Preschool to Grade 4

PreS-Gr 1—An artful introduction to nature, stillness, and the power of observation. A wide-eyed boy enters a garden replete with fluttering butterflies, birds, and blooming trees, all rich with color. "I sit quietly. If I am very still, I see more." He also hears sounds: "chirp, squeak, crunch." A robin eats red berries from a bush, a turtle munches moss, a lizard snaps up a moth, and so on. Animals small and large question motives as each one finds its meal: "The frog hopped up and caught a gnat. Why did you do that? asked a fish. I was hungry, said the frog, and I didn't want to eat you." Learning by observing and listening to the creatures in turn, the boy finally gathers a meal of apples, berries, carrots, and more for a picnic with his friends-the myriad creatures. With spare words and a balance of line and color against white backgrounds framed with lacey branches, Aliki deftly portrays the benefits of observing nature. Back matter tells how to grow a "quiet" garden. This book is perfect for reading aloud: "The squirrel crunched on an acorn. Why did you do that? asked the spider. Ah-wa-wan-gwy, said the squirrel, crunching away."—Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 2—A big-brother-to-be muses about his future sibling. He knows that his own looks are a combination of his "dark Daddy chocolate bar and strawberry cream Mama's milk" and wonders how the biracial mix will manifest itself in his new brother or sister. From skin to hair to eyes to lip shape, the boy names the possibilities in a story more poetic than plot-driven. The book ends satisyingly with the birth of a baby sister, whose skin tone looks much like that of her "peanut butter big brother." As is frequently the case in picture books about racial differences, the text relies heavily on food metaphors to create positive associations. Somewhat abstract for the target audience, the story may appeal more to parents than to children. However, it will certainly be appreciated by biracial families, and the loving and anticipatory atmosphere may connect with any expectant family wondering who the new baby will take after.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-K—Bob is a self-proclaimed "very boring" bear. His hobbies include dusting plants, counting toothpicks, and sitting. Especially sitting. He has a markedly zany best friend who is quite the opposite. Jack is seen surfing, on safari, skateboarding, and the like. Bright acrylics highlight the characters. Pages depicting Jack are bold and intense, while illustrations for Bob tend to be in subdued colors on largely white backgrounds. The actual story lacks a true plotline, focusing solely on the characters' hobbies and never progressing beyond Bob's self-deprecating stance. The large text and colorful images are appealing, but the lackluster text makes this an additional purchase at best.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

Gr 2–6—Lewis's adaptation of Andersen's well-known tale is a smoother, somewhat edited version of the one she included in Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Joel Stewart (Candlewick, 2004), and the text is more appealingly arranged on the page. It includes Andersen's introduction to the story, which describes the breaking of the devil's magic mirror, as well as all of the twists and turns of the plot that are a part of Gerda's journey to find Little Kay. Soft pastel illustrations show aerial views of the lovely orange-roofed European city; several exquisitely rendered portraits of the children and of the elegant and beautiful Snow Queen; and impressionist-style scenes that range in size from full-page to smaller vignettes, highlighting and enlivening each of the unusual characters and scenes in the story. The tale's sophistication lies in its well-fleshed-out religious motifs-the purity and innocence of a child's heart that obliges people and animals to serve her; the great power inherent in the utterance of the Lord's Prayer by this child whose faith is pure and strong. A lovely edition to add to any collection.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

PreS—Another celebrity author tries her hand at writing a children's book and produces a predictable, didactic, and overly cute story. Evie's pup is part Shih Tzu, part cocker spaniel, and part poodle, which makes him a SheetzuCacaPoopoo. Although the word itself may send preschoolers into giggle fits, the story starts out like many other tales of untrained pets that amuse themselves by wrecking the house. The family's solution is to send Max to Doggy Day Care while Evie is at school. On day one, he is bullied by Brutus. On day two, he organizes the small canines like himself to outsmart the bigger dogs. But on day three, Max convinces both sides to compromise and they play happily ever after. An assortment of Disney-type doggies illustrates this uninspired yarn. Kids who want a really animated story with lots of laughs should pick up Nick Bruel's Poor Puppy (Roaring Brook, 2007).—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2—One by one, Tova Leiba's siblings find fault with their seats at the Shabbos (Jewish Sabbath) dinner table-too near to the wall, too-loose cushion stuffing, too close to the messy baby. Tova Leiba cheerfully trades chairs with each brother or sister and finds something to enjoy about every spot. By the end of the evening, the other children have caught on to her positive attitude and end up sharing chairs and hugging. The story illustrates the biblical proverb, "To a good-hearted person, life's a constant celebration." The internal logic of the tale is sacrificed somewhat to make this point (e.g., Why are the other children never reprimanded for their constant complaining?), but Tova Leiba's joyful personality carries readers past such concerns. However, the girl's rhyming refrain, "Here or there, in any chair, I'll be happy anywhere," remains out of place in an otherwise realistic prose narrative. Binus's dynamic color illustrations add a great deal of life to a text that could otherwise be staid and preachy. The characters' faces and body language sing with strong emotions, and there is a surprising amount of movement for a story that takes place at the dinner table. A short glossary defines Jewish terminology, but illustration and text both brand the book as meant for an Orthodox Jewish audience.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 1–4—When nine-year-old Ron tries to take library books home instead of just looking at them, he knowingly challenges the rule that "only white people can check out books." The boy does not back down, even when his mother and the police arrive. The librarian finally relents and creates a library card for Ron, who proudly checks out the airplane books he loves to read. The purpose of Ron's "mission" is revealed with dramatic subtlety. There's no hint of racism as he walks through his 1950s South Carolina town on the way to the library where he is its "best customer." The truth emerges when a white patron offers to check out his books for him as the clerk blatantly ignores the boy. Stylized cartoon illustrations convey the town's benign facade while revealing tension through Ron's expressions of determination mixed with fear. The impact of his actions shows in the confusion and anger of onlookers. Readers do not learn if the library will change the rules for everyone, or just for Ron, but the final scene resonates as the child eagerly opens his book to page one. An author's note explains that this is a fictionalized account of a real incident from the childhood of astronaut Ron McNair, who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. This context lends power and poignancy to the event and adds to the book's value as an introduction and discussion starter for concepts of racism and individual courage.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 1–3—Black Diamond, a prize racehorse, is sold to a prison horse-care program after he is injured and can no longer compete. He feels abandoned by the human family he has always worked to please, but he gets a second chance at happiness when he meets Blake, the inmate chosen to care for him through the rehabilitation program. The two form a close bond, but then Blake finishes his sentence and Black Diamond's care is given over to two insensitive inmates. "For days, weeks, and months, Black Diamond looked for Blake." Just when the horse has given up hope, the man returns with enough money to purchase him and take him home. Beautiful dry pastel illustrations in warm tones harken back to a time of Art Deco, the Golden Age of cinema, and WPA murals. Told from the perspective of Black Diamond, the sensitive story sometimes borders on sentimentalism, but it is genuinely moving, so these moments are easy to forgive. This unique tale, distinctly set in the past and based on actual contemporary work-rescue programs, offers children a vision of hope for the discarded animals and humans of our society.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—Louise awakens with itchy eyes, a wheezy throat, and a sneezy nose and is certain her day is not going to be a good one. When her mother serves her the anticipated and dreaded oatmeal with raisins, the girl can't hold in the sneeze any longer and "Splat!" goes her breakfast. Her mother's response: "Geez, Louise! COVER YOUR MOUTH, PLEASE!" This phrase is repeated throughout the child's day at school, ballet practice, dinner, and her bedtime story. Flying papers, ballerinas in a heap, and peas bouncing across the dinner table are the results of Louise's forgetfulness. Once in bed, with her parents sympathizing over her cold, she finally remembers to use a tissue as she makes one final sneeze before sleep. Double- and single-page watercolor illustrations add humor to Louise's tale, while changes in text size add emphasis to the sneezes and their effects. This story of an important childhood lesson is well suited for sharing with a group or one-on-one.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 3–5—Sally Sanders exhibits many of the classic symptoms of a perfectionist: she feels embarrassed when she makes minor mistakes, she procrastinates, she has a domineering attitude, and so on. This chapter book follows her from music recital to gym class and school play. Adults around Sally are saccharine and unrealistic, constantly building her up and reassuring her that mistakes are a part of everyday life-to the point of tedium. The story lacks cohesion and reads like a string of examples of perfectionist behavior. The language is dull, the message is heavy-handed, the time line is inconsistent, and the characters are underdeveloped. An introductory note outlines the story and aims to help the perfectionist child. Chapters begin with a full-page illustration, and smaller pictures are interspersed throughout. The bright cartoon watercolors will appeal to younger readers, but as a whole the book's audience is limited.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 1—Katy Duck and the other students at Mr. Tutu's School of Dance are abuzz with excitement over their upcoming spring recital. Katy hopes to dance the part of a flower, swan, ladybug, tree, cloud, or another beautiful sign of spring, and is devastated to learn that she is to be a caterpillar. While the other dancers practice their graceful steps, Katy dutifully wiggles and inches across the floor. But when the show begins, she remembers the most important thing about caterpillars. She crawls onto the stage, spins, curls up into a ball, and lies still. Then, after the audience quiets down to watch her, she bursts forth as a beautiful butterfly and flutters proudly across the stage. Cole's illustrations aptly convey Katy's expressions of joy and disappointment, as well as her exuberant energy. Pair this with one of Katharine Holabird's "Angelina Ballerina" stories (Viking) for a ballerina-themed storytime.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 3—Estrellita, who has recently immigrated to New York City, tells her grandmother in Puerto Rico all about her adventures over the phone. She recounts her first experiences on the crowded streets, and tells Abuelita that she found a little taste of home in a neighborhood she calls "El Barrio." The text, presented in both English and Spanish, largely consists of conversation between the child and her grandmother. The artwork effectively conveys Estrellita's sense of adapting to her new environment. For example, when she first arrives in the city, the countless signs and billboards are in a made-up language no reader can understand. This underscores the unfamiliarity of the English-speaking city for a new arrival. As Estrellita explores one neighborhood, she starts seeing more Spanish signs, and the English billboards start making sense. Torrecilla's cartoon illustrations create a sense of fun and excitement as the child explores her new home. Moreover, he skillfully displays the rich diversity of her heritage by giving her and her family a range of hair and eye colors. This book may resonate most strongly with immigrant children in urban areas, for the experiences of new arrivals in more rural parts of the United States may differ sharply from Estrellita's. However, children of all ethnic backgrounds who have strong relationships with their grandparents will appreciate this charming story.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 1–2—While the unnamed narrator is mowing the lawn, his mom warns him not to eat the fruit on their cherry tree. When he passes along the warning to his friends, the boys each share a story about forbidden foods. In Leon's creepy tale, a monster that dwells in a fig tree swallows the humans who try to eat the figs. The second story, told by the narrator, involves two brothers who wisely refuse to eat the bread offered to them by two witches-and thus avoid being turned into donkeys. Marcos's story, about a girl who eats Uncle Wolf's forbidden pancakes, has a cliff-hanger ending. Readers are encouraged to finish it themselves. The book concludes with a vague note about the origins of the tales-the first was inspired by an Australian legend (from the illustrations, it appears to have Aboriginal origins, though this is not mentioned in the text), and the second story is only identified as Eastern European. Although easy readers with scary stories are always popular, the drab book design and small black-and-white illustrations are not inviting. In addition, the framework of the cherry story feels forced. Better choices for beginning readers include Mary Ann Hoberman's You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together (Little, Brown, 2007) or Alvin Schwartz's classic In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories (HarperCollins, 1984).—Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-K—A family of anthropomorphized chickens keeps running out of household staples. Mom tells everyone to put the needed items on the shopping list that's posted on the refrigerator, but they ignore the directive and just complain when supplies run out. Things get really bad: "It was boo-boo, no Band-Aid…wet baby, no diaper…macaroni, no cheese…peanut butter, no jelly." And then the toilet paper runs out. When Mom serves a "peanut butter and pickled grub on macaroni casserole," it is decided that everyone needs to pitch in and help. The situation improves, even as the family acknowledges that if things go awry again, they can always order a pizza. The chickens are depicted as stick figures with large round heads. The gouache illustrations are spare, with ink outlines and solid-colored backgrounds. An amusing cautionary tale for families everywhere.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

PreS-K—It is Muriel's birthday and she hasn't mailed her party invitations yet, so she decides to deliver them to all her animal friends. As the endearing duck leaves her house, she doesn't realize that the bottom of her red sweater snags on a nail in her door. As she moves throughout the neighborhood, her sweater is unraveling. The strand of yarn finds many good uses. Fox jumps rope with it. Rabbit replaces a broken shoelace. Others use it for a kite string, a balloon string, baling string for a stack of logs, a leash for a frog, and a ribbon on a gift. Readers see all the animals preparing for a party as Muriel returns home. She realizes that she is quite cold and wonders what happened to her garment. Party guests begin arriving and she's soon distracted as the celebration begins. Her friends present her with a gift wrapped with a red yarn bow. It's a new blue sweater. The bright and cheerful illustrations are uncluttered and include many small details for youngsters to observe. Stories where children know what's going on, while the character does not, are always popular. This is a funny example of just such a story.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 3—An embossed front cover, line drawings, and eye-popping black and gold and digital illustrations combine to produce a stunning visual representation of the brief text of this friendship story. Willoughby, dejected because of an unwanted move, sees a gold lion sitting on a rock in his backyard. The lion can grant him 10 wishes but warns: "unless you wish for the most wonderful thing of all, I'll be stuck on this rock forever." The boy wishes for a bigger house, a roller-coaster ride, the fastest shoes in the world, and many more delights. Each time, the lion complies on a grand scale. The house becomes a magnificent golden palace; the ride is provided by a giant black-and-gold roller coaster; the shoes are huge golden sneakers. Crowds stretching over a spread come to observe Willoughby and his amazing lion. But still, the youngster hasn't made the wish that will free the animal. He sits in black gloom as he dreams of running free, his longing represented by a golden spread of cavorting lions, their movement captured in flowing white outlines. Finally, an enlightened Willoughby whispers his most important wish to the lion and awakens the next morning to find his cozy house once again, the lion gone, and in his place, a gold coin with the words, "true friend." This wonderful offering is the first of several forthcoming stories about these two friends.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Gr 2–4—Gardner continues her series about children with magical abilities with these two short novels, presented in a "flip over" volume. Thomas is granted his wish to fly on his ninth birthday, making for many complications at home and school. Although his tale has some charm, The Smallest Girl is the stronger and more interesting story. Ruby Genie is the daughter of the greatest magicians ever. Unfortunately, she appears to have no magical talent at all. When her parents are killed, she is sent to the only school of magic that will take her. When she's told to perform her best trick, she is unable to do anything, and (literally) shrinks with embarrassment. Later, a down-on-his-luck magician with evil intentions claims to be Ruby's uncle and takes her away. However, he soon becomes frustrated with her, puts her in an old handbag, and tosses her out a window. Ruby's luck finally changes when kindly Aunt Hat catches the bag. The characters are more fleshed out, and the engaging plotline keeps children curious about will happen next. In both selections, black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout and offer good graphic support for younger readers.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 1–3—Edna Lewis was an African-American chef in New York City when neither women nor African Americans were generally in such positions. This story is loosely based on her childhood in rural Virginia where her family lived off the land. It was that upbringing that helped create the celebrated chef who understood the importance of fresh ingredients in her cooking. While young children may not understand about fresh ingredients and a career in cooking, they will enjoy learning about where the food they eat comes from. Gourley follows her character through the growing season, starting in early spring and ending with the autumn frost. The fruits, the berries, and the nuts they pick are all used in the meals the family eats, with the surplus being canned and preserved for the winter months. Gourley's luscious watercolors will have readers salivating as the berries plunk into pails and peach juice drips down chins. The story itself does run a little long for young listeners but the short ditties the children sing about what they are picking help to liven it up. Pair this title with Donald Hall's Ox-Cart Man (Penguin, 1979) to show children the rhythm of the seasons and a time when we were much more connected to the basics of life.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 2–5—Sassy, graphic-novel-style illustrations give these great little first chapter books extra appeal. Each one tells its story—that of an arrogant artist's apprentice (Painting), a fisherboy with low self-esteem (Dragon), the garrulous daughter of a wealthy silk merchant (Silk Road), and an outspoken orphan girl (Terracotta Girl)—against the backdrop of some aspect of Chinese culture. Thus readers learn about scroll painting, jiao di wrestling, the silk trade, and Emperor Qin's terracotta soldiers. While this is by no means an unusual formula, it is one that is seldom seen in first chapter books, and rarely executed with such verve: the characters learn their lessons (often with help from the words of Confucius) and children learn about China without ever feeling hit over the head. Wonderful introductions to historical fiction.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

K-Gr 2—You might say that Marigold, a young monkey, walks to the beat of a different drummer, or even that she is just plain contrary. In the first of four stories, she resists giving up her worn-out purple coat when her mother wants to replace it. It is only when she finds another one that she gives in, even though the new purple coat doesn't fit her. She wears the old garment to bed. In the following two stories, Marigold playfully teases her friend Maxine, a hippo who has firm ideas on how things should work. In the last story, when the two head off for their first day of school, Maxine has a new outfit and a new hairdo. Marigold pretends that she does, too, but won't take off her old coat or hat. Maxine decides to go home for something she "forgot" and returns wearing a raincoat and cap that she won't take off, either. The obstreperous protagonist is refreshing in her contrariness. The stylized, cartoonlike gouache illustrations add humor and panache to characters that are imbued with personality. Maxine and Marigold are solid proof that opposites attract.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PreS-K—This brief introduction to birds focuses on such basic features as their different colors and sizes. Soft acrylic paintings that appear as spreads, vignettes, and framed scenes match a text that perfectly conveys the young narrator's fascination with the birds in her environment. "Once I saw seven birds on the telephone wire. They didn't move and they didn't move and they didn't move. I looked away for just a second…." Three lines of identically positioned birds on wires appear with the text across the spread. Then a page turn reveals a thick, black, empty wire stretched across a stark white spread along with the words "and they were gone." The youngster imagines what the sky would look like if the birds could make marks with their tails and how bird-clouds would look during the day and at night. She can't really fly like the birds, but the final page demonstrates one way in which she can imitate them. The child voice in this charming story is just right and will resonate with the very youngest children. And the little girl's musings can encourage more "what if" conversations that will spark their imaginations.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 1—Even the most self-assured young duckling diva is vulnerable to opening-night jitters. This British import recounts Celestine's beginnings as she pecks her way into the world with much fanfare. "Right from the start, Celestine was hard to ignore." She envisions herself becoming nothing less than a star, even when she is cast in a minor role in the school play. Although stage fright literally upends her theatrical debut and temporarily disheartens her, her mother tenderly reassures her that she will always be her star. Soft pastel watercolors and pencil drawings whimsically depict the adorable Celestine, her feathered barnyard friends and family, and the cheerful details of her domestic life. The foil-stamped jacket will entice many a reader to pick up this cozy and comforting book, perfect for reading aloud in a group or shared one-on-one.—Kathleen Finn, Winooski Memorial Library, VT

PreS—Clearly intended for siblings who are adjusting to having a new baby in the house, this didactic story follows a simple pattern: big brother Cameron asks why baby Sophie is crying, Mom or Dad asks the boy's help in changing/feeding/calming her, and Cameron gets praised for being good to his sister. In the end, when his parents are baffled by Sadie's tears, only Cameron can quiet her, and he's rewarded with her first-ever smile. Johnson and Fancher's mixed-media collages shimmer with vivid colors and warm emotions. Close-up paintings of the family expressively convey loving relationships. Backdrops comprised of bright quiltlike swatches superimposed with tiny hands and feet, splotches of color, and random words and letters set off the action. This quiet story of a boy who loves his baby sister will work best shared one-on-one with a child in similar circumstances.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—A girl offers her younger brother some advice for dealing with Mom and Dad. "They mean well, but sometimes they need a hand." All the admonitions ever spouted by parents are turned around and used in some way on the training of the adults. When waking them parents up, Big Sister advises, "But don't go to them—it's much nicer to shout really loud from your room until they get up and come to you, because exercise is healthy for grown-ups…." Little Brother is taught how to get the food he wants, the method of asking his parents for important things (a puppy), how to get them to do the kids' homework, the way to turn dinnertime attention away from green vegetables, and the tricks of elongating the bedtime routine until the adults are tired out. The gouache illustrations are as joyful as the text. The people all have large round heads with exaggerated eyes. Pictures are of varying sizes and shapes and occasional word balloons extend the artwork. This is a manual every child will want to read.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 3—In this rhyming tale of a strong-willed girl with an aversion to soap and water, the hygiene lesson takes a backseat to tall-tale hyperbole. When Claire's beautiful auburn hair gets dirty, she refuses to wash it. The weeks pass and her tangles become brambles, imprisoning her in her room. Health officials arrive in full hazardous-materials gear and mark her room a toxic zone. When the girl agrees to shampoo her locks, her parents get to work with heavy-duty cleaners and clippers. "And so,/Of course,/They found the horse,/The pizza/And the cow,/The buffalo,/The Buick,/The bird's nest/And the plough—" and other, even more improbable things. McClure's illustrations expand the text with large images of objects only partially shown. A full page of critters alive in the protagonist's hair definitely develops the gross-out factor and will appeal to some children. Unfortunately, the digitally created illustrations seem out of focus, motley, and indistinct. Claire's face, stretched taut by her hair as she tries to escape her room, is scary. An additional or supplemental purchase.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 3—The king of the jungle has a small party every year for his closest friends, even though they are greedy and ill-mannered. The lion graciously passes cake to the elephant, telling him to help himself. The elephant takes half. Each animal in turn takes half of what is passed, leaving only a crumb for the ant to share with the king. Instead, the ant says that he will bake the king a fresh cake in the morning. Each animal then ups the ante by doubling the previous offer, culminating with the elephant committing himself to baking 256. This mouthwatering tale of division and multiplication will delight young readers as they imagine a palace full of cakes. The captivating ink and watercolor illustrations, enhanced with digital techniques, continually reinforce the mathematical theme with humor and detail. Many layouts effectively present a graphic display of the simple fraction concepts. The results are terrific. Because young readers will relish the absurdity of the story, it will hold up to repeated readings to reinforce math instruction.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 1—This delightful spin-off of "The Tortoise and the Hare" follows a typical day in the lives of these two friends. The story opens with a panoramic spread of them traveling across a hilly landscape. The sentence "Hare is always in a hurry" is on the left, directly above an image of him running in the foreground. Readers' eyes then pan to the opposite page and the sentence "Tortoise, however, is not." Far below these words is a small image of Tortoise, in the distance. Marlow maintains the slow and steady rhythm of Tortoise by describing him with one sentence per page, all the while interjecting impatient comments from Hare in a larger, more playful font. The result is a lively back and forth between the two pals. In the end, though, it is Hare who wants Tortoise to "Hurry up and slow down" when reading aloud a bedtime story; and Tortoise passes a true test of friendship when he puts off drinking his tea, which is getting cold, to suggest that they read the entire book again. The illustrations of Hare, Tortoise, their animal companions, and their environment are rounded and softly colored, creating a comforting world for young children. An endearing story that will no doubt become a bedtime favorite.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

PreS-Gr 3—A quirky tale of an unlikely friendship between beyond-ridiculously small Dot and extra-large Larry. Though the title gives the impression that Dot enters Larry's world, the book is more about how the characters don't fit in with average-sized people and how they eventually find one another. The text reads like a Dr. Seuss offering with its rhymes and made-up words. For example, on "The Chart of Tinies," Dot is shown to be littler than a "Glot (small), Zot (quite small), Sprot (even smaller), Krot (unbelievably small)," and Chot (ridiculously small)." Dot has a hard time finding friends: sand grains are preoccupied with being a beach while fleas are too busy making dogs itch. Of course, Larry doesn't have it any easier: the house at 66 Edgars Lane refuses his invitation for a walk, saying, "I'm stuck here, in charge of the Johnsons' stuff." And in response to his wanting to play hide-and-seek, the weeping willow only cries. Then, when Larry almost eats Dot one day, the two become friends. Marx's humor combined with Chast's New Yorker-style illustrations make for quite a sophisticated read. The pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork is filled with clever details and touches, and dialogue balloons add wisecracking fun. Some words and concepts may go over the heads of younger children, but the rhyme schemes and short sentences make this a lively and original read-aloud.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

Gr 2–4—Kessler reduces Montgomery's delightfully descriptive narrative to a bare-bones, easy-to-read plot summation. Though much of the dialogue and phrasing are taken directly from the original, this version suffers from abrupt transitions and loses much of its warmth, wit, and literary finesse. While the basic events of Anne's life and relationships are clearly conveyed, the adaptation lacks spirit, and the vivacious protagonist comes across as flat. Her maturation from girl to young woman, which develops naturally over the course of the novel, seems all too sudden and unsatisfying in this picture-book rendition. Any sense of the time period and the colorful setting-which are so vividly expressed in Montgomery's writing—are conveyed here only through the warm-hued full-page and spot illustrations. Young readers would do better to wait until they have the necessary vocabulary and skills to experience the real thing.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-K—When the wind blows a mother duck's nest into the air, the eggs land on the back of a turtle and hatch. Four ducklings pop out and ask the turtle, "Are you our Mommy?" As the ducklings go in search of their home, they encounter a variety of familiar animals and approach each of them with the same burning question. At last, the ducklings are reunited with their mother and return with her to a newly secured home. This story is very similar to P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? (Random, 1960) but is gentler and less frightening in tone. Although the ducklings are lost, they are together and never really afraid or threatened. The text is simple, with only one or two sentences per page. Morozumi's soft full-page illustrations perfectly match the soothing text. Drawn with muted lines and pastel colors, each picture is detailed, but not busy. The animals are expressive, and the world they live in is green and full of light. Small children will enjoy listening to this charming picture book and developing readers, who know many of the common sight words, should be able to read it on their own.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 2—Dapper Mr. Mosquito dons his tuxedo and heads to the insect-only royal ball. There he meets the Queen Bee, dances with a wasp, declines the offer of a comb by a group of lice, chats with some bedbugs, and, at the bar, has some punch and "chilled blood over ice." Suddenly the good time is interrupted by fearsome footsteps that turn out to belong to a bear. Mr. Mosquito saves the day by calling up mosquitoes from far and near, and they use their skill to swarm and chase the intruder away. As the ball's hero, Mr. Mosquito is dubbed the Royal Pest by the Queen. The abundant and rhyming text is only half of this story; the illustrations tell the rest. Using lush colors befitting a royal ball and excellent attention to detail, Goembel brings this idiosyncratic tale to life. The realistic insects wear top hats and elaborate gowns with full accessories, effectively making them less creepy and more anthropomorphic. The final spread is an extremely wide shot that reveals the ball's location to be at the tent of two sleeping boys. This surprise alters one's perceptions of the danger from the bear and of the ball itself. A quirky story that could easily entertain and/or creep out readers.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 3–5—Part pop-up, part lift-the-flap, part faux journal, this gimmicky title proves only mildly educational. Yellow Leaf is a member of the Sioux Tribe living on the Great Plains of South Dakota in the 1860s. Through first-person "journal entries," she describes her tribe's way of life and apparent demise. While the book attempts to present accurate information about the Sioux people in a respectful way (avoiding, for example, stereotypical terms), the format itself seems disrespectful. It is hard to imagine a real Sioux girl writing something that reads like a pseudo-history lesson and the packaging is arguably more of a toy than a book. The ending criticizes the American government's unfair treatment of Native Americans, but it also gives the false impression that the Sioux tribe is stuck in history, forever a defeated people. For a list of culturally sensitive books vetted by Native Americans, visit www.oyate.org.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Nagda and Roth add to their series of pet-themed beginning chapter books. When her brother develops asthma, fourth-grader Jenny must find a new home for her cat. She gives Munchkin to two different friends, but the feline isn't happy at either house. Jenny's teacher agrees to allow the animal to stay at school for two weeks until the child can make other arrangements. Munchkin seems comfortable there but keeps causing trouble, knocking over a flowerpot and a cricket cage. Jenny's class is having a pet party for Valentine's Day, and she hopes that Munchkin can behave himself enough to win over everyone—especially the principal—and become the official school cat. A subplot has the students learning about writing newspaper articles. Reluctant readers will enjoy the simple yet fast-paced, humorous text. Amusing black-and-white cartoons depict the action. A great choice for newly independent readers or as a classroom share-aloud.—Michele Sealander, Hamburg School, NJ

Gr 2–4—During a trip to Australia with her mother, Ally, a young artist, meets an Aboriginal woman who is also an artist. As the child goes off on adventures, she draws the things she sees and then shows her work to Pauline. The woman tries to teach Ally that art is not a straight reporting of the facts, nor should it be limited to paper. Heart, mind, and imagination—as well as the lessons that nature teaches—must also figure into the renderings. When Ally uses her own arms as a canvas to draw lorikeet feathers, she closes her eyes and feels as though she's flying. As her visit ends, Pauline declares, "Now you're ready to dream." Done by an Aboriginal artist in strong, deep colors, the acrylic paintings combine primitive depictions of the characters with striking views of the Australian landscape. The reds, browns, and yellows of the desert scenes contrast effectively with the dark blues and greens of the water and sky. The stylized images are decorated with detailed patterns that employ vibrant color combinations. Though the story might be a bit too vague for some children, this handsome book could be used to introduce Aboriginal dream paintings, or as inspiration for young artists to open their eyes and expand their horizons.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Captain Jon and First Mate Sue set sail on an imaginary pirate ship and rescue some stranded pirates, but are unable to salvage their treasure. While the crew members argue about whose fault the wreck is, Sue reminds them that although they lost their gold, they gained two lifelong friends. The new pals exchange tokens of friendship (a shell necklace and a treasure map). "'It's strange,' said Captain Curly Beard./And then he smiled real wide./'This giving stuff is really fun/I feel all warm inside.'" Osteen's text attempts to inspire readers to search for treasures within themselves and others, but the syrupy text is awkward and strains to rhyme. The overall effect is preachy, and the illustrations are uninspired and stiff.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

K-Gr 2—Hilda Mae Heifer is down in the dumps, and her moo sounds oh-so-blue. The extended farm family that helped her find her voice in Moo Who? (HarperCollins, 2004) recognize that they can't stand by while she sounds so low. Rather than listen to her tune-free wails—or plug their ears—they conclude that misery loves company and swiftly organize auditions for a chorus to harmonize with—or perhaps drown out—Hilda Mae's sad song. Each animal's moment in the spotlight features a familiar sound: "Baaa-baaa," "nay nay nay-nay-nay," "squeak squeak SQUEAK," "ribbit." The judges at the well-attended auditions are strangely reminiscent of those found, for instance, on American Idol: the rooster is always complimentary; the duck invariably cries, "You nailed it!" The pig finds fault; he's HARSH—while the cat calls, "Next!" When the cows come home, they learn that Hilda Mae has given up singing in favor of another talent. Palatini's prose is poetic, quirky, inventive, and just plain fun. If the words "baffled," "bewildered," and "befuddled" are called for, she plunks them down on the page. Graves escalates the sophisticated silliness with his wacky, superbly crafted, almost 3-D illustrations. (You've got to love Hilda Mae's huge red pompadour.) The gorgeous colors and absurd perspectives take this tale to another level. It's a great day at the farm.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 3–4—Fourth-grader Sunny is dealing with a lot in her young life. Her father is in prison, her school is in danger of being shut down, and she is trying to come up with new holidays so that every month has a fun day. Difficult situations are handled gently, but realistically. Sunny knows that her daddy went to jail because he made a mistake trying to take a shortcut to success. Her mother, who works as a maid and is taking college courses one at a time, emphasizes that success only comes from hard work. The mayor visits Riverview Towers, an "ugly cement-gray building" where Sunny lives, and she decides to tell him about her idea for January's holiday, Kid's Day. When she gets her chance to speak, she finds herself telling him about all the things he needs to do for her and her neighbors, like fixing the community pool, finishing the park he started, and cleaning up the river. While Sunny's life still isn't perfect, the novel has a happy ending. The text is not difficult and includes some fun images for abstract ideas, for example, negative comments are "butterfly squishers."—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

PreS-Gr 1—Well-known for her captivating board books, Patricelli brings her simple text and crayon colors to the next age level. As an adult pushes a pigtailed girl in a striped sweater and socks on a swing, the child calls out: "Higher! Higher!" The ride gradually takes her from a giraffe's-eye view, to a mountaintop, to an airplane, and finally high enough to trade high fives with a one-eyed, green alien who floats on her own swing among the stars. The pictures then regress to a vantage point that allows readers to review the stages of her upward climb all at once, then return to the playground for a hug and the final word: "Again!" The repetitive text is ideal for new readers, and the cartoon paintings, though spare, provide plenty of room for imagination. An excellent choice to share at storytime.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 2—A revamped version of "Little Red Riding Hood." As Tortuga (turtle) slowly makes his way to his abuela's house, his friends Conejo (rabbit), Culebra (snake), and Iguana follow behind, hoping to get a taste of the goodies in the basket. When he encounters Coyote, foolish Tortuga doesn't see any harm in talking to him despite his decidedly hungry appearance. Upon his arrival at his abuela's, Tortuga notices what big orejas, ojos, and dientes she has. When discovered, Coyote wastes no time in locking him in a closet with his grandmother. As the water boils for Tortuga soup, the three friends make a horrific sound outside using their feet, tail, and rattle. Convinced that monsters are after him, Coyote runs into the desert, and grateful Tortuga shares the supper he has brought with his amigos. This fun tale has a nice combination of Spanish and English words. Meaning is usually clear from context, but a helpful glossary is included. Long uses a lot of yellow, orange, and green, giving his illustrations an appropriately Southwestern look. The amigos are all amusingly drawn with big eyes and great expressions. The depiction of Coyote is quite scary with his pointed yellow teeth and hungry eyes. This fresh look on an old classic is sure to be a hit with children.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 3—Ninjas are supposed to be silent and stealthy. This creates problems for Wink, a ninja in training who has a flamboyant streak. The desire to be in the spotlight causes Master Zutsu to send him home several times with admonishments that read like proverbs: "The loudest cricket is the first to be caught" and "The blossom that flaunts its color is soon plucked." Wink's grandmother tries to cheer him up and shares a few proverbial sayings of her own, including "Time spent laughing is time well spent" and "Sometimes a worry must rest." After a particularly disastrous outing to the panda pen at the zoo, Wink encounters a boy practicing acrobatic tricks and realizes that he has found his special talent. This charming story ends with Master Zutsu and Grandmother receiving tickets to the Lucky Dragon Circus. After watching Wink, aka "the Nimble Ninja," perform, Grandmother remarks, "Your smile has come home." Phillipps's debut is an auspicious one. The story's oft-told message of acceptance has been invigorated with originality and humor. The collage-style illustrations often appear to have a three-dimensional effect and Wink practically bounds off the pages with barely contained energy. The rich colors and textures contribute to the setting and complement the action nicely. This flashy picture book is sure to appeal to a wide audience.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

K-Gr 2—Patricia von Pleasantsquirrel is underappreciated by her family members, who fail to recognize her innate princessness. Taking a page from Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, she escapes her prosaic life, flying to a place where hippos reign supreme. They crown Patricia as their princess and give her many of the things she has dreamed of-and quite a few she hadn't. When she tires of the game, she returns home, content to be herself. According to the jacket copy, Proimos's story plays "cheeky homage" to Sendak and Max, but the bold-lined, cartoon-style illustrations and Patricia's postmodern sassiness also owe a debt to James Marshall, calling to mind his bossy Goldilocks. This funny story joins the ranks of Jon Agee's The Retired Kid (Hyperion, 2008) and Kate Feiffer's President Pennybaker (S & S, 2008).—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 3—This unusual introduction to animal migration starts on a New England farm, which is home to a monarch butterfly, a barn swallow, and an American eel. During the summer, the creatures prepare for the long journey ahead. In fall, they travel more than a thousand miles to complete the next stage of their lives. Eventually, their offspring return to the same farm to recommence the cycle. The striking watercolor illustrations effectively introduce the animals in their habitats. Often the page layout, divided into three horizontal bands, reminds viewers of the parallel existence of bird, butterfly, and eel. The double-page map showing their respective journeys emphasizes the vast distances they migrate. Two pages of author notes supply fascinating information that older readers might use to expand their own knowledge or answer questions of curious listeners. A well-designed and useful resource to pique curiosity about an amazing aspect of the lives of many animals.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

K-Gr 1—One wouldn't expect barnyard mud and untidiness to offend a pig, but Louisa is a prissier porker than most, right down to the pink purse she carries. She leaves letter after letter of anonymous complaint to Farmer Joe, who does his best to correct the odious problems—but ultimately leaves the mysterious nitpicker his own exasperated note: "Dear Disgruntled, If you don't like it, you can clean it up yourself." Louisa storms off to the city, but learns that it comes with its own grubby assaults to the senses and ultimately returns all the wiser to the farm, where she finds a bucket, brush, and soap awaiting her. The barnyard setting and residents are depicted in stylized cartoonlike illustrations interspersed with photographic images and replete with amusing details such as animals stomping about in mud boots. The cumulative build-up of this tale, combined with the childlike, flattened quality of the comical artwork, makes this an appealing choice.—Kathleen Finn, Winooski Memorial Library, VT

K-Gr 3—The mere bones of the Chincoteague ponies' story is related in brief rhymes. The text touches only slightly on their arrival on the island; without the concluding author's note, readers will be bewildered. Zahares's glowing oil pastels extend and explain through images what Ransom only hints at. Full spreads present a detailed and exciting background for the sometimes-forced rhymes. It is hard to pinpoint the audience for this book, as the text seems suited for preschoolers while it will take older and more astute readers to decipher the meaning of the poetry. Fans of Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague (S & S, 2006) will pick this up, and it would make a nice unit filler paired with Jim Arnosky's Wild Ponies (National Geographic, 2002) and Susan Jeffers's My Chincoteague Pony (Hyperion, 2008), but it doesn't stand on its own.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

K-Gr 3—This humorous picture book requires a total suspension of disbelief. The premise that a man wearing Western clothing and sitting in a saloon does not know what to do with a saddle he receives for his birthday is delightfully silly. The instructions that accompany the gift advise him to "1. Find a horse 2. Enjoy the ride." However, the man does not know what a horse is so he asks a red wagon, "Are you a horse?" "'Nope, I'm an old wagon,' said the wagon. 'A horse is a living thing.'" He asks a cactus the same question, and it replies, "I bristle at the thought! I'm a cactus. A horse is an animal." Then he queries various animals absurdly found in the same habitat: a snake, a crab, a lion, and a zebra. The crab declares, "I'll pinch you good! A horse is friendly. I'm a crab! NOW GO AWAY!" The conclusion delivers a big chuckle. The gouache and India ink illustrations are comical and colorful, and the cartoon expressions capture the burlesque nature of the story. There are some clever visual interpretations. One series of six panels conveys the lengthy passage of time that it takes for a sloth to give his answer. A goofy giggle-inducing read-aloud.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Wilson's life is challenging. His elementary school is not for the lily-livered; it is disastrously run and overflowing with bullies. His scallywag principal spends his days under a desk and the school secretary must be bribed with snacks. His classmates refuse to learn, preferring to torment one another instead. Life at home is hard, too. His family's wallet and living quarters are tight. This all begins to change when Wilson finds out that he has an uncle who is a pirate. After years marooned on Antarctica with a talking penguin, Uncle Desperate Evil Wicked Bob is coming to stay. Needless to say, the man does not quite fit in, but he's still able to whip Wilson's school into shape. Readers will enjoy the fun of Uncle Pirate's unorthodox methods and the pirate theme and jargon (glossary included). Though light on character development, this quick-paced jaunt will amuse children as it sails the current of pirate mania. Auth's delightful black-and-white illustrations appear throughout.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-K—Baby Harry is always "HUNGRY!" His first tantrum brings a snack bar from Mom, who then serves his imperious demands with blueberries and a box of alphabet cookies. "MORE!" yells Harry, who proceeds to consume the contents of the refrigerator, a mailbox, a car, and so forth, growing, like his appetite, to Kong-like proportions along with attitudes to match. He ultimately reaches for the crescent moon, but falls asleep in his tracks. By the time his parents bring him home, Harry is the right size for his crib, but soon his stomach's rumbling for breakfast. Salerno's illustrations stylistically match his art in Susan Middleton Ely's "Bebe" series (Harcourt), with Harry as a round-headed baby wearing only a diaper, living in a retro world of men in ties and moms with flip hairdos, clad in stretch crop pants and flats. The bright gouaches on watercolor paper are Photoshop enhanced and appealing. The fantasy's escalation will amuse many, but Harry's diminishment may puzzle others, as will the lack of consequences for consuming mountains, roads, and bridges.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 1—In his third picture-book outing, Cornelius P. Mud faces his biggest challenge yet: meeting his new baby brother. Like its predecessors, the book has a series of questions and answers, only this time Cornelius is the one asking the questions: "Can he play?" "Can he eat pizza?" "What CAN he do?" His sensitive mama answers all of them with love and patience. Saltzberg's delightfully childlike acrylic and pencil illustrations capture the trepidation of a youngster confronted with such a situation; Cornelius curls up in a corner of the room, as far from his mother and brother as possible, as he asks, "Do you love him more than you love me?," and his expression is the epitome of woe as he moans, "I wish we could send him back." At last he finds something the baby can do-be his little brother. Young readers will delight at Cornelius's "lullaby" for his new sibling: "When you're/a little older,/we will play…/BUT NOW/you're like a/lump of clay." Simultaneously sensitive and silly, this book hits all the right notes.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 3—As a carpenter, Harlan Burch plants two trees for every one he cuts. "Somebody else might need a tree someday was Harlan Burch's philosophy." The trees serve another purpose, however, when he realizes that, like the forest animals around him, he can make a home for himself in a hollow tree. The man lived "and lived and lived and lived and lived and lived" in a sycamore, growing younger, not older. He becomes a husband and father, passing away at the age of 142 and leaving his own family tree behind. A comfortable voice enhances the rich, rural narrative. Acrylics on cardboard and linen provide a textured canvas for Shelby's storytelling, and the palette of greens, browns, and blues emphasizes the beauty of the natural environment. Intricate quilt squares, symbolic of Appalachian culture, are integrated into each spread. Loosely based on a traditional family story, this southeastern Kentucky folktale with a gentle message provides a rhythmic read-aloud.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

K-Gr 2—This fun glimpse of the Australian outback is written in a rhyming text that's a joy to read aloud. Six woolly wombats go on a walkabout, and the dingo that spots them is sure that he's just discovered his lunch. One by one, a wombat strays from the others until only Jen and Jack are left. Hiding by the trail, they spy the dingo with a large sack that's jumping about. Immediately they make a pit trap and lure the unsuspecting dingo into it. Four thankful wombats escape and six happy wombats walk back home two by two for tea. The meanings of the Aussie words are easily understood from the context, but the short glossary found before the story is still nice to have. The illustrations, which are bathed in pale browns, yellows, oranges, and blues, are an excellent complement to the text. Blackall uses a "less is more" approach to the art that successfully allows readers to focus on the animals, their expressions, and the flora around them. Since the wombats tend to look alike, the artist has adorned each of them with one accessory to give them individuality. This delightful story with its themes of friendship and nature could be perfectly paired with Jackie French's Diary of a Wombat (Clarion, 2003) and Mem Fox's Koala Lou (Harcourt, 1989) for an Australian-themed storytime.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—Mirra Bella, who teaches art on Ballyhoo Beach to children and grannies, as well as pelicans, otters, seals and crabs, seagulls and squids, is stunned one day when a signpost appears announcing that the beach will be closed-a developer plans to build penthouse apartments and a casino. Mirra Bella draws up a plan to leave the beach as it is for all to enjoy and presents it to the town council. Her idea is overwhelmingly adopted, and the recycled-art fair takes place the next day as planned. Lively, humorous acrylic cartoons have a buoyancy that captures the sparkle of the seaside setting and the exaggerated antics of the characters. This upbeat ecological message is delivered with plenty of panache. Told in rhyming couplets, the story reads aloud well.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-K—A little boy and his grandfather visit the zoo and count a variety of animals from one to 10. The couplets are simple but descriptive: "Baby gators snap at me./Sneaking, peeking…/We count 3." The digital gouache illustrations have vibrant colors, clean lines, and palpable texture. The characters have big, wide eyes that convey wonder, surprise, and joy, and many of the animals have playful expressions that welcome the humans. An engaging read-aloud for storytime and one-on-one sharing.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

K-Gr 5—Benjamin Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" has been the gold standard for introducing children to instruments since 1946. The concept has been embraced (some may say enhanced) by none other than Lemony Snicket, whose picture-book overview offers the additional layer of a murder mystery. The CD presentation features music by Nathaniel Stookey, performed by the San Francisco Symphony. The story is well paced, employing wordplay, humor, and mild suspense to build a slow crescendo that originates with the delicate strings and climaxes with percussion. The bombastic Inspector, read by Snicket on the CD, sports pinstripes, a bowler hat, and a handlebar mustache in the book. As he interrogates each section of the orchestra, the instruments describe their whereabouts on the night of the crime in characteristic voices, telling something about their actual roles while offering imagery for the illustrator. Thus, "'We were performing a waltz,' said the Violins. 'We played graceful melodies so the ladies and gentlemen could spin around and around and around until they felt dizzy and somewhat nauseous.'" Ellis's watercolors combine caricatures of the action with silhouettes of the instruments. Evidence leads to the conductor, since "wherever there's a conductor, you're sure to find a dead composer!" Musings on justice versus art point to certain acquittal. Due to the length of the musical portions, it is unlikely that children will listen and read simultaneously. It is quite likely, however, that both formats will provide entertainment and enlightenment, in whatever order they are encountered.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 2—In this gently comic collection of three easy-to-read tales, Winston, a tweedy, absentminded duck, and Violet, a swan fond of red high-top sneakers and stylish hats, are longtime friends who find their differences both exasperating and endearing. Whether the characters are searching for missing glasses, chomping noisily on picnic fare, or running a garage sale, their dialogue bears witness to their steadfast devotion to one another despite the inevitable little aggravations that crop up in their life together. Raschka's swirling, impressionistic watercolor and ink illustrations, with vibrant color and thick strokes of energetic line, humorously convey the affectionate give-and-take of these old friends. These tender fables, illustrated with Raschka's signature verve, will find a broad audience with both newly independent readers and young listeners.—Kathleen Finn, Winooski Memorial Library, VT

PreS-Gr 1—Several animals sign up at Chef George's School of Dessertology to learn the fine art of making sweets. Kitty is interested in cheesecake, Spoonbill longs for fish cakes, and Poodle is only interested in looking good. Throughout the day, while the other students are playing and creating strange dishes, Bunny studies, listens to the chef, measures, and bakes a fancy cake, which she shares with her teacher and classmates. Everything in the brush and ink spreads and vignettes is black and white except the titular bunny, who, like her cake, is pink. The chef's statements are printed in red ink while the animals' comments, in black ink, look as if they were composed on a typewriter. Eight recipes for desserts are featured on the endpapers. The illustrations and the slight story line have limited appeal and will not hold the attention of children.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—"We are Ed, Ned, Ted…and Bob. We rhyme all the time!" If children can't guess from the names, they can certainly tell from the facial expressions on these four large-nosed floppy-eared hairy blobs that Bob is the odd bunny out. When Ed (electric green and unflappably cheery) calls out, "What rhymes with bug?" Ned (purple, beige nose bigger than Ed's) yells "hug." Ted (crimson, big big yellow nose) shouts "rug." Bob, a lovely shade of turquoise but perpetually perplexed and anxious, contributes "Look out!" "'No, Bob,' scolds Ed. 'Look out!' does not rhyme with bug!" When, a few pages later, Bob's rhyme for dog is "Look out! Here comes a big scary monster with a broom!" readers' suspicions will be confirmed that Bob is more than a dust bunny with a rhyming deficiency. But Thomas doesn't simply fulfill children's expectations. True to form, she adds funny and thrilling surprises up to the absorbing end of the tale. This book will make readers laugh; it will teach them to rhyme; it will enchant them and make them think twice every time they see a vacuum cleaner.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Irene, the patient host to a menagerie of quirky animals, finds a new visitor at her door in this follow-up to Duck at the Door (2007) and Duck Soup (2008, both HarperCollins). Her visitor is Harold, an alligator on the lam from the zoo detectives. His crime? "I just had a snack! Okay, so it was someone's pet. I didn't know that!" Max the duck puts aside his fears of being eaten and convinces everyone to take Harold in. Sure enough, he has a large appetite, though he seems happy with the gang's culinary offerings. Eventually the zoo detectives show up at Irene's door, but Harold is off the hook. "The dog we thought Harold ate wasn't the girl's PET DOG. It was her HOT DOG." The charming watercolors will give audiences plenty to look at as these expressive creatures search the house for an alligator-sized hiding place and plot to save their new guest. The animals are clearly the movers and shakers in this household, and Urbanovic has done a fine job of rendering each one with clever humanlike postures and expressions. Readers will be especially tickled by the illustration of a room full of animals all dressed in homemade alligator costumes. With a comedic story and strong visuals, Duck and Cover is sure to please.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS—Van Fleet follows up the popular Tails (Harcourt, 2003) and Dog (S & S, 2007) with this interactive novelty book aimed at toddlers but photographed for cat lovers. Stanton has captured an impressive array of expressions on his subjects: a cheeky Himalayan sticking out its tongue, a regally bored Bengal, a gentle Kurilian Bobtail asleep beside a parrot. The text consists of simple rhymes designed to describe different types of cats and what they do. Sue Stainton's I Love Cats (Harper Collins, 2007) and Patricia Hubbell's I Like Cats (North-South, 2003) are just a couple of similar titles that come to mind. The inclusion of furry tails to pat, flaps to lift, and tabs to pull is designed to engage young readers, although it will probably just lead to damaged books. The photographs are engaging enough and should continue to hold attention after the novelty wears off. Buy where the other Van Fleet titles are popular.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Chicken and Cat return in this wordless graphic picture book that continues to explore their friendship and adventures. Cat longs for a pet but has no money to buy one, so Chicken invites him to be part of his housekeeping business. The problem is that his pal has no skills and, after a series of cleaning disasters, the hapless feline is banished to the front stoop. There he witnesses a purse snatching, captures the mouse villain, and is celebrated as a hero. With his reward money, Cat buys a pet turtle and Chicken expands his business into a "mousecatching" service. Varon's quirky ink and Photoshop illustrations show the endearing big-eyed duo from multiple perspectives through spreads as well as smaller panels. Readers will love following the tale that Varon so clearly illustrates.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2—The Easter Bunny is ill and blue, much to the consternation of the local poultry. Two dogs, concerned about children's happiness, organize the animals to collect eggs, paint them, and distribute Easter baskets. In the nick of time, the Easter Bunny, imbued with his annual super powers, appears to finish the job. Most readers of this early chapter book will probably not know what it means to have the blues, but they will understand being too sick to do something, even something to which they look forward. The willingness of the animals to work together is well depicted. The language is appropriate for a level two beginning reader and includes growth words like "scurried," "flicked," and "commotion." The entertaining illustrations, which depict ducks carrying eggs in their bills and deer toting baskets on their antlers, gleefully support the text.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

PreS-Gr 2—Willems's contemporary fable concerns the way in which a young member of the species "naked mole rats" is different. As the nomenclature suggests, the group does not wear clothing, with the singular exception of Wilbur. His extensive wardrobe, ranging from a tuxedo to a space suit, and his insistence on wearing it, cause much consternation and criticism from his colony. At last, they consult Grand-pah, "the oldest, greatest, and most naked naked mole rat ever." He calls a town meeting. To everyone's surprise, particularly the protagonist's, Grand-pah arrives in a seersucker suit and waxes eloquent on the wisdom of Wilbur's simple question: "Why not?" Converts abound and a celebration ensues in which some dress up and some do not, but everyone has fun. Willems has a talent for creating funny lines, verbally and visually. Beige backgrounds provide an uncluttered stage for his pink creatures with their oversize rectangular heads, each conveying a distinctive personality. Much of the humor resides in the subtle changes in Wilbur's eyes and, of course, in his colorful costumes. Adults will embrace the message of tolerance, happy to have a tale that can be shared with young children. They will also appreciate the hints of Charles Schultz that surface here and there. Kids will giggle-and wish their daily dramas had similar endings. Now, however, they'll have a script.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—On the banks of Washtub Pond, Foo Frog, Sue-Lin Salamander, and Mao-Mao Mudpuppy live as friends the same size until Foo starts growing. Unfortunately, his ego grows as well, and soon he is convinced that he is the biggest animal in the world. When his friends try to tell him about the enormous elephant they saw, he puffs himself up to prove his size and floats away. Encounters with a heron, a huge fish, a sea turtle, and the elephant literally let the hot air out of Foo until, ego deflated, he returns to his friends. They agree that he is the "perfect size…for a frog" and "the perfect size for a friend." This variation on a common folktale theme is endearing for its focus on the emotions and relationships of the characters. Yang lends a distinctly Chinese feel to the story through onomatopoeic phrases that will be unfamiliar to many Western readers ("shuuuuuu" as hot air whistles out of the frog, "peiii!" as a turtle spits him out), and through the bright, folk-flat feeling of her gouache illustrations.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 3–5—These titles in a best-selling Chinese series prove that boys getting into trouble is a universal experience. Mo Shen Ma is a typical kid who pals around with his friends, tangles with his teacher, likes girls (sort of), and tries to do the right thing (most of the time). The text is fast paced and child-friendly, and Mo's foibles ring true for a well-meaning yet mischievous boy. For example, he tries to get his friend Penguin to change seats with him in class because Man Man, the girl who sits next to him, is always tattling on him. Unfortunately, his plan backfires. And when Mo's mother buys a piano because children who play are "more likely to do well in life," Mo puts up a "for sale" sign and tries to get rid of it. As popular as Mo is in China, there are still cultural aspects in these books that are likely to mystify American audiences, such as having the children show how much they care about their parents by washing their feet. Still, these characters are well drawn and full of personality, and kids will probably overlook whatever seems strange to them in an effort to find out what Mo and his friends are going to do next. Black-and-white spot art appears throughout.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-K—Mama throws a kiss, depicted as rosy lips with cupid wings, but it misses the curly-haired narrator. It travels via breezes, sneezes, and a runner from baby brother to family pets, Honey Bee, and bears to end up that evening back where it belongs, on the little girl's cheek. "A kiss can go the world around,/And come back where it should be found." Yolen's text is verb-rich with burps, bumps, and spins to keep the action rolling. Baxter's pen-and-ink drawings trace the kiss's journey with pink arrows flowing amid varyingly detailed scenes that match the pace of the text. A cheerful palette and autumn scenes further enhance the appeal of this cozy lap-sit selection.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 2—Maxwell is a lively little boy with an active imagination. Readers first meet him atop the monkey bars, balancing precariously. His father shouts out, "You're not SUPERMAN. So climb down and sit. You cannot be a bird without hurting yourself." The refrain follows: "Max sat. But not for long." Dad has to remind his son that Max is not King Kong or Evel Knievel. Finally, the child exclaims that he is Mighty Max. The adventure moves to the beach where the superhero rebuilds a wave-washed sand castle and continues to save the day. The collage and crayon illustrations are colorful and exuberant-an enthusiastic Max could have created them himself. This is a fine story to share with the many superheroes who frequent the library.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

Gr 2–5—Survivors since prehistoric times, crocodiles were quite endangered just a few years ago and are now in comeback mode. Arnosky's journey on foot and by boat through Florida's mangrove swamps brings sightings of several crocs of varied size and age. Engaging text and acrylic paintings of the flora and fauna sharing their habitat explain the differences between alligators and crocodiles and various aspects of the physical characteristics and behavior of crocodiles. As in many of the author's animal-viewing ventures, his personal experiences and observations enliven the history and life cycle information. Here the "safari" is further expanded in an enclosed DVD in which Arnosky talks with viewers as he walks through the mangroves, and the crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife move through the water and trees in daylight and more muted twilight. In the final third of the film, the artist is seated in his boat with a drawing pad and teaches viewers how to draw a crocodile and an alligator. Both book and film end with the words and music of "Counting Crocodiles," written and sung by Arnosky. The book also includes a final page of added notes on crocodiles. The package is a fine introduction to the homely crocodile, the importance of wildlife protection, and the work of this personable naturalist.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 1–4—In this sequel to My Light (Scholastic, 2004), the focus is photosynthesis and its connection to all living things. The sun continues to be the "star" of the show, narrating the lyrical text. The verse is a mix of fun and fact, explaining that "My light becomes the energy/for all life on Earth." Although the text goes on to connect the sun's energy to plants and then to animals and people, the explanations are quite a leap for the intended audience. Beautiful illustrations light up the pages and swirl across the spreads. Bright yellow outlines large green leaves, landscapes, and animals, radiating against the dark electric blue sky. Magnified close-ups of plant cells offer visual explanations of the process. However, they are more decorative than informative. Fans of the earlier work will find this book equally satisfying. Overall, a worthy general purchase.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

K-Gr 1—Attractive, colorful photographs represent both children (including some who are disabled) and professionals enjoying the sports, which are described using simple sentence structure and large print. Unfortunately, 200 words do not leave much room to explain more than basic rules. Spreads in Baseball cover such topics as home runs and various playing positions. Soccer and Basketball show and label equipment. A spread in Basketball explains the difference between one-point, two-point, and three-point shots. Each further reading section includes one relatively current book and one Web site. These books are similar to those in the "Pebble Plus: Sports and Activities" series (Capstone), so libraries don't need both sets.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 3–5—These small, attractive titles boast plenty of color photographs and easy-to-read type. However, while the topics might interest children, the text-heavy presentations are mundane, with problems that resemble those in elementary textbooks. Arranging teams for games, planning a garden, or researching national parks would provide the same information and encourage the use of math skills at a much higher level than that taught here.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

PreS-Gr 1—These 40 poems and songs offer children a taste of many different cultures. Most are anonymous or traditional nursery rhymes; a few are by English or American poets. The tone is light and joyous. Sweet illustrations of babies and toddlers engaged in playful activities depict the universality of children everywhere. Similar in style to Chorao's The Baby's Playtime Book (2006); The Baby's Book of Baby Animals (2004); The Baby's Lap Book (1990), and The Baby's Good Morning Book (1986, all Dutton), this is an appealing volume to share with preschoolers.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

Gr 3–5—These surveys profile 13 kinds of animals, many of which have undergone extraordinary adaptations. A large, full-body, color drawing of the featured animal is centered on the left-hand page, labeled with several short blocks of text describing some major physical and/or behavioral characteristics. The opposite page has one to three smaller, captioned drawings depicting the animal in action (e.g., defending itself against predators, attacking prey, attaching itself to a host); sidebars with miscellaneous facts; and a small world map, shaded to indicate range. These colorful books, particularly Dinosaurs, will appeal to browsers. However, several errors appear in Pests, the most serious of which occurs in the section on chiggers; it states that the mite burrows into the victim's skin and sucks its blood, but the arachnid actually feeds on dissolved skin cells, dropping off its host when full. David Norman's Dinosaur (DK, 2004), Gail Jarrow's Chiggers (Gale, 2003), and Margery Facklam's Spiders and Their Web Sites (Little, Brown, 2001) include many of the same animals and provide more detail.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 3–6—A brief introductory chapter defines mnemonics, illustrates a few of the techniques with widely known examples, and encourages readers to begin developing their own. With no further jargon, the remaining chapters apply these strategies to random scientific facts in the areas of "Earth and Space Science," "Physical Science," "Life Science," and "The Scientific Method." Acronyms, acrostic sentences, visualizations, rhymes, songs, and even a pseudo theatrical script are all demonstrated. Readers can learn how to remember simple facts such as that the Earth orbits the Sun and the Moon orbits the Earth, or more challenging information such as the elements of the Mohs hardness scale. A brief background paragraph in a contrasting white box introduces the scientific information. Occasional "Read On" and "Extra Credit" inserts provide more detail or recommend further reading. Colorful cartoons match the lightheartedness of the presentation. Teachers will find several examples useful during related lessons, though in some cases the examples require more memorization than the facts themselves. Further reading and glossary entries focus on the scientific background presented, rather than on mnemonics.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 2–5—Intended for reluctant readers, these books are filled with colorful photos and illustrations, and their large type and short chapters make them accessible. TV-Station introduces basic staff (newscaster, videographer), and the narrative then focuses on a specific editor at a North Carolina station. It continues to move back and forth between the general and the specific, making the text a bit muddled. Knight Life is written in the second person and describes how one is knighted and some of the aspects of chivalric life. While certainly covering a high-interest topic, this introduction tends to glamor-ize a knight's existence and is a bit too generalized. It will interest some reluctant readers, but it is not appropriate for reports.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—A straightforward, reassuring book aimed at children awaiting the arrival of a new baby in the family. Organized into logical sections—from babies' development in the womb to the hospital to what infants look like—the accessible text offers sound, comforting detail. A wonderful spread of "Your Basic Baby" points out everything from "wacky hair" to hospital bracelets. Several pages cover how infants fit into a family's life, explaining what they eat and do and how older siblings can interact with them. There are many self-affirming phrases like, "…you can be a big sister or big brother. That's important. Stand up, take a bow! Hooray for you!" The final page gives expectant parents tips on how to deal with potential sibling rivalry. The charming watercolor illustrations show all kinds of families caring for and getting to know their newcomers. Though many quality books on this subject are available, Danzig's offering will bring comfort to expectant parents and siblings alike.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Gr 3–6—Packed with potentially life-saving information, this guide is humorous without sacrificing usefulness. The author, a medical doctor, begins with some basic plants (poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac) that might be encountered. Drawings of the leaves are carefully labeled and accompanied by the warning not to touch any part of the plant, and not to burn it as even the smoke can irritate. Poisonous insects, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals are also included, and every entry explains why the creature's venom causes the bad reaction it does and how to treat it. The text does a good job of explaining how to distinguish a poisonous insect from a benign one. It also encourages recognition of the value of potentially harmful wildlife by touching upon its importance to ecosystems. Genuinely funny, colorful drawings on every page amplify the text and make it memorable. The dangers of eating wild mushrooms, for example, are succinctly summed up: "NEVER EAT WILD MUSHROOMS!" and are accompanied by a cartoon of a rabbit chowing down on them because, as the text explains, rabbits can eat deadly mushrooms without harm. Valuable information made fun.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

PreS-Gr 3—Downing has adapted a traditional song and based it on Louisiana towns. In each verse, the aunt comes back from a different place with a representative gift- a sweet beignet from the Vieux Carré; a fiddle from Cajun country, and so on, ending with, "My aunt came back from Louisiane/and she's going back as soon as she can." The adapter-illustrator has created simple, colorful collages. A glossary offers brief explanations for some of the gifts, an outline map shows approximate areas referred to in the text, and the song and music are included. Children, especially Louisianans, will have fun looking at the illustrations while they sing along.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-K—Engelbreit brings her trademark sunny style to this collection of 12 tales and successfully walks the line between adapting the stories for a preschool audience and watering them down. The world that these characters inhabit vibrates with bright colors, friendly animals, and buildings and woods of the timeless fairy-tale variety. Scary things happen, but only to the bad guys, and only offstage. Jack's giant dies falling from the beanstalk and Gretel pushes the witch into the oven, but the Big Bad Wolf escapes the woodcutter with only a scolding after he lets Red Riding Hood and her grandmother out of his stomach unharmed. Even the Gingerbread Boy eludes the fox and keeps on running at the end of the story. The artist portrays two of the three little pigs as female, as are the posh city mouse and her homely country cousin. The humorous expressions of the characters (see Goldilocks sinking into Mama Bear's super-soft bed for a laugh) and the lines of text incorporated into the illustrations are classic Engelbreit touches. This cheery collection will appeal to the artist's fans, as well as to anyone looking for not-too-scary versions of old favorites for young children.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—This engaging, eco-friendly picture book opens with a child-friendly invitation to "play a guessing game." Through a series of short rhyming clues, children will join in as members of a family "unearth" the mysterious round object little by little. Ever-growing cutouts on attractive two-page spreads along with the clear, bold text provide the clues. One at a time, the sister, brother, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandparents, and even pets use the clues to make their own best guess. The concentric circles created by this peek-a-boo technique evolve into a beautiful circle of rainbow colors that complements the book's Earth-friendly message. Ernst's distinctive collage and cutout illustrations are painted with bold chunky strokes that will appeal to a young audience. A stunning foldout creates an eye-catching conclusion, making this title a great choice for a group read. Concluding with some simple suggestions for ways to take care of our planet, it is a great starting point for discussion. An engaging and appropriate selection for all libraries.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Gr 2–4—Thirty-six brief poems follow a baseball player's year from snowy February, "the hardest month," through the much-anticipated summer season and back to February. Mostly lighthearted, sometimes wistful verses celebrate snow baseball, unwrapping equipment, and the ups and downs of the season. There are witty portraits of his supportive family and teammates, such as "Automatic Out" Albert and ever-hopeful benchwarmer Ted. Fehler's verses offer simple images and the delights of the game's terse play-by-play. The boy waits at the plate for Gramps's knuckleball: "I wait and wait./It nears the plate/and now/and now/my bat swings/under (maybe over)/it/too soon./Or was the swing/too late?" As the season ends, the snow-covered December ballpark holds only the seeds of "memories planted deep." Wu's comically exaggerated illustrations are done in acrylic and colored pencils. With its charming wordplay and humor, this book should win an audience among readers who long for the sun-warmed days of the baseball season all year long.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 3—Photographs of children in traditional and modified yoga poses are matched with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The idea is that "being" the letters in an experiential way will help children learn their aleph-bet (the concept of embodying Hebrew letters was introduced in Steven Rapp's adult book Aleph-Bet Yoga). A glossary explains the source for each pose and the physical benefits of practicing it. However, no background information is provided about yoga in general. The photos and page backgrounds are colorful but rather static, and the focus is not always crisp. The poses appear easy to accomplish, but the resemblance to their corresponding letters is not always strong. White children and one Asian child are included in the mix. This book would make a useful companion to a children's yoga class, but falls rather flat as a stand-alone, and does not provide enough context to educate readers about either Hebrew or yoga.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

K-Gr 3—In June 2007, two rangers in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo discovered that a young mountain gorilla and her mother had disappeared. Although human efforts to locate the pair proved unsuccessful, Miza's father, Kabirizi, a huge silverback that heads the family, found her and brought her back home. Miza's mother never returned. The authors provide general information about the gorillas' lives and the numerous threats to their survival. Engaging full-color photos will hold browsers' attention and may stimulate interest in these animals. However, because the details of Miza's disappearance and rescue are unknown, the authors can only speculate about pieces of the story, weakening the overall presentation. Impressive photos plus more information can be found in Seymour Simon's Gorillas (HarperCollins, 2000). For older readers, Pamela S. Turner's Gorilla Doctors (Houghton, 2005) would be a first choice.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 3–6—Hayes has a well-deserved reputation for classy, catchy retellings of Latino stories, predominately those from the desert Southwest of the United States. This collection takes him farther afield but maintains the quality of narrative and the characteristic "tellability" that readers and storytellers have come to expect of him. The title story relates the acquisition of fire from an old witch by two canny jimaguas, the Cuban term for twins. This story is similar in structure to Native American tales in which the thief is Coyote or Raven; here the siblings employ music and dance as their method. Many of the tales share this characteristic: a typical folktale motif combined with uniquely Cuban elements. "You Can't Dance/No baila" tells how the animals of the forest join forces to rid themselves of a pesky family of devils. Tales such as this one which involve tricking an evil character into harming himself, are widespread, as is the element of using an animal's behavior (in this case that of turkeys tucking their heads under their wings) to drive the action. "Buy Me Some Salt" is a Cuban variant of the Appalachian tale "Soap, Soap, Soap." Throughout, the tellings are clear and amusing, equally well adapted for reading or for listening. Sayago's acrylic illustrations are bright and bold, with black-outlined, highlighted shapes that almost resemble stained glass. They ably complement the text, but certainly the narrative stands alone.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA

K-Gr 5—The highlighted inventions in these 16 poems—blue jeans, roller coaster, basketball, and Popsicle, to name a few—have great kid-appeal. Poets such as Joan Bransfield Graham, Kristine O'Connell George, J. Patrick Lewis, and Alice Schertle each single out one invention. Their poetic styles vary from couplets to free verse and concrete poetry. Some poems are pure fun; others are a mix of facts and history. Four pages of informational paragraphs follow the chronologically arranged selections, followed by an illustrated time line. Sarcone-Roach unites the different poems with double-page illustrations, which vary in style from painterly to cartoon. Quick sketches and notes in the margins of the contents page suggest that the inventing is still in progress. This anthology does an excellent job of uniting the creativity of words, art, and innovation. It will spark children's curiosity and hold their interest.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

K Up—Smith's knack for pairing poetry and photography is well documented in books such as Hoop Queens (Candlewick, 2003) and Rudyard Kipling's If (S & S, 2006). Here, his artful images engage in a lyrical and lively dance with Langston Hughes's brief ode to black beauty. Dramatic sepia portraits of African Americans—ranging from a cherubic, chubby-cheeked toddler to a graying elder whose face is etched with lines-are bathed in shadows, which melt into black backgrounds. The 33 words are printed in an elegant font in varying sizes as emphasis dictates. In order to maximize the effect of the page turn and allow time for meaning to be absorbed, the short phrases and their respective visual narratives often spill over more than a spread. The conclusion offers a montage of faces created with varying exposures, a decision that provides a light-filled aura and the irregularities that suggest historical prints. A note from Smith describes his approach to the 1923 poem. This celebration of the particular and universal will draw a wide audience: storytime participants; students of poetry, photography, and cultural studies; seniors; families. A timely and timeless offering.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 1–3—Katz and Catrow are back with another set of lowbrow song parodies. This time, they skewer athletic pursuits as their untalented protagonists struggle through baseball, fishing, bowling, archery, and eight other popular sports. Katz attempts to match the perverse genius of Shel Silverstein but falls short. Although billed as "silly dilly songs," his characters whine about how awful they are at every activity, and the verses are more annoying than humorous. Catrow's grotesque illustrations serve only to exaggerate the unappealing lyrics. Skip this one and steer patrons to Jack Prelutsky's Good Sports: Rhymes About Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More (Knopf, 2007).—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 4—This lighthearted companion to Katz's Pocket Poems (Dutton, 2004) features 27 selections by a variety of favorite poets. From spring to winter there is an air of excitement and sense of anticipation as each new season dawns, holding the promise of fresh pleasures. Playful watercolor illustrations capture the joyous spirit of the poems, most of which have catchy rhymes. This appealing anthology is sure to capture the imagination of even the most reluctant readers.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

Gr 2–5—This is a serviceable retelling of the biblical story of the Jewish queen of ancient Persia who saved her people from the plotting of the king's evil vizier, Haman. The events in the original tale are rather convoluted; while they are streamlined here, the story remains somewhat disjointed. The characters play their traditional roles without much development, and an atmosphere of solemnity pervades the story. The Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the story of Queen Esther, is mentioned on the final spread without further explanation. The illustrations are the highlight of the book. Stylized, dreamy pastel spreads sing with deep color. Esther, whose name means "star," is portrayed with a moon and stars floating in her long dark hair, emphasizing her otherworldly beauty. The dignified pictures support the solemn tone of the text. While Rita Golden Gelman's Queen Esther Saves Her People (Scholastic, 1998) and Mordicai Gerstein's Queen Esther the Morning Star (S & S, 2000) offer more humor and character development, and slightly more coherent storytelling, this version will be a welcome addition.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–5—According to New Mexican folklore, the region's acequias, or irrigation canals, were created by Juan del Oso, the product of an unusual union between a woman and a curious, gentle bear. Their son's supernatural strength let him move mountains and redirect rivers so the Southwestern deserts could blossom. The English and Spanish versions of this engaging tall tale sit side by side. Córdova's bold colors and brushstrokes evoke the rustic folk-art styles of the Southwest. Insets on some pages of text highlight an image from the narrative and the illustrations opposite, giving readers visual cues about important ideas in the story. This book may resonate most strongly among Latino families with roots in Mexico and the American Southwest. However, children of all ethnic backgrounds will enjoy this story about animals with human characteristics. A prologue explains the region's unique history and legends. The glossary is especially noteworthy because it identifies certain expressions in the text as Southwestern regionalisms. A good choice for public libraries that serve bicultural families, and for school libraries where folklore is part of the curriculum.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

PreS-Gr 3—Mora encourages teachers, parents, and librarians to celebrate Children's Day/Book Day and includes ideas for observing the festivities. Written in English and Spanish, the text shows children reading in a variety of places, going to the library, listening to stories, and enjoying books. López's acrylic illustrations fill the pages with color. His upbeat iconic style shows how much fun this celebration can be and portrays round-faced kids reading to a variety of pets and riding an elephant or sailing with a whale. Students will be encouraged to join in the book-based activities. This lively selection will motivate and excite children about the adventures they can go on through reading.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

K-Gr 4—Holding true to the original title for adults, Three Cups of Tea (Viking, 2006), this moving story will amaze and inspire young readers. After getting lost while climbing the world's second tallest mountain, the K2 in the Baltistan region of Pakistan, Mortenson, a nurse, stumbled into a small village and learned of the dire circumstances in which local people lived. While recovering, Dr. Greg met the children of Korphe, who were eager to learn but were forced to write their lessons with sticks on the ground. Wanting to do something special for the village, he was encouraged by wise man Haji Ali to "listen to the wind." Dr. Greg listened, heard the eager voices of students at their lessons, and promised to return to build a school. The remarkable account of this quest, which involved constructing a bridge and manually carrying supplies to the building site, is magnificently enhanced by Roth's colorful collages. As explained in an artist's note, she incorporated fabric, bits of paper, and other fibers into the scenery in appreciation of the Balti people's aesthetic use of scraps. "A Korphe Scrapbook" follows the story, displaying photographs of the events, the village's inhabitants, and the librarian who helped to fill this school and the 57 more schools that have since been built in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Readers are informed that it is easy to make a difference by donating pennies to support education in impoverished countries. This truly exceptional and moving title should not be missed.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

PreS-Gr 4—In this companion volume to Oooh! Matisse (Tricycle, 2007), Niepold and Verdu introduce five of Picasso's sculptures. For each one, a close-up detail of the artwork is shown first, along with the question, "What is this?" Two more spreads present zoomed-in images with possible answers, followed by a third spread showing the entire sculpture along with a statement like, "oooh! i am a guitar." Bull's Head is the final work, and the bicycle seat turned horned animal is sure to impress children. Bold text floating on bright solid-color pages complements the pictures. A photo of the artist is appended along with reproductions of the artworks and identifying information. Found-object sculptures easily lend themselves to a discussion of how everyday items can be seen as something more. Shared one-on-one or in small groups, this book will ignite readers' imaginations and is both an effective gateway to art appreciation for young children and a fun exercise for elementary students.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Gr 1–3—This picture-book biography begins when Washington was 13 years old and living at Mount Vernon with his older half brother, Lawrence. The story follows him as he grew into manhood and became a soldier. Washington was not a fighter by nature but felt it his duty to defend the country he loved. And so he did throughout the Revolutionary War, where his bravery and skilled leadership resulted in Washington becoming the first President of the United States. Told almost conversationally, the story is accessible for young readers and listeners. The pencil and gouache illustrations are inviting and lend a softness to the portrait of this founding father. The subtitle suggests an emphasis on Washington's inherent shyness and primes readers for finding out how he overcame it. In actuality, little time is spent on this trait and no problems are noted for him in that regard either in his role as general or president. Despite this oddity, the book is an approachable, readable, and likable account of an important man.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 1–3—Rockwell presents the basic facts about how gasoline is produced, how it was first discovered, and its uses. She then discusses how gasoline and other fossil fuels, as they have become more and more widely used, have contributed to polluting the environment. Suggestions are offered on how to cut back our gas consumption, and alternatives such as solar power, wind power, nuclear energy, and alternative fuels are addressed. The author neglects hydroelectricity. Detailed pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings in shades of blue and brown appear throughout, and text balloons help provide humor to various scenarios. Additional facts about gasoline are appended. Nigel Saunders and Steven Chapman's Fossil Fuel (Raintree, 2006) goes into more detail about the processing of petroleum products as well as problems and solutions associated with them.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

K-Gr 4—This brief collection pairs 16 simple poems with full-color photographs of dogs wearing clothes, hats, and glasses, and posed in various human activities such as driving a toy car or blowing a large pink chewing-gum bubble. The critters are cute, though some also look uncomfortable, such as the pooch posed shakily atop two pair of ice skates on a frozen pond. The poems are unmemorable, including the title selection: "My leash was loose,/So now I'm off/To see the world,/Out on my own./Down country roads/And city streets,/In my red car,/Free and alone./Armed with my map,/I'm going far-/Just need to learn to drive this car." An appended spread of "Furry Facts" elaborates on each featured canine's character, including favorite songs and pet peeves.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 2–5—Skevington's collection of key New Testament stories chronicles the life of Jesus beginning with his birth in a humble stable in Bethlehem and concluding with the feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples. Retelling stories from all four gospels, the author fictionalizes the scripture passages, adding dialogue and cultural details to enliven the characters and the setting. The collection conveys Jesus's message of peace and love by recounting pertinent parables like "The Sower and the Seed," "The Good Samaritan," and "The Lost Son." The selections flow smoothly in a chronological narrative except in the instance when the angel appears at Jesus's tomb. The author includes Matthew's and John's account of this event. The former concludes with the women joyfully running off to spread the message of the Lord's resurrection and then on the next page, Mary Magdalene is portrayed once again weeping outside the tomb. Explanatory margin notes supplement the stories, and the neatly drawn illustrations portray Jesus and his followers in a palette of soft pastels. Although not as eloquently presented as Celia Barker Lottridge's Stories from the Life of Jesus (Douglas & McIntyre, 2004) or Katherine Paterson's The Light of the World: The Life of Jesus for Children (Scholastic, 2008), this title offers a faithful overview of the life of Jesus.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 2–5—Stanley brings meticulous research and creative visual treatments to her biographies; this 18th-century prodigy offers fertile grist for her mill. In extensive back matter, the author explains that she chose to portray the characters as marionettes after a trip to the Salzburg Marionette Theatre, a group that frequently performs simplified versions of Mozart's operas. The visible white strings may take some explanation for a young audience, but the staged effects, from the opening curtain to the suspended cherubs carrying footnotes (parenthetical comments or definitions), are well suited to the story of a man who spent most of his life performing or composing. Stanley divides Mozart's life into three acts. The first begins with his interest in lessons at age three and follows him on a European tour with his musical father and sister. In the second act, the arrogant young man, no longer a wunderkind, is dismissed by his employer and estranged from his father. During the finale, viewers meet Mozart's wife and children, learn a humorous anecdote regarding The Magic Flute, and discover the composer's tragic and untimely demise. The quoted material is carefully contextualized; one has the sense that the comments are taken from actual letters, although this is not documented. Transcriptions of melodic lines from famous works appear throughout. Stanley's golden palette is achieved with egg tempera on wooden panels. Natural accompaniments include Kyra Teis's The Magic Flute (Star Bright, 2008) and Peter Sís's whimsical Play, Mozart, Play! (HarperCollins, 2006).—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—Tutu teaches a message of peace and hope in this gentle picture book, echoing the theological ideology of his memoir, God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time (Doubleday, 2004). "Dear Child of God," the narrator begins, "what do you dream about?" While children may dream about "flying high" or "being treated like a full person," God dreams about a world in which all of his children join hands in peace, reconciliation and unity. In simple, eloquent language, Tutu conveys the message that although we come from different lands, have different eyes and skin, and talk to God in different ways, we are still brothers and sisters. By "sharing, loving, caring" and "knowing we are family" we can "make God's dream come true." The incandescent graphite, watercolor, and ink illustrations of captivating multicultural youngsters engaged in the carefree pastimes reinforce the overarching themes of love and inclusiveness. The angelic, trusting faces reflect the hope that Archbishop Tutu holds for all the world's children of God. They hold hands and share welcoming smiles, creating a circle of love and acceptance. Parents may want to pair this inspirational book with Karen Lynn Williams's Circles of Hope (Eerdmans, 2005) or Alice McGinty's Thank You, World (Dial, 2007), two more stories exploring the importance of love, faith, and hope.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 1–5—This picture-book biography of a pitching ace is a real treat. Much about this private man has been a mystery, so Winter focuses on how the gifted young athlete went from unpredictable to otherworldly in such a short time. Koufax spent his early years with the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he was either warming the bench or walking batters. The team moved to Los Angeles in 1957, and it wasn't until 1961 that he learned to control his pitch. He then proceeded to flummox opposing hitters until 1966, when he unexpectedly retired. The unnamed narrator, a teammate who speaks in the vernacular of an old-timer, greatly influences the voice of the book: readers can hear the spit of sunflower seeds between the lines. That Koufax was a Jew playing baseball at a time when the game was still deeply segregated is mentioned and honored, particularly with the anecdote of how he gave up his spot in the World Series rotation to observe a High Holy Day. Carrilho's caricature style is reminiscent of Al Hirschfeld's work, exaggerating everything that is beautiful and unknown about Koufax, from his extraordinarily athletic body to his private mystique. The graphite illustrations, enhanced via Photoshop, are dominated by golds, grays, and, of course, Dodger blue. While the author never offers an explanation for his subject's metamorphosis, that it should be hailed and remembered is never in doubt. This striking book deserves a wide audience.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS Up—This beautifully produced pair of book/CD kits takes the best of America's folk music and reinterprets it for children. The songs are highlighted three times: first, for listening, with the lyrics laid out on one or two attractively illustrated pages, then with the guitar chords, and, finally, with a short history or story about its origins. In Folk Songs, the selections include "Skip to My Lou," "The Fox," "The Cruel War," and "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad." Sleepytime contains traditional lullabies such as "All Through the Night" and "Brahms Lullaby" and some unexpected choices as well, such as "Ole Blue" and "On Top of Old Smokey." Widener's acrylic paintings are expansive and gorgeous, but the CDs are the real treasure here. All 12 songs are performed by Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary fame) and his daughter Bethany. Father and daughter blend their voices as they interpret and tell the story of each song. These classics are designed for listeners and singers alike to enjoy. Share these collections with children of all ages.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY