities. In two different scenes, children are exposed to unpleasant experiences and respond with positive actions. Readers are reminded that what is in the heart matters most of all. As the song notes, "we have millions of children with possibilities…. What makes this world a better place is that we are not all the same." Delightful stylized cartoon images of children of color depict the characters' facial expressions, dilemmas, and their actions. The layout is straightforward and the text flows across bold, beautiful spreads. A CD is included and the original lyrics are printed on the last page. The combination of book and song would be useful to build bridges among cultures.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS-Gr 3—The unique and quirky characteristics of 19 different animals are celebrated in this dynamic collection of short poems. The verses range in length from two lines ("If I were looking for a pillow,/I would not choose an armadillo") to eight lines. Most of the creatures will be familiar to young children; however, not all of them are identified. A crab, flamingo, elephant, giraffe, and butterfly are not labeled. Each witty rhyme is accompanied by a highly stylized and vibrantly colored illustration of the animal set against a solid-colored background. The charm of each poem is perfectly matched with the boldness of the art. The two pages that feature large flaps with die cuts increase the level of humor and appeal. This book is an excellent choice to share with a group of young children, as well as with an elementary class embarking on a creative-writing unit.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN