Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 1–4—This story is centered around Girgian, a Muslim celebration observed mostly in the Arabian Gulf states during the middle of the month of Ramadan. When Noor, who lives in Kuwait, sees the almost-full moon rise, she knows it's time to prepare for the festival. The family makes candy from honey, sugar, and nuts to share with the children in the neighborhood, wrapping it with cellophane and colorful bows. Then the siblings decorate canvas bags with bright colors, hoping to fill them with treats on the following evening. Noor spends the next day reading the Koran and praying while she fasts but wishes the time would go more quickly. Finally, the sun sets, and the streets are filled with youngsters singing, carrying fanouses (Ramadan lanterns), and knocking on doors to collect candy. Afterward, Noor and her grandfather deliver a food basket for the poor to the mosque. The story underlines the gift of sharing during a month dedicated to self-improvement and community welfare. Shimmering with moonlit hues, the attractive illustrations are done in a style that reflects one of many Muslim cultures. A helpful author's note and glossary are appended. An excellent choice for units on diversity and multiculturalism.—Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Oberlin Public Library, OH

K-Gr 2—"Once there was a pencil, a lonely little pencil, and nothing else." One day the pencil begins to draw. Before long it has created a world populated with rather cranky individuals, pets, and talking objects that make demands for names, food, companions, etc., and then begin to complain about everything they have received. The pencil tries to be accommodating and creates a paintbrush that adds color, to no avail. It draws an eraser to remove the offending items, which runs amok and erases everything. The pencil then comes up with a clever solution to prevent itself from being eliminated by the out-of-control eraser, and this time creates a more orderly world. This quirky story will appeal to children who have a slightly offbeat sense of humor, and it could easily be paired with Henrik Drescher's equally quirky Simon's Book (McAdam/Cage, 2006). Ingman's acrylic cartoon illustrations use a rich color palette and supply numerous details that complement the story. Not an essential purchase, but fun.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 1–3—Allard has concocted a zany tale about a chicken who dreams of a life far from Mr. Brown's rural Tennessee henhouse. To her delight, a chicken fairy godmother turns up and Starlight's life, with each new wish, changes dramatically. Convertibles, airplanes, a trip to Milan, and appearances at fashion shows are suddenly everyday occurrences. However, when her godmother takes a vacation cruise around the world and her nephew takes over, things take a very different turn. Now, with each egg Starlight lays, odd objects (clocks, eggbeaters, and pianos) hatch, and, ever intrepid, she turns her bounty into a permanent yard sale. The tale could well have ended here but Allard gives it another wacky, albeit somewhat puzzling, turn. The final page finds Starlight further flummoxed—she has laid a yacht! But whether her bewilderment is due to the huge boat suddenly launched into her yard or to the chicken fairy godmother peering from a porthole will be up to individual readers to decide. Or perhaps it hints at the old adage, "Be careful what you wish for!" Regardless, some children will undoubtedly get a chuckle over Starlight's crazy escapades. Booth uses fluid watercolors to give depth to his pictures but it is his straggly, New Yorker-style lines that aptly define the characters and inject the comedy. For a more cohesive animal-as-star story, treat children to Robert Kinerk's Clorinda (S & S, 2003), a tale of a cow who dreams of being a ballet dancer.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

Gr 1–2—These early chapter books begin and end in the time-out chair. In Friends, Roscoe's first-grade class is getting ready for open house. It's supposed to involve a performance of singing bumblebees followed by dessert. However, add one hyper, trouble-finding boy (Roscoe) with a tube of Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue and too many bright ideas and you've got a recipe for disaster. In Sweater, Roscoe trades an itchy sweater that his grandmother made him for his neighbor's dog so he can enter the animal in a pet show. The protagonist always means well and the adults can usually see a big heart behind his antics—after they've calmed down a bit. Both stories are fun reads with simple and amusing cartoon illustrations. Good choices for children transitioning from beginning readers to chapter books.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

K-Gr 3—A pod of dolphins swims joyfully toward the beach, leaping as it follows a school of fish, and then stopping to rest on the sandbar. The tide recedes, the dolphins are stranded, and volunteer rescuers work through the night keeping the animals wet and safe until they are able to return to sea. Arnosky focuses the story on a young dolphin swimming with its mother and a young boy who is part of the rescue group, drawing readers into the drama. The paintings are luminous, with daytime scenes in vivid colors and nighttime scenes dramatically lit with lanterns and flashlights. This is a simple and powerful nature anecdote that speculates why sea mammals beach. Children will be moved by the frightened animals and by the compassionate work of the rescuers (these situations in life don't often end as happily as this book does). Arnosky has once again produced an artistic and accessible science story.—Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL

Gr 1–3—Arnosky takes his nature storytelling one step further, adding music to the mix. This book takes a direct look at different animals and what they eat. It works well as a picture book, telling readers that if they were wild raccoons, or crocodiles, or great white sharks, they would "gobble up" crawdads, or ducklings, or fishes. The catchy song sung by the author on the accompanying CD adds the element of fun that's advertised. In recognizable, true-to-life acrylic illustrations that fill the spreads, the raccoon ambles into the forest, and a large crocodile opens its huge jaws to swallow up hapless little ducklings. The message, of course, is that this is what we must all do to survive. "We eat the food we have, and then—we have to hunt for food again!" With or without the music, this book will be sure to join Arnosky's others as favorites with youngsters eager to read about animals and with the storytime crowd as well.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—The locale here, the South American rain forest, refreshes the familiar story of a loud, hyperactive frog who boasts to other denizens about eating a huge fly, then queries them on their preferred diet. The setting balances the frog's comedy with information about toucans, coatis, capybaras, and jaguars, the last of whom observes our lucky hero's jumping talents. Endnotes with a paragraph on each animal reinforce the book's educational component. Terry's shiny, verdant rain forest capably offsets myriad greens with shadows of lavender, an electric-blue beetle, and wine-red berries. The spreads swirl with movement and beckon forward via fluid lines. The Frog with the Big Mouth brims with personality as he suspends from a tiny vine or leaps from a tree branch. This is an inventive version of a long-favored tale.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 3—Bateman offers up a workmanlike parallel between a turkey on a journey to save himself from a Thanksgiving feast and the Pilgrims of yore who created the tradition he seeks to avoid. Gus has grown up on a farm with all the amenities and has a penchant for dressing up. After hearing from his barnyard friends that turkeys "don't make it to January," he packs his things and follows the flocks of birds migrating south. Turkeys are good eating everywhere though, and life is dangerous until he meets an accommodating parcel of penguins at the South Pole and discovers that this journey to safety has made him a pilgrim. Though the concept has potential, Gus's story unfolds with the straightforwardness of a school composition; even the page design, with its tired Comic Sans font, doesn't make the most of the material. Sasaki's cartoon paintings have the same pedestrian feel as the narrative. For this holiday, read Eve Bunting's A Turkey for Thanksgiving (Clarion, 1991) or Mary Jane Auch's Beauty and the Beaks (Holiday House, 2007) instead.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

K-Gr 3—Eliza Prattlebottom's mother (an opera singer) and father (a board member) have little time to spend with her. "Oh, I wish that an elephant would come and take me away!" Eliza thinks as she blows out all eight candles on her birthday cake. Her wish brings Cousin Floyd, an elephant who whisks her to the jungle on his back at "four times the speed of wind." Only Eliza's neighbor, 97-year-old Adelle, out pulling her elderly dog, Potato, in his wagon, sees Floyd. Recalling her own delightful childhood adventure with the elephants, she finds her way back to the jungle by following her memories. Then, reverting to a younger version of herself, she talks Eliza into going home to "friends you haven't met and a life that you must not wish away." Juan's brightly colored acrylic and crayon illustrations with their red-orange and strawberry pink backgrounds are as eccentric as the story itself: a monocle-wearing bulldog; wispy dream characters from the past floating like cloud shapes in a pink sky; pop-eyed bugs amid oversize mushrooms; and flowers in a tendril-filled forest. The story's weakness lies in its conclusion. One might wonder why an eight-year-old in the midst of an exciting dream fantasy would heed another child's instructions to give it up and go home. Perhaps the whole adventure is only a dream, after all? Berger leaves it to readers to decide.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Following Over in the Ocean (2004) and Over in the Jungle (2007, both Dawn), this latest spin on the familiar "Over in the Meadow" rhyme takes readers on another adventure. Each page highlights a different animal, including a polar bear and her cub, an Arctic hare and her leverets, and a wolf and his pups. The last verse tells of 10 "surprise" animals hiding in the previous pages and invites children to go back to the beginning for a closer read. An author's note gives more information about the Arctic tundra and explains that while most of the details in the book are factual, the number of babies each animal would have according to the rhyme is not accurate. Spreads feature chunky cut-paper collages in a cool palette. An artist's note explains the process for creating the illustrations. Other interesting back matter includes tips for extended activities and notes for the traditional "Over in the Meadow" tune with the altered Arctic lyrics. This book serves as a useful introduction to the area.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1—These easy-to-read books have an appealing format, large print, and charming color illustrations. However, the texts are poor. In Auntie Susan, an adult acts silly and her niece copies her dress and behavior. A typical sentence is, "She has lines on her face, but I don't think she's old." Forget the suggestion of age, what about those contractions? Young readers need to see "she is" not "she's." The second title has numerous pictures of a cute bear dressed in overalls and covered in honey, and ends abruptly with ants running after him. Where the text reads, "Runny honey in Bear's jaws," children don't really see bear's jaws; the illustration depicts honey dripping down the side of the honey jar and from the bear's mouth. These titles are a pass.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

K-Gr 1—A simple tale of friendship between two children who are as different as night and day. Where Pearl is loud and boisterous, Charlie is quiet and thoughtful. When Pearl forgets her mittens on a cold day, Charlie helps to keep her hands warm. Conversely, when Charlie is feeling down, Pearl cheers him up. Clearly the audience can see that these children admire the opposing personality traits that they find in one another. Blabey's painterly illustrations, rendered in acrylics and mixed media on board, allow readers to see the texture of the canvas in the characters' faces, clothes, and even in the scenery. The sometimes curving text adds levity to Pearl's exuberant moments. Use this offering as a supplement for friendship-themed storytimes.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 2–4—A nameless little boy braves the first day of school in this crisply illustrated picture book. The text is a series of idioms that take him through the day, from waking up "on the wrong side of the bed," to having a "long face" at lunch, to being "happy as a puppy with two tails" when he finally comes home to his dog. The illustrations interpret each idiom literally, often to comic effect: "we'd be in a real pickle if we missed the bus" is accompanied by a pickle-as-bus picture, while meeting the "Big Cheese" shows a principal wearing a dress made of Swiss cheese. Bloch's graphic style incorporates photographs of objects into pen-and-ink drawings, and the copious use of white space keeps the focus squarely on the words and their visual interpretations. Wallace Edwards's Monkey Business (Kids Can, 2004) covers similar territory, but with a much more elaborate illustration style that goes more for humor than understanding. Here, Bloch's simple though imaginative pictures and clean visual style invite discussion of the deeper meanings of these oft-used phrases, making this an ideal book for the classroom or for one-on-one sharing.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 3—Abigail (the Great One) and Jake (the Pain) are back. The theme for this book is traveling, whether it is as close as the local mall, showcasing the Pain's attempt to walk down the up escalator, or as far as the Florida Everglades, where the Great One tries to keep from being bitten by alligators by wearing her leather cowboy boots. An emergency room trip to get a pussy willow removed from the Pain's nose will make readers laugh out loud. The nine short stories beautifully capture the experiences of siblings who love one another but who don't always get along. Their long-suffering cat, Fluzzy, gets his own chapter at the end. Stevenson's drawings perfectly complement the tales. Blume has delivered another funny story collection about two memorable characters.—Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA

K-Gr 3—It's the first day of spring and Jazmin, dressed in red and twirling her baton, is all set to lead the neighborhood parade. She flings the door open and encounters a big problem: the weather. Wind and thunder are followed by rain: "Slap! Rain poured down in buckets." Thus begins Jazmin's tale of disappointment and frustration as she waits for the storm to stop. "Mud Puddler…Cloud Crasher…Parade Wrecker," she complains as the rain roars, crashes, and bellows. Mounting frustration leads Jazmin to step outside and shake her fists at the rain and stomp her feet. But frustration gives way to fun as she kicks and chases the rain down the sidewalk: "I am Jazmin, the Rain Stomper!" Other youngsters come outside to watch; they urge her on, laughing and clapping. By the time Jazmin has finished, the sun has come out and the cheering children end up having their parade after all. "And so it was that Jazmin, the Rain Stomper…outstomped the rain." Velasquez's large oils impart a sense of the girl's disappointment as well as the feel of a driving rain and eventual pleasure. Large letters in white, black, or red and in different sizes emphasize the sounds and rhythm of the rain and thunder ("BOOM walla BOOM BOOM!"; "clink, clink WHOOSH!"). A delightful read-aloud that deals with making the best of a disappointing situation.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 2–4—Miss Bindley takes the class pets home for a long weekend and develops an eerie, extraordinary craving. Following the traditional cumulative rhyme, all of them disappear in a round of Fear Factor-inspired eating—a flea, spider, fish, rat, Jake the Snake, and, as students cry in horror, "She's got our Lizzie!"—the class lizard. Miss Bindley, in turn, grows less appealing with the turn of each page. Hair becomes flyaway and frizzy, her cozy robe falls into a frumpy sack, and her face turns-well, a bilious green. Gammell's lively artwork is a colorful combination of watercolor, colored pencils, pastel, and crayon framed by a mix of font sizes and colors. Assisted by conversational responses from Miss Bindley's students, who are spying on her, the tale progresses as tails disappear until the unlikely becomes the outrageous—"I know an old teacher who swallowed a child…." Would she really try that? The horrifying notion is entertained, but to the relief of readers, is tossed aside in this unusual offering.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

K-Gr 3—This bilingual story introduces readers to an important artifact in Navajo culture, the metate, or grinding stone. Cinnibah, a motherless girl, accidentally breaks her heirloom metate while her father is away and sets off alone in search of someone who can fix it. On her daylong journey, she encounters a moccasin maker, a pottery maker, and finally a stonecutter, all of whom help her by using their skills. In addition to making new friends, Cinnibah learns about the sacredness of the stone and retires her old one according to custom. Navajo words are carefully woven into the English text. Though the dialogue is somewhat stilted, the descriptive text is often richly poetic: "Ravens played their flutes and wrens blew kisses and whistled among the trees." The rural setting through which she travels seems almost timeless. Warm, impressionistic pastel and oil illustrations skillfully capture the desert landscape. Overall, this is a satisfying story depicting an important event in the life of a Navajo girl.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-K—The pug of the title not only juggles but, when fame overtakes him, his arrogant antics broaden to include a wide range of predictable doggie misbehaviors. When he drives the community to distraction, a young girl calls a town meeting and proposes getting rid of the offending pup. Predictably the dog, suddenly sheepish and repentant, promises to change. His reformation is short-lived as he is soon pooping on the rug again. This is not a real story but rather a rhyming verse that does not always scan (beware when reading aloud). The book is illustrated with bright, bold-lined cartoons in primary colors amid plentiful white space. There are hundreds of picture books about dogs so any new entry into this crowded field must compete. For more engagingly fractious Fidos, try Alice Provensen's A Day in the Life of Murphy (S & S, 2003) or Mark Teague's Dear Mrs. Larue: Letters from Obedience School (Scholastic, 2002).—Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

K-Gr 3—With a small kingdom of well-behaved farmers and their sheep, Queen Sophie is bored, so she enrolls in a correspondence course from the Royal College of Beauty. Because each of the 12 lessons must be practiced on 50 different people, the queen orders everyone to the castle daily for haircuts, curls, shaves, coloring, and manicures. All through the summer, Sophie beautifies her long-suffering subjects and their flocks. Then one morning these stylish folks—with their even more stylish sheep—protest that they have no time for their proper work. When the devastated Sophie apologizes, her subjects admit they have liked some of the things she has done. She finishes her beauty course and turns the castle into Queen Sophie's Hair Palace. Far and wide she is known as the Queen of Style, not so much for her handsome subjects as for their multicolored, poodle-trimmed, bedazzling sheep. Oil paints over acrylics make these bright, playful pictures pop, and the cartoon style highlights the absurdities of Queen Sophie's ministrations. Readers are invited to find the rabbit, cat, and Tyrannosaurus rex hidden in each picture. This is a story that can be enjoyed on many levels time and time again.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 3–5—In this novel, Nadie is caught up in feelings and social situations that will seem real to kids her age. Ever since she entered the upper elementary school in fourth grade, it seems as though the rules have changed: boys and girls can't be friends—at least in public. Nadie and Nick have been neighbors and best friends forever, but now they have to hide their relationship to avoid being teased. On top of that, new girl Summer comes on the scene and causes more tension between the genders as she becomes the class clown's nemesis as well as Nadie's pal. But Summer's antics and competition with Owen can be trouble, and Nadie's guilt by association causes a chain of troublesome events that make her yearn for the way things used to be. Readers will empathize with the protagonist and may see themselves in her as she struggles with peer relationships. Refreshingly, Nadie develops her own "rules" that include being mature enough to stick to and form her own friendships in the end, bringing together her entire classroom. Adults include an inspiring teacher and a supportive, at-home father.—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

Gr 2–4—Bunting addresses the complicated relations in Northern Ireland. Narrated by Allison, a Catholic, the story effectively captures the child's trepidation and confusion, particularly as she has learned that a favorite uncle has committed violent acts. A Protestant girl's act of kindness during her frightening walk to school leads her to conclude, "I think we could be friends…. If the grownups would let us." The book does an excellent job of presenting the situation from a child's perspective without demonizing either side, but adults sharing it must be prepared for the inevitable questions as to why such tensions exist, as no background or history is presented in either the story itself or the author's note. Dooling's oil-on-canvas illustrations are realistic enough to resemble stills from documentary footage. Little on this situation is available for children, but do be prepared for those questions.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 1—"You're late. Tick! Tock! You must have forgotten to set your clock!" Rhythm and rhyme follow a tardy Mr. Bungles as he races to be on time. From end pages that trace his route to brightly colored angles of each page, this book shouts MOTION and encourages listeners to fill in the rhyme with each turn of the page. Readers will find it might take more than just hopping in a car to travel even a short distance. Mr. Bungles's car won't start—he runs for a train. He misses the train and tries for a bus; it's too crowded. He runs for a van, but the van heads in the wrong direction, and Bungles finally returns via hot-air balloon and unicycle. As his name hints, the errant teacher can't seem to do anything right. Cartoon characters in scenes of collage and mixed media follow Mr. Bungles's efforts to watch the clock and avoid breaking his own rule, "Never, ever, ever be late for school!" A colorful selection for all libraries, this book is also a visually stimulating choice for teachers presenting time and transportation or inspiration for young students as the school year resumes.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

K-Gr 2—Artie is a happy little lion, and he's supposed to hunt rabbits. Julie is a happy little rabbit, and she's supposed to avoid lions. Their tedious stories are told simultaneously, on pages that have been cut in half. "Artie's story" fills the top portion of the book, with "Julie's story" below. Each animal dutifully submits to its parent's training until finally, after many grueling lessons, both are ready to set out for the grasslands alone. But they stop at the jellyberry patch instead, where they are caught in a storm and seek shelter in the same dark cave. The two sworn enemies spend the rest of their day playing together, and then go home. Chen's illustrations are winsome enough and feature a cool palette, smiling critters, and variegated landscapes. But the format doesn't work well: the pages stubbornly flop shut and get mixed up, and it's a struggle even for adult hands to keep them in order. If nothing else, this pitched battle keeps readers busy and interested, because the story doesn't.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

PreS-Gr 1—Eager to get out into the freshly fallen snow with her cat, Holly heads for the door in her slippers. Mom playfully reminds her that she needs to wear her red boots, and the child hunts throughout the house for them. A toy car and Mexican hat fit Holly's needs (the car will keep her slippers off the ground and the hat will prevent snow from falling on her feet). But Mom is insistent on boots so the youngster looks high and low for hints of red until she discovers them under the stairs. Rushing outside, she finds that the snow has already melted. In a satisfying conclusion, Holly's mom shows her the fun that boots and puddles can create. The bright, childlike art uses multiple perspectives and bold swatches of color to portray the freckled preschooler, her patient mom, and the chaotic house search. Youngsters who tend to take their time with any task and like the "search" as much as the "find" will giggle at Holly's antics, and older readers will appreciate the inventiveness of her search.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1—Ping Pong wants to fly, and he jumps off anything he can climb to try to make his dream come true. His attempts at flying cause problems in the barnyard, and the other animals meet to decide what to do about the pig. Instead of punishing their bouncy friend, they give him a trampoline so that he can jump to his heart's content. He is so pleased with his new gift and their kindness that he uses his trampoline to undo all the messes he has made. This book is similar in style to Church's Little Apple Goat (Eerdmans, 2007). The story is simple and short, with only a few lines per spread, and it is set in a friendly, informal font that flows from page to page. The pictures are colorful and expressive. The animals are done with an economy of line, but have obvious personality. The well-worn theme of following a dream is complemented with a stronger theme of friendship and returning a kindness for a kindness. (However, adults may want to mention that it is not a good idea to jump out of a tree onto a trampoline.) Overall, this is a pleasant story with potential as a read-aloud.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 3—Every full moon in the Northern Piney Woods, the animals gather to hear Maynard Moose tell his Mother Moose Tales in "old Moose Speech." The glossary begins with a tongue-in-cheek "Parental Warning" about "moose grammar, spelling, and usage, all of which have been known to scrumble up the human brain!" Poor little moose wanders away and falls asleep in a nest with five ducky eggs. "Boy, I hope the other ones will turn out better" is Mommy Ducky's reaction when she sees him. The story line echoes Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling" as the "uglified ducky" tries his best to waddle, quack, and swim, with humorous results. Predictably, all ends well, and Maynard Moose closes his story with a twist on the usual moral: If you don't fit into your "fambly…that does not mean you are uglified…. It just means you have not found out what you really are yet." Stimson's colorful illustrations are a riot, featuring stylized shapes, funny expressions, and animated scenes. A CD of the story performed hilariously by Claflin is delightful. This fresh, lively story is laugh-out-loud funny.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 2—In 1892, Ari is selected to engineer the first train between Jaffa and Jerusalem. Filled with pride, he boasts to his friends and neglects to say goodbye to them before he sets off. As the train stops to collect the necessary items to celebrate the Jewish New Year—apples, honey, round challah, and shofars—he is reminded of the true meaning of the holiday. He promises to do teshuvah—"to do better"—when he returns to Jaffa by apologizing for his insensitive behavior. Cheerful illustrations depict the sights and scenes of Israel with nostalgia and charm as mustachioed Ari and his red train pass through the land. An author's note provides additional information about the history of the first steam train in Israel, along with an archival photo. Libraries looking to expand their Jewish holiday bookshelf will want to add this delightful title, which will also appeal to train-loving children.—Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

K-Gr 8—With entirely black pages and a bold white text, this is not your typical color book. Meant to be experienced with the fingers instead of the eyes, this extraordinary book allows sighted readers to experience colors the way blind people do: through the other senses. The text, in both print and Braille, presents colors through touch (yellow is "as soft as a baby chick's feathers"), taste (red "as sweet as watermelon"), smell ("green smells like grass that's just been cut"), and sound (brown "crunches…like fall leaves"). Faría's distinctive illustrations present black shapes embossed on a black background for readers to feel instead of see. One page even describes a rainbow. A guide to the Braille alphabet appears at the end of the book. Fascinating, beautifully designed, and possessing broad child appeal, this book belongs on the shelves of every school or public library committed to promoting disability awareness and accessibility. A feast for the fingers.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 1—In this installment in the series, the mouse and her friends spend a rainy day at a natural history museum. On each spread, the familiar characters describe what they find in each exhibit. Cousins's flat-color gouache illustrations outlined in heavy black are friendly and familiar for young children and the explanations of what one might find in a museum can spark interest. A few terms, such as "marvel," "vintage," and "exhibit," will have to be explained to the youngest listeners.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

PreS-Gr 2—The remains of a Thanksgiving dinner are irresistible to a little mouse, who creeps out of his hole to help himself to one small pea. But soon, greed gets the better of him and before he knows it, he has taken one of every leftover tidbit, including the gravy boat and platter of turkey. Before he makes it safely back home, however, the cat spies him and pounces, knocking everything on the floor. The mouse escapes just in time, while the cat gets the blame, and to his delight he finds one "teensy-tiny, round and toothsome, green and luscious pea" for which he exclaims: "Give thanks! One is a feast for me!" Whimsical, large-scale illustrations drawn in acrylics, pastels, and colored pencils are a perfect complement to the story. Plenty of action and humor as well as a thoroughly satisfying ending make this a wonderful holiday read-aloud.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—In Quinito's Neighborhood (Children's Book Press, 2005), an appealing youngster took readers on a tour of his community. Now he returns to introduce children to opposites as he experiences them with his family. Quinito is the middle child in a family full of extremes: his older brother runs "fast/rápido," whereas his baby sister runs "slowly/despacio"; his Papi is "neat/ordenado," but his brother is "very messy/muy desordenado." Quinito admits that he is a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but mostly, "I'm just me, Quinito/yo soy yo. Soy Quinito." Ramírez's stunning illustrations are characterized by the use of thick, splotchy paint on textured canvas, expressionistic lines, and vividly colored figures outlined in black. Numerous action words make this book a great read-aloud for children learning opposites or for those studying familiar opposite words in a second language. Simple vocabulary and clear and consistent text placement also render this title appropriate for newly independent readers. A bilingual glossary of opposite words is appended to ensure that nothing gets lost in the translation.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

Gr 1–3—A girl finds a phoenix feather and decides that drawing the creature might help her to acquire its magical powers. Although Feng Huang works hard, her picture makes the other children laugh because it resembles an owl or a bat more than a phoenix. Pitying her, the Queen Phoenix swoops down to Earth and allows the child to spend a day drawing her. Although Feng Huang's renditions improve greatly, she still cannot capture the mythical beast's spirit. The Queen Phoenix again intervenes, giving the child a list of the bird's powers so that she can learn about each one. Through her diligence, she meets several gorgeous creatures that each embody a virtue—wisdom, clear sight, equality, generosity, and right judgment. Afterward, Feng Huang draws a glorious phoenix that gives her and her friends a ride through the heavens. The powers are relatively abstract, and as Feng Huang understands the opposing forces at work in each one—generosity and greed, wisdom and ignorance—she "draws away" the negative aspect. Brilliant splashes of color and imaginative details bring Demi's vision of this mythical creature to life. What doesn't come alive is the story, which seems little more than a vehicle for the paintings. In addition, no sources for the author's understanding of the phoenix in Chinese mythology are given, and adult readers, who surely will be needed to facilitate a child's understanding of the abstractions, will be left wondering if this phoenix represents traditional Chinese wisdom or Demi's imaginative re-creation of the creature.—Barbara Scotto, Children's Literature New England, Brookline, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Nonie, a young African-American girl, sits at the breakfast table with her parents and a wailing baby, sulking: "'Not gonna eat my mush. Not gonna eat it!' I say. 'Squishy, yucky, yellow stuff—mush is baby food.'" She puts on her shiny black shoes, and, with her chin poked out, stomps off to live with Grandma (next door), where there's no mushy mush or bawling babies, and where "Grandma attends when I'm talkin'." Nonie feels better as she and Grandma go to church, but when Daddy passes the collection plate, he faces a still-frowning daughter. Later, at the church picnic, her mood lightens and she allows her dad to give her a paddleboat ride. Pointing out animals, he says, "Ducklings stick with their families…. Lots to learn from ducks." By day's end, Nonie has decided to return home and is greeted by her baby brother's great big smile and Momma's warm welcome. The story is told in two to four short sentences per page. The spare text deftly conveys Nonie's reactions and emotions, which are clearly reflected in Tadgell's realistic, folksy watercolors sweeping across double pages. Ultimately, this gentle story addresses the universal frustration older siblings often face at having a new baby in the family.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—When Baby Dragon's mother must leave him alone overnight, she warms his face, tickles his tail, and tells him she will return in the morning. He must wait by the red fern near the river for her, and he does. He does not play with Frog or go away with Weasel, but he becomes sadder and sadder as he waits. When Crocodile offers to take Baby Dragon to his mother, he climbs on Crocodile's back. The wind sings to him in his mother's voice, and he escapes the reptile's trickery by jumping onto a log. Then step by weary step he follows the riverbank through moonlight and starlight back to the familiar red fern. His mother finds him there in the morning. As he curls up with her and warms her face with his breath, she assures him that she will always come back. Hillenbrand's illustrations, done with ink, colored pencil, finger paint, gouache, and collage, and digitally manipulated, bring to life Baby Dragon's misty tropical forest where water buffaloes wander and storks splash in the river. The crocodile's heavy-lidded, yellow eyes and large jaws contrast sharply with the gentle faces of the dragons. Young children—especially those who have been sad and lonely in their parents' absence—will find comfort in this lovely, reassuring tale.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-Gr 1—With decidedly old-fashioned text and illustrations, this story could be seen as a kind of twist on "The Three Little Kittens." These felines live in a snug stone house with "Knitty Kitty," whose needles are never idle. "Clickety-click./Tickety-tick." She has made a hat for one of them, mittens for another, and a scarf for the third. But, because they are kittens, they decide to use their gifts on an enormous snowman. Then, when it's "bedtime for kittens everywhere," the youngsters have nothing to keep them warm and cozy. Or do they? The full-bleed illustrations in acrylic and ink portray an idyllic cottage in a snow-covered countryside. Inside the warmth is made evident with soft golds, browns, and touches of soft color here and there. A slight but endearing story that, with its repetitions and sound words, is perfect for bedtime reading.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Thing-Thing is a unique stuffed animal, "not quite a bunny rabbit, but not quite a dog either, nor a bear or cat for that matter." The critter is purchased as a birthday gift for spoiled little Archibald Crimp, but the huffy boy rejects the new toy and throws it out of the window of the hotel where he and his parents are staying. As Thing-Thing flies into the air, it confides that it had hoped to be given "to a child who would love it, and talk to it, and make it tea parties...and take it to bed." Much of the story involves Thing-Thing's six-storey descent: for each floor, there's a vignette in which someone notices the stuffed animal flying past. In the end, Thing-Thing's dreams finally come true (it lands in a baby carriage and instantly soothes a fussy infant). This lighthearted tale is entertaining and humorous. With a lengthy text and action-packed full-bleed illustrations, the pages seem to be filled to their edges with story. Debon successfully depicts Thing-Thing as a subtle blend of several typical stuffed animals. It is a cuddly friend that children will appreciate meeting.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

K-Gr 3—This droll fable tells how stylish ants once needed many pairs of beautiful shoes for their busy lives and favorite dance. Because the Tick-Toe-Hip-Clog-Tock-Hop requires a pair of ants to make 36 hundred steps, the cobbler ant works around the clock and becomes very rich. When he accidentally bites his foot, he decides he is working too hard and leaves town. Unable to buy new shoes or have their old ones repaired, the fashionable ants despair. One evening, Red Ant arrives at the party without shoes—or clothes—and dances gracefully. Soon all of the ants discard their shoes. Since then, all of these tiny creatures walk barefoot. Smartly dressed ants with large heads and expressive eyes are set against stark white backgrounds. Their elegant clothes are reminiscent of Russian fashion at the turn of the last century. Rich colors and interesting details are lavished on both shoes and clothes. No comment is made about the ants giving up their clothes as well as their shoes; however, smiling faces indicate they are pleased to be rid of both. Pair this book with Tony Ross's Centipede's One Hundred Shoes (Holt, 2003) to spark a discussion about wants and needs.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2—Fred is a reluctant sleeper who prefers playing with his teddy bear to putting his head to the pillow. Once he's under the covers, his imagination runs wild and he frets, "Could there be something under my bed?" Readers paying close attention to detail will notice his teddy falling to the floor. As Fred's worries take shape, he wonders, "Is it fat? Or is it thin?/Does it have a very big grin?/Does it have long nails?/Could it have two tails?" The pithy rhyming verse is complemented by atmospheric black-and-white mixed-media illustrations. The boy has a small body topped by a large round head, and pinpoint eyes and comma-shaped eyebrows peer through oversize glasses that obscure most of his face, giving him a deer-in-the-headlights look that accentuates his emotions. Splashes of red highlight the hairy fantasy creature that grows in proportion to his anxiety. Summoning his inner strength, the youngster finally looks under the bed, finding that "Hey, it's only Ted!" His relief is short-lived as he continues to speculate: "What's that noise? What's that sound?/Is there something on the ground?" With its up-in-the-air ending and shiver-inducing illustrations, this book probably won't totally alleviate monster fears, but it will be enjoyed by fans of spooky tales.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 2—"Good morning, Isabella," says a mother to her daughter. "My name is not Isabella!" says the child. She is Sally, the "greatest, toughest astronaut who ever was!" At breakfast she becomes Annie the sharpshooter, and then Rosa on the bus ride to school. When she gets home that afternoon, she is Marie, the scientist; then Elizabeth, the doctor; Mommy, the greatest mother; and, finally, Isabella again. She falls asleep thinking about who she will become tomorrow. Throughout the day, the mother good-humoredly encourages her daughter's flights of imagination. The repetitive text, while somewhat contrived, serves to drive home the message that girls can do and be anything they want. The inclusion of motherhood in the list of worthwhile occupations is refreshing. The colorful mixed-media artwork reinforces the fanciful, upbeat tone of the book. An appendix gives more information on the lives and careers of all the women alluded to, and a list of works consulted presents opportunities for further research. Use this story to ignite young readers' interest in women's history.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

K-Gr 2—Hank, the polite and friendly snake from Stanley Mows the Lawn (Chronicle, 2005), reappears in a simple tale of what lifts the spirit and touches the heart. As Stanley, his human friend, bemoans the fact that his yard is flat and boring and Hank wishes he could touch the clouds, both head off on their own, motivated to find inspiration by traveling to the city. A coffee shop, a library, a park, three street musicians, and a flower shop later, Hank excitedly discovers an art gallery with a sculpture to lift both his body and his spirits. His return home brings the realization that true friends sometimes share the same dreams and insights. Frazier's crisp graphics draw the eye to varied perspectives with bold splashes of color and sharply defined silhouettes and shadings. An "inspired" addition for all libraries.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Gr 2–4—A Hmong boy learns about his grandfather's life in Laos and his escape to the United States as they share memories illustrated on the elderly man's story cloth. Grandfather has Alzheimer's disease and is beginning to forget common things. Chersheng's fear and exasperation are evident, as are the family's great respect and consideration for their aging relative. The English and Hmong texts face paintings that express the many moods of the characters. Endpapers and the back cover feature numerous geometric patterns that are common in Hmong handicrafts. A full spread shows the story cloth for easy reference and closer examination for details. Background information on Alzheimer's disease and the Hmong refugees and their story cloths will be appreciated by adults preparing to read the story or older children seeking information on both of these topics. A strong family story about difficult social issues relevant to today's society.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

PreS-Gr 1—These early readers vary in quality. In Leo's New Pet, a little boy's new hamster gets loose before he is given a name. A peanut trail leads him back to his cage, so Leo calls him "Peanut." An appealing story and large, attractive illustrations make this title the best of the bunch. In Crabby Gabby, a little girl has a fit every time someone in the family asks her to help out. To teach her a lesson, they get "crabby" when she asks them to play a game with her. The idea works. "Gabby's not crabby anymore," and she happily pitches in around the house. This is a worthwhile lesson, although problems are not usually resolved so easily. The illustrations add some humor, but send a mixed message. Gabby's parents have big smiles on their faces in two of the tantrum scenes, making it appear as though there is nothing objectionable about her behavior. The third title is a tale about a dog whose shaggy fur covers his eyes. It grows and grows until he is taken to a hairdresser for a "crop top." Children may like the story, but the artwork is amateurish; the characters look stiff and are awkwardly drawn.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

PreS-Gr 2—While Jack is painting at the beach, a spaceship lands nearby. A friendly alien emerges and asks the boy to clarify the vocabulary used to describe the undersea world. For example, Flash asks, "COW in the sea./COW in the field./Does a sea cow say moo/And eat grass for its meal?" Jack explains that a sea cow "chirps and…clicks/And whistles instead/And grazes on sea plants/In shallow sea beds." Flash is also curious about a slew of other words used above and below sea level, including "school," "horse," and "star." Comical collages of a cow with scuba gear, fish with clown hair, and oysters tucked into a cozy bed will make readers giggle at these seemingly familiar words. Jack further clarifies the terms with his more accurate watercolor paintings of underwater creatures, describing their habits and habitat in singsong verse. Like the exuberant alien, curious kids will get a fun and informative introduction to ocean life. This accessible tale will provide an excellent foundation for preschool ocean-themed units while generating discussion and creative wordplay in early elementary classes.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 3—While grocery shopping with her dad, a rambunctious young girl can't hold back a sneeze that sets off a chain reaction: "That sneeze was fantastic. It made my Dad jump,/And his jump gave the woman beside him a bump/And she went, 'Aaarrrggghhh!' and swung around in alarm,/And her bag hit a woman, who jogged a man's arm." The sneeze is given a spread with the offender in the left-hand corner and a large-print "Ah-Ah-Chooooooo!!!" dominating the pages and surrounded by flying broccoli, cans of pet food, fruit, and even a dog. After Dad is blamed and his daughter confesses, the formerly angry shoppers work together to restore order. The cartoon mixed-media illustrations depict a lively hubbub amid plenty of color in the spilled ketchup, jars of pickles, etc., and various styles of dress on the diverse mix of people. Funny and warmhearted, this story will be enjoyed one-on-one and handy in classrooms where fingers are pointed: "Accidents happen,/it's always a shame,/But when push comes to shove,/there's no one to blame."—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

K-Gr 1—These four forgettable picture books are set in an imaginary "friendly little place on the prairie." Any resemblance to Garrison Keillor country ends there. Unlike Lake Wobegon or numerous books with rural settings, these volumes lack genuine humor or warmth and are peopled with simple stereotypes. Erkocak's rounded illustrations portray rural yokels complete with feed caps, and every title features a similarly predictable plot. Young Fawn Braun longs for big-city lights, and a friend of hers creates a fake city. Louie the Layabout is a giant lazybones who just needs to find the right role. Farmer Cap is the village simpleton. What appears to be a Native American boy greedily swallows the sun in Henry Shortbull. With a bountiful crop of good farm books to choose from, such as Karen Wallace's Scarlette Beane (Dial, 2000) and Jerdine Nolen's Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm (HarperCollins, 1994), pass on this batch.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS-K—Henkes cleverly begins his story on the front jacket. Against a backdrop of red leaves and drifting snowflakes, a large and endearing molasses-colored bear, defined by sturdy dark brown lines, strides across the page. His journey continues through the opening spreads: it is obvious that this creature knows exactly where he is heading. By the time the story actually begins, Old Bear has found his den and lies sound asleep, oblivious to the swirl of winter around him. Dreams comfort him: once more a cub and surrounded by the colors of spring, he naps in a giant pink crocus. His dreams turn to summer where a daisy sun shines in the sky, leaves appear as butterflies, and clouds rain tasty blueberries. Old Bear dreams on through the seasons. Then, one day he awakens, stretches, and heads out into the real world where he is met with flowering trees, butterflies and tulips, and a glistening lake. Now, Old Bear is part of the wonder. As he did in Kitten's First Full Moon, Henkes has created a thoroughly delightful character filled with curiosity and sweetness and placed him in a simple tale that unfolds with a natural, rhythmical pace. And to fill out his cyclical story, the artist provides autumnal front endpapers and contrasting vernal back endpapers. Opportunities to introduce the seasons, colors, and animal hibernation abound. Old Bear will enrapture young listeners for years to come.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

Gr 1–4—As this heartwarming picture book opens, Ma's headed out to work the night shift and narrator Jack notes, "lately it seems like she's got nothin' left over, not even for us kids." His older sister, Maybelle, has watched the harvest in their neighbor Mr. Kenney's fields, and, that night, she leads Jack and their younger brother, Eddie, to glean the potatoes left behind. The siblings bundle up in layers of clothing, tuck Eddie into their red wagon, and head out into the cold autumn night. Spurred on by thoughts of a tater feast, they toil in the moonlight and trudge home only to find that they've harvested mostly stones. An angry Ma forces them to confess to Mr. Kenney the next day, but he laughs aside their apology, noting that they've done him a favor by removing the stones from his fields. The children go home and tell Ma, she cooks a fry-up with a sweet smile, and Jack realizes that her love is big enough to "turn even three little spuds like us into something mighty fine." This beautifully crafted picture book features panoramic landscapes and intimate pictures. Watson's pencil, ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, warmly rendered in earth tones, capture the small figures trudging along under a huge full moon, and detail the care the older children lavish on their younger brother. This sweetly understated affirmation of hard work and honesty, neighborliness and family love, will resonate with a wide audience.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3—It's 1910, and Ben and his parents have just moved from their ranch in the West to New York City, "where they'd heard the work and the pay were the best." The lonely child, who still dreams of becoming a cowboy, misses his home and feels like an outsider in his crowded Hell's Kitchen neighborhood where the kids bully and tease him. Then he hears about the Tenth Avenue Cowboys, whose job is to gallop their horses alongside train tracks embedded in the cobblestone streets to warn people of an approaching locomotive. Striking up a friendship with these men and their horses, Ben finally begins to feel as though the city is truly his home. The lively narrative and realistic single- and double-page paintings provide a glimpse into life in early-20th-century New York City and highlight an interesting part of its past. This book could be used to expand studies of American history, cowboys, and cross-country migration. Ben's story will also speak to youngsters who have experienced change or felt like outsiders.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3—When Sara Ann brings home three little kittens, her enthusiastic dog, Katie, is beside herself with joy. Unfortunately, the tail-wagging pooch shows her affection through leaps, bounds, and howls that scare the newcomers and earn her repeated reprimands from the child. The next day, things go from bad to worse as Katie eats the food intended for kittens. Overcome with sadness, she slinks off to her bed, falls asleep, and wakes up to find the felines curled up on top of her. Luckily, she has learned her lesson, and despite her frantically quivering body and wagging tale, she stays still and the kittens are not afraid. Himmelman's charming watercolor-and-ink illustrations depict a character sure to earn the affection of young readers. Katie's expressive movements make both her excitement and her dismay palpable and adorable. Youngsters will root for the pup as she tries to figure out how to make this new friendship work. Pair this with other stories of unlikely dog-cat friendships such as Lyn Rossiter McFarland's Widget (Farrar, 2001) or Marie Hall Ets's classic Play with Me (Puffin, 1976).—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Nanuk, a baby polar bear, wishes he could fly like the seagulls soaring through the sky. Instead, he must walk beside his mother, searching for food. It's so scarce that they are forced to go to the human settlement. When they get into a grocery store, he can see that they've hit pay dirt. The next thing the cub knows, he is inside a cage, his mother sleeping beside him. Another bear in an adjoining cage tells Nanuk not to worry, that they were tranquilized and sent to Polar Bear Jail to wait for the sea to freeze over, and that soon they will be flown home. Nanuk is buckled into the backseat of the plane; finally, he is flying. Two pages at the end explain the plight of the polar bear in the Hudson Bay area. The gouache paintings convey the coldness and open expanse of the Canadian north. However, Nanuk and his mother are depicted as cute and cuddly cartoon characters, and the anthropomorphism weakens the message of the story. Children will be better served by nonfiction titles about polar bears.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 3—Hopkinson has created a lively, participatory tale that will surely stand out among the many titles published to honor the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. With a conspiratorial wink at the audience, an omniscient narrator invites readers to watch seven-year-old Abe and his real-life friend Austin Gollaher succumb to the "dare you" lure of a roaring creek and a perilous crossing on a fallen log (an author's note details the genesis of the story). Imagine where we as a nation might be if unsung-hero Austin hadn't been there to rescue impetuous Abraham from his tumble into those tumultuous waters. In dialogic asides and exclamations, the author addresses the illustrator and brings him (or, rather, his pencil-wielding hand) onstage to collaborate and correct, and also speaks to readers, inviting involvement and evoking response. Hendrix's illustrations have a naive and rustic flavor that's in perfect harmony with the gravelly, homespun narrator's voice (keen-eyed readers will find a rendering of the storyteller in the endpaper art). Energetic spreads give a big, broad, horizontal view of the green Kentucky valley setting with its rambling curves, rolling mountains, and rushing waters, and a very effective impression of how long that creek-crossing must have seemed…maybe. "For that's the thing about history," Hopkinson says, "if you weren't there, you can't know for sure." What you can know for sure is that this is a book you should add to your shelves.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

K-Gr 2—"The quiet. It is almost like music." With the delicacy of snow falling silently on treetops and musical notes passing across the page, close friends Houndsley (a wise dog who happens to play the cello) and Catina (a childlike perfectionist cat who plays the clarinet) find their performance plans interrupted by a snowstorm. While Catina always worries about that which cannot be done, and Houndsley always finds a positive solution to every situation, the realities of a winter storm lead the friends to use their imaginations and create an "island" in Houndsley's house, enjoying a day of reading and writing poetry, games, and shared dreams. Soft watercolors and a pastel palette reveal the cozy clutter of Houndsley's home, and white snow-washed scenes of snowmen add gentle, whimsical humor to a day of restricted activities inspired by the weather. This small book provides a seamless visualization of the perfect conclusion to a snowy day.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-Gr 1—A picture book with a rhyming text, bright colors, and plenty of action. It presents officers of both genders and various ethnicities on the job—as head of a team or crew, a detective, or a patrolman preventing crime. It also introduces canine assistants, patrolmen on horseback, and officers assisting with traffic control. The cartoon art was digitally rendered. This brief, introductory look at law enforcement makes a fine companion to the author and illustrator's Firefighters: Speeding! Spraying! Saving! (Marshall Cavendish, 2007).—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Pre-S—Gr 2-Following the recipe for their well-received Class Two at the Zoo (Carolrhoda, 2007), Jarman and Chapman cook up another field-trip fiasco, this one full of high jinks on the high seas. As soon as Class Three boards its boat, a pirate ship appears on the horizon, but the students are too busy untangling an octopus "tied up in knots" to notice. Before long, goggle-eyed pirates with appropriately icky names like Fish Breath Frank and Booger Nose overtake and board the ship, wreaking havoc as they manhandle children, force Lenny to walk the plank, and threaten death to all if Captain Keith doesn't take them straight to Treasure Island. Meanwhile, their teacher is busy receiving amorous overtures from one of the buccaneers. By story's end, Octopus has repaid the children's kindness by recruiting his big brother to help him vanquish the bad guys, the teacher is engaged to Pirate Pip, and Class Three is happily unearthing some buried treasure. The bright, Caribbean-colored pastel cartoons are a standout, redeeming a somewhat choppy and nonsensical rhyming text. Intrepid youngsters will thrill to the pirates' slapstick antics and will appreciate the amusing visual details, such as a seagull "plop, plop, plopping" on a sea lion's head. Use this for a swashbuckling storytime.—Amy Rowland, Guggenheim Elementary School, Port Washington, NY

K-Gr 3—A shy girl confronts her fear of the many individuals who make her uncomfortable; for example: the school lunch woman who demands that each child take just one milk, the punked-out skateboarder with a loud boom box, and the school principal whose imposing figure looms large in the hallway. On one page, the child is depicted in a situation with the person who makes her apprehensive (such as the school nurse who is "a little bit scary"); but the flip of a page shows the youngster using her imagination, recasting the individual in a homey or less-threatening environment. She begins using the expression, "But I bet…" to imagine the nurse making music with his children, the principal dancing with her boyfriend, and the skateboarder who "kisses his cat on the head and scratches her neck until she purrs…." This could be a terrific book to begin a discussion about identity and forming opinions about others. It also offers students a way to feel empowered as they meet the demands of widening their world. Although most of the cartoonlike illustrations are lovely, one is an unfortunate disappointment: it depicts a black male with exaggerated facial features. Since proper racial representation is critical for children, the picture sadly mars this offering.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

PreS—Playful babies "spin," "bounce," and "hop" across the pages of this winsome counting book. The jaunty rhyme adds to the fun and anticipation: "5 jiggly babies wriggle their toes. Along comes another…." On the following page a sidebar reveals that the new friend "…wiggles her nose!" This youngster then joins in as "6 hungry babies sip and chew." Katz's gouache, colored-pencil, and collage illustrations feature her signature roundheaded characters. The backgrounds artfully combine complementary colors and patterns. After the multicultural chums splash in the tub and put on their pj's, they fall asleep in 10 cozy beds. A good choice for storytimes.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 2—A capricious bear named Mae befriends a sensible rabbit named Wally, and this unlikely pair shares an idyllic cottage in the woods. Wally doesn't like what he considers to be Mae's poor habits: sleeping late, eating his homemade carrot cake, and, worst of all, not washing the windows. He has had enough when Mae throws a party. To Wally's surprise, he enjoys the festivities and cannot stay mad at Mae. He decides he likes to have fun, but only once in a while, and after chores have been completed. At the same time, Mae discovers how rewarding it can be to help a friend, even if it involves cleaning. Wally's pages always include timing devices like clocks and stopwatches. His slippers also match his bedsheet, showing how meticulous he is. Mae is sometimes shown with a flower. Both of the animals are depicted with tenderness. The colors are bright and many of the scenes show one or both of the characters in full action.—Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD

Gr 2–4—The new crescent appears, marking the first day of the month of Ramadan. Yasmeen, a seven-year-old Pakistani-American girl, is confused because "it's only the seventeenth." Her mother explains that the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. At sunset, the family enjoys a special dinner. The following week, her family prepares food to be distributed at a mosque. One night, Yasmeen sees that the moon is full, and realizes that the observance is half over. Other events include a family barbecue and a celebration of the "Night of the Moon" at the community center, where stalls sell clothes, jewelry, toys, snacks, and gifts. Then Ramadan is over, and the next day is Eid. Yasmeen awakes to her brother's greeting of "Eid mubarak," and the children receive gifts of money. Paschkis's beautiful paintings incorporate Islamic tile art, adding to an authentic sense of the culture. Suitable both for independent reading and reading aloud, this book also serves as an excellent resource for teachers and librarians.—Fawzia Gilani-Williams, Oberlin Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Little Britches heads out to the rodeo where she hopes to do well in calf roping. Along the way, however, she meets seven rattlesnakes, each of whom she appeases by handing over a piece of her fancy cowgirl attire. A twist of fate returns the duds and she wins at the rodeo. Set in the Texas desert, the illustrations are rendered in muted browns, golds, reds, and blues. Little Britches looks like a spunky preschooler with determination written all over her postures and face. The colorful snakes look wily and ridiculous when dressed in her duds. A fun read-aloud.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—A rollicking, laugh-out-loud look at fourth grade through the eyes of two lifelong pals. The boys figure that this year, since they are the oldest kids at East Millcreek Elementary, they'll rule the school, but nothing seems to work out as planned. First, Raymond ends up having the creepiest teacher ever, then Graham accidentally shaves off his own eyebrow. After auditions for the school play, Raymond, who covets the role of Scrooge, gets a small part with a silly line about plum pudding. Faced with more ups and downs—and one hilarious situation after another—the boys begin to wonder if fourth grade will turn out to be a total disaster. Narrated by Raymond, this story is filled with nonstop action and kid-friendly humor. Done in an exaggerated cartoon style, Curtis's occasional black-and-white illustrations perfectly suit the tone of the text. Fans of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" series (Scholastic) or Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams, 2007) are in for big fun involving prunes, false teeth, misplaced first kisses, and two true-blue friends.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

PreS-K—Biggie Bear's soccer-playing friends appear at his doorstep with a size XXL shirt, begging him to join them, since Brown Dog has fleas and can't play. Biggie is a jazz fan who collects stamps, but his lack of experience on the field takes a backseat to the fact that he looks good in the team color. Despite his athletic shortcomings, the score is tied until the bear bends over to grasp a rare stamp on the ground and heads the ball into the net for the winning goal. Biggie returns to the field after that, but always as an enthusiastic fan. Kolar's soccer story is just rollicking enough for listeners, despite the stereotypical minor characters—Smelly Smell Skunk, Scared Rabbit, Twirly Squirrel, etc. The large format facilitates sharing the book with groups. Digital cartoons of rounded figures with exaggerated features are brightly hued and presented in detailed scenes that are balanced with less complex spreads. This simple tale that encourages trying things out of one's comfort zone will capture prospective players too young or wiggly for longer reads like Jonathan London's Froggy Plays Soccer (Viking, 1999).—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 3—Four bored children visit a man selling watermelon slices from his truck, dig into them, and soon begin slurping and spitting, leading the way for the rest of the town to follow suit. When the mayor appears and it seems the game is off, she surprises everyone and ups the ante—by throwing pies! The rhyming verse is easy to read aloud, and Manders's cartoon depictions of the townspeople provide just the right sense of fun. Though this silly story depends a little too heavily on one repetitive action to move the plot along, it can be used to supplement summer-story collections. Pair it with Kathi Appelt's Watermelon Day (Holt, 1996) and Lisa Moser's Watermelon Wishes (Clarion, 2006) for a juicy hot-weather treat.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 2—Four pirates make teddy bears walk the plank, plunder children's birthday parties, and steal the governor's toy boats. The last act causes a judge to withhold freedom unless they do one good deed by sundown. Their interpretations (tidying up the bank by sweeping money into their sacks, taking babies' candy so their teeth won't rot) lead to escalating trouble, until they accidentally commit a good deed. The quartet receive heroes' farewells as they depart into the sunset on their pink ship. Avril's bright cartoons of stock characters add to the humor. A silly and upbeat tale starring ever-popular pirates.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 1—Spark is a dragon who's afraid of fire. To help overcome his fear of blowing flames, he decides to become a volunteer fireman. The other firefighters put him through a rigorous training, including push-ups, sit-ups, a lot of reading about fire injuries, school demonstrations, and learning how to use the equipment. Then he is ready to go on real jobs. Gradually he becomes brave, and then a hero when he uses his special dragon attributes to lead animals out of a burning barn. Now over his fear, Spark leaves the fire department and begins to explore traditional dragon duties like protecting treasure, returning to his old job every once in a while to teach recruits. Simply told with bright cartoon pictures and a dragon to hold interest, the slight story teaches fire safety in an appealing way. It also contains a subtle lesson on facing and overcoming one's fears.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-Gr 1—Yoon approaches the first day of kindergarten with trepidation. Her fears are realized when her short hair and trousers cause the other kids to mistake her for a boy. The next day, she declares her gender identity by wearing a girlie headband with long, fake curls attached. She soon comes to realize, however, that the boys and girls accept her for who she is, not how she looks. The spare text has the slightly off-kilter feel of a work in translation. The foreign flavor is further established through the delicately detailed color illustrations, with their all-Asian cast, Korean signage, and practices like wearing slippers instead of shoes in the classroom. However, the story of initial insecurity at school followed by the joy of acceptance is universal. While Yoon finds being mistaken for a boy upsetting, it should be noted that the boys and girls in her class participate equally in jumping rope, dancing, and playground fun. The story places no value judgment on gender, merely using it as a device through which Yoon learns to accept herself more fully. A pleasant story that might also trigger some interesting classroom discussions about gender, appearance, and friendship.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

K-Gr 2—Rufus, a spunky fox in suspenders, rudely startles his friend Babette, a lamb, by roaring "like…a lion." She gets "mad…as a hornet" and chases him, and he eventually leads her to her surprise birthday party. Leedy relates this narrative entirely through similes. Her illustrations emphasize the comparisons as each protagonist is amusingly transformed from one object into another. Children may participate by guessing the upcoming change at each page turn. Apart from the main narrative, animal spectators offer up alternative descriptions of events as they unfold. Leedy includes an explanation of this figure of speech and an invitation for readers to create their own similes. Her vivid illustrations, filled with movement and wide-eyed creatures, will entertain readers. A pleasing addition to any collection.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—The first half of this rhyming picture book follows a group of gnarly monsters as they hop on various construction machines, working to build a "frightfully fine" haunted house. Break time reveals these rough-and-ready beasts are children when monster mom brings lunch, reads a story, and puts them down for a nap, complete with "blankies." Awake once more, the builders install a lawn, sidewalks, and a road in time for a monster family to move in. The India-ink drawings colored digitally in neon-bright hues exude a jazzy, busy look that brings to life the chaos that results when monsters and machines meet. Each pop-eyed character (three boys and one girl) is a different color and has a unique look—hair, horns, ears, and eyes—for readers to delight in. The endpapers sport almost two dozen monstrous machines to drool over.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI