Preschool to Grade 4

PreS-Gr 2—Emily Pearl is "a very big girl" who is determined to be self-reliant. She pours her own juice (through a funnel), ties her own shoelaces (more or less), and can make herself a sandwich. She says she is able to do many things, although the illustrations tell a different story. The page that shows Emily Pearl copying the cat's cleaning habits is a wonderful, amusing example of how the pictures belie yet expand on the text: "She can wash her own face." Throughout the day, as her mom tries frantically to help or clean up after her, the child's refrain is, "I can do it myself!" "But at bedtime, when shadows creep over the wall,/Emily Pearl feels a teeny bit small," and she turns to her mother for a hug and a story. Hayashi's cheerful watercolors vary in size from spreads to small vignettes and help give the story just the right pace. Both for storytimes and one-on-one sharing, this tale is told in a fresh, yet familiar way.—Jane Marino, Great Neck Library, NY

PreS—A couple prepares their child for bed with gentle, lulling words. As they go about their bedtime rituals, the lullaby includes imagery of the four seasons. For spring, the toddler is told, "It's late./It's night./It's time to sleep./It's time to dream/of drifting clouds,/soft spring rains,/tulips, and daffodils." Realistic gouache and colored-pencil artwork on each spread portrays two separate events. The first is a richly detailed and colorful full-page depiction of the poetic text. The second appears at the bottom of the opposite page, a silhouetted family undergoing the various bedtime preparations until their playful child is finally asleep. Pair this with Kevin Henkes's Old Bear (Greenwillow, 2008) for some soothing seasonal lullabies.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

K-Gr 2—A bilingual free-verse poem that describes how to make bean soup. An asterisk indicates the parts that require adult participation. "Now it is/time to cut the onion.*/First you have to remove/the onion's coat/its soft delicate skin…. Try not to cry/because tears can make/food taste sour." A boy with two pinpoint eyes and a thin-lined mouth is seen going through the steps, with his mother hovering in the background. The earthy tones in the soft watercolor illustrations are pleasing to viewers. Text is on the left, with a full-page illustration on the right. Kids will enjoy hearing the story read aloud but may not get some of the poetic rhythm and imagery on their own.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

K-Gr 2—The little round house of the title is a large tent, or ger, home to the nomadic people of Mongolia. In a spare first-person narrative, baby Jilu recounts his first year and introduces readers to the rhythm of his loving family's nomadic life. They follow along to the group's autumn quarters, where the ger is rebuilt and Jilu can "see the sky through the round hole in the roof." When the first snow falls, the extended family moves on to their winter campground and celebrates the festival of Tsagaan Sar, the new year. In spring, after the lambs are born, they once again move on, and Jilu rides with his mother on her camel to the spring camp. Attractive full-page gouache illustrations by the Mongolian writer/illustrator Baasansuren show the round house's interior as well as the characters' clothes, including elaborate details such as painted woodwork, embroidery, and the texture of fabrics. Outside scenes depict the family's traditional way of life in harmony with their environment. Pair this beautiful picture book with Ted and Betsy Lewin's Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia (Lee & Low, 2008) for a storytime about these fascinating steppe people.—Monika Schroeder, American Embassy School, New Delhi, India

Gr 1–3—An unseen narrator tells all about a pet goldfish. The descriptions range from sweet to silly, original to over-the-top. This special fish is strong, but hates fighting, has a beautiful singing voice, and sometimes forgets where he lives. The stylized acrylic paintings are bright and slightly abstract. The red fish stands out in his blue bowl. The deadpan text would work best as a read-aloud since most of the jokes are visual and some are a tad sophisticated. Kids with a special bond with a pet will enjoy this imaginative and often-humorous homage.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

PreS-Gr 1—Bunny is looking for a friend. He meets two red birds, three black bears, etc., but the woodland creatures are too busy to tarry. Poor Bunny is left all alone, but then all of the animals join him. Although the text is not as lyrical or imaginative as her If Frogs Made Weather (Holiday House, 2005), Bauer maintains a steady rhyme and meter throughout. Most of the story flows naturally, but the end of the book is rather abrupt. The animals that rudely ignored Bunny suddenly appear from nowhere, ready to play. Bates's pastel watercolor illustrations are carefully rendered and child friendly. His animals are well drawn and he blends colors to create a soft, sunny appearance. Since this is, at least in part, a book about colors, the use of multiple hues to depict some objects may give some literal children pause. Overall, though, this is a simple and pleasant concept book.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 4—Berger's simple environmental message is delivered through clever, innovative illustrations that make her point without being didactic. Idiosyncratic creatures decked out in fabric pieces, buttons, and tall imaginative hats sail along in even more idiosyncratic vehicles that are variously colored and decorated with stickers and decals. Sleekly designed with numerous wheels, they are seemingly unaware of the dirt and exhaust trailing behind them. As ever-more-bizarre conveyances fill the scene, the word "GO!" increases until nine rows of "go go go go go" (in stark white letters against a forest green background) march across a full spread. When sullen gray-shaded clouds fill the next page, an ultra-large "UH-OH!" appears. On the following pages, a bystander (against a bright red backdrop) trumpets "STOP," and a page filled with "s-c-r-e-e-c-h" brings the action to a halt, until the characters finally leave their wheels behind and put their feet on the ground. Slogans, studding a four-page gateway, suggest alternative behaviors: "Take a Hike, Spike," "Save the Planet, Janet," "Use Your Feet, Pete," and "Roller-Skate, Kate." While the opening pages may puzzle younger children, the offbeat presentation will undoubtedly initiate interest among older readers, and the fanciful collages (made from recycled materials) will have artistic readers poring over the pages. A classy book that will have multiple uses in a variety of settings.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Katie and James and their dog, Harry, live next to the zoo. When they decide to do some baking, the delicious smells attract unexpected visitors. Various animals clomp, stomp, hiss, and thump into the room through the open window. The children are too busy to notice until the last intruder, a giant bear, crashes onto the living room floor. The children and the other creatures are afraid that they will be its next meal, but the bear is only interested in the baked goods. Relieved, the youngsters serve up an impromptu tea party. This story is a delight to read aloud. As in Snip Snap! What's That? (HarperCollins, 2005), the author uses sound-effect words and a repeated refrain to draw in readers and build suspense. The engaging text is coupled with imaginative watercolor illustrations. The characters are simply drawn, but they are set against interestingly patterned backgrounds. Maland uses a variety of perspectives and creative typesetting to portray the action. He also adds an amusing unwritten story line that shows why the children do not, at first, notice the animal visitors. Teachers, parents, and librarians will want to share this with children over and over again.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-Gr 1—In this story about adoption, a little white fox asks his rust-colored mama, "tell me again about the day I came home." She begins by describing how she dreamed of holding him in her arms. Seeing other mothers with their babies, she explains, made her lonely, so she prayed and waited patiently for God to answer her prayers. Little Fox wonders why he couldn't stay with the mother who had him, and Mama assures him that "she must have had very big reasons to give you up." Little Fox's mother promises to be his "forever mama," and tells him she will always celebrate "the day that God found us you." After she tucks him in, Little Fox says his prayers and falls into a contented sleep to dream about the day he came to his cozy home in the big woods. Bryant's delicate illustrations in pastel shades augment the heartfelt message of Bergren's simple story. Scenic paintings portray the loving relationship between Mama Fox and her child, and are framed with decorative flowers, vines, and stars. This woodland tale answers many questions adopted children may ask their parents. Rose Lewis's I Love You Like Crazy Cakes (Little, Brown, 2002) is a more traditional story on the subject.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-K—That rollicking and adorable quintet of ducks is back in a new seasonal adventure—camping. All of the excitement of living out of doors—pitching tents, fishing, toasting marshmallows—and some of its apprehensions—frightening night noises—are conveyed in bouncy, rhyming text paired with bright, cheerful watercolor illustrations. Young children will delight in the ducks' adventures and mishaps while following the antics of one tag-along squirrel from page to page and absorbing subtle counting and color lessons. Stylish jacket design visually connects this title to its predecessors, Duck Skates (2005) and Duck Dunks (2008, both Holt). Pitch-perfect, it will leave children and adults looking forward to more escapades from these endearing ducks.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

K-Gr 1—This concept book begins "Big and small/Big and small/Room for all/Big and small." A young girl sitting on a low tree branch views the vast mountains, sky, and fields around her. As the book progresses, realistic watercolor illustrations show the universe, the solar system, and a mountain range, as the spare text labels each concept in comparison to the size of the one before it. A single tree looks small against a big mountain, but a man is smaller than the tree. In the same way, a child appears small next to the man but big when compared to a kitten. Successive spreads show the kitten, a mouse, a flea, and microscopic organisms, each smaller than the one before. The viewpoint shifts with the question, "What is bigger than the sky?" and comes full circle to show the universe again. Youngsters will delight in the awe-inspiring illustrations of the universe as well as the monstrous look of an ordinary flea. Word choice is highly suitable for the earliest independent readers. This book will serve as a springboard for discussing the way children perceive size in the natural world.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–3—"There once was a city without gardens or trees or greenery of any kind." Thus begins an eco-fantasy in which Liam climbs a stairway leading to abandoned railway tracks and discovers wildflowers and plants struggling to grow. Initially an inept gardener, the boy improves with time, and the garden begins to prosper. He continues his work after the winter snows, and diverse city residents of all ages join in the effort. Plants that spill over onto the letters of the title page foreshadow the glorious flowering to come. But first, readers experience, via Brown's framed acrylic and gouache spreads and vignettes, a smog-filled metropolis bereft of outdoor inhabitants except for Liam, who doggedly explores its dreary streets. Flat, stylized paintings depict the gradual greening of the city. Dark skies gradually become a strikingly blue home for birds; red buildings appear amid the gray ones; and the stark beginning endpapers transform into lush green flower-filled pages at the end. In a lengthy note, Brown explains that this fantasy is based on his real-life discovery of the defunct High Line elevated railway in New York City where he found plants growing amid the rubble. While the story lacks tension and is at times sentimental, the art is spectacular and the book might inspire children to engage in small projects to improve their own neighborhoods.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 3—This charming tale places six-year-old Lincoln in the role of a Good Samaritan, as he gives up the only fish he has managed to catch to a hungry soldier. According to the story, he learned at school that soldiers fight for freedom and listened to his mother, who told him "we must be good to soldiers." Additional details reveal a boy who can be a prankster, wishes he were taller, and ponders the meaning of words like "freedom." Bryant explains the source of this story, a comment by Lincoln as recorded in the Nicolay & Hay biography published in 1890. Additionally, the note addresses specific questions that children might ask about Lincoln's parents, his early life, and the soldier. Bates's lively watercolors have rich detail, depicting Abe as a boy in a coonskin hat, still too small to lift his father's ax. The full-spread, sepia-toned paintings capture his rustic lifestyle, the Kentucky landscape, and the reactions of Abe's family to his generosity. A worthy addition to the iconic portrait of a man so lauded by history.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

PreS-K—Eight sets of opposites, depicted in a garden setting, include the inside of an apple cut in half and the outside of a whole apple; a big beetle and a small ladybug; a short garden worm and a long snake; a mother bird asleep on a nest and three newly hatched babies wide awake; a closed bud and an open flower with petals, etc. The last page expands to a three-page foldout inviting children to find their own pairs of opposites. Bright, crisp childlike illustrations, with one simple object and one word per page, result in a clean, uncluttered design. An attractive concept book for the very young.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Young Ryan, a barefoot boy in blue pajamas, is on a quest. He begins at the kitchen cupboard, where he dons a saucepan helmet. Along the way, the brave knight gets assistance from the king of pots and a moldy monster in the dark basement, and acquires such necessities as a "cape" (a red sweater) and a "sword" (a yardstick). The tyke's adventures take him mountain climbing (up the stairs), to a wilderness (a closet), and into a castle (the garage), where he meets an array of characters created from ordinary objects found in the home, such as a box. Eventually, the boy's journey leads to his mom—"Where have you been, Ryan?"—who serves him "a royal banquet." The cartoonlike art depicts the protagonist from various perspectives that often accentuate his small stature, but it is flat and the figures are awkward. While children who indulge in fantasy play might find this book appealing, it is at best an additional purchase.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

K-Gr 4—This well-loved wise woman shares her secrets—passed on to her by Grandma Concetta—for a happy and "magical" life. Each spread names one essential element, identified in both Italian and English, and elaborated upon by the character in a chatty first-person narrative. Eye-catching 3-D sculptures offer an imaginative interpretation of the text. For "Famiglia—Family," a tree sprouts up from the pages, its lush green branches festooned with portraits of Strega Nona's relatives, many of whom proudly display the same "big nose and chin." "Mangia—Eat" shows her sharing a meal and the "telling of old and new stories" beneath the graceful arch of a grape arbor. A lively village scene with lift-the-flap doors introduces "Amici—Friends." The final spread, "Amore—Love," shows a contented Strega Nona working over a cauldron overflowing with hearts. Though dePaola's Strega Nona: Her Story (Putnam, 1996) presents a more thorough biography, fans of this wise witch will appreciate Brava's warmhearted narrative and familiar folk-art illustrations. The artwork glows in rich shades of peach, red, and green, and the paper engineering is superlative. This book makes a fine choice for display (or supervised handling) in libraries and can also serve as an attention-grabber for author studies.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—A young boy recounts the many ways he and his family members say goodbye. "It's Toodle-oo, ta-ta, kiss-kiss says Auntie Lou"; "Cousin Jazzy, he's one hip cat,/ he says Be cool and tips his hat." One child says goodbye in sign language. The most painful parting takes place when the boy's best friend moves away, but it comes with the realization that her departure will bring a new friend. Opaque, brightly colored illustrations outlined in black ink are rendered in a spare, stylized manner. The characters reflect a wide variety of racial backgrounds, including the young boy whose own family is interracial. This satisfying tale conveys an important truth about how life's goodbyes often lead to new hellos.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

K-Gr 1—What begins as a clever concept with wordplay and the use of ovals and circles to describe the population and explain the planet NEGGarus may stretch the patience of readers as the story develops. A dozen EGGheaded EGGersons (who drive around in an egg-carton van and make round foods) are expecting their cousins from MEGGxico—12 additional family members dressed in traditional Mexican folk dress. The 24 relatives have a party and visit points of interest around town. After the cousins return home, the EGGersons decide that they are all the same despite their different shell colors. With all 24 charEGGters highlighted, and an effort to fit "EGG" into every other word, the originality of the story dies before its 28 pages are finished. Young readers may enjoy the egg-inspired visual detail, but many of the words with EGG inserted merely make it difficult to figure out the original word. Despite an inviting bright-toned graphic cover, the story of the two families is overwhelmed by the tedious references to eggs with ovoid shapes surrounding them.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-K—A little boy offers his imaginary dinosaur words of comfort on the first day of school. The child has an answer for everything. When Dinosaur says, "But it's too big. I'll get lost," he answers, "Don't be silly! You can't get lost because our classroom is just the right size for dinosaurs." "But it's too noisy. I'll get a headache" elicits, "It's only noisy because everyone is laughing and having a good time." The youngster assuages fear after fear until he and his alter ego encounter another child/dinosaur pair on the playground who are similarly reluctant to join in. Predictably, the kindred spirits find each other, a new friendship is born, and the next day of school is eagerly anticipated by child and dinosaur alike. The plotline here is remarkably similar to Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried(HarperCollins, 2000), and the conceit of a dinosaur as the extension of a child is Jane Yolen's forte in How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? (Scholastic, 2007). The illustrations feature bright colors and a diverse cast of waifish children, but there is a constant sense of both movement and instability as road and pathways curve and swirl, and the horizon line is at times almost semicircular. The tension this creates undermines the efforts to reassure.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 1—In an exuberant paean to imagination and daydreaming, Morton, first seen in If I Had a Dragon (S & S, 2006), returns as a bored baseball outfielder. He begins to imagine himself as a lion, monkey, giraffe, hippo, etc. Each baseball-capped creature has a certain wacky panache that is destroyed as the page is turned and the critter encounters a predator or unexpected situation that makes it much less palatable to be that animal. Undeterred, Morton imagines himself as another denizen of the jungle until he morphs into a walrus ("Wait a minute! Walruses don't live in the jungle!") and returns to reality as his teammates urge him to catch an incoming fly ball. The full-color pen, ink, pencil, and digitally rendered art is full of frenetic stop-action fun and sprawls across the spreads. The illustrator uses multiple perspectives to give free rein to a boy's imagination, and the cartoon characters will appeal to kids who enjoy fast action. With a text simple enough to entice new readers and a story silly enough to keep storytime groups entertained, this jungle jaunt will find a place in many collections.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Gr 3–4—The Puddles' problems all come from the parents' choice to agree to disagree, so decision-making rarely happens. Mom calls their eight-year-old Emily, while Dad calls her Ferdinanda, and everyone else calls her Baby, as written on her birth certificate. Two dogs, a Great Dane and a Chihuahua, both named Sally, are the cause of the book's main conflict when the Puddles accidentally leave the pups at their country house. The humor and short chapters will attract readers, and Tusa's lively, whimsical drawings add to the book's appeal. Mom and Dad Puddle are enjoyably frustrating. The Sallys offer dog's-eye views as they find their way home. From time to time, readers are invited to write or draw in the book, though there is a note on the title page that says, "(Pencil not required for reading, but may come in handy.) Warning: writing or drawing in library books is bad for their health." Kids will enjoy the story without adding their marks.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

PreS—Fox's rhyming text is pure fun. In a layout reminiscent of Bill Martin, Jr.'s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Holt, 1983), an unseen narrator says, "Hello, baby!/Who are you?" and the speculated answers range from the familiar elephant to an exotic gecko. "Are you a zebra/sipping a drink?/Perhaps you're an owl/with a wicked wink." A spread near the end of the book provides an opportunity to name the baby animals by looking at their silhouettes. Jenkins's beautifully shaded and textured collages are stand-alone works of art, each of which holds its own with Fox's engaging cadences. This collaboration results in a lovely read-aloud for preschool storytimes or a perfect selection for one-on-one sharing.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

K-Gr 2—A fuzzy little blue monster fights with his mother as she tries to get him ready for bed. Cucuy screams and tries to hide as Mamá wrestles him into his pajamas and tucks him in. Finally, he resigns himself to counting sheep and quickly falls asleep. Parents and children of all cultural backgrounds will recognize this universal bedtime battle. Cucuy tells Mamá that he isn't sleepy: "All I want to do is jump around and play!" Meanwhile, Mamá tells him that "You need to rest," and that tomorrow is "a whole new day to jump around and play." Small children may giggle at the funny stuffed animals that separate the English and Spanish text blocks on each page. Unfortunately, the text's irregular rhythm and forced rhyme do not lend themselves to a soothing bedtime read-aloud; e.g., "Even in all that craze Mamá is able to put him in his pj's." Unlike the English text, the Spanish translation does not rhyme.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

K-Gr 2—Rotten Ralph has really done it this time. After a night of carousing, he looks in the mirror only to be terrified by the ghostly figure that stares back. Loving Sarah takes him to the vet, who unceremoniously declares that the cat has used up eight of his nine lives. A short trip down memory lane reviews his antics from the eight previous stories. Sarah dotes on him even more than usual and cautions him to "take it easy." His rottenness gets the better of him and though he doesn't use up that last life, he doesn't repent either. Rubel's familiar illustrations once again add humor and vigor to the story. The feline plays sad and dejected after his diagnosis, encouraging readers' empathy. He later grabs two electric eels from the aquarium to "shock him back into action," which frizz out his fur, greatly enlarge his green eyes, and raise him off the floor. Ralph's fans won't want to miss this latest offering.—Linda Meneses Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

PreS-K—Abuelita takes her grandchildren to the zoo, where they count all of the animals in English and in Spanish. The bouncy rhyming text makes for a lively read-aloud, and the method used for introducing Spanish vocabulary adds even more energy to the presentation. For example, "Abuelita counts the bears./I'm helping her keep score. /Tres means three—/and cuatro means four." The rhyme helps children predict which number comes next, and the page turns add to the excitement. The text is primarily in English, with Spanish words appearing in bright colors to help them stand out. The primacy of English may make the book most effective in teaching English-speaking children how to count to 10 in Spanish. However, children whose first language is Spanish certainly will benefit by learning the English counterparts to their numbers. The cartoon illustrations, featuring bright colors outlined in bold black strokes, create a fun-loving atmosphere for the story. An enjoyable and educational addition for storytimes or kindergarten classrooms.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

K-Gr 2—Abby's goal is to run the big race at the fair this year. She thinks that she is fast enough to win, but she faces one major problem. She has asthma. Some of the kids in her class tease her because she can't run. In addition, she has an asthma attack after playing soccer during gym class. While practicing for the race, she often has to take puffs of her inhaler. Her teacher, father, and school nurse suggest that she enter the pie-eating contest instead, but her doctor encourages her to participate in the race with a reminder to warm up beforehand and to take her medicine every day. She becomes discouraged when she starts wheezing at the health club, but one of the trainers helps her and she attains her goal. The soft, colorful illustrations depict Abby's determination to not only run in the race, but also to win. This book helps explain asthma to children in a nonthreatening, easy-to-understand manner. The last page offers an explanation from a doctor about asthma and exercise.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Mother Hen and her seven chicks are hanging the laundry one sunny morning when neighborly Mrs. Duck observes that one chick is missing. Goat, Sheep, and Dog help to search the premises before being joined by the firefighters and the police on the ground and in helicopters. Amid all this noisy commotion, the missing chick wakes up from its napping spot in the laundry basket. A relieved Mother Hen finishes her original chore and heads inside with her brood, her laundry basket now empty. But the sleepy chick nods off again—this time in the folds of an apron just hung on the line, a visual joke that even the youngest listeners will appreciate. The story's simple premise, just-enough page-turning tension, and comical watercolor and ink illustrations add up to a gentle and satisfying tale that will hold up to repeated readings.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

K-Gr 6—This handsomely illustrated, unabridged edition celebrates the 100th anniversary of Grahame's classic animal fantasy. Ingpen's detailed paintings blend earthy tones with fire-lit highlights to create a warm mood. Each chapter is introduced with a landscape-style spread depicting the setting and characters contained within. The rest of the text is illustrated with a neatly balanced mix of full-page paintings and smaller images. Both the woodland scenes and animal abodes are charmingly depicted, and the characters, costumed in 19th-century garb, have loads of personality. An appealing choice, particularly for sharing aloud.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—A child's rebellious outburst is lovingly resolved in this slight story. Harriet refuses to pick up her toys, and her mother is angry. When she tells her grandmother and father that she will run away because "Mama's mean," they explain that everyone has chores to complete. Grandma succinctly explains, "That's life, honey-bun." Harriet's shifting emotions are conveyed through her varied expressions. Intricate strokes add depth and texture to this raccoon family. Soft watercolor, acrylic, and gouache illustrations suit the subject. Pale blue skies and sprawling grass enhance the vivid outdoor settings; the rosy pinks and golden tans convey the warmth of the family home. While this selection may not depict the emotional range of Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry (Scholastic, 1999), its sweet resolution is soothing and satisfying.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

PreS-Gr 1—In this humorous glimpse at animal bottoms, a boy and his parents visit the zoo, where they observe the various inhabitants' hindquarters. Rhymed verses keep the narrative flowing as readers learn various synonyms for "rear ends" and see their many sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, from the flamingo's "bright azalea hue, to the armadillo's butt that's "harder than a bowling shoe." Using a colorful, golden earth-toned palette, Santat renders cartoon depictions of an assortment of zoo scenes. The close-up perspective of the blue, male mandrill's face progresses to his fanny, which does not have the cobalt hue that the text states, but is fascinating and funny nonetheless. This book stacks up well against its current competition, Michael Ian Black's Chicken Cheeks (S & S, 2009). Use for vocabulary-stretching pleasure.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS—Sergeant Santole dispatches Officers Mike, Jan, and Carl to spots around town that require their expertise. Mike in his police car attends to a broken traffic light, Jan on horseback reconnects a small child with his mom, and Carl runs to a crime scene where robbers are not only stealing money, but are also taking off with the ATM machine. Each scenario ends with the refrain, "When people need help,/we rock and roll." The hilarious cartoon illustrations effectively convey excitement and brisk movement, as each conscientious worker launches into action with "Uniform! Badge! Radio!" and brings the situation under control. Though the story is slight and the rhyme scheme forced, preschoolers will be reassured that special people are there to assist in a variety of circumstances and see that their jobs require all kinds of cool tools.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Gr 2–4—Last season, Rocky was the best catcher in his league, until a hit from a player who was sliding into home plate broke his arm. He has high hopes for making the all-star team this year, but every time he tries to tag a runner out, he jerks up his arm instinctively, a reflex he's developed after last season's injury. With the help of his friends, a supportive coach, and his bulldog, Chops (who is recovering from an accident of his own), Rocky eventually finds the courage to tag players out again. Rocky is not a quitter, and his determination and willingness to practice are key to his recovery. Full of baseball terminology, the story will be most interesting to sports enthusiasts, though others may be interested in the boy's relationships with his friends and dog. The fast-moving plot, straightforward writing style, and illustrations on every spread make this selection ideal for students new to chapter books and for reluctant readers, as well as fans of the previous titles in the series.—Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-Gr 2—During an outing in the park, Henry finds a broad-brimmed hat and thinks of all the wonderful things he can do with it, such as catch mice and perform magic. He lets his imagination run wild: "Hat can be a boat, sailing far away." But after his mom reminds him of all the people who might need the hat, he leaves it where he found it. The text is simple but imaginative. The illustrations bring each imagined scenario to life, and the ink drawings have a slightly retro feel with their subdued colors. The story lends itself to being read aloud, and the red hat pops off the pages. Henry and Hat are sure to be a hit. —Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

PreS-Gr 2—Mae loves a new project, and Aunt Susan has given her a doozy! One of her chickens is unhappy and she wants Mae to take care of her. While the child is always up for a challenge, she's not the best at completing tasks. Sure enough, when the chicken arrives, she throws herself headlong into making Matilda content in her new home. Soon, though, Mae grows tired of cleaning up after her, and when she refuses to eat and starts shedding feathers, the girl turns to more interesting and less frustrating projects. News of Aunt Susan's impending visit refocuses her attention and she tries to do something to keep the bald chicken warm. She knits her a jacket full of fun and noisy trinkets and when Matilda disappears, it is the trinkets that lead to her whereabouts. Matilda has a mission in mind and readers will smile to learn what it is. Handcrafted puppets wearing cheery clothing are posed, photographed, and digitally colored to give this charming selection a down-to-earth quality that matches the story perfectly. This is a fun choice about a well-meaning but easily distracted young heroine. It will make readers chuckle aloud.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

K-Gr 2—The Fortunatos are a family of vaudevillians. Mother sings, Father juggles, twin sisters play banjo. Poor Lorenzo, more interested in science and space, is painfully aware that he doesn't fit in. Then, during one performance, Albert Einstein (yes, that one) visits backstage, recognizes the boy's genius, and goes with Lorenzo on a space adventure. There, the boy begins to miss his family and realizes that his place is with them, and they are overjoyed at his return. Nichols's cartoon-style watercolor illustrations evoke Sid Hoff's work. With broad black outlines and details straight from the 1940s and '50s, they alternate between full-page depictions and smaller, cameo drawings surrounded by white space. While the theme of familial love and individuality resonates, the storytelling is not especially vivid, and the character of Lorenzo is not fully enough drawn to elicit empathy. The vaudeville background is the biggest stumbling block because it is outside the target audience's frame of reference.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS—A child spends a hot summer day at the beach with her mother. With a new friend she builds a huge sandcastle and puts a crab inside. Soon a big wave washes away the castle, and the crab scurries off into the water. Her mother explains that the castle belongs to the sand and the crab to the sea, "just the way you belong to me." Attractive illustrations in watercolors and printed collages on well-designed spreads capture the children's activities and the vastness of the sand and sea. This is a disarmingly simple and reassuring selection for the youngest listeners.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Animals with huge aspirations, Hee-Haw the donkey and field mouse Chester create their own futures with single-minded determination, a belief that miracles can happen, lots of practice, and amazing luck. Finding the trunk of The Great Zambini after it falls from a passing circus train, the friends find a way to fulfill their wildest dreams of becoming world-famous magicians and put on a show to fool their naysayers. "Believe and it will happen" seems to be the mantra of Chester and Hee-Haw, and their perseverance is rewarded by The Great Zambini himself. Bold and bright hues frame farm and circus scenes peopled with cartoon figures. The story and illustrations are simple and colorful, yet some of the more advanced vocabulary ("feat," "shimmering," "illusions") may necessitate explanations during a read-aloud.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

PreS-Gr 1—This almost wordless story-with the exception of some onomatopoeia-is contained in a small-format book perfect for children's hands. Charming pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, predominantly in brown and green with touches of other subtle colors, tell the tale of a boy, a dog, a bird, a seed, and a sprout. The boy, who doesn't want his hair combed or cut, romps and plays with his pet in the green world outside. One day, a red bird drops a small seed on his head, and the seed begins to grow. Both boy and dog take care of it, sheltering it from the hot sun and watering it when it droops. After a dreaded haircut, the child and the pup, sadly but hopefully, plant the seedling in the ground. Time passes and it grows into a beautiful tree upon which a red bird sits with a seed in its mouth, which it drops onto the dog's head. A delightful story of a boy's love for his pet and for nature.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2— Library Mouse (Abrams, 2007) introduced shy, library-dwelling Sam, who writes and illustrates books that he leaves for Mrs. Forrester and the children to read. This pleasant sequel features a bashful boy named Tom, who is a member of the Writers and Illustrators Club. He discovers that the mysterious author is a mouse and leaves him treats in an effort to make friends. Sam is able to bypass the cheese and crackers, but when he finds the story Tom wrote, he cannot resist. When the club meets again, Mrs. Forrester finds a new book written by Tom and illustrated by Sam, featuring two friends drawn as mice. When asked to identify his collaborator, Tom keeps his new friend's secret. Kirk's anthropomorphic mouse lives in a realistic-looking library, and his drawings of the librarian and children are incredibly lifelike. Tom's facial expressions and body language aptly convey his shyness and concern about Sam. The illustrations alternate between full-bleed drawings and spotlight cameos, and the perspective changes to show the story from of the points of view of the two main characters. This charming selection deserves a place in most collections.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—Mungo's interest in space is obvious from the opening scene of his bedroom and its decor. At bedtime, he is given a tattered comic book called Galacticus and Gizmo Save the Universe! As the child and his mother read it together, they find that the last page has been ripped out. When he asks his mom, "What happens next?" her reply of "Why don't you make up an ending?" has the young hero becoming part of the space adventure. He rescues Captain Galacticus and recovers the story's last page through a series of encounters with alien monsters. The brightly colored comic-style illustrations will appeal to young fans looking for action and adventure. The over-the-top descriptions of the battle are filled with made-up words sure to tickle listeners' funny bones, as when evil Dr. Frankenstinker is "poinked" in the bottom. This action-packed book will find a following among fans of Mini Grey's "Traction Man" series (Knopf).—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

K-Gr 3—Newly independent readers will enjoy accompanying irrepressible Zelda and her thoughtful sister, Ivy, through their playtime experiences. First, Zelda tells a secret to neighbor Eugene and then to Ivy, making each of them "woozy-weasel promise" not to tell anyone else. Later, as Eugene and Ivy dig a hole to China, they discuss the fact that Zelda told them each a secret and devise a plan to learn what it was without breaking their promise. In the second chapter, Zelda falls for Ivy's April Fool's comment that her "ears have turned purple" and develops several unsuccessful schemes to retaliate. Finally, as Ivy and Eugene quietly try "to catch a tiger swallowtail" in the backyard, Zelda bursts from the back door "singing opera, and opera is loud." She enlists the other two as supporting characters in her production of Cleopatra, and Ivy and Eugene are delighted when the fluttering butterfly lands on Zelda's nose as she lies still during Cleopatra's death scene. Each page of simple text features a full-color gouache resist picture depicting the expressive cartoon cast in their suburban neighborhood, from climbing trees and digging holes to eating breakfast and walking to the library. Children will enjoy the interactions of the fox sisters in these vignettes of unstructured time.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Tyler is a bully who pushes ahead in line, steals lunches, and laughs at the misfortunes of others. No reason for this angry behavior is ever suggested. His punishment is to be sent to the Time-Out Chair, which happens to be close to the class pet's cage. Tyler begins to take an interest in Snowball the Rat, but meanwhile his aggressive behavior with the other children escalates. He has now dubbed himself "Rat Boy," which makes him feel even tougher as he chases the other children off the swings. His teacher makes one feeble attempt to discuss his behavior, but as "Rat Boy didn't want to talk. He liked to act tough," she seems to just let the matter drop. When Snowball disappears, the child is devastated. No one will help in the search, but when the animal is discovered in a storage closet, a child he had previously terrorized offers to assist him-and Rat Boy is almost instantly reformed. As in several other books about bullying, including Audrey Penn's Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully (Tanglewood Press, 2008), the onus seems to be on the victim to rectify the situation, without any assistance from ineffectual teachers. Hansen's computer-generated art features muddy greens and dark blues that lend the book a depressing air.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—Somehow, the lovable penguin's goofy, clumsy antics always have a way of saving the day for him and his pals, Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect. This addition to the popular series follows the same formula, but Lester's humorous word choices and Munsinger's delightfully silly illustrations keep things fresh. Tacky is off to Camp Whoopihaha, where he unpacks a collection of ridiculous items, sets up a circus tent, and participates in activities in his usual bumbling fashion. His contribution to the campfire scary stories is a dud of a tale called "BEWARE THE BEAR," but when a real bear threatens the campsite that night, it is Tacky whose gluttonous hording of gooey s'mores keeps everyone safe. This is laugh-out-loud material for loyal Tacky fans and an excellent choice for new arrivals in the Nice Icy Land.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Gr 1–3—Tulip, a watering fairy, loves her dog bee and honeymaker, Lupin. The friends work and relax together, but Lupin deteriorates in old age. "As everyone knows, dog bees don't live as long as watering fairies." After his passing, Tulip travels to an island and grieves. While she continues to love Lupin, she befriends a new dog bee and names him Lupino. The pain of loss is sensitively described, but the lack of fully realized characters minimizes the serious subject. Levert's watercolor and Acryla art suit this quiet story; thin, curved lines and deep, rich colors enhance this magical world, and Lupin, a golden dog with wings, subtly conveys emotion. However, while there is a need for more picture books portraying loss, the depiction of this grief-stricken fairy may be more abstract than reassuring.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

K-Gr 2—Tired of minding her manners, a little girl yearns to follow the animal world's rules of civility. It is considered "Very Rude" pigs to be clean, and they are admonished to get "all nice and muddy" before bed. Not splashing in the bathtub is "Atrocious, Disgraceful Conduct" for an elephant, and monkeys get in trouble for not eating with their fingers. However, there are drawbacks to consider: pigs smell, elephants are covered with flies, and monkeys "have to eat grubs out of everyone's ears." Krall's quirky Photoshop cartoons add to the subversive spirit with funny details such as a pig brushing his teeth with "Dirt" paste. Donning a long-nosed, furry-footed costume, the child playfully posits that whenever she's a monster she must forget her manners "because it's only polite!" Pair this with Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Little Pea (2005) and Little Hoot (2008, both Chronicle) for a topsy-turvy look at etiquette.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 2—The all-knowing narrator from How to Be a Baby—by Me, the Big Sister (Random, 2007) is back with more advice in this fun-filled guide to finding the perfect mate and planning a wonderful wedding. Using the same step-by-step format found in the earlier title, the precocious little girl shares her observations on what to look for in a spouse (nose picking is not acceptable) as well as what details are important to remember when planning for the big day. The advice is delivered in a running commentary as well as in lists of boxed text. Good places to get married include a castle, up a tree, or your playroom. The acrylic cartoons are filled with fun details that match the lively charm of the text. After the festivities, "the bride" says goodbye to the guests, skips all the way home holding her daddy's hand, and tells him all about her day. This book is sure to be a hit with fans of the first title as well as with the "Fancy Nancy" (HarperCollins) crowd.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Four trumpeter swans are born on the shores of a small lake, and within two days they are able to paddle in the water. By modeling their parents' behavior, they learn to dive for food, run on water to take flight, and fight off a huge predator with their strong wings. Readers follow the family through spring and summer and into fall. Information on what the swans eat and how the young ride on their mother's back to stay free of danger from above and below the water's surface are easily understood. Additional facts appear in an author's note. Colored pencil over watercolor wash illustrations deftly convey the swans' experiences. Entertainingly informing children about a specific type of bird, this story works as a companion to London's Flamingo Sunset (Marshall Cavendish, 2008).—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 1–4—The dangers of perfectionism are didactically portrayed here. Red-haired, freckled Maisie is jealous of her beautiful and successful friend Kayla, though she slowly realizes that Kayla's unattainable standards cause her extreme stress. Kayla is pressured by her parents to excel, and her unhappiness harms her relationships. When Kayla is overwhelmed by a school assignment, Maisie confides in her teacher, who consults the school counselor. Maisie's mother initiates an "Appreciation Time" for Maisie's family to encourage self-esteem. She explains, "Being happy doesn't come from being perfect. It comes from trusting and accepting who you are—mistakes and all." Back matter provides discussion questions, recommended reading, an author's note, and an afterword for parents and educators. Rendered in oils and completed in Photoshop, the nondescript characters are depicted in warm colors. While it is realistic that there is no easy resolution to Kayla's problems, the absence of a nuanced plot leads to an earnest, yet heavy presentation.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

PreS—A busy toddler and her devoted, tireless mother spend an eventful day together. From dawn until bedtime, the young raccoon politely requests that Mama pick her up and put her down so she can perform various activities: "Please pick me up, Mama./Sing to me and whirl./Please put me down, Mama./See how fast I twirl!" Cozy, pastel acrylics show a chubby youngster and the patient parent who clearly dotes on her. Everything in their home is soft, round, snug, and inviting. The endpapers—a blue sky with fluffy white clouds at the beginning and a starry night sky at the book's close—also take readers through the day. This tale told in rhyme is a loving tribute to a joyful relationship between child and parent.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-K—An African-American boy reads a book about birds and asks his father, "why can't I fly?" Papa begins by pointing out the child's obvious lack of wings, and their conversation evolves into a game; no wings means hands instead, and hands are for grabbing, swinging, tossing, and flying in his father's arms. Ultimately, the child lives out his dreams of flight. The idea is carried more by Luthardt's bright acrylic illustrations than the text. The vividly colored cartoon artwork focuses on the joyful interactions between father and son and depicts fantastical scenes of the youngster soaring along with feathered friends. The last page hints that the game's not over: "Papa, why can't I breathe under water?" Though simple in concept, this salute to imagination shows the magic that can happen when grown-ups enter into play with children.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-K—This inconsequential book is an ode to bottoms. "Grown-up tushies, firm or droopy./Baby tushies, cute but poopy!/Tushies dressed and tushies bare./Tushies, tushies EVERYWHERE." Each of the delightful spreads gives readers a backside view of a variety of rears, human and animal, in myriad activities, but the charming watercolor pictures can't save this book. Leave it behind.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 1–3—In this silly, action-packed tale for fluent early readers, Joe the giraffe believes that he has won a car in a contest he entered. He invites his friend Sparky the turtle to go for a ride. They stop at the "Tall Mall" and select clothing and accessories. The cashless Joe just happens to be the "one-millionth customer" and wins free purchases. They next go to the drive-in "Tasty Burger" and order leaves and bugs. When a roller-skating waitress delivers a bag of food to the car next to them, Sparky grabs it, saying "Thank you for feeding the animals!" before Joe speeds off. After an exciting day, the car sputters to a stop just inside the zoo, and Joe carries Sparky on his head, back to his pond. Remkiewicz's lively watercolor and Prismacolor pencil illustrations extend the action and jokes. Joe's concern and care for Sparky are a contrast to his improbable activities. Fans of Tedd Arnold's "Fly Guy" series (Scholastic) and those who are ready to tackle longer books may enjoy this adventure.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—A playful and lightly informative look at the life of penguins. Children will love the upbeat rhyming text: "You could fly underwater/or sing a duet/You could live on land/but get really wet." The lively gouache and watercolor illustrations feature 10 different species of adult and young penguins engaged in mostly naturalistic activities. The spreads are eye-catching and fun. The use of both soft and sharp shapes and colors brings out the harshness and warmth of the penguin communities. This delightful book will naturally lead to one-on-one conversations and group discussions, as will the ending, "Penguins do lots of things/that you can do too!" It's a perfect introduction for a unit on penguins or wildlife that live in both temperate and Antarctic waters, as well as an excellent storytime addition. Helpful back matter includes fun facts, easy identification of the different species, and some good Web sites.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

Gr 2–6—Leena Ahmad wants to fast during Ramadan, but Julia has invited her to a pony party. Torn between the two choices, she decides to do both. On the day of the big event, Leena proceeds to the swing while the girls enjoy lemonade, knowing that she can't take a drink, but she appeases herself with the thought of cool lemonade when she breaks her fast. It's only when the girls go inside to eat chocolate cake that she begins to question her decision. "Why did God have to make it so hard?" asks the child. Tired, hungry, and thirsty, she falls asleep on the couch and awakes in her own home. Soon it is time to open the fast, and Leena enjoys a rich variety of food with delicious cool lemonade. Julia's family and Amy's mom arrive bearing chocolate cake, and Mrs. Ahmad invites them to share the iftar dinner. This is a beautiful tale of a child grasping her identity yet being able to embrace the differences around her. The story also embodies the forging of community spirit. This is a perfect resource for teaching about choices, sharing, and empathy. Throughout the engaging story, readers are acquainted with Islamic practice. Jacobsen's skillful, gentle images show harmony in diversity.—Fawzia Gilani-Williams, An-Noor School Library, Windsor, Ontario

PreS-Gr 1—Little Goose is reminded by balls, puddles, bubbles, and even the letter "O" of something that makes his eyes go round and round and evokes in him feelings of comfort and coziness. But just what do they remind him of? With his mother's encouragement and support, the gosling braves the big world to find out. While he meets new friends on his adventure, it isn't until he returns home to her warm embrace that he knows the answer. Soft colored-pencil illustrations fill the spreads with gentle images of the natural world, while the words provide reassuring repetition and rhyme. This is a perfect bedtime story for young readers, who will cheer Little Goose on through his quest and rejoice at his reunion with his mother.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—Mabel is the only child on her city street. After making her daily rounds visiting her father, a neighbor who usually invites her in to fish for coins in the sofa, a baker, and a gardener, she finds that her adult pals are all too busy to play. She and her best friend, a large, fluffy dog named Jack, find a box and make it into a pretend spaceship. Later, the adults miss her and come to make amends. Mabel's creativity and ability to entertain herself may resonate with a younger audience than the wordy text will sustain. The colorful cartoon-style gouache illustrations are charming and detailed, and outshine the story by far.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

Gr 1–3—When Ethan's resident "under the bed" monster named Gabe takes an unexpected vacation, a host of substitutes applies to fill in for him. However, none meet the boy's very picky requirements. Noll has great fun describing the interview process: "Do you have long teeth and scratchy claws?" Ethan asks the first candidate, Herbert. "No, but I have an overbite. And I'm a mouth breather." Ralph has the requisite claws, but he polishes them so they are not scary enough. So it goes with all the candidates, until Gabe returns home early, allowing Ethan to get a good night's sleep. The dark humor is perfectly matched to McWilliam's creepy-cute artwork. Any potential scariness in the text and art is offset by the silly details that are included, making for a fun nighttime read for those who enjoy a bit of shiver as they are tucked in to bed. This would also make a great read-aloud for a slightly older audience at a night-themed storyhour.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

K-Gr 2—Opposites attract in this story starring two woodland animals. Prudence's careful reserve placates rebel Moxie, who follows every dare anyone proposes. She rolls off her sled, stands in thunderstorms, and would even drive the tractor at the county fair. Practical Prudence is often aggravated by her pal's boldness, muttering, "Moxie spoils every game." In fact, Moxie's only fear is Prudence's greatest love: horses. After much hesitation, Prudence coaxes her into conquering her equinophobia; the final image shows wide-eyed Moxie holding tight to her friend as they ride a horse. Cantone's mixed-media illustrations use acrylics and collage to create busy borders and sprawling spreads. Warm colors, including peachy tans and rosy pinks, abound, unifying the pictures' details. Antlered Prudence, with her large head and tiny limbs, is nicely contrasted with small, stocky Moxie, whose fat, striped tail swings at every opportunity. Children will enjoy the humorous antics of this unusual duo.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

Gr 1–4—In this mythlike tale, Lady Winter covers her Sister with a cold white blanket to prevent her from waking and ushering in spring. "A perfect world would be cold and white every day of the year," she muses. After witnessing Winter's actions, Robin seeks the animals' help to rouse Sister Spring. The creatures, from powerful Bear to tiny Ladybug, give it a try, and the punishments they receive from Lady Winter for their unsuccessful efforts result in their characteristic trademarks: Bear's winter sleep, Caterpillar's wrappings, Ladybug's spots, Skunk's white stripe—even Maple Tree's running sap. When Robin must fly close to the sun to capture the morning light that eventually wakes Spring, the intense heat turns his "plain brown belly [into] a bright orange-red." Ceccoli's lovely acrylic paintings include vignettes, full-page pictures, spreads, and varying perspectives to depict the sharp contrast between winter and spring. Lady Winter, dressed in icy blue, her silvery braid flowing behind her, surveys her frozen landscape, tinged pink by waning winter sun. She looms over little Caterpillar and Ladybug, and appears as tiny as a doll when facing Maple Tree. Sister Spring, her reddish brown curls spread across a vine-covered pillow, sleeps covered by a green blanket in a yellow bed. The spread of a world come alive with endless green, flowers, and playful animals helps readers experience the joys of the new season. Pair this story with a reading of Demeter and Persephone.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

K-Gr 2—On the prefatory pages, a boy meets a chicken while at a newsstand with his father, and it follows him home. Once they are all settled on the couch, the chicken prompts the infamous rhyming conversation between father and son. "'You know what?' 'What?' 'Chicken butt.' 'You know why?' 'Why?' 'Chicken thigh!'" And so it goes. The plot is simple—the conversation escalates until the exasperated father says, "Enough! No more!" But the child continues, giving the story a new twist. Cole's illustrations and the page design work to make this book really enjoyable. The dialogue is written in different fonts—the father's in black in an authoritative typewriter font and the son's in bold red. The father, reading his newspaper, wants nothing more than some peace, while the boy cavorts with the pop-eyed chicken. The illustrations are manic and raucous, and the humor is evident throughout. This book would be fun to read aloud with children in two voices or act out at storytimes and in classrooms. Kids will definitely love it.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 1—This story is told primarily in rhyming quatrains and set in the small village of Sweet Potato, whose residents happily sing in their fields while working the land cultivating their singular crop. One unfortunate night, a herd of rhinoceroses crosses the river, stampedes into town, and devours every sweet potato in sight. Rather than exterminate the animals, one boy crosses the river, sings to the rhinos until he eventually befriends them, and then teaches them how to raise their own crop. Both communities now are self-sufficient, living peacefully side by side. A bold palette enlivens the quaintly distorted town and its few inhabitants. The rhinoceroses themselves are monstrous, hulking creatures on tiny legs. Despite the upbeat message of compassion and caring for your neighbors, this strange story is hindered by an inconsistent plot and meter. Better stories of friendship and sharing abound.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—Fletcher the fox wanders through the woods, enjoying the colors and sounds of spring, until he sees what appears to be snow falling in the orchard. He hurries to warn Porcupine, Squirrel, the rabbits, and birds that winter is returning. When all of the animals arrive at the orchard to see the storm for themselves, they discover that Fletcher has seen blossoms falling from the trees. Although this book does not have the emotional depth of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves (HarperCollins, 2006), every page of this simple tale is full of warmth. Rawlinson writes lyrically, almost poetically, and the text dances with rhythm, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. "The woods were full of the chirping, bustling, singsong sounds of spring." Beeke's painterly, almost impressionistic, illustrations shine with spring colors and enhance the meaning and flow of the story. She speckles bright yellows, blues, and greens with deep red and pale pink to give the pictures vibrancy. This is a great book to share one-on-one or with a class to celebrate the season.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 2—Oliver is supposed to be Carter's best friend, so when he chooses another boy to take to the planetarium for his birthday, Carter decides to seek revenge by building a spaceship and blasting off without him. His plan includes getting a professional blueprint, cutting the metal, welding the pieces together, and then adding plumbing, electricity, and decorations. He finds various adults (with names like Ms. Joiner and Mr. Sparks) to help him build it, and he promises each one a seat on the rocket's maiden voyage. But when the ship is built, Carter realizes that he can only invite one person along since there are only two seats. Thanking all his helpers, he decides to blast off with Oliver instead. The artwork is a mishmash of blobby, childish-looking acrylic painting and construction objects done in Photoshop, and the combination doesn't blend very well. Although Oliver can be seen spying on the spaceship-building process in each of the pictures, he does nothing to regain Carter's trust and seems unworthy of the honor bestowed upon him. The book summary calls this a book about friendship, but the text does little to support the concept. Although Carter is upset about Oliver choosing another kid to join him on an adventure, he ends up doing much the same thing when he breaks his promises to the people who help him.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 3—During his 78th summer, Octavio Rivera begins to have the most fantastic dreams of his life. As they grow in intensity and whimsy, so grows his desire to share these visions. Of course, the only person who understands them is his imaginative six-year-old granddaughter. The English and Spanish texts allow children, families, and teachers to share this charming tale in either or both languages. The story's rhythmic, repetitive structure makes it an excellent read-aloud. For example, "On that first afternoon of summer, Octavio Rivera dreamed a Spanish guitar falling out of a piñata…whispering songs of love to a sky filled with perfect stars." "On the second afternoon of summer, Octavio Rivera dreamed two giant turtles falling out of a piñata…." Children will learn to count to 10 in both English and Spanish as they listen, which gives the story additional educational value. Meanwhile, Valencia's bright oil paintings evoke the joy of dreams and imagination. The luminous quality of his art underscores this delight and brings to mind the bright, sun-drenched light of the Southwest. The words and images also collaborate to celebrate many facets of Latino culture, from guitars and piñatas to close intergenerational relationships. While this is an excellent choice for libraries with large Spanish-speaking populations, children of all backgrounds will enjoy it.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

PreS-Gr 1—In a picture book sure to make every librarian's heart sing, Schoenherr has created a simple rhyming primer on how to take good care of a library book. While the subject may seem didactic, the author/illustrator's charming approach will entice parents and professionals to share this title with young kids. Each spread features one simple admonition on the verso with an animal demonstrating the dreaded—or encouraged—behavior, rendered with gentle humor ("No dog-ears, please." "Find someplace else to sneeze." "Don't overdue it, just renew it."). One white, hand-lettered sentence per page is set against a bold color, and the ink and acrylic art features endearing animal library users on an expansive white space. The book is simple enough to use with preschool children and funny enough to be appreciated by early readers.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Gr 2–4—In the first book, four short chapters follow Henry as he tries to have a perfect day (and upstages his brother, Perfect Peter), disrupts a dance recital with his imitation of a pterodactyl, meets his piratical match in neighbor Moody Margaret, and sabotages a family camping vacation. In the second book, he constructs a time machine from a box and tricks his brother into believing it really does send him into the future, discovers surprises at a fancy French restaurant (he likes snails!), ruins a family walk in the country, and finds himself the target of his brother's revenge. Short, easy-to-read chapters will appeal to early readers, who will laugh at Henry's exaggerated antics and relate to his rambunctious personality. The boy always seems to end up getting what he wants—though in roundabout ways—and this series will most likely be as popular in the United States as it has been in Britain. Ross's comical illustrations perfectly complement the texts.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Gr 2–4—Once again, Horrid Henry lives up to his name. Each of these easy chapter books contains four episodes of the boy's escapades. Selfish and greedy, he battles with his teachers, cheats in a reading contest, and ruins a cousin's wedding. In one of the funniest segments, he is pitted against his family's houseguest, Mean Margaret, whose behavior is even more atrocious than his own. The irreverent humor is similar to that found in Roald Dahl's books or Jack Gantos's "Rotten Ralph" series. Ross's cartoon drawings are a perfect match for the protagonist's mischievous personality. There is not much character growth here; Henry remains unrepentantly horrid, and the other child characters (Perfect Peter, Clever Clare, Rude Ralph, etc.) are all one-sided. Though adults may wish for Henry to get reprimanded more sternly, kids will love reading the laugh-out-loud funny stories about someone whose behavior is even worse than their own.—Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

PreS-K—A sweet ode to family life, beautifully illustrated in pencil, pen-and-ink, and watercolor. The story opens with a boy waiting for his father at the front gate as Dad walks up the road. They play, make dinner, clean up, and read bedtime stories together. The rhyming phrases are gentle but not cloying: "And when we wash the dishes,/you'll teach me that new song—/the one you learned a week ago./I'll try to sing along." McPhail's artwork adds telling details and varying perspectives, including those of the family pets. This lovely picture book is sure to be a bedtime favorite.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

PreS-Gr 2—In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the study of Yiddish. With this picture dictionary, select vocabulary is accessible to young readers. Basic words for parts of the body, members of the family, clothing, the house, school, playground, city, grocery store, bedtime, the zoo, colors, etc., are included. All are written in block letters with English transliteration and translation. Each spread includes a large, detailed illustration with the individual items clearly identified along the bottom. The pictures are cheerful and contemporary. At the back of the book, a word list is organized alphabetically in English and includes the Yiddish equivalents and corresponding page numbers. While the audience for this title is limited, libraries with large foreign-language and/or Hebrew-language collections, and those that own Judyth Saypol Groner and Madeline Wikler's similarly formatted My First Hebrew Word Book (Lerner, 2005), may want to consider this modern approach to an ancient language.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

PreS-K—A refreshing take on the arrival of a new sibling and the rivalry that frequently follows. As he is about to turn six, Otto becomes a brother. Forced to share toys, time, and, most of all, his birthday spotlight, he wishes that "Anna was never born!" In the time it takes to blow out the candles on his cake, Otto's life is terribly disrupted. He rockets backward toward infancy, and his sister is returned to the hospital. But the idea of reliving baby food, baby talk, and diapers leaves him panic-stricken. Otto must do something, and do it quickly. Exaggerated cartoon art captures his predicament. With humor and poignancy, author and illustrator portray an age-old rite of passage.—Trish Sabini, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—While playing catch with Raccoon, Bird gets bonked on the head and starts to cry. Neither Raccoon's kiss, nor Rabbit's hug, nor any of the other animals' attempts to soothe him works. Not even Fox's proffered Band-Aid helps. Then, in a surprising turn of events, all of Bird's friends become so upset that they begin to cry, and Bird must console them. How he helps his friends snap out of their gloom will tickle youngsters, and they will be in for yet another surprise when they turn the last page. Brightly painted cartoon animals heavily outlined in black appear against different colored grounds and are enlivened by photos and sketches of farm scenes and trees. As Tankard's Grumpy Bird (Scholastic, 2007) addressed young children's mood swings, this humorous story will help them over the bumps and bruises accrued as they go about their active lives.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-Gr 2—It's obvious that Edward, a black-and-white bulldog sporting a bow tie, doesn't have a clue about what his first visit to Hawthorne Farm will bring. For starters, the cows play tetherball, sheep brush their teeth, and snickering pigs cause mischief whenever they can. The understated text, e.g., "Edward gathers eggs from the henhouse," provides an amusing contrast to the chaos captured in Teague's signature oil illustrations (Edward, eggs flying wildly out of his basket, is chased by an upset chicken). One chore after another keeps the dog busy, from plowing a field to slopping the pigs and making maple syrup. The plot is skimpy, but Teague fans will enjoy his latest zany offering.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 3–5—Reminiscent of The Munsters television show, this story blends fantasy with reality. A family of wizards and witches, the Floods appear to be a normal, happy household consisting of parents and seven children, but only one, Betty, looks like a normal little girl. Under their house is a vast network of cellars where they experiment with their special magic. The Floods travel by turbo-broomsticks, eat slugs and sugar bats for breakfast, and all of the children except Betty (she goes to public school) go to a special wizard and witch school, where the school bus materializes in one of the cellars. And they are good neighbors. Next door live the noisy Dents, who are slovenly, rude, and constantly fighting. They have a nasty Rottweiler. Ten-year-old Dickie breaks into people's houses, pees on furniture, puts Barbie Dolls in microwaves; Tracylene locks up her boyfriends to keep them from running away. Children will enjoy the humor and unconventional way in which the Floods manage to get rid of their offensive neighbors. The vivid descriptions and believable dialogue provide readers with an understanding of characters and situations. The author uses footnotes to add humorous explanations to the story. Humorous black-and-white drawings capture the characters' antics and personalities. Children will like the exaggeration and ridiculous situations that stretch probability.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS-K—Jack is almost six years old and "almost grown up." He can almost make a home run and flip his karate instructor, and he almost never gets scared or cries. He can almost always drive his older brother crazy. The large, cartoonlike spreads have plenty of pleasing color and detail, and expand on the simple text; the boys have great facial expressions as well. When Jack states, "I can almost wear big clothes," his brother is shown tugging on the shirt his sibling is wearing: "Give it back, Jack!" The illustration for "I can almost make my own breakfast" shows milk pouring from a gallon jug and the toast burning. This simple story addresses both the desire of children to be older and sibling rivalry. It's sure to be a hit at storytime.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 3–5—In their second adventure, a spinoff of Van Draanen's popular "Shredderman" series (Knopf), Dave Sanchez ("The Gecko") and Sticky (a gecko) once again face down evil villain Damien Black. Black, recently escaped from prison, robs a bank to finance his latest round of dastardly deeds. Unfortunately for him, Dave and Sticky witness the theft and vow to track him down. With the help of the Aztec powerband that gives Dave the ability to turn invisible, as well as the wall-walking superpower that earned him his nickname, the two pals infiltrate Black's lair, encountering an overcaffeinated monkey, three bumbling baddies, and numerous bizarre gadgets created by Black. After escaping with the cash, Dave and Sticky must get past a nosy neighbor, protective parents, and an attempt by Black to recapture the loot before Dave can return it to its rightful owners. While the action and humor will likely appeal to young readers, the writing is not up to Van Draanen's usual standard. Sticky's linguistic quirks spill over into the narrator's voice, becoming less charming and more distracting by the page. Purchase this early chapter book where enthusiasm for "Shredderman" runs high. Otherwise, stick with Jon Scieszka's "Time Warp Trio" (HarperCollins) to entice reluctant readers.—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY

PreS-K—The farmyard grapevine spreads the news: Mrs. Farmer has taken out the big soup pot. Everyone knows what that means: chicken soup! The chickens all scatter and hide, but poor Little Chickie has got a cold, and no hiding place is safe from Mr. Farmer as her sneezes keep giving her away. The suspense builds as the man's boots stomp ever closer and he catches her, only to take her inside for a nice bowl of vegetable soup to ease her cold. This simple, just-scary-enough story will appeal to preschoolers with its repetition and bright, childlike pen and watercolor illustrations. The worried expressions on the faces of Gavril's sheep, pigs, and chickens only enhance the tension, and the climax comes down in a happy ending like a good tickle chase. A fun read-aloud for farmyard storytimes.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 3—This offbeat story features a loving couple who share a jail cell in the "most dismal dungeon of Katakom" because they stole a pair of blue socks. They are glad they have one another, but Lovey complains about their stark surroundings, so Dovey squeezes between the window bars each day and brings back something beautiful from the outside world to cheer his woman. On one occasion, he cuts out a view of the sun and sea. On another, he lassos the moon and a patch of star-filled sky. Then it's a tree filled with tasty apples to relieve the boredom of their bread and water diet. With each foray, their jail cell becomes cozier and more beautiful, and they are quite content. Then, "disaster" strikes and, much to their horror, they are released. A rail-thin Dovey and his buxom partner, each sporting one blue sock and gray-and-white striped prison garb (hers low cut), are outlined in black atop soft pastel spreads. Dovey is bald and Lovey's bright orange hair pokes up in two ponytails. Their unusual method of transforming their cell, along with this charming jailbird-pair's solution to the problem of their unwanted freedom, will have readers chuckling.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

PreS-K—Noah, with his unruly blond curls and oversize diaper, is a stubborn little fellow with a fondness for every toddler's favorite mantra: "no!" When his mother sweetly says, "It's time to leave," she is met with page after page of negation, from cowboy speak to pig Latin, Mandarin Chinese to Morse code. Gouache cartoon scenes visually reinforce Noah's multilingual vetoes, from a full-page sphinx and hieroglyphics to a small square panel with a text message. Endpapers provide identification of the languages, pronunciations, and cultures that the precocious youngster employs. Delightful fun in its theme and delivery, this story will be asked for again and again.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—Riki wants some new bluebirds to stay in his yard, and so he builds a birdhouse just for them. On each spread, a page of narrative surrounded by small pictures of related common objects faces a full-page illustration that shows Riki working on his project. The artwork, gouache on paper with photographic collage details, is simple and appropriate for young naturalists, though the collage elements do not stand out among other objects on a page. Pictured on one corner of each spread is Riki's notebook, where he records his diary-style entries. The book concludes with instructions for building a birdhouse and installing it; while addressed to children, they are clearly intended for an adult audience. Combine this story with Gail Gibbons's Tool Book (Holiday House, 1982) and Priscilla Belz Jenkins's A Nest Full of Eggs (HarperCollins, 1995) and get ready for spring.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-K—Through simple, rhythmic prose, Wright provides a glimpse at the secret held by the mice of Paris—a clandestine circus known only to them. "Only the mice know when to go there./Only the mice know what to wear./Only the mice know how to get there." Rustic canvas paintings done in a subdued palette cast a mood of quiet mystery over the nocturnal activities of the mice. The artwork provides the clever details that the text never reveals. (How is the circus hidden? Beneath a merry-go-round. What does one eat there? Peanuts, popcorn, and candy.) The theme of a hidden world, universally popular with children, finds satisfying expression here. A delightful addition to any collection.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS—In this flip book, digitally produced cartoon art chronicles the adventures of two babies. Royal blue borders contain panels that follow Max as he crawls after his dog through a log, into mud, up a tree, and then back the way he came to the tale's initial tub setting. Pages bordered in pink show baby Mia, a little yellow crown on her head, climbing out of her crib and crawling past Mom's legs, out the door, and across town to enjoy a spring day at the playground. She returns home and to bed just in time for her mother to find her still tired. Toddlers will like these stories, both for the bright but simply styled visuals and the text. Consider these graphic novels for ones and twos.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 5—Minnow, a Native American girl, loves to be near the water and to swim. While hunting for berries near the river, she notices covered wagons circling on the opposite bank. Rose, a pioneer child who is going for water, discovers the berries and an Indian village. The girls observe one another and rush to tell their families. Minnow's father assists the pioneers cross the river in exchange for tools. When a wagon lurches in the crossing and Rose is thrown into the turbulent current, Minnow rushes to save her and both girls make it to shore. Rose makes a doll resembling herself to give to her friend as thanks, and Minnow reciprocates. Beautiful oil paintings showing an Indian village, pioneer travel, and dangerous river crossings lend additional action and understanding to the story. An author's note provides more information on assistance given by Native Americans to pioneers and the difficulty of river crossings along the Oregon Trail.—Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY

Gr 2–4—The Apollo 11 astronaut follows up Reaching for the Moon (HarperCollins, 2005) with a quick overview of the past and near future of human space flight. Paired with Minor's clean-lined, realistically detailed scenes of significant aircraft, spacecraft, and high spots, his narrative opens with Galileo, closes with the rousing suggestion that the opportunity to venture into space lies just a tantalizing few years down the road for many young readers, and in between provides a fact-laced history, capped by a complete tally of Apollo missions and a look at planned expeditions to Mars. Aldrin adds a personal slant to his commentary—noting, for instance, that his aviator father was trained by Robert Goddard and was a friend of Charles Lindbergh. It distinguishes this survey from other titles that cover similar territory and should leave readers with a clearer sense of how the past connects with the future.—John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 4—Alter suggests 12 projects that clearly show how items can be reused. For example, a single flip-flop can be turned into an art stamp. Each spread is devoted to an activity and begins with a poem that describes the demise of the item being recycled—"The waves came in creeping,/stealing, and sweeping—/they snatched Sarah's flip-flop,/and took it away!" The step-by-step instructions are clear and concise, and the author does an excellent job of writing at the level of the intended audience. The instructions recommend adult help for cutting and sewing. The illustrations are of animals carrying out the instructions (raccoon, bunny, cat, etc.) and they are appealing. While some of the projects aren't particularly original, such as turning a well-worn T-shirt into a pillow, children might not have seen them before and may even be motivated to create their own projects. Tips for recycling and reuse are included. This is a great choice for environmental units and a valuable resource for parents interested in teaching their children about reuse at home.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Gr 2–5—Although visually pleasant and colorful, these titles are not satisfying when it comes to the quality, quantity, and accuracy of the information. For example, in Running, the text states: "Runners wear cool clothes in the summer. They wear warmer clothes in the winter." The author hints at the obvious but does not explain more complicated facts: "In a relay race, runners are part of a team." The accompanying photo shows a baton being transferred but nothing more is said about relays, batons, or teams. Hiking and Kayaking offer more of the same. Linda White's Trekking on a Trail (Gibbs Smith, 2000), Phil Revell's Kayaking (Heinemann Library, 1999), Jef Wilson's Hiking for Fun! (Compass Point, 2006), Kristin Thoennes Keller's Hiking (Capstone, 2007), and J. Deutsch's Running for Fun (Compass Point, 2008) are all better choices.—Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

PreS-Gr 2—Each book features eight animals, including one from an endangered species, found in the featured habitat. A small world map identifies the biome's location. On each spread, a full-color photo of the animal faces three or four factual sentences plus a smaller photo. These titles are acceptable as browsing items, but they aren't substantial enough for reports. They could supplement or update collections where animal books are in demand.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 2–5—Teedie led a privileged life in one of New York City's wealthiest households, but was a sickly child. His asthma didn't stop him from being curious or from reading widely (at least, about things that he found interesting), but his father nonetheless encouraged him to build up his physical strength. He worked hard and had at least one boxing success. Teedie became Teddy when he entered Harvard University in 1876. After graduation, Roosevelt sought his own way and continued on his own course in spite of personal losses (or perhaps because of them). He traveled, became an outdoorsman, a politician, and ultimately the youngest president of the United States. Line and wash illustrations add movement and a playful tone to the serious text, which generously incorporates quotes from Roosevelt. (These are not attributed, but it is assumed that they are drawn from sources provided at the end of the book.) An author's note concludes this brief overview and may well encourage youngsters to learn more about this fascinating figure. Lead them to Betsy Harvey Kraft's Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit (Clarion, 2003), which presents a fuller portrait illustrated with photographs.—Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library

Gr 2–5—This bilingual account of the Brazilian superstar's life opens by sweeping readers up in a big game. Brisk sentences and well-chosen similes vividly capture the scenes in English and in Spanish: "Watch as the famous number 10 flips the soccer ball…. Pelé runs across the field like a cheetah, dribbling like a dancer." The page turns, el rey scores the goal, and the next page flashes back to his impoverished childhood, describing how he and his friends used whatever materials were at hand to play "the beautiful game." Brown also imagines dialogue between young Pelé and his father to illustrate how the player's love of family and country drove him to excel on the field. The direct prose effectively tells the soccer hero's story, but Gutiérrez's illustrations give the book an exciting burst of energy. Bold, wavy lines across the pages convey the vigor and panache of World Cup soccer. Text and pictures collaborate seamlessly on the final spread, which marks one of Pelé's greatest achievements. The bright, energetic illustrations and subject matter will make this a popular choice with children.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 1–3—Distinguished language and compelling imagery make this commemoration of the first Moon landing's 40th anniversary particularly intense. In characteristically dramatic free verse, Burleigh begins with the descent of the Eagle and the tense search for a safe spot to land. He describes the two astronauts' first impressions of the "endless, mysterious wasteland" all around, follows Armstrong and Aldrin down the ladder as they take those historic first steps and then, all too soon, come back aboard for an uncomfortable night, a suspenseful takeoff ("No backing up. No doing it again. No second try./They know one thing only: failure means death"), the rendezvous with Michael Collins and the Columbia, and the triumphant return to "Earth: fragile, beautiful, home." Greenish light lends an eldritch glow to Wimmer's full-page, sometimes full-spread close-up views of the lunar landscape, the three absorbed astronauts, and their accurately rendered gear and spacecraft. The sense of immediacy is irresistible and will cause children who consider the event just ancient history to feel as if they too had left footprints on that distant, dusty surface.—John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 3—"Why do I love chocolate?" a boy asks as he is about to take a colossal bite of a candy bar. He then lists all the reasons: it crunches and melts, and it can make bad times better. Chocolate can also be part of a celebration, and there are so many ways to eat it. There are even different types of chocolate eaters, and the boy asks readers, "What's your chocolate-eating style?" There isn't much of a story arc here but, instead, the book is a list of all the ways that chocolate can be enjoyed. Readers and listeners won't much mind the nontraditional storytelling, as the text captures the essence of chocolate—its varying incarnations and textures—and it will leave everyone salivating. In addition to being a great candidate for programs, the book has potential as an easy reader as well. The art has a European flair and is reminiscent of David Roberts's work in Janet Wong's Dumpster Diver (Candlewick, 2007), though Daviddi's palette is much more muted. This isn't entirely successful, as the dark tones—presumably to evoke the rich browns of chocolate—somewhat dull the joyous nature of the topic. Nevertheless, the art and narrative work together; while the text is no-frills, the illustrations depict fancier treats, like cakes and truffles. Kids will be drawn to the book based on the title alone. Pair it with Erik Kraft's Chocolatina (Scholastic, 2004) for a sweet storytime.—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 3–5—The body's immune system has never looked like this before with plasma cells using sling shots to fire antibodies into viruses, platelets riding inner tubes down a stream of blood, and viruses multiplying in a "Germco" factory. Each title introduces five or six defense cells, disguised as superheroes protecting the body from adversarial viruses (unspecified in Skinned Knee, rotavirus in Stomachache, and rhinovirus in Cold). The normal body functions are introduced before focusing on what happens when things go awry. The oversize text uses metaphors that readers will understand, such as comparing the stomach to a "food processor" or a macrophage to a "garbage truck." The physical process of vomiting is explained and illustrated in Stomachache, while diarrhea is described less graphically. Sanitary precautions are mentioned where appropriate. Most of the vivid, double-page illustrations include a pertinent, labeled micrograph, with magnification indicated. Contrasting insets offer more detailed information. The books can be read following only the general texts, but the micrographs will fascinate and compel young readers to read everything.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

PreS-Gr 3—Nomad Igal Shidad, a well-known character in Somali folklore, is wise, clever, and sometimes foolish. In this story, a horrible drought has swept the land, and his family and animals are suffering, so he sets off to look for greener grass. As he walks, he prays to Allah to keep him safe and to give him courage to keep traveling through the night. A large ominous shadow stops him in his tracks and he seeks shelter behind a rock. He's sure it's a hungry lion. As morning dawns, Igal realizes that the shadow was really a tree stump and is at first angry with himself for being so foolish, but then he realizes that his prayers were answered and he continues his search for greener grass. The English text is fluid, lively, and descriptive. The Somali text reads smoothly as well. The lovely illustrations, painted in gouache, bring the story to life. The dusty tans and browns of the land contrast highly with the dark blue jewel tones of the night sky. As morning approaches, the luminescent sky shows brilliant streaks of reds, oranges, and yellows that radiate off the page. Igal, long and lanky, is dressed in flowing white fabric and looks small and vulnerable against the sweeping Somalian desert. His exaggerated facial expressions range from fear and surprise to indignation to complete joy. An entertaining read-aloud.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Gr 1–3—Isadora's abbreviated retelling of the popular Grimm Brothers tale closely follows the original in both plot and detail while making the story more accessible to a younger audience. With the same artistic style she used in her adaptations of The Twelve Dancing Princesses (2007) and The Fisherman and His Wife (2008, both Putnam), she again sets her tale in Africa, piecing colorfully patterned and hand-painted papers together to create bold, busy eye-catching scenes with a strong ethnic feel, although no specific culture is featured. Scenes include a thatch-roofed hut, a large orange sun, coconut palms, and trees shaped like baobabs. Faces cut from brown-streaked paper in silhouette style are, nevertheless, filled with emotion, resulting from the shapes and placement of eyes and mouths. Even young children will comprehend the domineering stepmother; the meek father; and the fearful, disbelieving children. While most scenes are set against stark white backgrounds, several night scenes, filled with an array of wildlife, appear dark and foreboding, but not overly scary. The witch, a black-costumed hag with green hands and face and red-highlighted eyes, provides the only potentially frightening element. Those youngsters who can deal with the malice of stepmother and witch will delight in this highly artistic and unusual presentation.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 1–4—Though it includes a haiku on each page, this title is much more than simply a poetry book. It is a history lesson, a seek-and-find (objects to find on each spread are listed in the back), and a paean to British Columbia all rolled into one neatly designed package. Realistic paintings expand the essence of each haiku and are full of details that will hold readers' interest. Back matter includes short history lessons explaining the poems, which span from pre-contact to the present day, making this a quality poetry and history collaboration that celebrates Canada's westernmost province. The book also offers good comparison material for a study of U.S. westward expansion.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

Gr 2–5—The surprises begin with the cover of this long, narrow book that opens from the top, sporting a title tumbling down with assorted objects—a feather, a squirrel, a pencil, a sock. Inside is a wide variety of list or catalogue poems, which Heard describes in her introduction as "the oldest and most accessible of poetic forms." Many focus on the ordinary: Marilyn Singer's selection opens, "I like to hold in my hand/a baseball,/a shell,/a fistful of sand,/a feather,/a letter,/a red rubber band." Others, like Elaine Magliaro's "Things to Do If You're a Pencil" and Bobbi Katz's "Things to Do If You Are the Sun," encourage readers to think about familiar items in new ways, and kids will enjoy writing their own "Things to do…" poems. Still others urge youngsters to think more abstractly: Lee Bennett Hopkins's entry asks, "Why poetry?/Why?/Why sunsets?/Why trees?/Why birds?/Why seas?/Why you?/Why me?" David Harrison's humorous "Chorus of Four Frogs" will be hilarious to perform. It's a given that alert teachers will use this volume to encourage the enjoyment and writing of poetry. A winner.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 2–5—This strikingly illustrated picture book tells of the life of a man whose achievements were, until recently, largely overlooked. An African American who was orphaned at age 13, Henson spent his adolescence as a cabin boy and then started working as Robert E. Peary's assistant. After 18 years of exploration, he became much more than an assistant to Peary and was ultimately a vital codiscoverer of the North Pole in 1909. Written in articulate and straightforward prose, and accompanied by quotes from Henson, Keep On! tells the story of an inspiring and courageous figure and is enhanced by Alcorn's dramatic, sweeping scenes.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

Gr 1–3—In Quebec during World War I, Aileen Rogers sent her cherished teddy bear overseas to protect her father, a medic, on the front lines. The bear, who "fought the war in the pocket of a hero," is the narrator. With sensitivity, he describes his experiences: "Sometimes we got hurt when a bomb exploded nearby. Sharp things would hit us." When Lawrence Browning Rogers is killed at the battle of Passchendaele, his uniform, his medal of bravery, and Teddy are sent to his family. In Deines's evocative, softly focused pastel illustrations, a battlefield scene shows soldiers and a knapsack with a red cross on it in the shadowy foreground. Inspired by true events, the book includes archival photographs of the Rogers family, a newspaper clipping from 1916, and the Canadian government's report of Lieutenant Rogers's death. A moving remembrance.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 3—The biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors is widely known, but less so is the tale of how Joseph's family was finally reunited through Benjamin, his youngest brother. It's a story of intrigue, as the older brothers hid their past crime of selling Joseph into Egyptian slavery, and Joseph (now a powerful Egyptian governor) framed Benjamin as a thief to see how his brothers reacted (would they protect or forsake him?). Benjamin's point of view is the focus here, and his youthful, open-hearted responses to his adventures help to clarify the story's murky motivations for young readers. In the denouement, Benjamin realized that "he would always be safe" with his reunited brothers, making for an emotionally satisfying conclusion. The writing is elegantly simple. Full-color spreads give a sense of the Middle Eastern landscape, and the artist makes each of the 12 brothers a distinct individual. The faces are expressive, and Benjamin, in particular, appears lovably innocent. A fine introduction to the biblical tale for young readers, with a strong message about the importance of forgiveness and family.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 2–5—Short sentences and readable prose capture much of the triumph and challenge of the 63-day trip undertaken in 1903 by Horatio Jackson, who was motivated by a $50 bet, and Sewall J. Crocker, his mechanic. Along the way, they picked up Bud, a goggles-wearing white bull dog. There were virtually no paved roads and no roadside amenities, and the Winton auto broke down frequently. Grasshoppers, mosquitoes, deserts, and mud added to the adventure. An entry for June 20, "Lost Near Green River, Wyoming," describes a miserable encounter with rain that sank the vehicle deep into the mud. The animated, cartoon illustrations are lighthearted and detailed, and add much to the narrative. Readers will be amused to find that the grueling journey cost Jackson $8000, all for a $50 bet that he never collected. Although the author includes fictionalized dialogue and is not clear about the authenticity of the dated entries, the afterword provides additional historical information and archival photographs.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 3–5—This collection introduces young readers to a host of interesting characters, including a lazy man with a clever wife, a boastful tailor with a resourceful daughter, a miser who is taught a lesson by a neighbor, a wife who comes up with an ingenious plan for controlling her husband's bad temper, a wise hare who tricks the King of the Elephants, and a wolf who outwits a prideful lion. In the title story, a youngest daughter's request that her merchant father bring her a gift of a fistful of pearls leads to a chain of unexpected and magical consequences when Fistful of Pearls turns out to be the name of the Prince of the Jinns. In the introduction, Laird recalls memories of living in Iraq and provides some background for the tales. Her retellings of these folktales are flavored with humor and cultural details, as is Fowles's clever black-and-white spot art.—Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA

Gr 2–4—This book is attractively designed with orange borders, pale background pages, and a colorful top-edge border reminiscent of rubber stamp designs. The introduction gives a two-page history of the holiday from ancient times (Celts/Druids) to modern-day traditions. The eight simple projects include making a flying bat, a haunted house, a scarecrow jumping jack, and goofy goggles. Each one has lists of materials needed, step-by-step instructions, and color photos or illustrations. The inclusion of patterns to enlarge as well as a paper-folding key makes it easy to duplicate these activities. A good choice for enhancing Halloween sections.—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—Readers learn about this holiday via a simple counting book. The text starts with the one president who ordered the Mexicans to fight, two sombreros worn by two boys, three colors of the flag, four girls dancing, and so on. The numbers are superimposed on the full-color, full-page photos. Each spread opens with a question, and the answer is the featured number. A paragraph of explanation follows. End pages include counting in Spanish from 1 to 10, notes for teachers and parents, and a repeat of the numbers, with much smaller photos. The combination of counting book and an informational holiday book leaves both lacking. The text is contrived to go along with the photo that is used solely because of the number it represents and few real facts are imparted. Amanda Doering's Cinco de Mayo (Capstone, 2005) and Aurora Colón García's Cinco de Mayo (Heinemann Library, 2008) are better choices.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-Gr 4—Large, beautiful close-up photos taken in the Woolong Giant Panda Breeding Center in China show these animals from birth to the age of two. Each picture is clear and well composed, making it easy for children to count the pandas. A map of the historical and current panda habitat is included. Books and Web sites are recommended as well as associations that are working to save the species. Compared to many panda books available, the photos here are exceptional. This book will be constantly in demand as a counting book and for information about this popular animal.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Gr 1–4—As in the author's books about Washington, DC, and New York City, this alphabet-based tour does more than hit the highlights of historical sights and natural resources. Small paragraphs of information sure to please trivia lovers and history buffs are scattered across gouache painted scenes populated with recognizable landmarks and Texas residents, including the four-legged variety. Readers are given both necessary information about each location and the lesser-known bits suitable for guidebooks. Children learn that "the golden eagle's…wingspan is six to eight feet, at least twice the size of its body," Galveston's "Great Storm of 1900 was the fiercest hurricane ever to hit the United States, and that Austin's "capitol building…is the largest of any state capitol." The letter "D" is devoted to the Dallas Cowboys, including a chart listing their Super Bowl wins. The book is not suitable for sharing with large groups as the image details and small fonts require close scrutiny. A general purchase for many libraries, and an entertaining read for youngsters interested in the state.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Gr 3–6—Monte has gathered eight beloved stories in this easy-to-read book. In the title story, a fierce dragon ravages the city until the king, with the help of a clever shoemaker, comes up with a solution. Life lessons are taught in a few of the stories, such as "Neptune and the Naughty Fish," a cautionary tale about wanting to be noticed. As with many fairy tales, not everything is gentle, as in "The King Who Was Eaten by Mice." The black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings are amusing and unique. A suitable addition to most fairy-tale and folklore collections.—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

K-Gr 2—A boy who spends his days selling fish door-to-door finds a wet white cat in the rain. He takes the animal in and offers her food from his own plate even though he doesn't have much to eat. When his father becomes ill, the child can no longer peddle his fish. He is surprised to find that the cat is beckoning customers to his door. Yohei's father gets well, and the boy has so many customers that he opens a shop. On the final spread, the author explains that this is how the beckoning cat became a good-luck symbol in Japan. This charming story is complemented by lovely watercolor, gouache, pencil, and ink illustrations done in soft muted colors and a whimsical style. The cat has pink ears and often smiles. Many readers will delight in this story of kindness and generosity rewarded.—Mari Pongkhamsing, St. Perpetua School, Lafayette, CA

Gr 2–6—Piven's cats are made of "energy," "glamour," "toughness," "origami," "brains," "laziness," "guts," "legends," "showbiz," "mutations," "softness," and "history." Each of these words demonstrates a trait of 12 different breeds that are then factually described. However, the stylized illustrations, which are collages mixed with digital backgrounds, incorporate such items as yarn, fruit, toys, paper, and jewelry. This combination results in caricatures so extreme as to render the book useless as a guide. Each breed gets a spread, complete with a "Feline Fact," adjectives, and a bright backdrop such as lime green or purple. In addition, small, simple line drawings show cats cavorting across the pages, including a disturbing sketch of a feline in stalking pose aiming a rifle. Lumping the disparate elements together creates a hodgepodge effect. The book has too much factual information to be an effective ironic tribute, yet not enough to warrant a place in nonfiction. It just doesn't hang together.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Gr 3–5—A young refugee describes her birthplace, Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, where she lived peacefully with her family until she was two. When fighting broke out in 1997, she escaped with her father to the coastal town of Pointe Noire. In 1999, when her dad's life was threatened, he fled to the Ivory Coast, and Gervelie returned to Brazzaville to live with her mum and abusive stepfather. Next she went to the Ivory Coast to live with her grandmother. In 2001, when war broke out there, Gervelie and her father escaped to Europe and then, in 2003, illegally entered England and sought asylum. In 2004, the Refugee Council gave them a house, Gervelie started school, and they began to make a new, yet uncertain, life. What the child wants most is to be permitted to stay in England and to always feel safe. Captioned photographs and paintings on a textured background suggest an album or scrapbook. The authors interviewed Gervelie and her father, and took the photos for the book. They tell her story through her voice in a series of double-page, dated diary entries that clearly document events and express her sorrows and fears. Endnotes list facts about the Republic of Congo and a brief outline of the political unrest that resulted in the fighting that forced Gervelie and her father to flee. This is a good introduction to the plight of refugees seeking asylum and the many obstacles they must overcome to re-build their lives.—Carolyn Angus, Claremont Graduate University, CA

PreS-Gr 1—The kindergarten gang from The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003) and The Twelve Days of Winter (2006, both Abrams) is back in a hilarious counting book that welcomes spring. The text could be sung or acted out. Areas of the primary curriculum are presented within the illustrations showing insect study, plants, and metamorphosis. Many aspects of kindergarten life are revealed through the entertaining illustrations such as a child with her stuffed animal, field trips, music class, and various learning centers. Even the class hamster has fun on the field trip to the farm, rowing a boat in the stream, and riding on a turtle near a pond. The bright artwork was created with gouache, colored pencils, and a technical drawing pen on watercolor paper. The large, double-page illustrations make this a perfect choice to use with a group.—Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY

PreS-Gr 1—Ross adds his take to the overcrowded field of nursery-rhyme compilations with this quirky collection. Beginning and ending with a framing story about a grandfather reading the rhymes to a grandchild, Ross opens with "Three Little Kittens" and concludes with "Wee Willie Winkie." He uses lesser-known verses and word choices for some rhymes, such as "Cry, Baby Bunting" instead of the more common "Bye." Most pages include only one rhyme, allowing plenty of space for illustration and preventing crowding. The font is generously large and easy to read. Some more squeamish readers may take affront at Ross's dark choices for certain rhymes, such as the battlefield full of arrows, including a dead horse and arrow-felled knight illustrating "For Want of a Nail." Literalists may find it problematic that the fine lady's "white horse" is depicted as spotted in "Ride a Cock Horse." Ross's sketchy, straggling, often big-eyed artwork, while fun, is a far cry from the gentler versions by Rosemary Wells and Cynthia Long. Larger libraries with extensive collections might include this one, but others can stick with Iona Opie, Tomie dePaola, and Arnold Lobel.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 5—Another winner from the accomplished duo that created Today at the Bluebird Café (S & S, 2007). In one poem, a toad enumerates what it ate for lunch, "But I made a mistake/with the slug-on-a-stick—/a smidgen too salty—/and now I feel sick." The classic art project of a turkey produced from a child's handprint inspires a delightful response from the turkey, "Finally, I'm baffled/that you've made me look so dumb./My head is quite distinguished/and it's nothing like your thumb." A fox with paws crossed explains why he will never be a pet, "I won't come when you call,/I won't jump for the ball," sounding humorously like Green Eggs and Ham. A lovely description of spring, "A million arms in woody sleeves/wave a zillion brand-new leaves," evokes the majesty of nature magnificently. Richly glowing watercolors accompany these delightful poems about woodland flora and fauna. A charming spread showcasing the animals featured in the poems is repeated on the endpapers, and the vivid cover is irresistible. This beautifully designed book displays large bold font that stands out clearly on bright white paper and is edged by robust watercolors. Perfect for sharing aloud—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—"Why are we pink?" a young flamingo asks her mother. When she learns that her coloration is a result of the shrimp she eats, Sylvie gets an idea to experiment with what she consumes. Ice cream, kites, bathing suits—nothing is off-limits for the adventurous bird. Sure enough, she turns brown, looking "yummy in chocolate," and "rather stripy" after eating a towel. Kids familiar with a certain hungry caterpillar may see what's coming—Sylvie gets a stomachache. It's only when she rejoins her flock and resumes her diet of shrimp that she feels better, though there is a surprise ending that will surely induce giggles from kids. Sattler's art steals the show; the colors are eye-popping and vibrant, right to the swirling bright endpapers. As Sylvie changes colors the background changes hues as well. This title is sure to create storytime magic, especially when paired with Jeremy Tankard's Grumpy Bird (Scholastic, 2007).—Laura Lutz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—This book about two Canada geese that meet, mate, and raise their family has all the immediacy of a plot-based picture book and conveys personality without slipping into anthropomorphism. Sayre doesn't sugarcoat the challenges that the geese face as they wait for their young to hatch. The male is fiercely protective of the eggs and scares off many of the predators, yet the raccoon still manages to break one of them. Lee's cut-paper collage illustrations fill the pages with color and movement. More detailed information about Canada geese is appended. Those who like to present themes in their storytimes can pair this book with Cari Best's Goose's Story (Farrar, 2002) or with other books about fathers for a Father's Day celebration.—Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Mercer Island Library, WA

Gr 2–6—A retelling of the legend of how the Great Emperor of Heaven called upon all the animals of the Earth to visit him atop the Jade Mountain. Upon the announcement of the climb, the animals line up to begin their journey. Rat, who is lazy, hitches a ride on Ox's head, springs into the lead, and is named the first animal of the zodiac. Subsequent animals are awarded the next 11 years. With each proclamation, the Great Emperor says something positive about the creature, and each one take its place on the great wheel of time. Unfortunately, a promising beginning soon becomes a repetitious parade of animals that are flattered by the Emperor and sent on their way. Red and black linoleum print drawings of each animal along with its Chinese symbol add dimension to this oversize volume, but these bold, striking images do not balance the unremarkable text. Children familiar with Demi's The Dragon's Tale (Holt, 1996) or Eric Kimmel's The Rooster's Antlers (Holiday House, 1999) will miss the depth of a great multicultural fable.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

Gr 3–5—For each month, a holiday is introduced through a free-verse poem and a short paragraph of information. The poem is meant to be read by children, but many of the words and concepts will be unfamiliar to them. For January, Fiesta de San Antonio Abad opens with, "Polka-dot cows stride/beside candy-striped burros./Baby chicks bob and chirp/under itty-bitty smocks. The village sways in song:/Moo and cock-a-doodle-do!" On this day in small Mexican villages, children have a parade with their pets dressed in clothes. They lead them to the local priest, who sprinkles them with holy water. Additional information is provided in the endnotes and is needed to clarify most of the unfamiliar holidays, such as Sealing the Frost and Águas de Oxalá. A few common holidays are included such as Día de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo, but most are obscure and only known to a particular area in Mexico. The digitally enhanced cut-paper illustrations are done in dark earth tones. The pictures and text are unlikely to interest children.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-Gr 3—Through the seasons, this book personifies colors, starting with a red bird in early spring and concluding with it as winter ends. "In SPRING,/Red sings/from treetops:/cheer-cheer-cheer,/each note dropping/like a cherry/into my ear." At first Green is shy, but in summer "Green is queen." "In fall, Yellow grows wheels/and lumbers/down the block,/blinking:/Warning—classrooms ahead," and in winter "Gray and Brown hold hands." Sidman encourages readers to experience color with all of the senses. Some of Zagarenski's mixed-media paintings are full of light and others are darker and slightly haunting, but the rich colors come to life on the page. The words and pictures depend upon one another and blend well to conjure up quirky, magical imagery. Children will find many small stories waiting to be told within the detailed paintings and enjoy looking at them over and over. This poetic tribute to the seasons will brighten dull days.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1–2—This book is a little bit batty, a little bit Texas, and a little bit about how beneficial bats are to Texas agriculture, all told in the voice of "Bo," a Mexican free-tailed bat. This fictionalized narrator partially describes his life cycle in the "great state of Texas," the other bat species in his state, and how they help the farmers. This voice is stilted, and the text is sprinkled with exclamation points in an attempt to generate the excitement that is not present in the information. Small fact boxes appear occasionally. Garish colors are the salient feature of the careless, slapdash-looking illustrations. Accuracy is often sacrificed; e.g., one adult is drawn with four baby bats, but Mexican free-tailed bats bear only one offspring each summer. Some of the most interesting facts about these creatures are omitted (the colonies are made up of the pregnant mothers; the babies roost apart from the mothers, and each mother must identify her offspring by its call in order to feed it). By having more than one focus, the book shortchanges readers on all counts.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 2–6—The young princess, thought to be ensconced in a tower, is missing. A "BRAVE and EAGER knight" and his less-than-fearless horse Edward learn that she has been abducted by a dragon and remains captive on Dragon Island. Assisted by the Magic Cartooning Elf, the knight goes in search of her. In this story within a story, the princess learns how to create her own cartoon. Basic principles of creating comics are taught by context, inference, and direct instruction. The humor, action, adventure, and charming characters hold readers' attention and draw them into a fantasy world of a candy-consuming dragon and knights who have been turned into vegetables. Readers learn about the uses of panels, the importance of words, and placement of thought balloons. Each tutorial panel contains clever and inventive touches that illustrate the capabilities of the format. The progression of the pink gum bubble on the first four pages is a classic. At the conclusion of this delightful tale, cartooning basics such as panels, gutters, tiers, word balloons, depiction of emotion, and movement are explained in an organized and straightforward fashion. This is a volume for kids who love comics, who enjoy an adventure filled with action and humor, are natural-born artists, or who aspire to become comic-book creators. A surefire hit.—Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

K-Gr 4—Through elaborate yearly festivals and humble everyday rituals, children around the world go about their wishing in many ways. Thong gives readers a global tour of various traditions, covering 15 countries. Youngsters in Guatemala fly decorative kites to carry their wishes to the gods on All Saints' and All Souls' Days, while children in India tuck lucky peacock feathers into their schoolbooks in hopes of scholastic achievement. In a tradition descended from ancient sailors, Roman children toss coins into fountains, while Chinese people toss scrolls tied to oranges up into the branches of the banyan tree. For each stop on this unique tour, Thong presents a melodic poem suitable for reading aloud. Each one is accompanied by a brief explanation of the tradition; additional information appears at the back of the book. Kleven's rich, mixed-media illustrations of joyful figures and inviting landscapes—reminiscent of the shimmering style of Marc Chagall—provide plenty to look at. A selection of lucky symbols to search for in the pictures adds to the fun. This positive introduction to worldwide traditions belongs in most collections.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—In this playful takeoff on the traditional song about trains, the author expands the vehicles—and locations—to include numerous modes of transportation. Each spread features a crowd of happy animal characters (often parent-child pairs) cavorting to a stanza that matches a different vehicle: school bus, truck, airplane, sailboat, rocket, and more. The verses conclude with the appropriate sound effects and the refrain, "Off we go!," until evening arrives at book's end. Remkiewicz uses candy-bright colors and a hint of goofy elasticity in his slightly busy watercolor art. With enough repetition to tempt early readers to try the text on their own, the book will also attract the lap-sit crowd, who love a good vehicle story. Collections that need more books on transportation may want to hop onboard.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2—These titles describe plant life and show how people and animals depend on it to survive. Glossaries appear in the front of the books, enabling readers to familiarize themselves with new vocabulary prior to reading. Flowers Bloom! chapter titles pose questions, with a combination of photographs and text supplying the answers. People Need Plants! illustrates the role plants play in our environment as shelter, clothing, food, and medicine. In Plants Grow!, the life cycle and parts of a plant are discussed in a clear, concise manner. Beautifully detailed professional photographs of plants, animals, and people complement the subject matter. Each book includes a simple activity. Unfortunately, some of the Web site addresses have already changed, but with a little digging, readers can find them.—Colleen D. Bocka, Nathaniel Rochester Community School, Rochester, NY

K-Gr 2—These books do an excellent job of introducing basic concepts about seeds and plants. Large text on colored pages explains terms and covers a lot of ground in the simplest manner imaginable. The full-color illustrations amplify the narrative. For example, in Seeds Sprout! the "Seeds—Big and Small" spread shows a small child dwarfed by the sea coconut seed and columbine seeds being held in the palm of a hand. Plants Live Everywhere! introduces the habitats and characteristic flora for the Arctic, the desert, the rain forest, the woodland forest, the grasslands, the water, and the city. Each of the books has an activity to enhance the understanding of the concepts presented and is simple enough to be done at home as well as in a classroom. Although there is a slightly old-fashioned cut-and-paste look to some of the illustrations, these books are attractive page-turners.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA