Preschool to Grade 4

K-Gr 2—Zoe has a glorious bright red mane. In fact, her "wild and beautiful" hair seems to have a mind of its own, performing various tasks (it can "turn on the TV, pour a glass of juice, pet the cat, and play the computer—all at the same time") and even allowing her to fly. While this isn't a problem in kindergarten, things change in first grade. Ms. Trisk bluntly states, "School has rules…. No wild hair in my class!" She tries to rein in Zoe's unruly tresses with disciplinary measures, a stretchy hat, and even a meeting with the principal. Finally, Zoe's locks are contained with scrunchies, barrettes, bobby pins, and duct tape, an arrangement that also weighs down the girl's spirits. However, when Zoe's locks break free to lend a hand with a demonstration about orbiting planets, it's Ms. Trisk who learns a lesson. Anderson's narrative sparkles with exuberant language and exaggerated humor. Hoyt's buoyant cartoons, done in pen and ink and watercolors, are filled with flowing lines and comical touches. While the plot specifics are a bit far-fetched, the tale touches upon pertinent themes, such as the challenges of transitioning between kindergarten and first grade, the importance of looking for solutions to problems, and the fact that teachers often learn from their students. An imaginative and appealing back-to-school choice.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS—In this wordless book, a little boy reluctantly takes a bath only to discover that his imagination has turned the water in his tub into the ocean. Swimming among the fish, he finds a map, and with the help of the sea creatures, finds a treasure chest with surprising contents. He is then scrubbed clean by an octopus while a smiling whale watches. Andreasen's bright illustrations pop from the page and do a great job of telling the story. The youngest patrons will enjoy telling their own version of this tale during a lap sit.—Katie Cerasale-Messina, AC Whelan Elementary School, Revere, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Despite moments of inspired writing and appealing pictures, these two titles fail to make a smooth transition into English. In the first title, Rita is in a bad mood, despite it being her birthday. However, when one of her presents runs away, she discovers a talking dog that she names Whatsit and they have a good time. In the second book, Rita and Whatsit go to the beach with very different ideas of fun. After some creative play, there is a role reversal and a cleverly humorous ending. The illustrations are done in black and white with red accents. Rita is a round-headed, shaggy-haired, dot-eyed waif, and Whatsit is distinctly Snoopy-esque, with his large head, long black ears, and small body. The artwork is cartoonish and simple, with expansively white backgrounds containing little more than an umbrella, or a line representing the horizon. These books clearly owe a nod to Ian Falconer's opinionated pig, but something seems to have been lost in translation. The texts lack cohesiveness and have a habit of abruptly changing tense. While lines such as "Rita loves the beach./Whatsit the dog doesn't like it quite so much," matched with a picture of the pup lugging all of the beach gear, show true potential, these derivative titles ultimately miss the mark. The second is better than the first, so perhaps later titles will be worthwhile, but for now, pass on them.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 3–5—In this lovely and fitting conclusion to a popular series, Poppy's husband, Rye, dies, and the grieving deer mouse refuses to see anyone. Then Ereth needs her help, and in the process of saving the porcupine, she is thrown into the air and flown to a cave by a young bat. Thinking she is dead, Ereth plans her funeral. Meanwhile, a fire breaks out in Dimwood Forest. Seen through animals' points of view, the story takes readers through Poppy's adventures, including being aided by her former enemy, Bounder the fox, as she tries to get home to warn the others of the danger. Ereth stays true to his character—pompous and curmudgeonly—yet devastated when he thinks he's lost Poppy, while she remains the eternal optimist and, in the end, is able to move on with her life. This heartwarming fantasy is filled with fast-moving action and danger, and has themes of friendship and loss. Fans of the series will be completely satisfied.—Kira Moody, Hunter Public Library, West Valley City, UT

K-Gr 4—Billy Twitters's parents don't mess around when doling out punishments. When the boy fails to clean his room, brush his teeth, and finish his baked peas, they buy him a blue whale. It arrives via FedUp (motto: "Delivering Punishment Worldwide"), and it's up to Billy to take care of it. Rex's goofy illustrations blend the realistic with the fantastic, as in a giant wordless spread of Billy pedaling furiously on his bike, towing the whale behind on a skateboard as the beast's bulk takes out telephone poles and traffic lights. At school, things don't improve; a teacher gives a whale lecture instead of showing a promised cowboy movie, and Billy is uninvited from a pool party when the hostess learns he would have to bring the cetacean. And he soon finds that gathering thousands of krill for its dinner is tough work. At last, after cleaning out the whale's stinky mouth, Billy decides that it's a pretty peaceful place, and he decides to move in. That's a strange ending for an odd story, but young readers will likely enjoy the ridiculous premise, and the many whale facts worked seamlessly into the tale.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—The earliest indication that this is not your typical guessing game comes on the endpaper as a robot energetically hatches out of an egg. For each round of guessing, readers are presented with a page of Rex's oil-and-acrylic illustrations opposite a rhyming quatrain. The completely unexpected and delightfully off-the-wall conclusion of the verse's final line is revealed on the next page. The images are especially droll. A spread set in a kitchen with a die-cut hole in the wall suggests that what's on the other side is a little mouse: "Who climbs our counters and eats our cheese?/We've set up traps all through the house/But still can't catch that pesky…." Turning the page, readers will see that what they thought was a cute little mouse was in fact the repulsive toe of a huge Viking. This is an especially fun book to share.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-K—This story features a big-eared bunny who wears a superhero-type mask and cape. When his mother and father try to tell him how much fun he will have at school, Simon shouts, "No way!" This response is repeated throughout the story. Of course, when he finally does get to school and participates in all the fun activities, he changes his mind. And when his mother returns to take him home, he answers, "No way!" The bright primary colors set a cheerful mood, which contrasts with the younster's fear. Although his parents have a reassuring tone, Simon's standard answer becomes grating after a while, and the ending is predictable. Katie Davis's Kindergarten Rocks! (Harcourt, 2005) has a similar theme and is more fun.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 1–2—This story is narrated by a pair of red sneakers and follows their journey from their first home with a young boy in America to children in Africa. They start out jumping over puddles and pedaling his bicycle. When the sneakers begin to look worn, the family sends them to Africa, and a boy receives the shoes with as much excitement as the original owner. After adventures with him, they end up with a girl who wears them to walk to school, and who ultimately uses them as the hands for her scarecrow. An endnote by Wayne Elsey, the founder of Soles4Souls, includes the Web site to go to for information about making donations to the organization. This book will make children think about how they can help other youngsters around the world through something as simple as donating a pair of old shoes. The color-saturated illustrations provide a vibrant background to this touching story.—Kate Neff, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

K-Gr 3—In this charming book, Beau Beaver sets out to find a mate and to build a lodge of his own. Unfortunately, he builds his first dam across a ditch in the middle of town, using a lot of found materials (a toy truck, a charcoal grill, a rake, a plastic ducky, etc.). His misdirected efforts including felling a tree that lands on a man's car. The story, based on an actual event, ends happily when Beau is caught and released in a more appropriate location. There he meets Brenda Beaver and they set out together to create beaver bliss on a remote pond. The story is amusing—kids will chuckle at Beau's innocent naughtiness. The rhyming text generally flows well, although there are a few bumpy couplets. Charcoal and watercolor illustrations are drenched with blues and greens, creating a sopping wet palette well suited to the story. Bloxam provides plenty of interesting animal details, both within the story and in the two additional pages of beaver facts. This book provides a first-rate introduction to an interesting animal. Pair it with Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac's Turtle's Race with Beaver (Dial, 2003) for a discussion about relationships and working together.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 1—In an infectious burst of movement, rhythm, and rhyme, a multiethnic cast of children in an urban neighborhood strut their stuff and celebrate their uniqueness. In answer to the call, "How do you wokka-wokka?," the youngsters demonstrate their moves—a flamingo, a mariachi, a clock, a fish—all to the sound of giddy nonsense rhymes and exuberant dancing ("I wokka-wokka/like flamingos/in a flocka—/croakie-yocka/leggy-longy/pinky-hoppa-hoppa"). The sketchy, full-color oil illustrations in muted colors feature cartoon children cavorting alternately against stark white backgrounds or cityscapes as they join a giant block party. This bouncy book is a joy as a read-aloud whether in a group or one-on-one, and kids and adults won't be able to resist making their own nonsense rhymes and dances as they "wokka-wokka" through the book.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 2—Fed up with the restrictions that come with being so small, Lulu decides to leave the farm. With her pink purse and striped scarf, she passes the pigs, where she is quickly splashed with mud. She ventures on, entering the sheep pen. Her journey continues as she meets a horse and a cow, her anxiety growing with each encounter. Once the little chick finally reaches "far, far away," she is paralyzed with fear and mother hen swoops in. It becomes apparent that far away was never beyond mother's watchful eye. Just as in the author's Goodnight Lulu (Bloomsbury, 2003), large and bright watercolor-and-ink illustrations fill the pages, making this a great choice for group sharing. Small details abound and encourage a closer look at the background. Team this up with Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny (HarperCollins, 1942) and Harry Horse's Little Rabbit Runaway (Peachtree, 2005) for a storytime on fleeing youngsters.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-K—A young bear describes his interactions with his dad as they return home from an outing. They stroll through open fields, count the vibrant leaves falling from the trees, and eat berries along the way. As sunlight streams through the dusky woods, the cub declares, "We had to walk through the dark forest. With Daddy near me, I wasn't scared." As the sun sets and the stars begin to shine, the bear nuzzles his cub's sleeping head. Each measured word builds the gentle narrative; the sweet conclusion perfectly complements the quiet tale. Spare language reflects the loving relationship. Large acrylic spreads feature deep greens and dark oranges; forest animals dot the dynamic pictures, and vibrant backgrounds support the brief text. The consistent child-centered voice provides a lovely depiction of the journey home and those priceless moments shared by a father and his child.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

K-Gr 2—When autumn arrives, a group of suburban children and their parents rake leaves, carve pumpkins, decorate yards and porches, and make Halloween costumes. The big day comes at last, and the children go trick-or-treating. As the story closes, they share their treats with friends and then start planning next year's costumes as they get ready for bed. A special visual treat throughout the story is the children's pet black cat that appears on each spread. The author effectively uses a repeating pattern of alternating pages with "When…" and "Then…" to move the minimal plot along. The descriptions beautifully evoke the feeling of fall—from the V of geese squawking their way south to the dried corn husks that sound like grasshoppers. The watercolor and collage art contributes to the autumnal mood, and the varied perspectives and page design make the story more dynamic. The text and illustrations are a perfect complement to one another, emphasizing creative homemade decorations and costumes and minimal adult intervention. A fun read-aloud to get in the spirit of Halloween.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Big Wolf lives alone under a tree at the top of a hill until one autumn day when Little Wolf comes along. At first he is wary of this stranger who silently joins him for exercises at the top of the tree, lunch at the base, and sleepy time against the trunk. But when Big Wolf goes for a walk and comes back to find Little Wolf gone, he realizes that "a little one, indeed a very little one, [has] taken up space in his heart. A lot of space." Big Wolf waits through a lonely winter, until one spring day a tiny dot in the distance slowly grows to become Little Wolf, returning at last, and a beautiful friendship begins. This translation has careful phrasing. Tallec's colorful illustrations play off the quiet dignity of the text, revealing emotion through the characters' stances and expressions, employing a sketchy painting style that brims with light.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-K—Preschool jitters are gently explored in dialogue format reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's classic The Runaway Bunny (HarperCollins, 1942). Annie Claire, a puppy, asks questions that reflect her anxieties about starting school. Mom provides reassuring responses to quell her fears: "What if I spill my milk/All over the floor?/We'll just clean it up—/It's happened before." Soothing watercolors, outlined in pen on cold press paper, create soft illustrations that emphasize the fun, excitement, and positive aspects of this milestone. The animal classmates, teachers, school staff, and Mom and Annie Claire are portrayed with subtle facial expressions and gestures that support the text. What gives this tender title depth is the relationship between mother and daughter. The mother's comments are messages of love and encouragement. Annie Claire poignantly brings the story to its conclusion with a question about what her mother's day will be like when she is at school. A charming story for parent-child sharing.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Originally published in France, this rounded-corner volume employs op-art designs to hide 15 creatures, and a farm girl, for viewers to find. The searches vary in difficulty. Although the majority are easily located, the small sea urchin's eyes are barely visible, making that particular hunt a challenge. The bright patterns vary from packed geometrics to a gathering of flowers, mushrooms, or trees. The final full spread is a traditional night landscape of silhouettes among trees, from which readers are asked to discern which of the previously found animals is now missing. Youngest fans of Martin Handford's "Where's Waldo?" (Candlewick), Jean Marzollo's "I Spy" series, (Scholastic), or Joan Steiner's "Look-Alikes" (Little, Brown) should enjoy the simple task of finding one thing per page. Great for one-on-one lap sharing.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Pres-Gr 2—Eva receives a magic box for her birthday, and with it she creates a pet polar bear called Monty, rabbits from hats, and a party complete with delicious food and a band of animal musicians. When they all dance their socks off, Eva snaps her fingers and makes everything vanish—except Monty. This fanciful tale, though slight, celebrates the power of imagination. The chunky lines of the illustrations call to mind classic picture books of the 1950s, and the color palette expands from simple black, white, and red to an explosion of bright colors as Eva's imagination and magic take flight.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 3—A hungry ghost with pointed ears and sharp teeth searches the dark streets of Beijing, night after night, in search of food offerings from frightened townspeople. One night, he spies a plump little boy, grabs him, and carries him home, where he pulls out his bucket and chopsticks and prepares to dine. The boy crosses his arms petulantly and demands, "You're not going to eat me raw, are you?" What follows is the familiar theme of an unwilling victim outsmarting his captor and avoiding a terrible fate. While this story takes place in China and the boy suggests that the ghost gather the ingredients to make dumplings out of him, it doesn't really distinguish itself from similar tales. Yamasaki's watercolor and gouache illustrations can be both murky and redundant. Compestine's language is lively and often funny, but verbose. While Boy Dumplings would serve as a good read-aloud for the Ghost Festival (referred to as the "Chinese Halloween" in late August—early September), this theme is better served by books like Arnold Lobel's Mouse Soup (Scholastic, 1977).—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

K-Gr 3—Ruben Figg is older brother pig to bespectacled Julius, and one rainy day he decides to show his sibling how the big pigs chew gum. Grammy provides the bubble gum while Mom reiterates the ground rules (chew it, don't play with it). After smacking the gum this way and that, Ruben accidentally swallows it and has to plead for a new piece. Grammy is happy to oblige while Mom halfheartedly agrees. Unfortunately, Ruben presses his luck and ends up getting a glob of gum stuck in a blanket Mom knitted. A repentant piglet is sent to his room, but the fun doesn't stop there because Julius sneaks more gum from Grammy's purse and the brothers wind up covered in sticky pink. Grammy and Mom scrub them clean, but there is still one last bubble blast in store. Humorous illustrations are best viewed one-on-one where the many mischievous details can be appreciated.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

PreS—Maisy is confident and acquainted with the routines of preschool. She clearly has no separation issues. She hangs up her coat, joins in making music, listens to a story, and so on. Throughout the day, the young mouse and her friends have a good time. As always, Cousins's bright color illustrations are simple and appealing. The solid black lines around objects help them to stand out on the page, drawing children's attention. Reassuring and fun.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 2—The Buccaneer Bunnies are a happy lot as they loll and cavort around their island, except young Henry. He discovers a threatening note warning of an impending invasion from some foul fowl and spends all his time preparing for and writing a book on what to do if an attack comes. The rest of the crew barely tolerates the behavior of the distinctively nervous milquetoast. But when Henry wakes up to find his fellow buccaneers captured by crazed chicken pirates, he swings into action by following his book's instructions and saves them. With the defeated fowl put to sea, Henry settles down to write his next book—which turns out to be the one that readers have in hand. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations give a goofy cartoon elasticity to the characters that perfectly matches the lighthearted plot. Youngsters will cheer for humble Henry, who becomes a hero because he is so carefully prepared. With kids riding high on pirate books, this follow-up to Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies (Candlewick, 2005) will find a place in most collections.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

PreS—The energetic dog from Wiggle (2005) and Bounce (2007, both S & S) has returned with a tale to stretch readers' imaginations. Children are invited to extend arms, legs, lungs, and even vocal chords as the dog bounds from page to page. Playful rhyming text is complemented by pen-and-ink illustrations with digital color and photographic elements on clean, uncluttered backgrounds. There is no doubt that the dog is the star, though other animals appear in supporting roles: "Stretch up high for a snack in the trees" shows the pup on a giraffe as it reaches for an apple. As the dog and a friend chisel a large stone sculpture of a dog, the text reads, "If you stretch me and I stretch you…/we'll stretch twice as far…/Who knows what we can do?" The sky is the limit with this engaging read-aloud.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

K-Gr 1—Like most toddlers, Bartleby enjoys playing patty-cake, crawling, and jumping. But he doesn't say a single word. His mother sings loudly in pig Latin, his father plays the cello at bedtime, and his sister shrieks as she tap dances around him. Still, he doesn't talk. On his third birthday, after he enjoys sitting quietly on the porch swing with Grampy as they listen to and enjoy nature together, things change. Finally, Bartleby has something to say. Hawkes's energetic illustrations will elicit smiles, especially at the notable resemblance between Bartleby's ears and his grandfather's. The characters' expressive eyes, including the dog's, add to the humor. Youngsters will wait with great anticipation for the hilarious conclusion and ask for repeated readings.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 2–4—Roland has always wanted to be a knight, but he's unlikely to achieve his dream since he doesn't come from a noble family. Then a messenger of the court arrives at his father's forge to proclaim that the blacksmith's fine armor has saved the life of the king during battle. To show his gratitude, the king has extended an invitation to one of Mr. Wright's two sons to become a page at the castle and a knight in training. Roland is beside himself with happiness until his brother also declares an interest, forcing their father to choose between them. To help make his decision, Mr. Wright creates a contest complete with jousting, archery, and other physical tests. How the scrawny, younger Roland goes on to beat his much bigger and more athletic sibling becomes a tale of more than just physical abilities. This engaging book, the first in a series, has accurate details about the Middle Ages and a feisty, persevering hero who demonstrates the qualities of a true knight, such as being a good loser and respecting others. Rogers's charming pen-and-ink illustrations enhance the story and may also make it more appealing to reluctant readers. A tiny picture of Roland's long suffering and adorable pet mouse, Nudge, appears at the end of each chapter in a pose that reflects the action that has just taken place. Boys, especially, will enjoy this story of chivalry, knighthood, and adventure.—Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL

Gr 2–4—In her sixth adventure, Mercy Watson is in the family's familiar pink convertible on her way to the Bijou drive-in theater, which is showing When Pigs Fly. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are sure she'll find it inspirational, but Mercy is more excited by the prospect of real butter on Bottomless Buckets of popcorn. Familiar characters from other adventures—Police Officer Tomilello, Animal Control Officer Francine Poulet, and reformed robber Leroy Ninker—are also at the Bijou. They leap into action when Mercy, with snout in the air, follows the irresistible scent of butter to waiting cars with windows down. "People screamed. People laughed. People fainted. Mercy kept eating." When the Watsons realize that their porcine wonder is missing, they join the chase, which ends only when two clever firemen catch up to her and suggest a treat of buttered toast. Though no one gets to see the movie, they all eat toast together, which, for Mercy, is a very happy ending. Illustrations are done in gouache using a bright, retro palette of glossy colors, bringing the text vibrantly to life. All of the elements of the earlier stories are here—jovial characters, good-humored mayhem, and effortless repetition that moves the story forward while allowing emerging readers to peruse it themselves. Youngsters are sure to delight in the exploits of this butter-loving pig, savoring DiCamillo's "wonky in the extreme" text and Van Dusen's energetic, innocent art.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-K—An intriguing porthole cut into this book's cover reveals an endpaper illustration of a little boat riding a wave. Searching for its marine animal friends, the tugboatlike craft travels on rolling waters, past sea monsters, and through treacherous rocks. Once the boat is reunited with its companions, the fun really begins. Large yellow eyes give the boat a likable appearance and plenty of action keeps the tale moving. The message is somewhat reminiscent of Watty Piper's The Little Engine That Could (Grosset & Dunlap, 1978) as the vessel never gives up. The descriptive, first-person narrative is creatively mingled with mood-setting watercolor and ink artwork. Illustrated endpapers allow readers to use their imaginations to continue the story. Teachers could use Docherty's book along with Kathy Henderson's The Little Boat (Candlewick, 1995; o.p.) and Janet Buell's Sail Away, Little Boat (Carolrhoda, 2006) for compare-and-contrast activities. A good choice for sailing-themed storytimes.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

K-Gr 2—A boy packs up all of the necessary gear for a day at the beach, like goggles, snorkel, flippers, bathing suit, and, of course, a big yellow inner tube. The only problem is: it's raining. His imagination then takes over as he secures an airplane, a sailboat, a truck, a camel, and some sand, and finally arrives at the sea. After he and his friendly camel enjoy a day in the sun and surf, the boy returns home via Antarctica, this time using a whole new set of ingenious vehicles. Where next? This clever book is complemented by beautiful ink and watercolor drawings of the landscapes that the boy has created. The simple narrative encourages youngsters to think for themselves and never to limit the places their imaginations will take them.—Kate Neff, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

PreS-Gr 1—This playful alphabet offering combines bold artwork with rhyming, conversational text to muse about a variety of zoo residents. The cover, with its corrugated texture and an illustration of a giraffe equaled in height by a stack of turtles, invites readers to peer inside. Large graphic-style cartoon images of the animals, presented against solid-colored backdrops, fill the pages. Though the (sometimes awkward) verses offer a smattering of facts about each critter, they lean more toward the whimsical and occasionally encourage readers to think beyond the pictures. For example, a unicorn is included, but the author admits that it "…wasn't really at the zoo./i'm just seeing if you're paying attention,/so i played a trick on you!" He also ponders why a vulture, with its "bald, wrinkled head," doesn't "wear a wig" and comments seriously about fox fur coats. The entry for "X" cleverly skirts the issue: "i couldn't find an animal for x,/so instead i grabbed a quick snack" (a plate of cookies that is immediately consumed by the next animal, a yak). An additional purchase.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX

K-Gr 3—Doyen's utterly sound and alive story is paired with the perfect illustrator, whose deft touch provides all the eeriness that it begs for. The cautionary tale begins with the "eldermice" telling the youngsters who are gathered to play in the night air that the woods and ponds are filled with creatures dangerous to their kind. With gloriously nonsensical words and phrases (e.g., "scritchscrambles"), the author manages to get the point across that there is much to fear in the night. Jam Boy doesn't listen and instead brags that he is unafraid, and he stays to play alone by the pond. Here the language grows taut with suspense, and Moser's dark backdrop is punctuated with fireflies. "Half-submerged, a slender queen/Esses 'cross the pond unseen,/Sly serpentine—bound not to miss…." Out of nowhere a snake roils, coils, and lashes. Splash! What has happened to Jam Boy? Children will be sitting on the edge of their seats awaiting some news about their fallen protagonist. Despite the dark feel, there is much to rejoice about in learning of Jam Boy's fate. Ultimately a story of youthful arrogance—or as Doyen calls it, "furry overconfidence"—versus the elders' wise experience, this wonderful book is a marvelous read-aloud that children will want to hear again and again. It is too good to save for Halloween.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PreS-Gr 1—In this Australian import, some things aren't as scary as they seem. The story is told in rhyme, with mixed-media cartoon illustrations. "Six little rabbits/Down by the lake/Munching on carrots/And chocolate cake" hear a mysterious, frightening "Plop" in the water. Five of them flee the forest, and are soon followed by an illogical assortment of animals, including a goose, antelope, leopard, moose, and pig. A big brown bear, infuriated at the thought of a creature more fearsome than he, bullies the littlest, stay-behind rabbit into showing him where this Terrible PLOP is. It proves to be only an apple falling into the lake from a nearby tree, yet the bear, too, unaccountably runs off in terror, and the rabbit happily returns to munching cake, carrots, and apples. Children would love the repetition of the word "PLOP," but the pedestrian story line, bland rhyming text, and mediocre artwork add up to a less-than-satisfying offering.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

PreS-Gr 2—The mice are having a harvest party in the garden and everyone is invited, except for the scary cat. He eats meat and makes the mice feel "edgy." Once the house lights are turned off and night closes in, the decorations start looking mighty spooky. Perhaps they're just scary enough to give that pesky cat a fright? Indeed, he ends up being a scaredy cat and the story concludes with the mice partying on. Ehlert uses her signature collage artwork to evoke the textures, shapes, and colors of autumn that pop against the red backgrounds, teal paper, and green vegetables. The art is more frenetic here than in some of her other work, but it suits the story perfectly. It's only natural that the garden would be a whirlwind of activity. The rhyme scheme works well, although there is one odd line: "Seeing that puss could spoil our summer." Yes, "summer" rhymes with the previous "bummer," but the action takes place in the fall. The end is enhanced by photos of various squashes, nuts, and fruits (all labeled) as well as a recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds. This title will please Ehlert's fans, and it is tailor-made for autumn-themed programs. Pair it with Anne Rockwell's Apples and Pumpkins (S & S, 1989) or Carin Berger's The Little Yellow Leaf (HarperCollins, 2008).—Laura Lutz, formerly at Queens Borough Public Library, NY

PreS—This little piggy has a problem. Even though he has outgrown his tricycle, he's still not ready to sell it at his family's yard sale. He tries hiding it behind different items throughout the morning, but there are still interested buyers. Finally the piglet must come to terms with letting it go. But it turns out that the day's proceeds are designated for a satisfying ending—a new bike. Elya is focused as usual on the transitions of childhood and how difficult they can be for young children. Another hallmark of her writing is her incorporation of Spanish vocabulary into the rhyming text. The end rhymes can sometimes be clunky to read aloud, but the use of Spanish words in context (and in a bold font) is well done. Schlossberg's illustrations are friendly and familiar—children will relate to the pig's expressions as people show interest in his beloved tricycle, and there are lots of little details for children to pore over in them. This book will be a hit in both bilingual storytimes and with families as well.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 1–3—What is happening to Miss Malarkey? Her students are concerned about their beloved teacher because she is singing in the halls and laughing with the principal. Maybe she's won a lot of money, or perhaps she's going to quit and become an astronaut. Most of the boys think it's weird when she starts a unit on wedding customs, but the girls are fascinated. The inquisitive narrator's fears build until he learns that she is about to reveal a secret to the class. Each student receives an invitation to attend Miss Malarkey's marriage to Bob Fulla. Yes, the joke is obvious: Should they call her Mrs. Fulla-Malarkey? The authors take liberal license to make that groaner since a maiden name usually comes before the hyphen, not after. Cartoon illustrations drawn with markers and colored pencils round out the humor in this picture book, which includes a variety of layouts and changes in perspective. This is a light bit of entertainment that youngsters are sure to enjoy despite a somewhat contrived story line. The snippets about marriage customs provide a springboard to discuss different cultures. The voice of the narrator reflects the kinds of observations young boys like to make: "The guy Miss Malarkey was gonna marry had a big chin." "I even saw Principal Wiggins laugh so hard…that his hair almost slipped off." This latest installment in the series will be a hit.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 1—One day Lambkin's friend Ducky comes to visit and decides that they should play laundry day, immediately zeroing in on her friend's much-loved and rather-soiled blanket. Lambkin is none too happy, but she decides it is worth it to play with Ducky. Once the blanket is washed, it's cleaner, but it's also smaller and has some holes. Lambkin is upset, but Ducky surprises her by turning the blanket into a little toy lamb. This is a good story to read to young children when it is nearing the time to give up their blankets, or any little "friend" they are getting too old to carry everywhere. The overall feel is one of gentleness, from the soft style of illustrations to the tone of the dialogue between the two friends. This is a sweet book about two different friendships, one that fades away with age, and one that is strengthened with time and caring.—Kate Neff, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

PreS-Gr 2—This new offering in Gay's delightful series about inquisitive and imaginative Stella explores her vantage points from each developmental stage to date. As a crawler, she's eye to eye with a turtle. While her curly orange locks distinguish her from the reptile, the green attire and prone position suggest a mirror image. A goldfish and dog phase follow. Gay's sensitivity to the rich inner life of childhood flows into her art and language. As a toddler, Stella ascends to the top of the sofa, surveying "the whole world." A seven-rung ladder propped against the cushions suggests her perception of the adventure. When she is a preschooler, the words in her book "looked like ants running off the pages," and that's just how they appear. Gay's mixed-media scenes dance with the energy of scribbled butterflies on the walls, teetering objects, and a blanket-turned-turban that flaps as Stella braves the desert storm in the sandbox. When she becomes bigger, the turtle struggles to keep up with her brisk pace. Her yard is no longer a force with which to be reckoned, but rather an orderly place where she pursues entomology. As for her literacy skills, "the ants in her books have become words, and the words have become stories." Stella is pictured reading to little Sam (who's now wearing the green outfit). Subtle and sweet, yet full of life and humor, the child's world is a place kids will want to visit again and again.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 2–3—Muktar, a Somali orphan in Kenya, misses the nomadic life of his people. His friend Ismail is determined to learn the "new ways" at their orphanage school, but Muktar daydreams of camels and the important place they have in his culture. When a trio of camels visits his school bearing a traveling library, Muktar cares for them so well that he is offered a job doing just that. While many books offer a view of third-world cultures, they often mirror our own values and concerns: Katie Smith Milway's One Hen (Kids Can, 2008) tells the story of nascent capitalism in Ghana; Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen's commendable "Elizabeti" titles (Lee & Low) enlighten readers about Tanzanian family life. Graber's story offers an anthropologist's appreciation for Somali nomadic culture without westernizing Muktar. He is not a bookworm or entrepreneur—he is a displaced child who is made drowsy by the "tangy smell of fresh excrement." Muktar longs to live the life that is in his blood, and Graber tells his story well, though the simple maps and the brief historical context come at the end of the book or on the endpapers. Readers may be concerned when the teacher calls Muktar "lazy" and will have to dig deep to appreciate a dream about dung collection, but the effort will be worthwhile. Mack's oil-on-canvas paintings evoke the sun and dust of Kenya, giving readers an impression of the landscape.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Gr 1–3—Gloria is thrilled at the prospect of being the flower girl at her sister's wedding. Although her mother warns her not to touch her new dress until the big day, the temptation proves irresistible. Gloria surreptitiously slides on her long white gloves and leads an imaginary orchestra, then sneaks out of the house wearing her pristine shoes and delights in their "wonderful echo." Emboldened, she models her gown to friends at the playground. Disaster strikes at a tea party with her dolls when she spills lime green soda onto her dress: "The stain loomed over Gloria like a hideous green monster." On the wedding day, she strategically holds her bouquet and hopes no one will notice. The bride is understanding (also having stained her own dress) and says to her little sister, "You and I are so much alike." Taking up three-quarters of each oblong spread, Graham's cartoonlike chalk pastel illustrations have a retro feel. Characters sport beehive hairdos, cat eyeglasses, and go-go boots. Readers will relate to this funny story of Gloria's struggle with self-restraint.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 2—After a particularly trying morning, a grumpy dad morphs into a grizzly bear. His son is surprised but vows to look after him. The boy starts with a quick trip to the bathroom to help his messy father clean up and then gives him breakfast. It's here that the cranky grizzly gets a much-needed talking to from his son about his attitude. The chastised bear and his son are soon headed to town for a movie, bonding in the park and just hanging out together. Back home the fun continues with honey sandwiches, soccer on TV, and the thing that all Dads in any form do best—give great, big bear hugs. Grizzly dad transforms back into human dad just as mom and the boy's younger siblings return. This is a tale that children and their parents will easily relate to. The amusing illustrations are an ideal match for the text, which varies in font for emphasis. Using ample details, pitch-perfect color, excellent facial expressions, and a combination of single pages and full spreads, Harrison's artwork brings her text to life. The look on the dad's face when he discovers he's a bear is priceless. There's plenty to see in each humorous picture, but this oversize book will still work well in a group setting. An excellent sequel to Harrison's When Mom Turned into a Monster (Carolrhoda, 1996).—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 2—This unique retelling of the classic story is intended to be a cautionary tale about bullying, but it falls somewhat flat. Troll hides under the jungle gym and intimidates his classmates into emptying their pockets. This pattern continues until he meets the goats, and various family members refuse to give up their stuff. Ultimately, he is taken to the head teacher's office and later returns all of the stolen treasures, but there is no reconciliation with the other students, and transferring Troll to another school is not the best solution. Readers do not have to consider the consequences for Troll or his relationship with others. A CD with two readings of the story (one includes page-turns and the other "to enjoy with or without the book") is included. Lavish use of white space, clever illustrations, and an unusual typeface create an attractive package, but this is not an essential purchase.—Michele Sealander, Hamburg School, NJ

PreS-K—Grown-ups know that kids generally don't like eating broccoli. Apparently, neither do monsters. Sure, they like tractors, rocket ships, and boulders. Only don't give them artichokes, lima beans, or anything green. When the "monsters" eat giant maple trees, though, they discover they have been fooled into eating the dreaded broccoli. The next spread reveals that the monsters are children who have fallen for that age-old adult trick of calling broccoli "trees." Not only that, but they also discover that "trees" are so delicious, they beg for "Another helping, please." For the most part, the rhyming text flows nicely when read aloud but it stumbles when the monsters repeatedly shout, "Fum,/foe,/fie,/fee,/monsters don't eat broccoli." The gouache illustrations are bright and textured; they pop off the page. However, the monsters and the backgrounds are done in similar hues so that the creatures sometimes blend into the scenery. Among a crowded field, this title doesn't stand out. Recommend Mitchell Sharmat's Gregory, the Terrible Eater (Scholastic, 1984) or Kenneth Oppel's The King's Taster (HarperCollins, 2009) instead.—Laura Lutz, formerly at Queens Borough Public Library, NY

PreS—Duck and Goose are searching for a pumpkin like the one their friend Thistle has. They look unsuccessfully in a hollow log, in a pile of bright autumn leaves, and in an apple tree. They even look under the water and on top of a stump before Thistle suggests that they look in the pumpkin patch. On the final spread, they are shown carrying a large pumpkin between them, and Goose says, "We sure know how to find a pumpkin, Duck," and Duck agrees. This appealing story is told in simple, well-chosen words and illustrated with uncluttered oil paintings done in autumn colors. Signs of the season are everywhere. Dark red apples have fallen to the ground, a lone acorn sits on a tree stump, and orange leaves lay lightly on the grass under a pellucid blue sky. Preschoolers on their annual pilgrimage to the local pumpkin patch will identify with Goose and Duck.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-Gr 3—Hoberman has tackled the elusive question of what makes a family a family in this sometimes silly, sometimes serious book of rhymes. She likens families to numerous items that share a relationship and are inherently the same. Her refrain says it all, "Bottle caps, gingersnaps, buttons, or rings/You can make families from all sorts of things!" Other families include tools, balloons, thimbles, and marbles, but the verses make it clear that human families are much more than a conglomeration of like, easily categorized, things; they share a human history and the promise of many more families to come. No matter what, making a family is about seeing the likenesses, not the differences. Boutavant provides colorful illustrations that vary from page to page, but as a group, complement the rhymes. Pair this with Jusin Richardson and Peter Parnell's And Tango Makes Three (S & S, 2005), Arnold Adoff's Black Is Brown Is Tan (HarperCollins, 2002); Nancy Coffelt's Fred Stays with Me! (Little, Brown, 2007), and Remy Charlip's A Perfect Day (HarperCollins, 2007) to introduce the idea that, indeed, there are all kinds of families.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 3–5—Piper Reed is back and is as charming as ever. This time, the spunky Navy brat is determined to earn enough money to purchase a clubhouse for her Gypsy Club. Unfortunately, being a birthday-party planner isn't as easy as she anticipated. Soon the fifth grader finds herself in over her head and still without any money. Can she pull it together in time to find a meeting place for the club members, or will they forever be stuck without a home? Occasional black-and-white line drawings capture the girls' expressions and antics. This book is a good addition to the series and is also a natural for fans of Clementine or Judy Moody, as well as readers ready to step beyond Junie B. Jones.—Elizabeth Swistock, Jefferson Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA

Gr 1–3—Isaac's busy day ends with a bedtime story and prayers. The youngster begins by asking God to bless Mommy and Daddy and then proceeds to request a multitude of blessings on his family, friends, and "all the creatures that inhabit the earth." His father guides the boy through his prayers, patiently answering his questions. The child's requests for God to bless the homeless and for world peace lead to a general discussion on whether everyone prays and whether God is listening. The soft-focus acrylic and collage illustrations are warm and soothing, supporting a story that is quiet and loving. A checked border frames the pages with colorful quilt blocks bleeding into the scenes of bedroom, neighborhood, church, and school. This book would be of interest mostly to parents who want assistance in encouraging the practice of bedtime prayers in their homes.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—A boy describes the morning routine he shares with his grandmother as she prepares for work. Flights of fancy enliven the tasks of bathing, eating breakfast, and dressing. When the pair arrive at her workplace, readers discover that Abuelita is a storyteller—a calling that her grandson shares. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, often followed by brief definitions. For example, the boy says, "I live with my grandma…I call her Abuelita." Johnston effectively engages young readers' interest by mentioning the woman's work, but not revealing what she does until the final page. Morales's bold, innovative illustrations brilliantly reinforce the text. On one spread, Johnston writes that Abuelita is "robust…like a calabaza. A pumpkin." On the left, children see a cheerful, round person, while a mirror on the right shows a pumpkin with Abuelita's smiling face. The illustrations represent a fresh new direction for Morales. Characters molded from polymer clay are dressed in brightly patterned fabrics and placed among images that evoke Mexican art. Abuelita's mirror is framed by traditional metalwork, and her storytelling props include a winged serpent and a Day of the Dead skeleton. While the story is firmly placed in a Mexican context, children of all ethnic and racial backgrounds will be drawn to the eye-catching illustrations and the universal story of a loving intergenerational relationship.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 1–3—In school, Tuyet constructs a pinecone turkey and learns about Thanksgiving. At home, the child is dismayed because her mother is serving a family recipe from Vietnam of duck with spicy sauce instead of a traditional dinner. She counts her money to see if she has enough to buy a turkey, and then learns that the Saigon Supermarket where they shop does not sell it. Tuyet sets her pinecone creation beside her plate, so there will be a turkey on the Thanksgiving table. She enjoys a wonderful dinner "with lots of good food and family fun" and even has seconds of the delicious duck. Her worries return when she has to admit to her class that she did not eat turkey for the holiday. To her surprise, her classmates chime in with the alternative dishes they had on their tables. This sweet tale is written in straightforward prose and provides a brief glimpse of another culture. Mitter's bright illustrations accented with cozy details draw readers into Tuyet's happy home and enhance the story's heartwarming message.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 2—A boy describes his supersize affection for his mother. Though others perceive her as "fat," the child revels in the comfort and safety that her body provides: "Her hands are pillows, her arms are bolsters. And her chest…as soon as I lay my head on her chest, I feel like falling asleep with a great big smile on my face." When the woman decides to go on a diet, the youngster struggles to understand why she eats small, unappealing portions. ("It's like giving a tiny little bone to a huge dog. How silly.") Dreading the prospect of having "a skinny little mother," he finally convinces her that she is perfect just as she is. Mamma happily gives up her diet—"I only did it because of other people"—and equilibrium is restored in their relationship and in their household. The straightforward text clearly reflects a child's perspective of how a beloved parent looms large in his or her world and expresses the emotional satisfaction conveyed by a cuddle. Painted in deep hues of orange and green, the digital artwork features cartoon characters drawn with soft, rounded edges. The faces of both mother and son glow with warm emotion. If you can put the health-related obesity concerns aside, the book's message of nonjudgmental love is sweetly reassuring.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Old Man Gator begins this story in rhyme by tapping his toes "down in the swamp where the cypress grows." He is soon joined by Ibis, who flaps her wings at the water's edge. Moorhen calls to her chicks, and Wood Stork is "clackin' her bill/and puffin' her chest" as she leaves her nest. Added to these distinctive sounds are Dragonfly's whirring wings, Wild Boar's grunts, and Bullfrog's croaks. Black Bear sharpens his claws on a cypress tree, while Pygmy Rattler shakes his rattles. Red Fox warns Gator away from her kits with a "yip, yip, yippity-yip,/YIP, YIP, YIP." The sunny illustrations are done with colored ink lines and acrylic wash paint against mostly white backgrounds. Each animal musician wears just enough clothing to establish an attitude—like Woodpecker's black leather vest and chain necklace or Squirrel's cowboy hat and fringed vest. Children will be tapping their toes with Old Man Gator and creating their own cacophony of swamp sounds as they learn about the inhabitants of this habitat.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–3—Catie is back, and this time the black Lab makes a new friend. Santol is a trained seeing-eye dog who works as the canine ambassador at the Château Frontenac in Quebec City, just as Catie does in Boston, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. Her visitor spends a fun day with Catie and her person playing on Boston Common. The next day, when Jim drives Santol home, Catie goes along. In Quebec, Santol shows his guest his city and introduces her to his friends. In the evening, Catie is frightened by the sounds of fireworks and runs away. Luckily, she meets the cart horse and driver who are Santol's friends, and they escort her back to his hotel. Kovacs again mixes fact about these real-life animals and fiction. Williams's cheery illustrations aptly depict the action. The text is a bit long and dry for storytime but might work one-on-one.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 1–2—These titles painlessly interweave social studies and science lessons with lighthearted fictional narratives. Small pop-out boxes separate the lesson ideas from the story lines. The Messiest Room uses easy text and cartoon watercolor illustrations to chronicle two friends' contest entry using sequencing concepts such as "before," "during," "after," "first," "next," "then," "past," "present," and "future," and includes a plus—a plug for organization. Whoa! UFO! describes Kara and Billy's sighting of a UFO and how the children use scientific techniques like interviewing and documenting to investigate. In the process, they discuss the path of the Moon, rotation of the Earth, the misnaming of meteors as shooting stars, and the deceptive size of distant objects. The children are illustrated in bright colors and look a little like clay models. In Who Needs It?, watercolor cartoons and casual text relate two friends' differing approaches to a camping trip and how needs and wants dictate their packing lists. Gus takes a survivor approach, while Mickey is more of a luxury camper. Predictably, the ideal is somewhere between the two. The books conclude with simple, engaging activities and comprehension questions.—S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GA

K-Gr 3—Dedicated to "the voiceless," this simple book with minimal text and pictures limns the lifelong friendship between an elephant and a tree. At the beginning, "The tree and the elephant were best of friends, both were young and both were small." Gradually they grow—the mature elephant tells the tree of his wanderings and the tree becomes taller than all the others in the forest and tells his friend about the world outside their home. Then "progress" comes: the elephant is captured and the tree is cut down to make the elephant's saddle. Still together, they live their days reminding one another of their past when both were free. The artistic chalklike line drawings in lime green are set against black pages with lime green text until the disaster strikes. Then the text and the changes that happen to the two friends are drawn in white. This is a poetic and sad story, bemoaning the loss of habitat and the sorrow of captivity in a direct and simple way that children can comprehend. The book makes for a stunning presentation, but will work best when shared with an adult.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 3—Lester's originality shines brightly in this whimsical tale of a curious boy who senses ghosts outside his bedroom window and decides to pursue them. This story includes delectable imagery as seen in the opening pages: "…Sister Moon unfolded her arms to let her light pour down over the countryside like fresh milk on cereal." Valério's folk-inspired paintings are created in vivid blues, purples, and greens, and are representative of the night in which Malcolm spends most of his time searching for his new friends. The ghostly creatures turn out to be nonmenacing and only needing to find food. The child saves the day by finding the remnant ghosts of fruits and vegetables to feed his acquaintances. The story is clever and charming and will give families another choice for Halloween, or ease little ones' fears of ghosts. The only disappointment is the lack of development of certain aspects of the story. The tale is rich and complex, but the addition of unexplained characters such as Malcolm's "ringring bird" might leave youngsters slightly confused or puzzled. A worthwhile purchase nonetheless.—Adrienne Wilson, Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, Monroe, CT

PreS-Gr 2—In this story that encourages animal adoption, a Portuguese water dog wanders the world in search of the perfect place to live. The stray encounters 10 fellow canines along the way, including a Newfoundland and Russian wolfhound in their homelands, a Shar-Pei at the Great Wall, and a dingo in Australia. None of their habitats suit him. Returning to his old neighborhood, the pooch reads a newspaper headline, "First Family Looks for Dog." He squeezes through the wrought iron gate and trots to the White House entrance, where he sits in front of an open door exposing two pairs of legs. A single line of text reads, "Daddy, Daddy, can we keep him?" The authors slam-dunk the story with an emphatic, "Yes, we can!" A view of the dog sprawled asleep on the Oval Office carpet follows. Bowers's realistic yet comic illustrations blend rich vistas with charming poses and great facial expressions. The endpapers give facts about each breed the pup met along the way. Curiously, a Portuguese water dog is not included. Lewis and his daughter dedicate their book to those in the rescue community and offer ways to help these organizations. This makes one willing to give the authors license and overlook the fact that the Obama dog did not come from a shelter.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Gr 1–5—This allegorical tale of a boy who finds and befriends a fallen moon and then helps it find its way back home warrants repeated readings. The threads of the story depend squarely on the black line and watercolor illustrations for interpretation. When the moon inexplicably plummets into a pond, the normal lunar cycles stop. Factories respond to this crisis by manufacturing shining full moons for everyone. Meanwhile, the boy takes the real moon home, and they develop a close friendship. Eventually the world's artificial moons grow dim and useless, and the boy knows he must persuade the real one to resume its rightful place in the Earth's orbit. Juxtaposing day and night, shadow and light in glowing shades of blue, green, and yellow, page spreads, some of them stunning, vary in design and contrast busily detailed urban street scenes with restful natural landscapes. Giant woodland animals, mysteriously lurking in the shadows of city or forest, punctuate the dreamlike nature of the story. Liao's fans will find plenty of his trademark imagery, inventiveness, and meditative musings in this offering.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

K-Gr 4—Young Moonshadow embraces the wisdom and warmth of his grandfather before his family of swans prepares for a long and perilous journey south for the winter. Curious about the change that comes with migration, different seasons, and his ability to fly that far, the cygnet is comforted to learn that in years past his great grandfather successfully led the way to warmer lands. The flock's journey takes flight and they press on through day and night, stopping only when rest is needed. Moonshadow experiences the mesmerizing Northern Lights, the beauty of picturesque towns, and the dazzling sea speckled with islands. As his weaker and inexperienced wings flail through an unexpected and dangerous storm, his parents guide him to safety, only to find that Grandfather didn't make it. Moonshadow's father leads the flock to its destination, where it is explained to the youngster that he will someday lead as well. Lobel skillfully moves the plot forward while creating appropriate character development for Moonshadow, who copes with change and death. The subject matter is addressed with gentle purpose, especially the issue of "life cycle." Littlewood's combination of watercolors and gouache on textured paper of light and dark hues adds to the moods and movement of the book. The pictures capture the elements of nature in both harsh and calm circumstances. A few well-crafted, subtle metaphors provide this captivating title with real substance. The illustrations combine perfectly with outstanding storytelling.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

Gr 1–3—It's a pirate-themed holiday for Judy and younger brother Stink as the Moody family makes their way to historic Ocracoke Island, home of Blackbeard. Stepping off the ferry, the siblings enthusiastically tackle a scavenger hunt organized by "Scurvy Sam," aka Cap'n Weevil. Solving each riddle leads to "pieces of eight" given by locals playing along with the contest. As Judy and Stink race around the island, two other kids seem to be hot on their heels. With a bit of ingenuity and perseverance, the Moodys manage to outwit their competition. Their joy in victory is tempered by the realization that the other kids who have been trying hard have inadvertently led them to the answers on a number of their clues. They decide to include them on their prize trip—a sail around the bay on a real pirate ship. With a mix of pirate slang, silly jokes, Morse code, and tantalizing puzzles, enlivened with full-color cartoons throughout, this book is a humorous summer read.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 3—A young musician describes the week leading up to her first piano recital: "Hoo boy, have I been practicing!" She has memorized her piece, "Dance of the Wood Elves," and plays it over and over, using her imagination to add to her "musical interpretation" (a humorous spread shows a woodland scene with the girl playing as elves cavort across the top of the piano). On the big day, she wears her lucky underwear and rehearses taking a bow in front of her stuffed animals. She's all confidence in the car even as her big brother taunts her, and remains "cool as a cucumber" backstage, but when it's her turn she freezes up ("Fingers? Hello?"). Placing her hands in starting position, she accidentally puts her thumb on middle C and inspiration hits: she plays this note repeatedly—like thunder, like wind, and finally like "tiny wood elves who have lost their lucky underwear"—to the great surprise and admiration of the audience. Drawn with pen and ink and colored digitally, the cartoon artwork merrily depicts the action while illustrating the young maestro's funny flights of fancy. Sharp lines, clean layouts, and clever details add to the fun. The first-person narrative strikes just the right note, revealing feelings and concerns that will be familiar to any child who has ever been in a performance situation.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 1–3—A story set in 1951, when most public libraries in the South were for whites only. Louis, an African-American child, needs to find information on the boyhood of Abraham Lincoln for a school report. Using his usual sources, his father's collection of books and the family's church library, he still cannot find what he needs and longs to be allowed to visit the local public library. Bravely conquering his fear, he walks into the building and is met by total disapprobation by everyone except one understanding librarian, who finds a way to help him. Soft, rich watercolor illustrations accompany the text, creating a compelling look at an important piece of history. Some brief facts on Lincoln and the slavery issue, a suggested list of further reading, and a note on the history behind the book's subject are appended.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Gr 2–4—These eye-catching transitional readers pack a lot into each slim volume: comics, humor, common childhood problems, science experiments, history, science fiction, and more. Flip-flopping between a comic and notebook format, the narratives follow the everyday life of an elementary school student and the supposedly real comic adventures of an alien eraser that claims to have taken over his brain. The alien's plan is to inspire Max to draw comics about his "glorious deeds," which include such feats as building the ancient Egyptian pyramids. Besides having his brain controlled by an alien, Max has an assortment of other things to deal with: a moody teenage brother, a boring teacher who confiscates his favorite belongings, and parents who have recently separated. He expresses and illustrates these everyday troubles with humorous, colorful drawings and diagrams of imaginative inventions, such as the "referee robot," designed to control fighting parents; and the "Book-to-Brain Zapper," which translates books into one's own words, creating a "report [that] miraculously writes itself with NO spelling mistakes." These books are full of fun, facts, and adventures that are sure to capture the interest of both reluctant and avid readers.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

Gr 1–4—This is not the kind of tribute that Yankee Stadium deserves. Postgame, George Steinbrenner calls Ray, the batboy, to his office to tell him that Yankee Stadium will be torn down, and he asks Ray to tell the good ol' boys—Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, et al—that they can return to the stadium "one last time and say good-bye." At this point, it's unclear how Ray will do this or what the Boss is talking about; then, they wax poetic about the "old lady" and about how the greats will be carried in fans' hearts forever. Ray fulfills his assignment. The guys are gathered in a "magic room," and he lets them out to play one last time. Naturally, it's the game of a lifetime. As they are playing, they hear bulldozers, and Steinbrenner gets a call that the stadium is coming down immediately. Everyone has to run to the magic room or risk never being able to leave. The text is overlong and maudlin. The color illustrations are static, and there are jarring close-ups of Ray's face. Even New York City libraries should be wary of purchasing this title.—Laura Lutz, formerly at Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—Twins Matt and Bibi return in another math-and-travel adventure. This time they trek with their family, and the dog, to Paris, where they visit the pastry academy Les Jumelles Coccinelle. (Oddly, no English translation of the name is woven into the story, and its clever double entendre will be lost on most readers without a French dictionary handy.) Chef Celine puts the twins in charge of liquids, setting in motion, via conversational text and bold, bright, and amusing watercolor illustrations, basic lessons in American standard and metric liquid measurement. When the Inspector General of French cooking schools suddenly announces a visit, the siblings save the day by employing their newfound knowledge of volume measurements (and Riley's tail) to whip up a winning, unusual ice cream. C'est magnifique! While children will enjoy the twins' slapstick culinary adventures and take in a miniature math lesson with Parisian flair in the bargain, this title will be most useful as a supplemental, more literacy-focused addition to capacity measurement units. An endnote offers adults numerous (and more realistic) ideas for activities.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

Gr 1–4—Sir Cumference and his wife, Lady Di, are back in another math adventure. As the hosts of a surprise birthday party for King Arthur, the couple needs to organize a growing number of guests for events to run smoothly. After several fumbling attempts to count the crowd, Sir Cumference realizes that the simplest way to figure out the total is to group the guests into tens, hundreds, and ultimately thousands. This system allows the royal celebration to take place without a hitch, resulting in a happy ending for all. Children will enjoy the lesson built into this tale and identify with the birthday-party theme. While the story can be enjoyed independently, most youngsters would benefit from sharing the book with an adult to fully understand the place value system. The math concept is explained in more detail in an author's note. The painterly acrylic illustrations convey the action with humorous exaggeration and amusing details (the depiction of a farmer and his wife is reminiscent of Grand Wood's American Gothic). Libraries in which this series is popular will want to consider purchasing this title.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 2—This pointless book starts with a boy yelling hysterically to get the attention of a crowd of kids. "Do Not Build a Frankenstein!" he admonishes to anyone who will listen. He is speaking from his own experience. Sure, it was fun having a giant monster to play with at first, but he soon tired of him breaking toys, scaring friends away, and following him everywhere. The only solution was to move to a new town, but not really, because Frankenstein finds him anyway. And the kids ignore the boy and run off to play with the monster. End of story. The cartoon children are drawn with skinny bodies, big round heads, and exaggerated expressions. Frankenstein has a giant green torso atop spindly legs with a pin-sized head. Stick with Ed Emberley's Go Away, Big Green Monster! (Little, Brown, 2005) and skip this Frankenstein.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 1—Monday is Library Day and Fancy Nancy is thrilled that she gets to pick out a book ("It is like getting a present for a week!") and write a report about a real person. She chooses Sacajawea, "…a princess [who] lived two hundred years ago out West." Somehow, however, Nancy is only able to concentrate on the artistic masterpiece she creates for the cover of her assignment, and leaves herself time to write a report of only two sentences before falling asleep. The girl needs a true heroine to come to the rescue when she presents her report, and her understanding teacher rises to the occasion. The text contains short sentences, an easy-on-the-eyes font size, and plenty of white space. New "fancy" words are defined throughout the text and in a glossary. This artistic endeavor is accompanied by the expected colorfully detailed illustrations. A welcome addition for independent readers.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX

K-Gr 3—Nancy returns with all of the sophistication, aplomb, and humor she displayed in her previous books. She and her best friend, Bree, have created an exclusive club (they are the sole members) for their nature studies. The Explorers Extraordinaire have official membership certificates, a dress code, and, most importantly, a clubhouse. Their mission is to search for bugs, birds, and leaves in their backyards and record what they find in their notebooks. Back in their clubhouse, the explorers do additional research to learn more about their discoveries. When younger siblings ask to join the club, they are rejected for lack of maturity. After finding a baby bird that has fallen from his nest, the junior explorers are allowed to join. This slim title is packed with a lot of information about nature, but the vocabulary makes it too challenging for beginning readers. That aside, it is one of Nancy's most captivating adventures. The pages overflow with her personality and style. Text and illustrations pull together to show readers what a smart and complex character she is. A sure winner for eager young explorers.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 3–5—Haggy Aggy would prefer to be human, much to the chagrin of her cat, Rumblewick. She would rather spend her time doing "Othersider" things, like taking ballet, going to gym class, and having sleepovers with friends. Rumblewick does his best to get her to do her witchly duties to please the High Hags and witch society. The books are a diary of his misadventures and near-misses with disaster. Haggy Aggy uses magic to help her pass as human, and the books include a few of her spells to help improve her dance and gymnastic skills. They also have a lot of full-page cartoon illustrations and spot art that will appeal to children, especially reluctant readers. There are a few difficult vocabulary words throughout the texts, but the stories are frothy and funny. Quick, lighthearted reads.—Jane Cronkhite, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2—Roberto's reward for good grades is a trip with his uncle up the teleférico, or cable car, to the mountains overlooking Caracas, Venezuela. Roberto had hoped to take pictures for his father, who has stayed behind tending the store, but he drops the camera down a ravine. The disappointed but resourceful lad then asks a vendor to take a snapshot so he can share his adventure with Papá after all. The text is primarily narrative, relating what happens to Roberto, and its direct prose makes it better suited to independent reading than to reading aloud. The book uses little figurative language, but a simile comparing cable cars to spaceships nicely conveys a child's sense of wonder in new experiences. The round, cheerful faces in the illustrations highlight the simple joys found in the text. Alarcão's heavy brushstrokes also evoke the mists that hang over the tropical rain forests of Venezuela's mountains. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, and children can use contextual clues to guess their meanings (or use the glossary). However, the writers use many phrases that are more common in Mexico than in Venezuela, such as ándale and peso. Moreover, the description of a tortilla fits the Mexican usage of this term, whereas in Venezuela the word tortilla is used to describe a fritatta. Although the book is a nice introduction to a relatively unfamiliar country, it does not accurately reflect Venezuelan Spanish.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

Gr 2–4—Pennypacker ably continues the adventures of Flat Stanley, originated by Jeff Brown, in this short chapter book. Having been flattened by a falling bulletin board, the half-an-inch-thick boy uses his unique physique to good advantage, mailing himself places, slipping under doors, and wriggling through thin cracks. In this installment, Stanley Lambchop receives a letter from Sir Abu Shenti Hawara, who offers him a chance to go to Egypt and assist on an important archaeological dig. He travels via airmail in an envelope provided by Hawara. Once there, Stanley befriends a girl named Amisi. Together, they thwart a group of thugs intent on thieving treasures from an ancient tomb. The narrative is filled with touches of lighthearted humor. The story stands on its own, and the exposition explaining Stanley's previous adventure foiling art thieves seems unnecessary. Large font and a generous proportion of sharp-angled cartoon drawings make this book a quick and easy read. Appended are a fact sheet on Egypt and a teaser chapter from the next installment in the series, certain to hook readers into coming back for more.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 2–4—Capitalizing on the extremely popular (and more than 40-year-old) character created by Jeff Brown, Pennypacker's new travel-themed series features the same tongue-in-cheek humor and earnest, goody-two-shoes sensibility of the original. Here, the flattened-by-a-bulletin-board boy and the rest of the Lambchop family go on vacation to Mount Rushmore, where Stanley and his brother share an adventure with a young gold miner named Calamity Jasper. Stanley's unique abilities allow him to shine as a hero, causing some friction with Arthur, but in the end, they work together to save the day. Readers will find authenticity and humor in the siblings' rivalry, and Calamity Jasper, with her over-the-top Western dialogue, is a perfect slapstick foil to the boys. As an added bonus, interesting historical and geographical information is included in the story and related facts are appended. Though the modernized, cartoon pencil sketches are not as delightfully ridiculous as the artwork in the original series, they integrate well with the plot. Educational and fun, this action-filled tale makes a great choice for early-chapter-book collections; it will surely cause a resurgence of interest in the original series, as well as a desire to read the subsequent installations in the reboot.—Nicole Waskie, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

K-Gr 3—Charlie takes his goldfish to school for show-and-tell and proudly explains his training plans: "Fish are my specialty…. I'm teaching Wishy like people teach dolphins." On a class visit to the aquarium, he secretly smuggles his pet along in the hope of furthering its education. When it is time to leave, he realizes that he has lost his backpack carrying his fish. After hearing Charlie's confession, his classmates join forces and "like a school of fish" fan out to retrace their steps. The rescue of Wishy is the unanimous highlight of the field trip. Fish facts are included throughout the easy-to-read text, from Ms. Finn's lessons to a list of "Charlie's Fish School" tips on the care and (proper) handling of goldfish: "WISHY IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE after his trip to the aquarium in a plastic bag!" Filled with lively and amusing details, this is a good choice for one-on-one or independent reading.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-Gr 2—"Being the new kid is a bummer," even for ghosts. At Gordon's old school, everyone was a ghost, but he's the only one at Booniesville Elementary School. As he enters his new classroom, all of the students stare in wide-eyed fear at the skeletal white phantom, and his teacher faints when he says hello. Trying to make friends at lunch isn't any easier because of the surprise his mother slipped into his lunchbox. Finally, Gordon discovers his special talent: his "prize-winning, bloodcurdling, hair-raising BOO" sounds the alarm when fire breaks out in the school kitchen. In Lucke's creepy and comical gouache illustrations, Gordon's bulging eyes and pasty white skull stand out on the mostly black background and are in contrast to his orange-yellow striped shirt and human classmates. Add in Pulver's straightforward dialogue and you have an amusing read-aloud that will show readers that even ghosts have a hard time being accepted in new surroundings.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

Gr 2–5—Becky narrates this story about her brother's death and its effects on her and her family. She and John were "best buddies," and when he dies, she is devastated and gives up many of the things she loved doing. Finally, as she begins to adjust to her life without him, she realizes that her brother would want her to be happy in spite of his absence. The story is poignant and touching, realistic and straightforward. This is a good book to recommend to families struggling with the death of a relative or friend. While the body proportions are not always exactly right in the realistic watercolors, the facial expressions are rendered with care and precision.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

K-Gr 3—"Yo Mama Goose" is hosting a poetry slam in the barn. The animals gather around a pallet stage and glowing lantern as they await their turns to perform. Charley Horse takes the stage with a free-verse poem lamenting his hay-based diet. "Bovina" follows with a poem entitled "The Truth About Cows." Hog, Duck, and Sheep recite their selections, and even Lamb chimes in with a parody of Dr. Seuss's "Sam I Am." Turkey declines his turn in protest of Yo Mama's insulting sign that admonishes, "Be There or Be-Headed." Animal-themed jokes abound. Full-page watercolor and line illustrations create an entertaining night on the farm. A good read-aloud for inspiring young poets of all species.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

K-Gr 2—Anna and Julisa are friends who both wear red glasses and are quiet, shy, and helpful. Kayla and Melanie, referred to by everybody as "two of a kind," are not as nice, and their mocking, self-importance is somewhat alluring to naive Anna. When they begin to include her in their games, she is secretly delighted. She feels guilty about leaving Julisa alone but sits silently by as the two malicious girls scoff openly at Julisa and call her "Miss Giant Eyes." It soon becomes clear to Anna that she doesn't have much in common with these bossy and unkind classmates. When she finally realizes that she much prefers the company of her goodhearted and true friend over the two "popular" girls, she leaves them behind with no regrets. The well-designed pastel watercolor illustrations connect this story with the author and illustrator's previous title, The New Girl…and Me (S & S, 2006). Filled with characters reflecting varying ethnic backgrounds, both offerings could easily be set at the same school. There's not much here that hasn't been done before but the book imparts a good lesson that needs reinforcing.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 1—In this level one reader, Mr. Hall gives his students jobs to do, and Beth's is to water the class plant. On alternating pages, she watches the other children at work and wishes she had their tasks. All ends well when her plant flowers and she is happy. The computer-generated illustrations almost fill the spreads, which include at most two sentences in a large font. A serviceable entry in a long-standing series.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Fans of Little Pea (2005) and Little Hoot (2008, both Chronicle) will enjoy this team's latest creative effort. Little Oink likes to dig with his friends and go to school but he does not like disorder. Papa Pig tells him, "If you want to grow up to be a respectable pig, you must learn how to make a proper mess." So, before he can play he has to unmake his bed, unfold his clothes, put on a stained shirt, and throw his toys out of their bin. Once he has messed up enough, he can play his favorite game—house—where he sweeps, scours, and scrubs up. Delightful wordplay turns this classic childhood argument upside down while Corace's simply detailed ink and watercolor drawings are full of expression, standing out on a clean white background. Young readers will relate to Little Oink's frustrations as they find humor in this classic twist on everyday situations, and many will share variations of his promise to himself: "When I grow up, I'm going to let my kids clean up their rooms as much as they want."—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—Three short stories introduce Jeremy Bean. He is frustrated because he can't come up with a collection that no other kid has until his grandfather gives him inspiration, he tries to capture the elusive "dust bunnies" and ends up getting a real pet, and forgets to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. Jeremy tries to do his best but sometimes his best gets him into silly and not-so-silly situations, like being locked in the janitor's closet. Youngsters will empathize with the everyday occurrences in these funny, totally childlike tales. Slonim's black-and-white cartoon illustrations capture the flavor of the stories and feature a boy with wide eyes and freckles. A fine choice for beginning-chapter-book collections.—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Gr 2–5—This collection focuses on folktales that convey broad messages, such as the value of generosity or the importance of patience. Tales originate in places from Ghana to ancient Greece and from Italy to North America, but there is an emphasis on stories from India and the Middle East. Some regions, such as South America and Australia, are not represented at all. The table of contents indicates the region of each story's origin, but the entries themselves give little sense of place or culture. Indeed, without the illustrations, many stories are generic in terms of their location. The pieces are short, vague, and rather preachy, and tend to conclude with unsatisfying abruptness. While they offer words of wisdom, readers are likely to feel lectured at rather than engaged. On the other hand, the jewel-toned illustrations are lush and beautiful, featuring smoothly stylized characters that are reminiscent of the work of Leo and Diane Dillon. They bring the stories to life in a way that the text does not. The collection lacks source notes. Additional.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

K-Gr 1— Lady and the Tramp, anyone? Esme Lamour is a much-loved poodle who becomes lost in the park and is rescued by a rough-around-the-edges New York mutt named Samuel Bloom. They fall in love on the meandering trip back uptown. Briefly separated by Esme's owner's prejudices, the poodle braves the mean streets to reunite with Bloom. Her owner is won over, and the pair live happily ever after. Shields's stilted and overworked rhymes end with one that epitomizes the work: "And with her walk Esme, and Samuel Bloom,/Plus five little puppies, as round as the moon." Round as the moon? Harbour's gently washed illustrations evoke the New York of yesteryear. Neither story nor art is strong enough to overcome the worn material.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 1—Shulevitz's latest picture book relays an early childhood memory of visiting a neighbor's apartment, clad in sailor attire, to play with a treasured model ship. As the room's edge transforms into an ocean and island paradise, readers feel transported. The author's understanding of what play looks like on the inside and the phenomena that disrupt such concentration is evident when the boy, mid-fantasy, feels he's being watched and the imaginary world grows hazy. He can't reenter until he confronts the problem in the real room: the dark portrait of a stern man that seems to be staring at him. Shulevitz combines child-size sentences with words that stretch and please: the boy's provisions are packed in a "valise," the climb up the apartment steps/cliff is "arduous," he sails "valiantly." The artist's mastery of the medium produces both warm, dappled interiors and Old Master severity, with convincing fades into the fantastic. The child-centered solution to the boy's problem proves, yet again, that this is the work of a wise and wonderful storyteller.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

K-Gr 2—One morning, Cowgirl Kate wakes to the tickle of horse whiskers on her face. Her talking horse announces that he is tired of the barn. Kate explains that horses do not belong in the house and follows him around in her big red cowboy boots trying to persuade him to return to his stall. Whimsical watercolor illustrations follow the pair as the horse stumbles upon interesting things such as the toilet, bathtub, fake fruit, and his favorite item, the refrigerator. Finally, Kate coaxes the animal back to the barn just as her parents get home. The dialogue-heavy text is well paced and perfect for readers who are between picture books and chapter books. This warm and pleasant story will appeal especially to girls who dream of having their own horse.—Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL

PreS-Gr 2—Originally published in 1924, this Peter Rabbit-like title captures the style, grace, and innocence of children's books of that era. The artwork is charming: the bunnies are clad in frocks and waistcoats and the action is vivid. Juxtaposed with the full-page color illustrations are verses set on a white background and adorned with soft green, realistic silhouettes of rabbits and other animals. The verse is satisfying except for a few rhyme schemes that falter ("wind"/"fiend," "zag"/"attack") and leave readers stumbling. While the art is quite good, it does not always hold up well in relation to the text. For example, the janitor, Stillwell, is referred to and therefore thought to be the adult rabbit in front of the class in an early picture. When the page is turned, readers realize that it was not Stillwell at all but the rabbits' teacher, who now appears to be much larger and wears different clothes. Nevertheless, for collections looking for a milestone of work in children's literature, this book would fit nicely. It is not likely, however, that children will pick it up.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 3–5—In Aram's Choice (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2006), some boys orphaned by the Turkish/Armenian conflict of the 1920s make a harrowing journey from a refugee camp in Greece to a new home in Canada. Call Me Aram picks up the boys' story in 1923, soon after they arrive at a farm in Georgetown, Ontario. Aram Davidian, one of the older orphans, takes on a leadership role as the group tries to adjust to new foods, customs, and the expectations of the kind people who have taken them in but cannot understand their language. The tone is child-appropriate. Parts are humorous, others more serious, as when the boys object to changing their traditional Armenian family names to Canadian ones. As would be expected, there is underlying sadness in the boys' having to leave their country. The author does not go into much detail about the war or violence except in one scene that describes the fate of Aram's father. The author listened to oral-history recordings of real people involved in the Georgetown Farm project and incorporated their memories into the story. The full-color paintings have an unsophisticated quality that suits the descriptions of children in a bucolic setting. While this book stands alone, it would have greater impact if read along with the earlier title.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 2–5—Inspired by a hand-carved canoe at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, the authors tell the story of its maker and his relationship with the future president. Tomah Joseph, a Passamaquoddy elder and former tribal chief, was a guide and mentor to young Franklin, whose family summered on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. Through the years, the elder imparts his knowledge to the eager boy about the "old way of living," including birchbark-canoe making, sweetgrass gathering, and basket weaving. Tomah Joseph often inscribed his artistic work with the phrase Mikwid hamin (remember me) and ultimately presented a canoe to Roosevelt as a gift. While rife with Native American cultural history and tradition, the fictional recounting of events is heavy-handed and wordy, making the narrative and dialogue seem forced. The soft watercolor illustrations adequately capture the island atmosphere but (with the exception of a rollicking canoe scene) lack action as repeated pages depict Tomah Joseph and Franklin in thoughtful conversation. Quiet and well-intended, this book could potentially be used as a supplement to a classroom unit on Native culture, biography, and perhaps local history. As a picture-book story, it's not particularly memorable.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-K—This story begins on the title page with a father standing at a ticket window while his son looks on and a mother ties her daughter's shoe. The African-American family travels by train through a city and tunnel, over bridges, and alongside a pasture. Jaunty text in one or two lines per spread tells of the train's rumbles, rolls, rattles, hurtles, rocks, races, whistles, whines, jerks, and jolts along the tracks. The brief, catchy, and at times alliterative words repeat phrases. Well-crafted torn-paper collages portray the changing landscapes and diverse passengers. Though there are many train stories, the way in which the artwork and text interplay to tell the story makes this one a good pick for young audiences.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

PreS—Originally published 25 years ago, this title has a revised text and new illustrations. Toby, a preschooler with flyaway hair, considers the benefits and responsibilities of being big, as well as the frustrations of being small. The mishaps of spilled milk or a wet bed, for instance, are balanced by the joys of helping to wash the car and remembering to return library books. Goffe's line drawings in a pastel palette depict a traditional family of five in a messy home and give a nod to the author's Red Is Best (Annick, 2002) as Toby reads that book. Homey vignettes and errands around town show happy folks. The author and illustrator capture that uncomfortable in-between feeling. Toby rides a tricycle, is afraid of dogs, and gets lost in the grocery store. However, he can read a little, write his name, and open doors for grown-ups. Plenty of children will relate to him.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-K—Youngsters will begin counting up to 10 immediately as the gathering clouds and wind force a bird to take cover in a hollow part of a hill. Next comes a mouse scampering for shelter, followed by a skittering squirrel. They are soon joined by a rabbit, a chipmunk, a fox, etc. In the morning, after the skies clear, the 10 small woodland critters continue to hear "a rumble and a grumble in the air" and realize that their cave was already occupied by two sleeping bears. Children can then count back down as the animals make a hasty exit. Characteristic of a beloved Tafuri tale, this title accomplishes much with simplicity. Repetitive words—"rumble" and "grumble"—add tension to the plot. Dramatic poses picture the animals' wariness of the storm ahead. They are drawn huddled together for the night as a cozy bunch. An autumn-colored palette with orange-and-yellow leaves swirling across a spread is rendered in watercolor and watercolor pencils. A large black font shows each numeral up to 10. This book could be used for remembering sequences and lessons in "What happened next?"—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-K—This book will have youngsters jumping, wiggling, dancing, pretending, and laughing—all in reaction to a bossy, toothy ladybug with chartreuse skin. "Hey, you! Yes, I'm talking to you! STAND UP! No, I changed my mind…SIT DOWN! No….STAND UP!...Pretend you have a tiny bug on your nose. WIGGLE IT OFF!" Each spread has a dialogue balloon with large text and fonts that vary in color and size. Backgrounds change with every turn of the page, revealing glowing shades of blue, orange, and fuchsia. The expressive ladybug is outlined in broad black lines and seems only inches away from readers. Adults will enjoy using this title to encourage lively activity and imaginative games. Children will love everything about it—especially the surprise ending.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Edward wants his bicycle, which he has named the Sky-Hopper 2000, to fly, so he purchases a ticket at the park that is good for three wishes from the Eureka Lucky Wish Company. As in other stories of this ilk, his wishes go awry. The first is wasted when his bike takes off without him. The second results in a slurping, burping Bog Bubbler that eats all his possessions. When he doesn't want to take a bath, the tub relocates outside to join in a bathtub race on the lawn with polar bears, penguins, and assorted tub toys. Things return to normal at 8:00 p.m., when the wishes expire, but the boy is not satisfied. He calls Eureka to ask for one more wish, which is granted, at least in his imagination, as he and the Sky-Hopper soar through the sky. Todd makes liberal use of exclamation points, italics, and made-up words to increase the story's zaniness. The pencil, ink, and computer-generated illustrations attempt to keep up with the frenzied pace of the text. There's some nonsensical fun here, but it feels as though the author is trying too hard to be funny and the result is a hodgepodge. Overall, the book just doesn't fly.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 2—A muted (but nicely contrasted) palette and creepy creatures inhabit this Halloween counting book: "3 gruesome goblins, gross and green,/With pointy ears that aren't too clean,/Enjoy some really mean cuisine/At the haunted house of the ghost." As skeletons boogie, vampires dunk for apples (dexterously speared on their fangs), and mummies play pin the tail on the monster, the ghost host serves ghoulish treats and sweeps up after the voluminously shedding werewolves. The growing melee makes counting each arriving group as challenging as it is entertaining. The party is a rollicking success—until the arrival of 10 adorable trick-or-treaters, who terrify the guests into a quick countdown as "9 morbid mummies flee and hide./8 wretched witches zoom outside./7 mean monsters tremble with fear./6 ghastly ghouls try to disappear" and so on, right down to the single ghost who has a surprise in store for readers. This funny, warmly illustrated rhyme makes an entertaining choice for holiday storytimes.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

K-Gr 3—Even on a melancholy day, children can discover wonderful surprises that will turn their world around. Verroken skillfully communicates this simple message in an engaging tale. Her story begins with doleful Duck and her red toy, Cuddly, in tow, wandering through a colorless pond. Under dark clouds, big raindrops fall, and she becomes even sadder. Then she meets up with a tiny green frog who inspires her with a simple suggestion: "No pluck, Duck? Cheer up. Look ahead!" Frog's good spirits inspire Duck to reconsider her bleak mood. With a new sense of awareness, she discovers a tiny bit of color in her world, and her surroundings brighten. Colorless Duck begins to turn yellow-green. She shouts to Cuddly, "We have to move on!" and they do. Duck orders the clouds to go away and the sun begins to shine. Verroken's black-and-white spreads fade away and become vivid and colorful. Duck celebrates a new, joyful outlook when she notices her reflection in the sparkling pond and is graced by another lovely surprise: a beautiful butterfly that lands on her beak. The spare text underscores the bold images that are created by carved woodblocks and digitally enhanced, providing charming, folk-art-like illustrations. Outstanding.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

K-Gr 2—In Uncle Andy's (Putnam, 2003), Warhola mentions that his famous uncle lived with his mother and owned 25 cats named Sam. That throwaway detail has been developed into its own book. Cats tells the story of how Andy Warhol and Bubba start with a single feline named Hester, acquire a companion for her named Sam, and end up with 25 kittens that look like their dad. Overrun by cats in a house already filled top to bottom with Warhol's art, the artist and his mother create two books about the Sams, which lead to happy relocations for the kittens. Warhola has masterfully combined a childlike delight at the almost alien world that his celebrated relative lives in, while impressing on the audience the idea that even famous artists have to deal with worldly matters. The natural playfulness of the 25 Sams adds zest to an already eclectic household and provides Warhola ample opportunity for cheerfully chaotic illustrations of cats and Pop Art trying to coexist. Pictures such as a stampede of Sams running between Warhol's legs or the exhausted artist asleep in bed with only his trademark white hair visible among a sea of kitties are delightful. Young readers will be glad for this opportunity to revisit the tall, skinny house in New York.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

K-Gr 2—Children will be delighted as Scaredy Squirrel attempts to face his fear of falling asleep because of bad dreams, and they'll laugh at his absurd lists and action plans. Although the ending is predictable, youngsters will sigh with relief as he finally nods off. The layout includes multiple images as he makes lists and carries out his plans to stay awake all night. The cartoon illustrations, rendered digitally in Photoshop, capture the action and are filled with humorous details. This could be a useful title for guiding children in developing lists and action plans. It would be interesting to see how they would ward off bad dreams.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

Gr 1–3—Once again Wheeler and Gott have teamed up for an action-packed sports extravaganza. The Grazers, in gold, take on the blue-uniformed Biters in a rough-and-tumble soccer match. Cheered on by their enthusiastic and colorful fans, the vegetarian and meat-eating dino players pass, steal, and trap the ball as they travel up and down the field. Each exciting play is recounted in rhyming verse with the names of the dinosaurs printed in the appropriate team color to indicate whether they are herbivore or carnivore. The play-by-play commentary is sprinkled with terms like "check," "spike," and "dribble," which will resonate with young soccer players. As the game progresses, the competition is fierce and the score teeters back and forth. At the end of the day, the Biters prevail, but the vanquished Grazers refuse to give up. Soon they will meet their opponents on the baseball field for a spirited game of Dino-ball. Gott's vibrant illustrations increase the suspense and fast pace of the rollicking narrative. The expressive faces of the players and the frenetic energy of the pictures add a bit of humor to the story. Sports fans and dinosaur lovers will delight in this follow-up to Dino-Hockey (Carolrhoda, 2007).—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

K-Gr 4—Through bouncy verse and lively artwork, this creative collaboration explores the many different ways that lines are used. Readers will immediately be drawn to the glittery textured line that appears across the cover and continues throughout the book. Whitman's descriptions employ a great range of adjectives and verbs, and Wilson's graphic-style art captures the actions of the lines with a host of colorful animal and monsterlike creatures engaged in various activities. For example, "Lines that twist" (the illustration shows a school bus navigating along a serpentine road), "lines that sway" (blades of grass bend gracefully in the wind), "lines that swish the flies way" (a cowboy-boot-wearing horse dispatches insects with its tail). Lines can also "curve" and "curl" (as in a mummy's unwinding bandages), "swirl" (from a whale's spout), and "zigzag" (across a rainstorm sky). The book's design showcases specific descriptors in a cursive font that uses the textured glitter to maximum effect. This emphasis makes the connection between word and art even more striking. Children will enjoy this book on many levels. It can be read independently for pleasure or used in a variety of ways in the classroom. Art teachers in particular will find this a wonderful addition to their curriculum.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 1—In this creative team's third collaboration, irrepressible Piglet looks forward to a visit from Granny. Even though she is "soft and squishy," Granny always has "such good ideas for things to do." Waiting by the gate, the youngster becomes impatient. To pass the time she practices some of the tricks her grandmother taught her. Her farmyard friends admire Piglet's ability to balance on the stone wall, chase butterflies, and do somersaults. As they praise her, they also provide reassurance that Granny will no doubt be there soon. And she is. King's bucolic watercolor-and-ink illustrations enliven Wild's sweet but repetitive narrative. In a gentle palette of pastel shades he deftly captures the special relationship between the two characters. This title can be paired with Piglet and Mama (2005) and Piglet and Papa (2007, both Abrams), or any number of great intergenerational picture books.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

Gr 1–3—When eight-year-old Sangoel comes to the United States from war-torn Sudan, everyone mispronounces his Dinka name until he has the bright idea to make a rebus of a sun and a soccer goal on his T-shirt. This simple story puts a child-friendly spin on a common immigrant experience as the child's classmates respond with similar puzzle pictures of their own names. Stock's mixed-media illustrations include scenes from the sun-drenched refugee camp, the U.S. airport with its confusing messages, and the family's new home in a snowy city. The diversity of the boy's schoolmates is evident in Stock's skillfully detailed watercolor and collage illustrations. An endnote gives more information about refugees and refugee camps as well as about Dinka naming practices. This picture book by the authors of Four Feet, Two Sandals (Eerdmans, 2007) is an excellent addition to the growing body of immigration stories for young readers.—Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD

PreS-Gr 1—Despite what the titles may suggest, these three easy readers are fictional stories that feature an African-American boy and offer minimal information. In Cinco de Mayo, Max is invited to a fiesta with José and his family. Wearing traditional clothing, they enjoy sweet bread and tacos, music and dancing, a parade, and a piñata. The book tells when the holiday is celebrated, but not why. Martin Luther King Jr. explains why the man was important and that "He went to college and learned many things." In Ramadan, the youngster actually celebrates the holiday Eid-al-Fitr with his Muslim friend Omar, whose family feasts on unidentified "special foods." Readers learn that the celebration marks the end of the monthlong Ramadan fast, and Omar explains that, "…fasting teaches people to give." While Gallagher-Cole's watercolor and pencil cartoons are brightly colored and childlike, young Martin and the adult King look totally different in two portraits. Of limited use.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS—Each spread in this Flip-a-Face™ board book features a different stylized animal opposite a stylized face and the question, "How is this face different from…?" A cutout changes the plain face into the face of the next creature with a turn of the page. The animals featured include a cat, dog, tiger, and bear; backgrounds show a farm, desert, jungle, etc. With its bright color illustrations, this title will be useful in discussing the concept of comparison.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH

PreS—Cartoon zoo animals are used to illustrate 14 opposites. The pictures invite youngsters to focus on details such as body language and facial expressions. Text is limited to four words per spread, such as "I'm nice, You're grouchy." Unfortunately, the language tends to be negative in tone. For example "I'm fast, You're slow" or "I'm clean, You're dirty." Purchase only as an addition to extensive collections of titles dealing with opposites.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

Gr 1–3—Seven two- to four-page chapters offer a simplified overview of our 16th president. Subjects include Lincoln's birth and pioneer life, his storytelling, and his honesty working as a store clerk; 11-year-old Grace Bedell's request that he grow a beard; and, finally, his term as president, a chapter that includes the reasons behind the Civil War and the assassination. Wallner's cartoonlike watercolors, which fill about half of each page, depict Lincoln with light or blond hair. Adler lists four sources and includes four notes on the text and a short time line. This book provides the kinds of details that reluctant young historians will welcome.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

Gr 1–3—From Houdini's humble beginnings to international superstardom, this picture-book biography presents the highlights of the magician's life. Deeply hued illustrations, heavy with red and black tones, are well suited to the subject and give the text added drama and depth. Careful research is reflected in the quotations that are fully attributed and an authors' note describing historical discrepancies that exist with regard to Houdini's background. Events are detailed in a straightforward, mostly chronological arrangement that makes the book easy to follow for beginning readers. Kathleen Krull's Houdini (Walker, 2007), also a picture-book biography but written for slightly older children, is more successful in capturing Houdini's unique spirit and personal oddities.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS—Child-development experts have long advocated the use of high-contrast images with infants due to the difficulties newborns have in changing focus from foreground to background. These bold, black-and-white selections were chosen to address this issue. The pictures range from Patrick Caufield's Duck, a silhouette, to Bridget Riley's Fragment 3, a dizzying series of zigzags. There are also several simplified portraits, e.g., Julian Opie's Natasha, whose stylized hair suggests the carved surfaces of a woodcut. The images are glossy and slightly reflective, while the white pages have a matte finish—another contrast. With a square trim size and heavy cardboard pages, the book could be enjoyed when propped on a changing table or crib or held by an adult. The last spread contains brief notes about infant vision, picture credits, and an envelope with 3 folded posters of the 12 scenes for nursery walls. Information about each artist has been placed on the back of the friezes. Libraries will want to consider whether these "consumables" are assets or deterrents, but babies won't care if they disappear. The variety of patterns offers an interesting alternative to the more traditional shapes found in Tana Hoban's classic Black and White (HarperCollins, 2007), now available in an accordion-fold format. Will young picture readers develop a greater open-mindedness toward abstract art? Time will tell.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 2–5—Similar in format and style to Now & Ben (Holt, 2006), this book focuses on sketches found in Leonardo's writings that reveal an understanding of inventions that would not come into being until hundreds of years after the death of this quintessential Renaissance man. Vivid watercolor illustrations depict more than a dozen, including the hang glider, contact lenses, the tank, and robots. Each facing page appears as a sheet of notes revealing Leonardo's version, which is usually quite similar to the one we know today. Each page of Leonardo's notes contains a few short lines printed in reverse, and an author's note explains how a mirror can be used to view this writing style used by the inventor himself. Barretta provides clear information without veering into scientific explanations. Readers who most closely associate Leonardo with the Mona Lisa will be inspired by the breadth of his interests and the genius of his observations. This accessible introduction will inspire children to look closely at the world around them and come up with some creations of their own.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Gr 3–5—Each of the 10 standard-fare experiments in these books begins with a question such as "Do Plants Move Toward Light?" or "What Is in a Seed?" Readers are asked to formulate a hypothesis before beginning. Supplies are listed and step-by-step directions are given but not illustrated. The directions are mostly clear, but occasionally students may lack the vocabulary or background knowledge to answer the questions posed. Answers and additional information appear in an explanation section that follows each activity. A list of two or three science-fair ideas concludes each one. For the most part, these suggestions follow logically from the experiment but some will require extra effort. Fact boxes and small color photos and watercolor illustrations accompany the texts. The paintings are more decorative than informative and lack detail (stomata are not shown in a labeled painting of a leaf in Plant) and one in Seed has an error (cotyledons are mislabeled in an illustration of a corn seed). An introductory list of safety rules is included. For a slightly more advanced and enticing set of experiments, try Janice VanCleave's Plants: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects (Wiley, 1996).—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

PreS-Gr 2—In this engaging text, Brown relates the daily trip made by Anthony the Postman from the top of the Grand Canyon to the village of Supai far below on the canyon floor. Wearing "a cowboy hat, chaps, and spurs," he leads a train of mules carrying "letters and packages, along with groceries, water, clothes, and even computers" down the steep trail through all types of weather conditions, for "the mail must go through." An author's note gives additional details that children will appreciate, including the fact that it takes three hours to make the eight-mile trip from the south rim to the village, located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. He also describes the expedition he made with Anthony Paya, lead muleteer, to appreciate firsthand the journey and the rigors of the landscape. Brown's wonderful pastel and colored pencil illustrations are a testament to the time he spent on the trail. Readers will feel that they are experiencing the heat and dust as well as the beautiful flora and fauna of the region. Shifting perspectives (the book must be held vertically for trail scenes) add to the drama by providing a sense of the canyon's awesome size while close-ups of the mules highlight the animals' important role. A fascinating and informative addition.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

Gr 3–5—This book takes a clever approach to teaching kids about ancient Egyptian life. After a brief introduction, various jobs are discussed, such as archer, herder, grinding girl, and noblewoman, with each entry relating how the role fits into society. The jobs are arranged by type ("Nile Jobs," "Assisting Pharaoh Jobs," "Entertainment Jobs") into 15 chapters. Written in the second person, these short descriptions, along with the color cartoon-style drawings, attempt to entertain and educate at the same time. For the most part, this technique is successful, but the tone is a bit patronizing and overly simplistic in an attempt to make the material entertaining. Jacqueline Morley's You Wouldn't Want to Be a Pyramid Builder (Watts, 2004) is more successful at this format and at making history enjoyable in a factual way.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

K-Gr 5—This title uses inspirational verse and illustrations to introduce readers to the president. The poetry itself is contrived and vague unless supplemented with "Barack's Story," presented in prose at the end of the book. The flat illustrations are out of order as Barack, shown as a young child in a classroom with an airplane drawing, is placed after two images in which he is depicted as a teen and an intermediate student. Lacking depth, the artwork does not generate interest or complement the text, and none of the people depicted are identified. Children are invited to submit inspirational stories about their dreams and President Obama. Several examples from children are appended along with a message from the author. Nikki Grimes's Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope (S & S, 2008) is a much better choice.—Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY

Gr 1–6—This small book takes a look at the games in simpler times. There are no electronics, batteries, cell phones, or videos involved. They mostly require physical and/or mental action along with the use of an imagination and some sweat, and maybe a little dirt. There are old favorites such as Red Rover and Simon Says as well as Rummy, Hangman, and I Spy. The clear instructions are easy for early readers to follow. There are games for one child, such as Marbles, Jacks, and Solitaire, as well as those for a crowd, such as Freeze Tag, Capture the Flag, and Charades. Line drawings of quaint children dressed in the style of the early 1900s are included. The nostalgic tone will appeal more to adults than to children, but youngsters will love this title once they try a few of the selections. While there are lots of books with collections of games, this one offers excellent short explanations and is easily accessible.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Gr 2–5—Kimeli Naiyomah returned home to his Maasai village from New York City with news of 9/11 terrorist attacks. His story prompted the villagers to give a heartfelt gift to help America heal. Deedy and Gonzalez bring Naiyomah's story to life with pithy prose and vibrant illustrations. Each block of text consists of a few short, elegant sentences: "A child asks if he has brought any stories. Kimeli nods. He has brought with him one story. It has burned a hole in his heart." The suspenseful pace is especially striking when surrounded by Gonzalez's exquisite colored pencil and pastel illustrations. The colors of Kenya explode off the page: rich blues, flaming oranges, fire-engine reds, and chocolate browns. Full-page spreads depict the Maasai people and their land so realistically as to be nearly lifelike. Gonzalez manages to break the fourth wall and draw readers in as real-time observers. The book's only flaw is the less-than-concrete ending: "…there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort" is an important message, but not a particularly satisfying one for children. Fortunately, their questions will be answered by Naiyomah's endnote, and it provides a fitting conclusion to this breathtaking chronicle.—Rebecca Dash, New York Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—Basic facts are given in this beginning biography. Readers meet Barack Obama as a young boy living in Hawaii and learn about his move to Indonesia, his education, and his journey to becoming the first African-American President of the United States. Full-page photographs with insets of maps are paired with spare, easy-to-read text. Words such as "Senator," "President," and "White House" are defined. Not a first purchase, but a useful introduction.—Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY

K-Gr 5—This book equates living with bullying to being around a scary machine that is "loud and powerful, with spinning wheels and whirling blades. It's cold and mean and looks kind of dangerous." The kid-friendly text explains that bullies are not always bad people and gives possible reasons for their actions. Different types of behavior are explained, including "mean words," "cruel actions," hurtful teasing, and picking on others in "quiet or sneaky ways." The authors provide tips for dealing with negative behaviors and encourage readers to take a stand against bullying and unplug the bully machine. Fox's enticing, edgy, collage artwork will draw readers in. Small photos of children interacting in social situations blend with cut-out words, machine parts and gears, and other images to send a strong visual message. "Bully-Busting Activities" are appended. Easier than Joanne Mattern's Bullying (Heinemann, 2008) and for a slightly older audience than Sally Hewitt's Bullying (Smart Apple, 2008), this offering will be a great discussion springboard for teachers and counselors.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

K-Gr 3—Grant shares her memories of a happy, wonderful childhood growing up in North Preston, Nova Scotia—one of Canada's largest black communities. Deceptively simple, the poetic narrative vividly conveys an array of remembered images, sights, sounds, and emotions, all of which are brought to life in Tooke's realistic acrylic images. Many of the experiences are sure to be familiar to a wide and varied audience, such as a long, hot summer day lying on the grass with cousins, sucking on freezies, berry picking, or off to church on a Sunday morning with Mom still braiding her daughter's hair in the backseat of the car. An author's note about the history of Preston and the people who settled there is appended. A heartwarming book with family appeal, and one in which text and illustrations are in complete and perfect sync.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 2–5—These books present facts in a colorful, easy-to-understand manner. Short chapters cover information such as "What is your skeleton?" (Bones), "Senses" (Brain), and "Liver and Blood" (Digestive System). Heart and Lungs is more about the pulmonary system than either organ, which could cause confusion among students looking for detailed information. Each page explains different aspects of the body's functions and includes color photos or graphics. Captions are not always clearly attached to photos but most are in the general vicinity of the illustration to which they refer. Each title suggests activities throughout. Terri DeGezelle's "Your Body" series (Capstone) is comparable in content, but the "My Body" series is for general-interest reading as well as reports.—Karen Hoth, Manatee Elementary School, Fort Myers, FL

Gr 3–5—Seven- and eight-year-olds share what water means to them by revealing their everyday uses of it. An opening spread introduces the children and their countries—Peru, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, and the United States—on an outline world map. Locations vary from mountaintop to seaside and from scarcity to abundance. The youngsters describe their many water-related routines, such as hygiene, plant and animal care, and play, and include quotes from the youngsters. A third spread for each child is devoted to a special day, which might be a family outing or a holiday celebration. There is no order to the countries and the text is matter-of-fact, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions about the subjects' varying circumstances. Several full-color, captioned photos appear on each spread. Closing matter includes general information about water and the countries. Questions will inevitably arise from this revealing look at the status of water in the world. Accompany it with Rochelle Strauss's One Well: The Story of Water on Earth (Kids Can, 2007) for more detail.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 2–5—Each spread in these easy-to-read, factual books provides a page of text opposite a full-page photo. Unfortunately, most of the photos are boring, showing children or adults standing at a counter, looking at a computer, or holding papers or a credit card. They don't add to the information or relieve the blandness of the texts. The print is large and has no variance in type size, boldness, or arrangement. Each page has a section heading but no other guidelines or headings are used.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Gr 1–5—Crisp color photographs and diagrams show how to construct various vehicles with Lego blocks, including pocket-size cars and variations on an SUV. Some of the diagrams are confusing, but children with plenty of experience working with Legos should be able to follow the steps. Unfortunately, readers must scan the directions to identify needed pieces; there's no supply list at the beginning of each project. The text is limited. For example, a spread labeled "Taxis of all sizes" says, "If you don't have enough LEGO pieces to build a big car, try making the same car in a smaller size." The book is much narrower in focus than The Ultimate Lego Book (DK, 1999).—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

Gr 2–4—Physical maps, Venn diagrams, bar graphs, cluster maps, and sequence charts are just five of the visual organizers students are introduced to in these titles. The 10 chapter spreads in each book feature a single page of text opposite an image or images incorporated into a specific type of organizer that delivers information on an environment as it presents the relevant facts. These books may appeal to visual learners, but poor labeling, confusing examples, occasional lapses, and vocabulary that is not well defined in context hamper the texts. Redwoods are described as the "tallest" trees, but how tall is never mentioned. Nowhere is the word "biome" used. Cathryn Sill and John Sill's "About Habitats" series (Peachtree) is a better choice for introducing habitats.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

K-Gr 2—Sandpiper, who waits for the waves to deliver her meal of minnows, is confronted by angry Whale. He fancies himself the ruler of the sea and is furious with Sandpiper for invading his territory. After she points out that there are more sandpipers than whales, Whale insists that his kind outnumber the birds. He calls forth all of his brothers while Sandpiper shouts for her sisters. After no one can tell which side has more, Whale requests that his cousins come to the island: the dolphins, orcas, and porpoises. Sandpiper likewise calls, and flamingos, pelicans, egrets, and terns all appear. Still, no one can tell who has more. Whale commands his kind to eat up the land, while Sandpiper and the other birds drink up the sea. This turns out to be a losing proposition for both parties, who decide that they must all share their resources. The illustrations dominate the pages, with the birds and their backgrounds painted with bright shades of yellow, pink, and orange, while the sea and its creatures are deeper blues, grays, and purples. This charming story provides a moral about getting along with others and caring for the environment.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 3–6—McDonough has captured the essence of Alcott's fascinating life story in this picture book. Her narrative is anecdotal, focusing on events that influenced the writer's life and work. For example, she explains that Alcott was once saved from drowning by a "kind black boy" and how that experience motivated her abolitionist efforts later in life. The writing is simple, straightforward, and well paced. The author gives a balanced treatment of Alcott's early, middle, and later life. Interesting supplemental material includes a recipe for Alcott's favorite dessert. Andersen's stylized illustrations are done in warm oranges, rich blues, and dark greens. Rather than being pictorially or historically precise, they reflect the mood of the text by varying proportions and adding textures. The resulting images are bold, intense, and dramatic. Alexandra Wallner's An Alcott Family Christmas (Holiday House, 1996) is similar in length and reading level but focuses on just one year in Alcott's childhood. Christin Ditchfield's Louisa May Alcott: Author of Little Women (Children's Press, 2005) is a good choice for report writers. McDonough's title is for those looking for a short, accessible introduction to an amazing life.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 3–5—The remembrances of Manning's father, a British Air Force gunner during World War II, are vividly presented through comic strips, watercolor-and-ink illustrations, and memorabilia such as ration books, postcards, and photographs. Log book entries provide Charlie Manning's personal reflections on training operations ("…when the bomber left the ground your stomach fell into your sheepskin boots!"), being under fire ("Sitting in my Plexiglas turret, I felt like a goldfish in a bowl, stalked by a black cat"), and narrowly surviving a mission ("Chunks of shrapnel punched through the aircraft.... Filthy smoke rushed in and then something hit me in the face. It was like being kicked by an elephant!"). A glossary offers brief notes on some of the military terms, places, and events mentioned. Reluctant readers will be drawn to the graphic format and quickly engaged by the authentic voice.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 1–3—These books take difficult concepts and explain them clearly and concisely. Each title provides enough detail for a basic understanding of the topic and begins with an overview, "What Is the…?" Other chapters explore the parts of the system (e.g., joints, the heart), and ways to keep it healthy. "Fun Facts" present "wow" information that readers will want to share. The color illustrations often combine photographs of children with diagrams and detailed lifelike pictures of the body system. These titles have more detail than those in the "My Body" series (Capstone).—Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

K-Gr 3—From the moment Tyrannosaurus Math (T-Math for short) is hatched, he views the world in mathematical terms. He begins with simple addition (how many siblings have also hatched) and proceeds through such skills as grouping (counting a herd of triceratops, though he's not yet old enough to consume them), ordering and comparing (who ate the most dragonflies), and geometric shapes (is that meteor a sphere or a cube?). In all, 15 concepts are demonstrated with clear, logical, and amusing examples. The skills are also identified and explained at the back of the book. Markel never misses an opportunity to weave math into the lively text: "At his full size, nothing was scarier than the sight of T-Math thundering through the forest, chewing on a problem in his head." Cushman's acrylic cartoons, with their clean lines and vibrant colors, add considerably to readers' enjoyment. The artwork clearly illustrates the math problems while gleefully depicting the dinosaurs. This is a clever addition to the growing number of books that make a sometimes daunting subject both more understandable and just plain fun.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 3–6—This intriguing book discusses generally agreed-upon details of Marco Polo's explorations in Mongolia and the Far East, and speculates about the moths, jackals, van cats, zebu, oxen, Persian lions, snow cats, and camels he may have met along the way. Though this quick read is generally informative, there are a couple of mistakes: the Persian lion is not extinct, as stated, and the Latin name provided for the Marco Polo sheep is incomplete. The text is enhanced by color, mixed-media illustrations that occupy one page or the top half of each spread, and depict street and wilderness scenes. Sidebars discussing particular animals include a small, color drawing of the creature, and back matter includes a full-page, old-style map of the explorer's travels. A useful introduction to 13th-century history.—Michele Sealander, Hamburg School, NJ

K-Gr 4—Using the tallest of tall-tale language and exaggeration, Miller weaves a bouncing tale of how Davy Crockett and Miss Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind met. Seems Davy got a burr stuck on his pants, and that had him hopping right into a dance in her honor. His leaping and cavorting to dislodge the bothersome sticker made Sally Ann jealous of his dancing prowess. Not one to shy away, she leaped onto the floor with Davy, where they proceeded to outlast all the dancers and fiddlers, and they mashed potatoes, stomped apples into sauce, and created a fine chicken-and-dumpling stew. The result was that the two got hitched. Citing and inspired by earlier books on the legends of Davy Crockett, Miller uses broad strokes to magnify her characters. While the use of antic adjectives ("bodacious," "toothiferous," "voraciferous") is in keeping with the tall-tale tradition, their abundance can be grating at times and slows the story's pace. The busy cartoon oils feature an early American setting and a frolicking cast. This retelling of the courtship of two legendary icons can be enjoyed by younger readers and will be useful for units on tall tales for older students.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Gr 2–4—Each of these basic introductions briefly describes the featured animal's key physical and behavioral characteristics and life cycle. A full-page, color close-up photograph of a representative species appears opposite most pages of text, and a small print caption, set within a colored margin at the bottom of each picture, highlights the creature's distinctive characteristics. Many of the species shown are identified by common names. A spread in each title also offers assorted miscellaneous facts. The texts are clearly written, if a bit bland, and some contain errors. Octopuses states that these invertebrates are "part of the mollusk family" but mollusks belong to a large phylum, not a family, and their inclusion in a book about fish is puzzling. In Pufferfish, a caption accompanying a photo of a porcupine fish identifies it as a kind of pufferfish; while the fish are closely related, they are not in the same family. Sandra Markle's Octopuses (Lerner, 2007) has superior photography, a livelier text, and more detailed information on anatomy and defense mechanisms. Jody Sullivan Rake's Puffer Fish (Capstone, 2006), aimed at younger readers, doesn't offer as much detail on characteristics, but has larger, better composed close-ups than Miller's Pufferfish. Of these three titles, Miller's Eels will be the most useful, simply because there is a dearth of information on these fish.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 1–4—A champion at the 2008 Beijing Olympics explains the training schedule that allowed him to accomplish the first-of-its-kind feat of winning eight Olympic gold medals. Comparisons are made that put miles swum, naps taken, calories eaten, weights lifted, etc., into a context that youngsters might more easily understand. For example, his six years of training (from 1998 to 2003) are described as "a kindergartner's whole life!" or "the same as 42 dog years!" Digitally rendered artwork humorously depicts the action, making the book visually appealing. The author states, "I got so strong from training that my legs could press 300 pounds 60 times in one workout. That's 18,000 pounds total, or nine tons! I could leg-press a Tyrannosaurus Rex and 10 velociraptors!" The illustration shows the smaller dinosaurs piled atop a T. rex on a platform while Phelps lifts them all with a leg-press machine. (However, the picture doesn't explain that he couldn't really lift that amount of weight all at once.) Providing an overview of an Olympian's rigorous preparations, this picture book may be useful for parents or coaches attempting to inspire children.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 3–6—The history and culture of London from 3500 BC to today are presented via cross-sections, busy illustrations, and a lot of text. There is some carryover among the eras, and by the final spread, which shows London preparing for the 2012 Olympics, readers can refer to earlier scenes and compare how the city has or hasn't changed. The early part of the book works best, showing London as still no more than a contained encampment on the banks of the River Thames. But as the city grows, so does the detail and information packed into the pages. While the geographic perspective stays the same throughout, and readers can indeed see development through wars, epidemics, and industrialization, the activity within the pages becomes increasingly difficult to follow. Spreads such as the one illustrating a "Georgian London: AD 1783" street scene are crammed full of unclear images. There is an extensive glossary, although British words like "omnibus" and "gherkin" are not included. The thorough index makes revisiting the various eras almost more rewarding than the initial perusal, as readers can follow specific locations and landmarks through the years. While the initial impression is that this is a browsing book, it is in reality more of a research tool, reliant on text to explain the famous city's metamorphosis.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 2–5—A diverse collection of 21 fun and unique projects. Young readers will learn how to make different types of beads (fabric, textured, thread, ribbon, sparkle stem), two games, a felt-bead bracelet, a cluster pin, a seed-bead flower magnet, whimsical items (beaded dog, spaghetti doll, and others), a bookmark, a tissue box, and more. The colors are vivid, and the illustrations perfectly complement the text. The directions are numbered (2 to 14 steps), easy to understand, and color-illustrated for visual instructional clarity. Each craft is explained as "Here is what you need" and "Here is what you do." Materials are readily available. This book will supplement books such as Judy Ann Sadler's Beads (Kids Can, 1994; o.p.).—Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 1—This inviting book introduces 16 cubs at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at Wolong Nature Reserve. Ryder describes the organization's purpose and procedures to save the animals from extinction, focusing on the reserve's efforts to keep the pandas healthy and safe and placing less emphasis on their primary role as a breeding center, which works well for the intended audience. The author explains that as the pandas grow older, they may be released into the wild or they may stay in the safety of the compound to "have cubs of their own." She also describes how staff members help to care for twins, whereas in the wild, only one baby can survive. Feng's clear and detailed photographs are visual treats, giving readers a glimpse into the feeding and care of the pandas. There's a high cuteness factor as the cubs play, sleep, and interact with caregivers. Additional facts about giant pandas are appended, but are almost hidden on the CIP page. The colorful photography and smooth text pair well for a quick, instructive read-a-loud.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

K-Gr 2—Charming illustrations and lyrical rhyming couplets speak volumes in celebration of the world and humankind, combining to create a lovely book that will be appreciated by a wide audience. The pictures, made with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors, primarily follow a multicultural family from a summer morning on the beach through a busy day and night. A boy, his younger sister, and their parents experience a farmer's market, a lakeside pavilion, a soaking rain, a warm meal in a cozy café, a gathering of musical kin, and a quiet night at home. The hand-lettered text in dark gray is large and mobile as it moves readers along through the captivating vignettes. Other families are also depicted, and readers can follow many of their activities as they overlap and connect with the main characters. The folks in this small, diverse community experience what a summer day has to offer, including sun, wind, storm, and a sense of contentment and well-being. A double-page moon- and starlit illustration shows an overview of all the featured locales highlighted in this small slice of the world. Perfection.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 3—This collection of lively truck-themed "Mother Goose" rhymes is filled with humor, although not all of them are equally nimble for reading aloud. Replacing the familiar lines for "Little Miss Muffet" are the words: "Little Dan Dumper sat on his bumper,/Taking his break for the day./Along came Pete Loader,/who revved his loud motor,/And frightened Dan Dumper away." The words for "Three Blind Mice" change to: "Three LOUD trucks./Three LOUD trucks./See how they ZOOM./See how they ZOOM./They all jumped over/the muck and goo./They skidded and screeched/and their mufflers blew./Did you ever see/such a crazy crew?/As three LOUD trucks./Three LOUD trucks." Fresh noisy lyrics for "The Wheels on the Bus" are great for singing exuberantly in storytime, "The siren on the truck goes whoop, whoop, whoop…." The digital illustrations are colorful, energetic, and playful: the vehicles have personality plus. One flashy spread shows all of them and their sound words from "The Wheels on the Truck," and another picture shows the ice-cream truck parked on a moon made of ice cream. This effervescent picture book will zoom off your shelves.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

K-Gr 2—These introductions are arranged in a series of spreads, each of which covers a subtopic. Pages feature one to three simple sentences of large-print text and a clear, color photograph of one or more animals in various stages of growth. Each title describes an adult's key physical characteristics (major body parts are labeled in the accompanying photo); the quest for a mate; egg production; hatching of young; and stages from crab larva or owl chick to adult. Crab also describes the crustacean's feeding habits, molting, natural enemies, and defense mechanisms, while Owl provides more detail on the development of the chicks. The finely detailed color photographs, most of which are close-ups, extend the text. The ages (in days, weeks, months, etc.) of the animals depicted are clearly presented within curving, color arrows. A photo diagram of the featured animal's life cycle is also included. Natalie Lunis's Crawling Crabs (Bearport, 2007) omits life cycle information, whereas Gail Gibbons's Owls (Holiday House, 2005) includes it, but is illustrated with color drawings instead of photographs. Thomson's titles, with their easily accessible format, and clear texts and photographs, will appeal to both browsers and report writers.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—These books provide succinctly written introductory information about the animals' range, habitat, social groups, and diet. Spreads consist of one to three short, simply constructed sentences opposite crisp, color photographs, most of which represent the subject perfectly. Each title includes a short, illustrated glossary, and a publisher-maintained portal where Web sites for further reading are available. Worthy resources for children who need a quick read with straightforward facts.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Gr 2–5—Harriet Quimby was a writer and adventurer who became the first woman in the United States to receive a pilot's license and the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel. This picture-book biography briefly recounts her interest in flying, her short-lived fame as an aviatrix, and her untimely death less than a year after receiving her license. Whitaker's text flows well, and a time line and author's note at the back of the book provide more information about Quimby's place in aviation history. The two or three paragraphs of text per spread are surrounded by Stock's bright, fluid watercolors. The energetic illustrations reflect the facts of the story and impart a sense of the excitement surrounding the early air shows. Readers will glean additional period details through Stock's depictions of the pilot's dress and the airplanes she flew. Marissa Moss's Brave Harriet (Harcourt, 2001) is a more abbreviated, fictionalized account of Quimby's life. Daring is a good choice for children looking for an accessible book about early female flyers beyond Amelia Earhart and Bessie Coleman.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 1–3—This autobiographical picture book chronicles the author's struggles in second grade. Smaller than everyone else, new in town, and speaking with an unfamiliar Southern accent, Wood also found reading to be a chore. Miss Little had him remain after school each day, and while he was at first resentful of the attention, her patience and careful choice of reading material eventually won him over. The story works as a tribute to those unsung teacher heroes whose dedication to their craft and native intuition about children have changed lives, although that aspect of the book may be appreciated more by adults than by youngsters. However, the book also works as a tribute to Golden MacDonald's (Margaret Wise Brown's) The Little Island (Random, 1946). It is that gentle but quietly magical tale that Miss Little wisely used as a teaching tool, and that showed the boy that learning to read was worth his time because the book truly spoke to him. Burke's large, realistic oils, with their rich greens and blues, complement the story nicely. In an author's note, Wood discusses ADHD. While not quite as powerful as Patricia Polacco's Thank You, Mr. Falker (Philomel, 1998), this book is a worthwhile addition to most collections.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ