Preschool to Grade 4

PreS-Gr 1—Published posthumously, this small, timeless book will resonate with children and pays a lovely tribute to Alexander. Faced with his teacher's assignment to color in a picture of a flower for Mother's Day, Max feels increasingly frustrated. He knows his mother would prefer his own drawing. While the other children obediently stay in the lines, Max finally grabs his paper and crayons and runs out of the classroom. Safely in hiding, he makes his own picture of a flower. In the end, the children (not to mention the teacher and policeman) are relieved to find Max—and so inspired by his picture that they create their own unique flowers, too. Alexander left her original sketches along with the manuscript to Rumford, who helped to complete them with some digital manipulation and watercolors. The book is respectful of her quiet but expressive style, and the illustrations work well with the text to bring Max's internal struggle to life. Interesting endpapers featuring flowers designed by Alexander's friends and family beautifully frame the theme of creative individuality. Rumford's note at the end explains how the book came to be.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 1—A boy in a family of nine lovingly describes their creaky old house. The favorite oak tree, the handmade drawings on the wall, the quiet window seat, the frayed rug, the claw-foot tub, the trapdoor, and the banister that is ideal for sliding down more than make up for the cracks, chips, leaky roof, and sloping floors. When the front doorknob suddenly falls off in Pa's hands, a simple repair job almost turns into a major renovation project. While the family members all get caught up with their big ideas and elaborate plans, baby sister Lizzie simply fixes the doorknob. And everyone is relieved to discover that they really love their house just the way it is. The clever, rhyming text bounces along with a perfect cadence. The ink, watercolor, and pencil illustrations enhance the telling, and readers will take great pleasure in poring over the many amusing details, especially those that foreshadow the satisfying ending.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

Gr 2–5—In Kenya, the Maasai are cattle herders and the more numerous Kikuyu are farmers. The two groups often fight about land use. This story uses that age-old conflict as a vehicle for contemplating enmity and friendship. When Abaani, a Maasai boy, sees young Haki's Kikuyu vegetable stall near his family's grazing land, he repeats what he's heard from his elders: "You destroy our land!" Haki, of course, takes offense, and the boys are ready to become enemies. However, they see one another's good qualities when circumstances force them together to rescue a straying toddler. Repeated exposure and a few good games of mancala finally bring about a mutual trust, and they take a real step toward peace when they decide to trade veggies for milk, and to introduce their families. A framing metaphor about the harmony between zebra, wildebeests, and the Thomson's gazelle gently reinforces the lesson. Heartfelt storytelling and strong research combine to offer a universal message with a unique setting. The clear, light-filled illustrations are expressive and create a sense of place. A lovely, hopeful story that manages to convey its message with minimal didacticism.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 2–4—This stunningly crafted tale, written in the language of the storyteller, realistically pictures, in both words and paintings, the phenomenon that is the winter solstice. ("The snow lies deep./The night is long and long./The stars are ice, the moon is frost,/and all the world is still.") Although the characters in the almost poetic text are animals—crow, moose, fox—they express the apprehension felt by ancient peoples as they anxiously awaited the sun's return following the longest night of the year. Amid the snow, darkness, and bitter wind, each of the creatures boasts that it will get the sun to return, but the wind replies, "Not you,…Not you." Surprisingly, the wind chooses the tiny chickadee to wake the slumbering sun with her cheery song—"Dee-dee-dee." "And with the song/of one small bird/and the sun's answering smile/the journey toward spring/begins." There is plenty of moonlight in Lewin's watercolor paintings created with just blue, brown, and green. Double-page close-ups of a sleeping, moonlit bear surrounded by tiny snoozing field mice; the soft, knowing eyes of the antlered moose; the vicious snarl of the heavily whiskered fox; and the larger-than-life chickadee all create the feeling that you, the observer, are standing close at hand, a participant in this annual ritual of nature.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

K-Gr 3— Grapevine immediately announces itself as playfully idiomatic. When Bird isn't certain of what Turtle's told him (the watering hole's humor is "drying up"), he sparks a series of misunderstandings. He tells Elephant that the watering hole itself is drying up. As word spreads from Elephant to Snake to Crocodile, and so on, the confusion builds as the animals are caught in an unintended game of telephone. The simple pen-and-ink and watercolor spreads are imaginative and employ a picture frame that the unruly animals often break through. Beard uses a subtle palette as well as brightly colored pages with plenty of white space. Budding artists will appreciate the humor of the elegantly stylized illustrations. This offering is ripe for lessons on idiomatic expressions, rumors, gossip, the age-old game of telephone, and life at an African watering hole.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

K-Gr 2—A young bear wakes up one morning smelling smoke, and when he can't find a firefighter, he becomes one. But Firefighter Ted gets so distracted by the details of being a rescue hero that he doesn't pay attention to what is actually happening around him. He uses a fire extinguisher on a piece of burnt toast among other disasters. Ted does, however, end up "rescuing" the school principal in a fairly spectacular way, proving that he does have fire-safety skills. Beaty and Lemaitre, who previously teamed up for Doctor Ted (S & S, 2008), again bring a light hand to their story. Ted is lovable despite his bumbling and his tendency to cause more trouble. A good book for all wannabe firefighters and for those who just love a fun story.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 1—Good things come in small packages, including this book. When Itty Bitty, "a very, very tiny dog," finds a "very, very enormous bone," he turns it into his new home. The house feels empty, however, so he goes out to buy some furniture, driving to the store in his walnut-shell vehicle. Everything Itty Bitty sees there is huge, and he worries that he won't find anything suitable until he notices a sign pointing to the "Teeny-Weeny Department." He returns home with his tiny car loaded to the brim with everything he needs to make his new dwelling cozy. Children will enjoy this simple story about finding a place for oneself. The colorful illustrations, done in acrylic with ink, add cheer to the delightful story. The text is simple enough for beginning readers, and the book also makes a great read-aloud with small groups.—Kate Neff, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

Gr 1–4—When a "quaint little town" has a problem, the culprit is Litterbug Doug, a "lonely and lazy-boned thug" who's created a "mountain of waste." In rhyming verse, an unfortunate binary paradigm is presented: one is either neat, productive, and quaint or dirty and lazy. Doug is rescued from his ignorance by Michael Recycle. The end pages include random comments, such as the number of pounds of trash thrown out each day, per person, by Americans in 2007, the amount of trash recycled annually, and a hope that after 100 million tons of waste are recycled, "the president will give everyone a cheeseburger!" (There is no mention that the cheeseburger/fast food industry has created its own environmental problems.) The typical tips for creating less individual waste—turning off water, planting a tree, turning off the lights and electronics, using cloth napkins, not paper towels—are also given. Vibrantly colored, busy cartoonlike paintings are filled with stylized rats, garbage cans, and cats, and litter heaps recycle themselves from page to page. Our Class Is Going Green (Scholastic, 2008), Gail Gibbons's Recycle! (Little, Brown, 1992), and Paul Showers's Where Does the Garbage Go? (HarperCollins, 1994) are more informative.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

K-Gr 2—Blabey offers a charming glimpse of childhood resilience and ambivalence through his title character. Sunday, all glasses and funny hat, shares her story in a matter-of-fact tone: her father moves around a lot for his job, and she is always the new girl. She both appreciates and regrets her circumstances, presented as a series of snapshots in "good news, bad news" juxtaposition. ("I've lived all over the world. Which is great. Trouble is, I'm always starting at new schools…. And everyone thinks the new kid is weird. But guess what? I don't care.") She goes on to describe herself and her feelings in one or two sentences per page. The simple narrative is fleshed out by the acrylic and mixed-media illustrations in muted earth tones and soft edges showing that Sunday, a thin grin bisecting her round face, gets along just fine, even while she is wishing for more stability. Match this picture book with Amy Krouse Rosenthal's OK Book (HarperCollins, 2007) to introduce children to the satisfaction of independence and self-reliance.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

PreS-Gr 1—This cautionary guidebook provides readers with 10 important rules to follow when having a bear over to play. Advice includes not having him close the front door as it will end up in the front yard, not telling him to take a seat, for "your mom's favorite chair/Will end up as a treat." Bears are rambunctious, messy, and wild. The young boy's animal playmate behaves like a 400-pound toddler. This boisterous romp is good for reading aloud but explores no new ground. The illustrations are full of movement and energy as they spill across the page. The bear's uninhibited strength and great size are conveyed through Barrette's use of perspective. Nearly every scene contains an object in midair and thus a sense of the bear's naivety regarding the rules. Good for larger collections and where Laura Numeroff's "If You Give a …" books (HarperCollins) are in demand.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—Margo is excited about her birthday gift. With the yellow tutu on her waist she pretends to be a dancer, but when she puts it on her head she becomes the sun. She can't wait to go to school and show her friends how she shines on everything she sees, but some of the children make fun of her "tutu head." Tears begin to well up in her eyes until Pearl rescues her. She has a pink tutu and together she and Margo put the skirts on their heads and enjoy a tea party in the garden after school. This is a sweet story of youthful exuberance, imagination, and friendship. Kirsten Bramsen has a keen understanding of the workings of children's minds. Margo is a believable little girl; she is so innocent and enthusiastic that readers will readily enter her pretend world. Carin Bramsen's whimsical illustrations capture the text's energy and fun. Her style is reminiscent of classic, old-fashioned greeting cards with slightly muted lines and pastel colors. She shows Margo in the real world and in the world of her imagination, where bees smile and squirrels with sunglasses sip lemonade. Those who liked Margaret Chodos-Irvine's Ella Sarah Gets Dressed (2003) and Best Best Friends (2006, both Harcourt) will enjoy this sunny offering that reminds readers that all it takes is one friend to make everything better.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-Gr 2—With a zest for worm farming, young Winnie cares for her red wiggler companions. Hoping to submit them as an entry in the county fair competition, she asks her neighbors for advice, but they are all preoccupied with their own ambitious offerings. In a quiet twist, Winnie's worms serve a greater purpose by helping the other competitors. Instructions for creating a worm farm conclude the lighthearted narrative. Nimble lines and cool colors depict the energy of the active outdoor scenes. Humorous details abound through animated expressions: Winnie's a hoot as she cuddles her favored worm close to her face while the disgusted cat yowls. She maintains her endearing qualities throughout with her smile, freckled cheeks, and no-nonsense visor pulled low over her hair. Winnie's spunky, good-natured heart anchors a gentle and entertaining read.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

PreS-Gr 2—After a young boy finds an autumn leaf, his father reads him a bedtime story. They tuck the leaf into the book and the boy has a wonderful dream of a forest filled with leaves and animals. Upon waking with book in hand, the child finds the park pictured in his story and starts searching for animals. It seems that all he can find are leaves. When he finds a pile of them, he does what any child would do—he takes a running leap to dive in. He lands with a thud, and appearing out of the leaves is a creature somewhat like an owl. This leafy creature and the boy play and read the boy's book together. With its help, he finds the animals pictured in the book, but they stumble upon a foreboding construction site. The boy returns home and tells his parents what he saw. They dismiss it as childish fantasy, but even as he grows up, the boy thinks about the friendly creature. The boy becomes a father, and when his own son finds the book with the leaf and the park, he sets out to find it. Crisp colors and bold outlines make the illustrations sing, and tell the story without any words. The linear time line is easy to follow even though the subject matter is a bit more abstract. This is a strong companion to Tao Nyeu's Wonder Bear (Dial, 2008), and to environmentally themed books like Bill Peet's The Wump World (Houghton, 1974).—Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City

K-Gr 4—A king and queen dream of creating the perfect kingdom. Their first order of business: "Lock up all the undesirables!" At first this seems a simple task, and their chosen hatchet man, the Granvilan, works his way through the alphabet, imprisoning the Archprickilys, the Babbilylips, and the Crumpitycrocs. After reaching the Zoozles, the dungeon is filled, and even the Granvilan finds himself on the undesirable list. Taking matters into his own hands, he digs a moat around the castle, isolating "the true undesirables." The intolerant monarchs are left to learn their lesson in a kingdom "as perfect as the desert." The author's intention with this fairy tale is evident from the dedication: "For Custer, Hitler, Pol Pot, Khomeini and Milosevic, and for the true undesirables of today in the hope that someday they may understand," and his point is clearly made. Young children will get the basic message, and older kids can discuss the political implications. The dark, mixed-media illustrations are intriguing and almost unsettling, which suits the story, and provide another layer of meaning that adults and older children will enjoy discussing. A thought-provoking selection for the right audience.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

PreS-K—The sun is setting in the jungle, and animal mothers are gathering their babies close to settle them for the night. Each mother encourages her little one(s) to go to sleep with soft words of comfort in this counting book, beginning with a rhino saying, "Sleep" to her one baby, a monkey softly urging, "Rest" to her two babies, etc., until finally, elephants assemble their ten babies to rest by the river, as shown in a foldout. The song "Over in the Meadow" is the inspiration for the book's verses. What distinguishes this title is its stunning illustrations. The story begins with a hint of daylight in the background, and with each subsequent spread the sun gradually sets in tones of pink, lilac, violet, and then deep blue as the moon gently rises and stars appear in the night sky. The animals are depicted in their natural settings in soothing shades that are sure to bring about the calm that encourages sleep. A lovely addition.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

K-Gr 2—Tully the mouse is escaping from the house cat when he stumbles into the pantry and finds Frill. He is so smitten that he immediately asks her to marry him. He tries to find a perfect home for them and to prove that he can be a good provider. All the while, the pair must evade the cat and the missus until finally Frill accepts his proposal. The richly hued artwork is rendered with acrylics and gel. The illustrations add warmth and wonderful details, like pickled vegetables in the pantry, an old-fashioned cat clock with eyes that move side to side, and the two characters with heart-shaped pupils at story's end. The poetic language adds to the romance: "The sky was swept with a glitter of stars. They threw off showers of light like billions and billions of fireflies." Love at first sight.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

PreS-Gr 1—One day, while Bridget is at Mrs. Blair's house being looked after, she eats a biscuit she finds in the shed—a dog biscuit. Mrs. Blair jokes that she will "go bowwow and turn into a dog," and Bridget begins to believe it. She imagines that she is growing ears and a tail, woofs at the butcher on the way home, gobbles dinner, and acts like a bad doggy during bedtime stories, almost convincing herself that she has changed. Then she dreams of being a canine, partying under the moon with other dogs, and things become too real. She wakes up in the comforting arms of her mother, who confirms that she is still a little girl, and suggests that they "curl up like puppies, just us two," until morning. Next day, they go to see Mrs. Blair, who is sorry for the tease, and they all have tea and "human-being treats" (gingerbread men). The recipe is appended. A handsome and thoughtfully done layout uses different fonts and sizes for the text, and Cooper's illustrations alternate quiet, ordinary scenes with wild scenes of Bridget's imagination-in some, the little girl has an appealing dog's head with distinctive red ribbon bow; in her dream she is a white shaggy pup; and everywhere there are other dogs romping happily against unusually colored pages. This is a beautiful and imaginative book for anyone who loves a good story.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-K—A rabbit and a pig decide they want to trade places with one another, so they use art supplies and other items at hand to transform themselves accordingly. The layout and text will help audiences keep track of who's who as the changes occur. The rabbit is always on the left side of the spread, and the pig, on the right. Each character also speaks in a distinctive typeface. These design elements underscore the story's theme that differences are what make us unique and special. Children will identify with the animals' playful, imaginative antics. For example, the rabbit covers the tips of its long ears with socks so she will resemble the pig. Meanwhile, the pig puts a pair of tights on its head so it can have long, floppy ears. Fans of dress up and creative play, especially, will relate to the story. Moreover, the mixed-media artwork evokes children's drawings and paintings. Black lines around the figures resemble crayon strokes. Broad brushstrokes also recall the vigorous efforts of young artists. Text and illustrations effectively collaborate to create a cozy, cheerful book. A welcome addition with broad appeal.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY

PreS-Gr 2—By day, Eliot is a quiet boy who likes to read, but when the clock strikes midnight, he becomes a superhero. The youngster, who sports curly orange hair, large round glasses, and a green cape and matching boots, returns teddy bears to babies, rescues his town from rampaging lions, and stops a ship from crashing onto the rocks. Now he embarks on his "most dangerous mission ever"—saving Earth from a gigantic meteor. Eliot's adventures are fast-paced and exciting. A variety of fonts are used, making the text feel integrated into the action-packed illustrations. Done in vibrant pastel hues, the collage-style spreads match the tone of each adventure and include many details that youngsters will enjoy exploring. A worthy addition to kids-as-superheroes collections.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

K-Gr 2—Mrs. Millie is back and sillier than ever. In this adventure she takes her class to the "pumpkin pets" (patch). They go on a dragon (wagon) ride; see a "harecrow" (scarecrow); pick "round, orange pumas"(pumpkins), drink "hot apple spider" (cider); and mulch (much) more. Cox's wordplay is sure to amuse and entertain. Mathieu's illustrations, done in Prismacolor pencil, dyes, and pen and ink, are better than ever and suffused with fall colors. They show jubilant faces and make the off-the-wall text laugh-out-loud funny as they depict Mrs. Millie's malapropisms. The billy boats and striped bee animals are especially comical. A good addition to autumn storytimes.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

K-Gr 2—Felix walks into the dark woods (he looks as though he has stepped straight out of a Jules Feiffer cartoon). He is in for a run of bad luck. A scary sound—"AHOUOUHOU!"—sends him running to a hiding place in a hollow tree. It's a wolf, warming itself by a great big fire. Another, even scarier sound frightens the wolf away—a tiger. But wait! The tiger clears out at the scariest sound yet, which issues from a really large, really nasty crocodile. Will Felix be stuck inside the tree forever? A doorknob, a flight of stairs, and a clever rabbit lead the little boy to a way through his quandary and his fear. In fact, the two small, peaceable beings turn the tables, not once, but twice on their terror-inspiring counterparts. A little cool-headedness, a dollop of ingenuity, and a big helping of friendship convert a hopeless situation into a gentle and downright funny triumph. The best part of this wonderful tale is that Felix is an Everyman among children. There is nothing about him that sets him apart from his readers, and every child will be able to picture himself/herself in his shoes. De Monfreid's watercolor-and-ink illustrations are simple, charming, and extraordinarily expressive, making this a lovely book to add to any collection.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Anyone who has ever had a bad day will recognize this scenario. After his mother makes the innocent mistake of asking her son if he would like some peaches, she watches as his mood goes from cranky to downright earthshaking. The illustrations, done in a messy mix of charcoal, oil paint, and grease pencil, capture the angry energy of the tantrum. Similar to David Shannon's "David" books (Scholastic), Finn is less mischievous and more prone to meltdowns. Overall, the book is fun and captures the essence of a cranky toddler whose moods can change as fast as the weather.—Kate Neff, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

PreS-K—Little Olu has set up some of his toys in readiness for "the big race," but his father ends the child's fun by announcing that it's time for bed. Evading monsters, eating all the pizza he can hold, riding on a big blue whale, and traveling in a rocket ship through outer space reveal that the child's imagination runs wild even in sleep. The story is told in forced rhyming couplets: "It's a whale! What a ride. Feel that cool breeze./Away we go, unless there's a sneeeeze…." The numerous, brightly colored, frenetic, manga-style illustrations may appeal to children but are not enough to make this even an additional purchase.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-K—Two children plant a garden in the spring. They water and weed and enjoy each vegetable as it ripens, but they are puzzled by one particular vine. Both spring and summer pass, and finally, in the fall, their mystery vine produces pumpkins. This will come as no surprise to even very young readers, as pumpkins are pictured on both the cover and title page, one of the seed packets the little girl carries has a picture of a pumpkin, and the book is subtitled "a pumpkin surprise." The layout is quite nice, with the text offset in small frames and enticing pictures of vegetables gracing the top, and brightly colored collages with clean lines decorating the pages. However, the rhyming text itself is often forced and awkward. Delightful pumpkin books abound, making this one a marginal purchase.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

K-Gr 2—Magical and ethereal do not typically describe tales of bullying, but this lyrical combination of realism and fantasy defies expectation. Eliza is upset about the way other children treat Lainey, but she is afraid to stand up to the boy who particularly delights in tormenting her. Eliza is a "tiny girl with wobbly arms and legs, all skin and bones like a newly hatched bird." From the time she was a baby, her mother would tell her, "Look down and see what is….Now, look up and see what can be." The text says that Eliza can fly, and the illustrations depict her and Lainey looking down at the town. But can she really fly? Readers can decide whether to interpret the story literally or figuratively. The emotion of the tale is reflected in the dramatic, mixed-media illustrations. Each spread has a background of saturated color framed by a soft black border, suggesting vignettes or memories rather than a straightforward narrative, and childlike outline drawings are scattered across the pages. The girls' faces are photo-realistic with painted hair and clothes, resulting in a doll-like effect. The complex images and constantly shifting visual perspective perfectly match the ambiguous nature of the text. This is a beautiful book with a somber tone, buoyed by Eliza and Lainey's triumph in imagining possibilities. They do not fight the bully, but defy him by becoming friends.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-K—This book is a celebration of times spent with loved ones, whether sharing secrets with friends at a picnic or snuggling with Mom and Dad on a rainy night. Each spread illustrates a four-line rhyme that explains a together-time activity. The bouncy text scans well, and the bright illustrations match the tone. The animals are sweetly drawn with expressive faces. A good choice for a group read-aloud.—Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

Gr 2–4—While on a field trip to Washington, DC, Mallory and her fourth-grade classmates are required to keep a journal. Mallory records a "list of interesting things" that she has seen, but also explains what is happening, or not happening, with her best friend. Mary Ann is supposed to be her partner, but they aren't spending much time together, which causes Mallory to question their relationship and become separated from her class at a museum. She juggles the new situation of a friend interested in boys with trying to display "exemplary" behavior and keeping tabs on her loose tooth. The story abounds with facts about the places the children visit, such as the Washington Monument and National Zoo. Mallory's journal entries include pencil drawings that complement the tale. Readers will relate to the child and enjoy the format of this latest entry in the chapter-book series.—Bethany A. Lafferty, Henderson District Public Library, NV

PreS-Gr 2—In this story told in rhyme, Percy Isaac Gifford, clad in his P.I.G. sweater, presents readers with a workshop on how to get the most out of Thanksgiving, complete with 10 simple rules. ("Rule 1: Smile and say pumpkin pie.") He offers advice on everything from getting through preparations and greetings to how to load up the perfect plate. Exaggerated cartoon art gets increasingly busy as it builds toward the climactic spread featuring the entire Thanksgiving buffet and then slowly tapers back down again as the post-feast stupor hits many of the guests. Sometimes the inconsistent rhythm of the text makes reading aloud awkward. A silly ode to the holiday for larger collections.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Murphy is a puppy that blatantly represents a child in foster care. He is a Tibetan Terrier, a dog that is supposed to bring good luck, but when he is moved from home to home, he assumes that it is his fault and that other pups must be "good luck dogs." When the humans from his third home love him even when he disobeys the rules, he moves beyond his insecurity and realizes that he was wrong to think of himself as bad luck. Murphy's understanding of the human world is inconsistent from scene to scene. The denouement, for example, hinges on his fear of what he describes as a large, noisy gathering at his home. Without any interim explanation, however, he is impressed that his owner "left her party" to look for him. The oversimplification of the adjustment to a loving home does foster children a disservice. The writing is average, at best, with some noticeably stilted phrases, and is accompanied by rather static illustrations that range from spot art to full-page pictures. A lengthy note to caregivers follows the story, which could be useful to adults who are new to foster children's unique psychological needs. However, for children who need books on this topic, recommend Janell Cannon's Stellaluna (Houghton, 1993), especially if the child's permanency plan calls for a return home.—Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL

Gr 1–3—The hectic, bright vibe of Saturday morning cartoons is brought to beginning readers in book form. In Treasure Hunt, Ronnie's search for a birthday gift for his mother takes a bizarre turn when he is kidnapped by space pirates. The book is a boisterous sci-fi fantasy with no grounding in reality, which may confuse younger readers. The absentminded protagonist of Mr. Croc learns to play guitar in the hopes of being a TV star, but after a taste of fame, he decides he prefers the quiet life. Though the character development is only rudimentary, the book aptly conveys the message of being true to oneself. While the illustrations in Treasure Hunt simply portray Ronnie's story, Mr. Croc uses word bubbles to further the plot, giving it a graphic-novel feel. Both books feature large print against a white background, which will encourage independent reading. The stories aren't exceptional, but they are action-packed, and the trendy topics of pirates and rock stars will appeal to reluctant readers looking for modern material.—Rebecca Dash, New York Public Library

K-Gr 2—Miss Mingo, a pink flamingo, and her diverse animal students are back. As she begins to prepare the class for fire drills, they become anxious. "Panda started barking. Elephant trumpeted." Miss Mingo assures them all that with practice, they will know what to do. Fire Chief Grizzly visits and talks about "Stop!" "Drop!" and "Roll!" When the teacher leaves the room for lunch and the cafeteria monitor takes her place, an enormous sneeze from Hippo sends the other students into evacuation mayhem. Fortunately, their mistake prepares them for the real drill later in the week. Throughout the book, factual notations about the animals' defense mechanisms appear in small print. "When danger threatens, the proboscis monkey honks loudly, and its large, fleshy nose swells and turns red." The accompanying watercolor-and-ink illustration shows a comical creature whose nose is twice the size of his head. Harper's silliness helps deliver the well-articulated and important lessons about emergency behavior. Children will love the story for its charm and rollicking fun, and the salient points will make a lasting impression. A top choice for Fire Prevention Week.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

PreS-Gr 2—A playful expansion of "Hickory, Dickory Dock," this picture book centers around the concept of a cat chasing a mouse through the hours of a day. "Hickory dickory doo, the grandfather clock struck TWO./It woke the cat, who sprang from his mat,/hungry for mouse-tail stew," and the race is on. Some of the rhyming verses are awkwardly constructed ("Hickory dickory date,/at EIGHT, they ran through the gate./The farmer's son/said, 'That looks fun./I'm coming too. So wait!'"). Expressive mixed-media illustrations display a gleeful mouse swinging on the clock chimes while a sleepy feline dozes on a nearby rug, and then highlight the ensuing chaos as other animals and people join the pursuit. The ending shows a very tired mouse and cat catching their breath as the clock strikes one in the morning. A thoughtful afterword offers a two-page explanation about the difference between digital and analog clocks and how to tell time, and challenges readers to find the various clocks featured in the illustrations (e.g., a cuckoo clock, a pocket watch, and a digital stove clock). Keith Baker's Hickory Dickory Dock (Harcourt, 2007) is a better constructed albeit calmer rendition of the nursery rhyme.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—Tinka, a golden retriever, is "a joy dog,/a boy's dog,/a chews-a-brand-new-toy dog." She loves her boy and doesn't like being left at home when he boards a bus on a fall morning. When Mom isn't looking, the "spring-and-sprint-and-streak dog" races to school, runs through the halls causing mayhem, and ends up finding her boy in his classroom. Although she makes the teacher unhappy by messing up the room, the students are delighted by Tinka's presence and find that the pup loves a read-aloud. In the end, she's "a please-come-every-day dog." Bowers's vivid acrylic illustrations are full of expression, from the pup peeking through a screen door while waiting to make her move to the smiling children and teacher waving good-bye at the end of the day. Youngsters will like learning with each turn of the page just what makes this dog so special.—Adrienne Wilson, Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, Monroe, CT

Gr 3–4—Fiona and Frieda love to act out fairy tales. Usually Frieda takes on the evil witch role, while Fiona favors princesses and fairies, but the real fun begins when the girls invoke MRP, their magic rhyming powers. Their incantations make the real world recede, thrusting the third graders into a fantasy realm where they handle such emergencies as, in Cinderella, a ruined ball gown and the prospect that the poor heroine might not even make it to the ball. Knowing the story endings gives the girls a definite advantage, though their contribution of such modern devices as a digital watch alarm that can remind Cinderella to leave on time presents a new challenge. In Goldilocks, the duo discovers that the three bears are really pandas residing in a bamboo forest. Goldie is now in a new adventure—she is being pursued by the notorious big bad wolf. When the friends help Hansel and Gretel to find their way out of the subway, they become imprisoned by the witch along the way, and use the facts of the original story against her. Though the writing is not especially inspired, these fractured fairy tales, accompanied by simple, black-and-white line drawings, offer solid independent-reading choices as well as ideas for dramatic play.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

PreS-K—Every morning, a young hamster races into her parents' bedroom and asks, "Is the baby here yet?" and each time they answer, "Not yet." Rose can't decide whether she wants a sister or a brother, and at one point she decides that she doesn't want a baby at all, but her mother brings her around to the idea that she'll probably like being a big sister. Dad describes the nurturing that babies require and reminds his daughter that she was once an infant who needed and received loving care, too. When a brother is born, she carefully holds him, marvels at how tiny he is, and sings to him until he falls asleep in her arms. The book ends neatly with Rose's parents asking if her arms are tired and she replies, "Not yet." Hill presents adults who encourage their daughter to process her feelings and come to her own conclusions. The narrative's pacing and structure are ideal, with the story and life lessons beginning on Monday and ending on Friday. Rutten's cheery watercolor illustrations, depicting the hamsters' life in their cozy country cottage and later in the hospital, are infused with subtle, appropriate humor. With its thoughtful text and playful art, this book gently helps older siblings confidently adjust to their new roles.—Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

K-Gr 2—Boris, who was shipped around the world in Boris and the Snoozebox (Tiger Tales, 2008), is back in another adventure. This time the feline wakes up to find he has the wrong shadow. It appears to be that of a mouse and draws the snickers of other animals. Boris is upset and thinks that if he had a bigger shadow, say an elephant's, "everything would be hunky-dory." Just when he is about to sink into despair, he spies his own shadow attached to his mouse friend. Vernon is reluctant to give it back since it makes him feel noticed for the first time, but when it proves to be too big to fit into his home, the friends swap and realize they should concentrate on more important things. Although the mixed-media collage illustrations and broken text add a frenetic quality to the story, readers will enjoy poring over the details. Nearly every animal and object has its own shadow, which is a clever touch.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

PreS-Gr 1—One day, while the other owls sleep, a little owl stays awake and is introduced to an exciting world of color. Wide spreads depict the pink dawn, yellow sun, blue sky, green leaves, gray clouds, and a colorful rainbow. The little owl is wowed by the effect of each new color, but when the sun sets, she decides that the nighttime stars are the most beautiful of all. Collage-style illustrations done in simple, bright shapes show little owl in her tree while the changing colors and perspectives keep each page turn "WOW!"-worthy. The last page includes a color wheel inviting readers to go back through the book and find the hues again. Straightforward and flowing, this title makes a satisfying introduction to the colors of the day.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—Spunky Sal loves to ride shotgun on her father's stagecoach. Perched there, she loves to sing to her dad, the horses, and the passengers. When an unfortunate encounter with a hornet's nest sidelines him, Sal finally gets her chance to "hold the ribbons." But her first solo trip entails a mail delivery with no passengers, and Ma and Pa are worried that she might encounter that no-good bandit "Poetic Pete," whose robberies are famous for their polite and rhyming verse. Sure enough, when Sal encounters the fancy-suited outlaw she must use her talents to outsmart the smooth-tongued desperado before he has a chance to steal her cargo. This high-spirited tale of a young heroine begs for an energetic read-aloud punctuated with song (and a well-placed pioneer accent). Sal is an engaging, adventuresome character sure to delight readers with her gutsiness and determination. The text is written in an exaggerated caricature style interspersed with period songs. Ellis's ink drawings washed in sepia-toned watercolor convey a daguerreotype feel, and the depiction of pigtailed Sal is delightful. A refreshing addition to a unit on Western migration, Wells Fargo, or heroic females in history.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

PreS-Gr 1—This academic slice of life is a serviceable entry in Hubbell's community-helper series. An unidentified child describes a typical week in school: "We learn our numbers, one, two, three,/and our letters, A, B, C./We practice how to read and spell./Teacher joins our show-and-tell." Whether on the playground, engaging in community gardening, or working on computers, the kids seem to be having positive experiences. Clear and colorful cartoon illustrations show the peppy white teacher interacting with her diverse students in this oddly undersized class of four. Although the story lacks the spark of Joseph Slate's "Miss Bindergarten" books (Dutton), teachers will be pleased by this tribute, and youngsters starting school may find its sunny atmosphere comforting.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-Gr 1—This concept book spans from 1 to 10, but "Numbers go on forever." The artwork is retooled from earlier books, but the text is fresh. Each spread features Hughes's distinctive watercolor and pencil illustrations of endearing children and several lines of text. Readers are given many opportunities to explore the numbers, such as the spread for two: banging saucepan lids, twin babies, sets of socks and shoes, two to play hide-and-seek, and two for bouncing games. This pleasant concept book has enough detail to invite lap sharing but is both simple and engaging enough to use with a group.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 1—This slight vignette follows Louie's weekly Friday visit to his grandfather's restaurant in Chinatown. He watches the chefs, waiters, delivery boy, and other workers go through their routines. He eats dinner with Grandpa Sam and runs into a friend. The story has essentially no plot and lacks transitions, making the reading choppy. The collage and oil illustrations are brightly colored and utilize some interesting materials, including actual fortune cookies and paper scraps. However, they are static, and the depictions of some of the Chinese characters verge on stereotypical. Isadora is at her best with the vivid fish tank and decorations; the photos of actual food and pieces of take-out menus are also effective. While the child/grandfather angle brings immediacy to the story, at heart it is just a laundry list of things that happen in a Chinese restaurant. And without cohesiveness or a strong story line, it is unlikely to warrant repeated readings. Pick up a copy of Ted Lewin's Big Jimmy's Kum Kau Chinese Take Out (HarperCollins, 2002) or Grace Lin's Dim Sum for Everyone! (Knopf, 2001) and pass on this forgettable offering.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 1–3—Happily installed in his new home, Snack, an adorable puppy impulsively adopted by Mrs. Portly, is taught the household rules, keeps his mistress good company, and inspires her to new heights in her work as a painter. And upon his return home, persnickety Mr. Portly, an esthete, is suitably impressed with his wife's new artistic output, especially her capture of "the true spirit of red dahlias." But he also reacts predictably to Snack's licks, muddy paw prints, and newspaper chewing and banishes the dog to a doghouse. It's a serendipitous move: when a thief breaks into the Portlys' home, Snack scares him away and leads his owners to the bag of paintings hastily flung into the dahlia bed. His crime-busting earns him a move back indoors—and right into Mr. and Mrs. Portly's bed. Handsomely designed and illustrated, this title pairs stylish New Yorker-like watercolor and black line drawings with uncoated, vellum stock to convey a tangible feeling of sophistication and elegance. The witty, urbane story line is well matched by the illustrations' energy, flair, and ebullient use of color. This tale of a refined middle-aged couple coming to terms with the ruckus and love offered by an endearing puppy is sure to evoke knowing chuckles from adult dog lovers, but children may not relate to it.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

PreS-Gr 2—Happy-go-lucky Duck and worrywart Raccoon plan a picnic on a beautiful summer day in this poignant and charming tale. Raccoon envisions the outing with negative possibilities: killer bees and a terrible storm that causes the two to seek shelter in a cave, only to come face-to-face with a vicious fire-breathing dragon. Duck imagines a picnic in a meadow surrounded by butterflies, splashing about with Raccoon in the cool river, flying a kite together, and exploring a cave, only to discover a gentle and playful baby dragon. Duck's version entices Raccoon from seeking safety under a blanket, and to seize the day. Still, he proceeds with caution, loading himself down with a polka-dotted red umbrella and two flashlights, just in case. When they arrive at their bucolic destination, Duck realizes that he forgot the food. "Ready for anything," Raccoon pulls out a perfect repast. The engaging, playful gouache illustrations have a slightly cartoonish look. Lighthearted and wise, this humorous book skillfully presents the positive and negative issues that arise for both worrisome and free-spirited children. The ending provides an opportunity to discuss the extremes and possibilities for a healthy balance.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

K-Gr 2—Joe is a sloppy kid. He seems always to be surrounded by messiness and chaos. His grandparents lay newspaper under his chair when he eats with them. His pet frogs turn up in unexpected places. And adults are continually trying to clean him up, straighten his clothes, and improve his posture. But Joe's family loves him as he is. He tries to become neat with some limited success, and when his parents and siblings come down with the flu, he springs into action, bringing them socks topped off with ice cubes for their foreheads, filling the air with germ spray, and entertaining them with his corny jokes as they lie prostrate on the sofa. The illustrations are hilarious. This charming picture book is a wonderful choice for most libraries.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 2–5—Each year, the revered rabbi of an Eastern European village disappears for a few days before the Jewish New Year. The townsfolk speculate that he spends the time in heaven, personally asking God to forgive the villagers' sins. When a skeptical stranger follows the rabbi, he finds him performing a deed whose worth is "even higher": the rabbi chops wood to provide for a poor, elderly, sickly woman. Kimmel's adaptation is fairly traditional, but he has added a few elements that seem a bit at odds with the story, including a Ukrainian drinking song and a miraculous cure. The story is rooted firmly in the shtetl setting and is best appreciated by readers with some prior knowledge of this culture. Despite the cheerful cartoon illustrations, this is not the most child-friendly retelling. For a version more appealing to children, try Richard Ungar's Even Higher (Tundra, 2007), which features a curious boy instead of a doubting adult.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 1–3—Kimmelman's story, ostensibly about the irrepressible Alice Roosevelt, is as much about her father and his accomplishments. Each spread opens with a statement about what Teddy can handle (sickness, fighting, the vice-presidency, diplomacy), faced with a page of what he can't handle (one of Alice's many antics), and followed by the admonishment, "Alice, mind your manners!" Gustavson's realistic oil-on-paper illustrations convey the period while capturing the humor and vivaciousness of the Roosevelts. The author does not provide readers with much historical context, however (Alice's behavior may not seem so outlandish today), and emphasizes Teddy's frustration and parental incompetence. Barbara Kerley's What to Do About Alice? (Scholastic, 2008) does a better job of conveying time and place and the president's appreciation of his daughter's individuality.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

K-Gr 3—When Millicent cannot afford the hat she sees in a store window, the clerk remembers that he has a special one that's perfect for her budget. This imaginary hat can be any size, shape, or color that she prefers. As she walks down the street wearing it, Millie is inspired. Soon she has a hat like a peacock, then a cake, next a flower, and then a fountain. In the park she discovers that everyone has a special hat. Back home she tells her parents all about her day and soon they too are sporting hats. Kitamura's idea and writing are solid, but his illustrations are not as successful as in his Duck Is Dirty (Farrar, 1996; o.p.) or UFO Diary (Andersen, 2007). For example, the store clerk is described as kindly but looks decidedly sour, and the cake hat is less than appetizing. Overall the book doesn't display a joyful burst of imagination.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 3–5—This is a solid start to a new series. Ten-year-old Nathaniel Fludd's parents have been off on an adventure for three years and are now, in 1928, declared lost at sea at the North Pole. Thus begin Nate's own escapades as he goes to live with his Aunt Phil A. Fludd in Batting-at-the-Flies and learn the family business of mapmaking and beastology. Even though Nate has always resisted adventure, he now finds himself meeting an extraordinary talking dodo bird and talking gremlins, and he and Aunt Phil fly to Arabia to oversee the birth of a phoenix. When his aunt is taken by the Bedouin, Nate must summon his courage to protect the phoenix and save her. The story is packed with adventure and mythological creatures. Children who love fantasy, myth, exotic settings, and even a little dose of history will relate to Nate as he discovers his inner hero and carries on the Fludd family tradition. The characters are strongly developed and the period illustrations done in line, including some of Nate's own sketches, enhance the tale. A quick and enriching read that will appeal to a wide variety of children.—Jane Cronkhite, San Jose Public Library, CA

Gr 1–4—Rachel describes both the love and the frustration she feels in dealing with her sister, Alicia May, who has Down syndrome. Everything about this title is well done: the artistically rendered colorful pictures are almost photographic in their detail, and the narrative, which portrays Alicia May in positive terms, never surrenders to the usual banality of many books on the topic. Ling's book surpasses Jennifer Moore-Mallinos's My Brother Is Autistic and My Friend Has Down Syndrome (both Barron's, 2008). Recommend My Sister to children looking for a book written from the perspective of a child with a special-needs sibling.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

PreS-Gr 2—Urban meets bucolic in this charming family story that is narrated by a family's youngest child. "We live in the city. There are no apple trees, but there are farmer's markets where there are lots of apples." That's where the boy and his grandmother shop. They choose the fruit, wash it, cut it up, cook it, and finally run it through the food mill. Then comes the eating, "…plain, or with ice cream, or cottage cheese, or gingerbread, or cookies, or sliced bananas." This is not a long book but it's filled with enticing details. Even the names of the varieties are fun: Black Twig, King David, Northern Spy. A celebration of family ritual and slow foods, the story is in the best tradition of "show, don't tell." Gerstein's colorful paintings are edged with dynamic scratchy lines that convey a lively sense of movement. His sly humor is a perfect match for the straightforward narrative, which ends with a recipe and a glimpse into the boy's sunny future-full of apples, of course.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 1—Spotting what looks to be a fire at Number One House Row, brave Chief Rhino is determined to save the day. The crew—a moose, giraffe, zebra, and lion—quickly suits up, dashes to the house in their fire engine, and deploys a ladder. Chief Rhino climbs up to Great-Granny Wrinkle's second-floor home with his hose ready—and blasts the 100 candles on her birthday cake with water. There are no hard feelings, since they all share soggy cake and Great Granny knits a horn-warmer for our hero. Lloyd deftly uses puns ("What the blazes?" or "Great balls of fire!") to keep adults amused. The flat-styled cartoons, energized in reds, yellows, and blues, alternate between large elements and highly detailed views, keeping readers fully engaged. The town portraits are gems: Mama Rabbit pushes a six-kit stroller, two pigs ride a scooter and sidecar, and several critters take a dip at the town pool. Chief Rhino's slightly off-kilter eyes and Giraffe's gangly grace make for comic scenes. A fun rescue romp.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 2—Mischievous, warmhearted, silly, and touching, this short collection of stories in rhyme trips easily off the tongue in true Arnold Lobel style. In playful fashion, they feature Miss Frog baking pies and sugar buns, two lazy toads contemplating the night, a bright green frog playing the violin, a school for squirming polliwogs, and an adventurous jumper—often with a surprise-ending twist. A poem about a frog party, for example, concludes with: "They danced in the meadow/They danced in the street/They danced in the lemonade/Just to cool their feet." Adrianne Lobel, a set designer by profession, catches just the right mood in applying frothy, airy colors to her father's line art. A short introduction reveals how the collection came to be some 20 years after Lobel's death. This delectable combination of word and image is a treat not to be missed.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Otis is a fun-loving tractor who roams the fields after a hard day's work and plays in the haystacks. In the barn one night, his engine provides a gentle purr that helps a frightened young calf fall into a peaceful sleep. The two become inseparable. That is, until the farmer decides to upgrade and brings home a brand-new, shiny yellow tractor and relegates Otis to the weeds behind the building. Having outlived his usefulness, Otis just sits there, impervious to the calf's call to play. But when his friend gets stuck in Mud Pond and no one—not even the fire department—can pull her out, the feisty tractor revs his engine ("putt puff puttedy chuff") and saves the day. His heroism and concern for a friend are themes that will appeal to young readers. Long's gouache and pencil artwork is stunning with a red and cream main character against a sepia-toned monochromatic background. The overall effect is nostalgic and comforting as readers bond with the determined little tractor. In the end, Otis finds a place on the farm where his engine's soft purr can be put to good use. This satisfying conclusion that speaks of a place for everyone is sure to ring true to children.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Gr 1–4—A spectacular blend of fantasy and reality results in a whimsical wonderland. When Leon and his siblings visit a magic show, they view the jugglers' amazing athletic feats, the mechanical toys as they whiz and whirl, and the enchanted carousel's lulling tunes—until the imposing Abdul Kazam appears. With a twist of his cape and a gleam in his eye, the formidable magician calls Leon into his act, transporting him to the "place between." Baker-Smith utilizes dramatic foldouts to depict the glorious night scenes. Digital illustrations provide richness and depth; majestic purple backgrounds dominate, and swirling golden lines support the dynamic, fluid spreads. Balanced between shadow and light, expressive angular faces convey the audience's astonishment. McAllister's descriptive text provides powerful emphasis through taut dialogue; shifting font varies for added emphasis. Phrases build momentum to a natural crescendo as Leon shares with the others that his place between exists for "anyone who believes." The result is a magical delight for both skeptics and believers.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

K-Gr 1—In the tradition of Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon (HarperCollins, 1955), McCarty delivers a character who draws objects to life. This story, however, has a modern touch and an interesting psychological twist. Readers meet Jeremy, a blond, spike-haired boy garbed in a pink-striped shirt emblazoned with a large 3, alone in his third-floor apartment, gazing at a group of children playing ball below. The text reads, "He had his very own room. He never left. He never went outside." But Jeremy does have a fancy pen, and one day he conjures up a robust blue monster that, in short order, demands a sandwich, a checkerboard, a television, and a hot dog, which Jeremy and his pen quickly supply. Soon the novelty wears off and when the monster demands a hat because he is "going out," Jeremy is relieved to see him go. The monster returns, but Jeremy takes charge and when he departs for good, the neighborhood children gather—"Do you want to play ball?" they ask, and indeed Jeremy does. McCarty matches his understated story with both black-and-white and color illustrations that flow loosely across ample white space; the openness of the images gives just the right feel to the tale. The monster is not particularly scary, and the balance of power, which comes not from might but from Jeremy's ingenuity, is the book's strength. Both story and illustration leave lots of room for speculation and discussion; children will love to pore over the endpapers, as well.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-K—In this charming and simply told story, Dog approaches the farm's kitten, lamb, hare, chick, pig, and calf, who all give excuses as to why they cannot play ball with him. "'I don't dare,' says the hare. 'I'm too easy to scare.'" Dog looks utterly dejected, his head resting forlornly on a blue, starred ball, when he sees a pair of hands out of the corner of his eye. They belong to a little boy, who is ready to play "All day!" Full of life, the paintings capture the personalities of the animals, especially Dog, who exhibits expressions from hopeful excitement to sadness to joy. This is a good addition to farm-themed storytimes, especially because it is so subtle in its locale, focusing entirely on the endearing brown-and-white pup with floppy ears.—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY

K-Gr 2—This gentle, lyrical tale, written in the unusual poetic stanzas of a medieval sestina, recounts a young trick-or-treater's dogged attempts to make her dreams of flight come true. Linoleum block illustrations, in muted shades of green, orange, and brown and thick swathes of black and black line, juxtapose the cozy, rural details of a loving family's hearth and home with the shadowy, spooky outdoor world of jack-o'-lanterns, black cats, and bats under a full moon. The illustrative details ground and extend the story line of this part realistic, part magical tale, making the sophisticated text more accessible to younger listeners. "Hold tight to your broom/and float past the stars,/and turn to the heavens and soar." This is a quieter, more reflective addition to Halloween collections that offers an enchanting storytime read-aloud.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

K-Gr 2—In this large, colorful book, a Nigerian-American second-grader tells the story of her best friend from school, who is Chinese-American. The girls share a love of arts and crafts, dressing up, and a desire to become veterinarians. Monifa describes aspects of Mei Jing's culture: eating with chopsticks, the giving of red envelopes, Chinese coins, and the Dragon Dance, which both children perform for Chinese New Year. The story's authentic voice comes from simple declarative sentences: "Mei Jing and I even have the same favorite color—it's purple." The brightly colored collages combine photographs of the girls' heads and hands with their cartoon bodies and depict them as they work with clay in arts and crafts at school or walk through an outdoor market with Mei Jing's grandma, "Paw Paw." This story will pair well with Andrea Cheng's Goldfish and Chrysanthemums (Lee & Low, 2003).—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Deer nonchalantly mentions that, "Winter is almost here. I think it is going to snow." Since Squirrel has never seen it, he decides to forgo hibernation, and see what this "white and wet and cold and soft" substance looks like. He waits and waits and waits—but to no avail. He decides to do some exercises in order to stay awake, and along the way he wakes up Hedgehog. They wait and wait, but still no precipitation. Soon, their boredom-busting antics awaken Bear. Based on Deer's definition, each animal finds what he thinks is snow, but readers will know that they're wrong, and will be as delighted as Squirrel, Hedgehog, and Bear when the real flakes begin to fall. One minor quibble with the text and pictures not meshing completely is when Squirrel puts an old tin can on his head, thinking it matches the description of snow, when the picture of the can is clearly shown in shades of gray, not white. The illustrations are deftly drawn in colored pencils, complete with sketching lines that give the renderings depth and maturity. The addition of broadly stroked hues of azure paint when the snow arrives will startle and delight young readers as it makes the white space of the page really come to life. This is a beautiful title to share with children on a lap or with a small group.—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Old Farmer Joe, a lovable hound dog, knows something is amiss. The crops aren't growing, the hens can't seem to lay eggs, and even the pigs have no appetite. What's a farmer to do? "He puts on his hat and yells, 'Yee-har!'/Then he starts to pluck on his old guitar," and raises the spirits of the moping, lethargic animals with some good ole country music. As the momentum builds, Fox begins to fiddle, Rabbit plays her concertina, and Bear completes the quartet, jamming on his double bass. And before anyone can say corn on the cob, cows are grazing, bees are producing honey, and sunflowers are blooming. This charming tale, presented in rhyme, winds down with the animals enjoying a cool drink in the shade. Festive, humorous illustrations, depicting an assortment of endearing creatures with expressive features and body language, are done in ink and watercolor, using a bright palette. This is a great choice for a read-aloud or for reading one-on-one or, with a little bravery, for singing to a group of children on a hot summer day.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

PreS-Gr 2—When Mom leaves her three children with their exuberant Nana, they play games, hop about in potato sacks, and dance under the chandelier. They also have lunch: "Yummy, lummy. Yummy, lummy./So much happy in the tummy./Look at what our nana made us:/biscuits, ham, and lemonade-us." Their messy fun is apparent as Mom returns while they are making peanut butter fudge. This spirited African-American family is joyfully portrayed in bright oil-paint spreads. Chocolate covers their clothing, food splatters the floor, and the cat peers down from the top of the refrigerator, the freezer door open. The irregular rhymes energize the brief poems, highlighting the love displayed from generation to generation when Grandma shares the cherished family recipe. "My mother taught me,/and I taught yours./Don't ever forget how it's done,/for you will have to pass it on." A scene in which Mom recalls making the dessert when she was a child features wavy lines and muted shades of blue. The illustrations extend the narrative, adding humor and warmth to this offering.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

K-Gr 2—Simon is a talented baker. He is also kind, often selling two loaves for a penny to Sally, a poor child in town. But when he's robbed by his fellow bakers, he decides to give up baking and move away. Things get even worse when lightning strikes his barn, killing his chickens. Soon, though, in the best folkloric tradition, his kindness to Sally is repaid when she gives him a pouch full of dried raspberries. The berries that grow when he throws them on his fields are so delicious that folks who eat them jump in the air and sing, "Rasssssspberrrrrrrieeeeees!" Eventually, these magical fruits help lead Simon into a wonderful new life. This old-fashioned, somewhat rambling tale is greatly enhanced by Moses's oil paintings. They are done in his signature folk-art style, depicting a colorful landscape with horse-drawn wagons, kids rolling hoops down the street, and general stores with big pickle barrels. A recording of the author telling the story is included. While not an essential purchase, this story will hold special appeal for O'Callahan's many fans.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 2–4—This title will appeal to students because of its combination of silliness and colorfully graphic comic-book-style illustrations. Comprised of four short stories, each involving a backpack, the collection opens with a spoof, "History Man," on the origins of the backpack with a humorous time line that spans from the age of the caveman to the 21st century. In "Volcano," a science experiment goes awry with nasty results. A young girl transforms from Ordinary Ashley to "Jet: Super Backpack Girl" to combat disaster with the help of her backpack. In the final entry, "Day of the Living Backpack," the satchel appears to devour everything in its path and causes problems for its owner. O'Malley once again proves that he has a keen appreciation for the funny bones of his intended audience. Children will make room in their backpacks for this creative tribute to an object that has become an essential part of their everyday lives.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 2—This story informs readers that fairies are just about everywhere, if they know how to look. The art is composed of photographs juxtaposed with cartoonlike drawings of the magical creatures. For example, an image of a field of tulips, with fairies peeking out here and there, is accompanied by text that reads, "Fairies love flowers. These tulips would be just right for playing hide-and-seek. Curled up inside, a fairy could not be spotted by anyone." Paquette encourages readers to help the sprites by doing things like blowing dandelion fluff to make a pillow or moving a rock to make a pool. A positive quality of this book is that it seeks to inspire children to notice the magnificent natural world in their own backyard or neighborhood.—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA

PreS-Gr 2—It is love at first cuddle when Beth holds her kitten for the first time. She works hard to take care of Rumble Tum, and even though the feline gets into mischief, she finds she loves her pet more and more. When the kitten runs away during a thunderstorm, Beth worries for its safety, but the family's search and rescue mission ends in a joyful and loving reunion. Peters's simple, sentimental story is well matched with Papp's Norman Rockwell-esque full- and half-page oil paintings. While Beth's overflowing love for Rumble Tum's cutesy antics may strike some readers as saccharine, the emotion here is an authentic depiction of children's experience with a pet. Purchase an as additional title for collections requiring picture books with an old-fashioned feel.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Louise Cheese dreams of being a big star. She wishes her parents were less ordinary and envies her older sister because Penelope has a big room and lots of shades of lipstick. When her teacher announces that the class is going to put on Cinderella, Louise is convinced that she will get the lead and this will be her ticket to Broadway. Then her friend Fern gets the role, and Louise is cast as one of the mice, thus severing their friendship. When Fern forgets her last line, Louise cues her and all ends happily. The watercolor and ink illustrations are very pink as Louise fantasizes in pink. Dialogue is in word bubbles, and there's a fair amount of text. The cover is pink, with letters that sparkle. This Fancy Nancy look-alike is a nice-enough story but it's been done many times before.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Based on the author's adult work How Full Is Your Bucket? (Gallup, 2004), this book explains that we all have invisible buckets of water over our heads. The negative actions of others toward us can empty the buckets, and our own meanness toward them can deplete their vessels, too. Positive actions reverse the process. Felix refuses to allow his sister to play blocks with him. When she angrily kicks over his tower, his grandfather explains that Felix dipped from his sister's container. The next morning Felix actually sees a bucket floating over his own head, and during the course of the day, as he is alternately bullied and praised, he realizes what causes it to be empty or full. This story is so heavy-handed and didactic that children are likely to find it laughable. Neither Felix, his sister, nor even their dog is a likable character, and the floating buckets over everyone's head look just plain silly.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—There is big trouble: "It started one day with a trip to the zoo/When a pale, sniffly girl named Felicity Floo/Wiped her red, runny nose without a tissue." Ignoring the "please do not pet the animals" sign, Felicity goes around petting and riding and cozying up to all the occupants, and they all get sick. The book then ends with the caution: "Her cold got so big/That they named it The Floo./You may not believe me,/But if I were you,/I think I'd go bowling/And not to the zoo." Told in verse with every line ending in a word that rhymes with "zoo," the story may be a little gross, but the overall package is humorous. The distinctive watercolor and ink illustrations in subdued shades of green, gray, and brown are a perfect match for the text. They feature large-eyed, waiflike Felicity decked out in purple and placing her very visible sickly green handprints on every animal pictured. Young readers and storytime attendees will delight in the antics and receive a timely lesson in hygiene as well.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-Gr 1—This slight story about Moose and his joke-telling pal, Magpie, doesn't have enough substance to sustain a child's interest. The simple story line, using a bizarre combination of fact and fantasy, follows the young creature from early summer through fall and into winter. During those months, the moose grows, sheds antlers, and learns to understand and tell jokes. Magpie, a raccoon, a skunk, and a beaver accompany him as he aimlessly wanders the countryside and swims the river. The lame jokes are superfluous and nonsensical. Only Moose and Magpie speak, but the beaver wears glasses and reads books, the raccoon eats chocolate mousse, the skunk uses hair mousse, and all the animals except Moose walk upright. Each page has a small fact box, and the book concludes with four pages of information on birds and moose. The text is illustrated by brightly colored pictures, with everything outlined in black. While the illustrations may appeal to children, they are not enough to save this book.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 4—Super psyched to attend superhero school, Leonard and his classmates are disappointed to find themselves belaboring math problems with Mr. Tornado instead of focusing on important subjects, such as destroying alien death rays and conquering supervillains and mad scientists. When the unthinkable happens and the teachers are kidnapped by the ice zombies, the class shifts into superhero mode faster than anyone can text "HELP." The obstacles they face are only solvable by application of their newly discovered comprehension of multiplication, division, and fractions. When Mr. Tornado rewards the class for their amazing rescue with an A+ on the math quiz, it registers with Leonard and his fellow superheros that they may have been duped by the faculty. Now the youngsters realize that math is a useful and enjoyable subject. Rash's illustrations in digital collage of gouache and Sharpies create his trademark cartoons that pulsate with energy and engage readers. Reynolds creatively blends the use of math skills in word-problem superhero settings that are playful, smart, and positive. This title is sure to be a winner with children who are anxious or reluctant about math.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

PreS—Doe-eyed Birdie, a budding five-year-old fashionista, is her ultra-stylish mother's eager wardrobe assistant, selecting jewelry, sunglasses, perfume, and shoes for Mom to wear each morning. When her mother finally grants Birdie permission to try on her closet full of "big-girl shoes," Birdie is thrilled. But she soon discovers that feeling glamorous in Mom's stilettos doesn't combine well with dancing or turning cartwheels, concluding that her "beautiful barefoot shoes" are still the best choice for her. (Practical girl, that Birdie!) The bold, stylized watercolor and collage illustrations, paired with spare, simple text, are set against ample white space and burst with bright, attractive textile patterns. A light confection for the preschool dress-up set.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

PreS-Gr 1—This book is filled with wonderful photographs of happy, smiling, inquisitive, trusting, and adorable children—all with varying skin tones, hair colors and textures, and facial features. "Have you noticed that people come in many different shades?" is the opening sentence, accompanied by framed head shots of youngsters. It is followed on the next page by, "Not colors, exactly, but shades." The text is minimal, with approximately 3 to 10 words per page. The last page features a large photograph of eight little hands of varying shades. The message is clear and to the point: "Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper. And, you can't tell what someone is like from the color of their skin." A good introduction to racial and ethnic diversity.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 3–4—This book is bewildering. It's written to a very narrow audience, one that apparently needs to already know about Hawaiian pidgin. Newly independent readers will be confused as to why some characters speak as such: "Whose birfday you was talking about back at the store? You going to buy um cake and pointy hats, or what?" Also problematic is the use of some odd terms: one character calls another a "strange bazooks." Furthermore, there are times when Calvin's words don't ring true for a boy his age. According to him, Stella's eyes "twinkled like sequins"; and he instructs his pals to "run silent, run fast." What fourth grader speaks like this? There are issues of randomness within the plot, too; for example, Calvin's attempt at mischievous revenge on 16-year-old Stella, who lives with his family, backfires and forces him to make amends, but it is so bogged down in inexplicable plot distractions and exasperating language quirks that any accompanying entertainment value is utterly lost.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Gr 3–5—Readers of Donald Sobol's "Encyclopedia Brown" (Puffin), David Adler's "Cam Jansen" (Viking), and Ron Roy's "A to Z Mysteries" (Random) will have something to cheer about with this series. Alec's father is a small-town chief of police, and Alec and his sidekick, Gina, are masters at observing the world around them and spend as much time practicing their sleuthing skills as they do on their schoolwork. They also enjoy communicating with one another in codes and a form of silent talking that they call "no noise" speech. Here, the fourth graders take on an art mystery while studying Abstract Expressionism and the style of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner. Their world, families, and friendships are reassuring and easy. The tale is 12 chapters long, which will allow confident readers a chance to enjoy a more extensive story without having to deal with content that may be above their maturity level.—Kathleen Meulen, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island, WA

Gr 2–4—Taking off on television's popular American Idol show, Sauer's text poses a barnyard talent spree with winners getting two tickets to see the famed Elvis Poultry. In the past, the ducks have always aced the contest, but this year Lola and Marge, two determined chickens, set out to be the winners. Scenes of colorful acrobatics stunts, surfing maneuvers, and even cows jumping over the moon fill the pages, interspersed with funny vote-tallying images. At this point, however, the story stumbles in a bit of confusion. The cows are awarded a 10, flatten the ducks, and receive the winning tickets, while Lola and Marge, who "bawked and flapped and shook all over the stage," get 8.5 and are invited by Elvis to dance in his next show. Santat's illustrations, created in acrylic and ink with Adobe Photoshop, provide silly animal faces in sync with the crazy gyrations of the barnyard beasts' performances. Type is scattered across the page adding to the feeling of the tale's mayhem. Children may not get the Elvis connection, but librarians with plentiful budgets may find the book's contest angle worthy of purchase.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

K-Gr 2—Elephant is off to visit his friends, the penguins, in Icetown. He had helped them build a hotel several months earlier, and they now wish to honor him at its dedication. Unfortunately, in his haste to pick up his custom-made suit, his rented snowball—the means of transportation in Icetown—careens out of control and smashes the hotel. Elephant and his penguin pals cheerfully rebuild, and at last the dedication is held. The story is rather long and the action minimal, but the Arthur Geisert-like pen-and-ink and colored-pencil illustrations have more to offer. They are replete with numerous tiny details that children are likely to pore over, making the book more suitable as a read-alone or for one-on-one sharing. An additional purchase.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

PreS-Gr 3—This book has everything that kids like: robots, heroics, humor, action, a little bit of destruction (inanimate objects only), and even a touch of romance. Robot Zot crashes into an alien environment (the suburbs), battles with fearsome kitchen appliances and a challenging transmitter (TV), and rescues the Queen of all Earth (a toy cell phone) before zooming off "to distant galaxies to bravely save more days." The text's rhythm is a bit odd, moving back and forth between prose and rhyme, but the short declarative sentences will make it approachable for early or reluctant readers, and the melodrama keeps it fun. Shannon's crazy, action-filled illustrations can be a little confusing, but also contain so much humor (including jokes that are absent from the text) that children will be happy to stick around and decode them. The bold, funny, over-the-top text and art are the perfect complement to one another. Seemingly inspired by sources such as Star Wars and Toy Story, the most important message of this lighthearted tale is that reading really is fun.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-Gr 2—Although the narrator of this charming picture book admits to never having seen the three bears that live in a big brown house down the road, he or she can recount their activities with certitude: "We have never seen the bears, but we know they are there. And we know what they do." These bears sleep late every day, drink coffee, eat chips, jump on old couches for exercise, and sing sad songs and then cry. "They don't go to school and they never have to work." The warm, funny watercolors are a great match for the goofy creatures and their various antics. Their great brown bodies sprawl across the page (and the couches), and the simple text is clearly printed on a field of white. While this is an enjoyable one-on-one reading romp, it also provides a starting point for a study of real bears, or of other fiction featuring these animals, making it a good group choice as well.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Gr 2–4—Horrid Henry is back in four stories to keep readers rolling with laughter. Irreverent and mischievous as ever, his antics get him through a Halloween with no trick-or-treating (somehow he manages to turn this punishment around to his benefit), a night with the world's worst babysitter, a stealthy encounter with a girls' Secret Club, and a dreaded christening. Henry makes no excuses for his naughty plots and plans; actually, he's quite proud of his evil cleverness. His little brother, Perfect Peter, provides a built-in enemy. Lively cartoon drawings add to the silly tone of the book. Horrid Henry's fans and newbies will surely want more from this troublemaker after reading this collection. A hilarious treat from Britain.—Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

Gr 1–3—Rhyming text in the first and third person relates the daylong job of the big yellow vehicles as they head out into traffic, pick up passengers, drop them at school, provide transportation for trips, and deliver children back home at day's end. The repeated phrase "I'm your bus" injects a personal touch, as does the integration of children's names into the rhyme. Polenghi's digital media illustrations have bold colors and strong black lines, and his jovial anthropomorphizing of the oft-unheralded school bus brings a friendly demeanor to the pages. While there may not be a heavy child demand for books about these vehicles, they are a daily presence in children's lives whether in cities, suburbs, small towns, or rural areas, and this picture book may lift appreciation of them.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

K-Gr 4—Two delightfully childlike donkeys star in this laugh-out-loud opus from the master of kid-companionable humor. When one friend says, "Can we talk about the big elephant in the room?" his buddy assumes that he's using a figure of speech to refer to an embarrassing incident ("'The Big Elephant? As in 'the BIG problem?'"). What follows is a stream of uproariously funny confessions and overwrought explanations, as the guilty friend tries to deduce just which indignity he should apologize for. Was it because he ate all the dessert? ("But what if you had a nut allergy, what then?...Yes! I forced down that creamy, nutty, crunch ice cream…to save your life!") Because he picked his pal last for soccer? ("…and baseball? and volleyball? and tiddlywinks?") Because he told Haley about the time "…you laughed so hard you peed your pants?" The list continues until the anticipated punch line: there really is a big elephant in the room (and he's eating crunchy-nut ice cream). Done in muted tones, the droll artwork tells much of the story through lively layouts and funny details. With the roll of an eye or the flick of an ear, the animals convey a range of emotions. In keeping with their characters, the questioner is identifiable by his large glasses and mustard-colored polka-dotted bowtie, while his smooth-talking chum sports a trendier look. A variety of text fonts and sizes adds to the fun. Kids will get a kick out of this book (while also learning about idioms).—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—Spinelli and Kennedy speak to nascent environmentalists in a lighthearted tone while still stressing why it is important to "go green." Miss Fox and her students have constructive conversations, share conservation tips, and make informed choices about using energy. The colorful watercolor and ink illustrations go hand in hand with the lively presentation.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

K-Gr 2—A mix of humor and suspense drives this rather improbable story. A bunny named Wilson has attended school for a week, and he loves his teacher so much that he lies in bed at night waiting to go to school. When morning arrives, he jumps out of bed and rushes to get ready while his family is still asleep. A flap opens to reveal a big green foot with claws, and below it the text reads, "Wilson, however, was not the only one up and about!" Finished with breakfast, the rabbit leaves the house and waits alone (he imagines) for the school bus, and when it does not come, he runs to school. After sitting quietly at his desk in an empty classroom, Wilson gets up and conducts the arithmetic, reading, and science lessons. Meanwhile, behind additional flaps, the mysterious green being is gradually emerging. The cartoon illustrations depict an expressive Wilson (who soon discovers that it is Saturday), and a reassuring picture concludes the story with the monster, revealed to be Miss Lovely, carrying a happy Wilson home on her tail. Children will enjoy the silliness.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

K-Gr 2—Walter is a giraffe who wishes he could fly. He finds himself a book, and begins to build an airplane for himself. When Sonny the turtle meanders over and asks if he, too, can go flying, Walter tells his friend he's too slow and cowardly and hurts his feelings. The big day finally arrives, and the giraffe takes off, swooping and sweeping up in the sky among the birds. He ignores repeated warnings that a storm is approaching, and suddenly finds himself in the middle of a thunderstorm. When his plane is hit by lightning and crashes into the lake, it is Sonny who swims out and saves him. Walter realizes that a turtle wanting to fly and be brave isn't so far-fetched after all, and that Sonny makes an excellent copilot. The colorful cartoon illustrations convey the fast pace of the tale and do a suitable job of moving things along to a satisfying conclusion.—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Stein continues to create deceptively simple yet very affecting picture books. One day, little Joey peeks out of Mama Kangaroo's pouch and says, "I want to hop!" Each time he leaves his safe haven, he takes more steps, meets a strange new animal, yells out "Pouch!," and hops back to his mama to hide. But when the final animal is another little joey who also yells "Pouch!," the two realize there is nothing to fear, have a good laugh, and hop off together. When their mamas offer their pouches, the youngsters say, "No, thanks." The marker, watercolor, and crayon illustrations are rendered in Stein's trademark simple, scribbly, loosely drawn style. The increasing distances Joey hops from his mother are clearly represented with increased page turns and use of perspective. Stein's choice of easily identifiable animals (a bee, a rabbit, and a bird) is particularly apropos, giving the book universality that it might otherwise lack. The repetition will appeal to the intended audience, as will the chance to identify each animal Joey meets. The subtle sophistication of the story gives it broad appeal: while it could be used one-on-one with toddlers, older preschoolers would enjoy it in storytimes, and the minimalistic text would be effective with beginning readers as well.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS-Gr 1—Ned is a good-natured worm that loves apple pie and the color red. For him, living in an apple is ideal, until the inevitable happens and his home begins to decompose. When the walls turn mushy, apple juice rains every day, and the bathtub begins to float, Ned knows it's time to search for a new abode. He tries out several different fruits: a pear is too wobbly, a lemon is too sour for his friends' tastes, and a pile of blueberries doesn't hold together. While perched in a bowl of cherries and busy designing a house, a bird lifts Ned—cherry and all—into the sky. Grasping an umbrella, he gentle glides down until he lands in a tree where he finds the perfect new home, an apple still on the branch. The cartoon illustrations are filled with warm colors and comic touches. Endpapers depict the life cycle of the apple from seed to fruit and back to seed. This reassuring tale will be appreciated by the read-aloud crowd while also supplying a subtle lesson in ecology.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 1—After their steamship en route to Boston is wrecked in a storm, a troupe of circus animals escapes bad treatment and disaster, finding its way to an island off the coast of Maine. The 1800s residents are surprised to find zebras eating their gardens and alligators lounging on woodpiles. Sympathies change when a tiger saves a toddler from a blazing shed. When a messenger announces that the cruel circus owner is returning to claim his menagerie, the citizens assist the animals in disguises and camouflage that confound him, leaving the friends to a peaceful coexistence. Van Dusen's rhymed text keeps a rollicking beat. His illustrations burst with color and energy and utilize perspective and texture to add drama and humor. Period details create a counterpoint with elements like a gorilla in a lifeboat. The spread of the animals in "hiding" is pure genius. The book honors the real circus animals that inspired this story.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 4—This delightful cumulative story is based on the English folktale "The Apple Dumpling." Granny Smith has everything she needs to make apple pie except for apples, so she picks a basket full of plums from her tree and sets off to see if she can trade them for the missing ingredient. One woman takes the plums to make jam in exchange for some feathers, two children are happy to receive the feathers and give her some flowers, and so on, until she finally ends up with a basket of shiny apples. Granny invites all the people she met back to her house where they help her make the pie and then eat "every last crumb." The outstanding baked clay and mixed-media illustrations are expressive, colorful, and detailed: there is a wonderful picture of Granny standing in her kitchen reading a recipe and realizing that her apple crate is empty. An author's note, information about the illustrations, and a recipe are appended, and fun activities are available at a dedicated Web site. Told with folkloric flair, this scrumptious tale is perfect for reading aloud to a broad range of ages. Pair it with Linda White's Too Many Pumpkins (Holiday House, 1996) or include it in an apple-themed unit. Every library will want a copy.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—In solving the Aesop riddle, von Buhler creates a lavish castle complete with handmade rooms, highly decorated backgrounds, and characters formed as cutout paper dolls. When photographed, the collage illustrations have a three-dimensional look that, while intriguing, sometimes tends to overpower the simple story. The color choices, which appropriately reflect the castle setting, tend to cast a darkish hue; however, the cats' huge eyes help to compensate, bringing an interesting contrast to the page. The back jacket flap details von Buhler's production of her illustrations. As the story begins, a two-tiered, upstairs-downstairs setting finds Princess and her eight spoiled cats enjoying luxurious lives in contrast to the humdrum basement surroundings of Mouse and his friend Brown Bat. Determined to share some of that good life, Mouse devises a number of schemes to bell the felines, only to be outwitted (and needing rescue from Brown Bat) at every turn. After learning that Princess is about to celebrate her birthday with a party, Mouse finally, and cleverly, concocts a way to accomplish his mission; with the cats belled, the final page finds the duo indulging in an array of gooey birthday treats. This tale will work well in conjunction with Aesop's original fable, which conveniently prefaces the story. Children will find a lot to discover in the details, even after repeated readings.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-Gr 2—When a ravenous T. rex shows up in Hal's backyard and threatens to eat him, the boy stands up to the beast. He not only refuses to be the dinosaur's snack but also denies the roaring beast's demands to devour his family and dog. The enraged dinosaur gives chase but the preternaturally cool boy eludes and then captures his pursuer. Forced to give in, the dinosaur tearfully promises to repair the damage he has caused and enjoys a spaghetti dinner to satisfy his hunger. Using multiple perspectives and cartoon panels on some pages, the sketchy, childlike illustrations in greens and browns perfectly match the text and make the theme of a brave child overcoming a giant obstacle resonate even more strongly. The text is perfect for reading to a group, one-on-one sharing, or storytelling. Kids who are hungry for dinosaur books will get a super treat with this title.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI

K-Gr 3—In the days before witches rode brooms, they snuck up on people on foot during Halloween to scare them. Druscilla, the oldest of all the witches, had knees that cracked and popped so loudly that she couldn't surprise anyone. Not one to be left behind, she looked for other means of frightening people. First she tried to ride her donkey, but it was too stubborn to fall under her spell. Next she tried the wheelbarrow, but it was too hard to steer. Then she turned her arms into wings by pasting feathers to them. Flying worked well until it began to rain. Her "ah ha!" moment came as she swept up the feathers. The broom would be perfect: a seat for her, a place to hold her jack-o'-lantern, plus a perch for her cat. All of the other witches agreed, and at the next worldwide witches council, broomsticks were voted in. The use of various fonts and their placement among the illustrations adds emphasis and visual interest to Walker's text. The atmospheric spreads have just the right amount of spookiness and ample touches of humor.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—In rhyming couplets, an old oak introduces children to the wildlife that lives and feeds in and around it ("I'm a tree, a busy tree.../come and see"). In its branches and on its trunk are ants, a spider on a web, a downy woodpecker, an owl, squirrels, baby robins in a nest, a moth's cocoon—even children on a swing—while chipmunks and a tiny mole live and eat beneath. The large oak describes its roots ("winding and long;/they anchor and feed me and help me grow strong"), leaves ("...breathing out air for all to breathe in"), and boughs ("…that creak, bend, and sway/shading the children below as they play"). Handsome realistic oil paintings set on white pages show details of the tree and its denizens in daytime, at sunset, and at night, in fall and in summer. Observant eyes will notice grubs burrowed underground, new leaf buds, and a tiny ladybug nestled on a leaf. The cycle of new life and growth is demonstrated as the youngsters collect and plant an acorn that grows into another large tree "as seasons pass by." Children will enjoy this brief glimpse at a familiar species that reinforces much that they have already observed.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 2–4—Gammell lavishes the pages of this oversize book with whimsical, intriguing backgrounds that feature gnarled branches, protruding vines, and mushroomlike appendages. This is the world of Nobble—a dangly eared, spike-haired, green-footed imp with "two lovely wings." His 4323 years, 3 months, and 14 days have been filled with play in the space between Wednesday and Thursday and with naps in the bottom rung of the number eight. Of late, though, never having known anybody at all, he finds himself lonely, so he heads for the glow way off in the distance between Friday and Saturday. After stumbling into a city filled with new and amazing buildings, strange creatures, and scary sounds, he is befriended by an amicable and determined young girl who, after several persistent tries, leads him to his heart's desire—another Nobble, just like him. The story is longer than most picture books, but Williams's playful language and sprightly pacing zips the tale along nicely, coexisting well with the richly colored and creative images. Gammell also sparks the text by hand drawing and coloring key words—"Nobble" is highlighted each time it appears, resulting in an airy look to the type that blends illustrations and story together. This delightful fantasy about the need for finding a soul mate and about connecting with others will have special appeal to those who enjoy a touch of magic.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-Gr 1—It is getting cold and time for hibernation, so Old Man Winter says, "'Sleep, Big Bear, sleep.'/But Big Bear didn't hear very well…." Instead he mishears Old Man Winter and, in attempting to follow his directions, drives a jeep, sweeps a house, climbs a steep mountain, etc. Ultimately, Old Man Winter yells loudly enough for Big Bear to understand him, and the bear heads off to his den for a much-deserved rest. The text moves at a steady clip, and the refrain will encourage child participation. The fact that "sleep" seems unlikely to be mistaken for "climb a mountain steep" or "drive a jeep" probably won't bother the intended audience. The story reads aloud well, and the limited text and oversize illustrations will be effective in storytime. The artwork is the real star here, though. Hillenbrand imbues his characters with motion and personality; their growing exhaustion is evident in their drooping eyes, ears, and body, and their startled expressions when Old Man Winter yells could not be clearer. An above-average addition for libraries looking for more bear, hibernation, or winter stories to freshen up interactive storytimes.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 2–4—These resources provide the history of and explanations for these special days through a variety of photos and simplified text. Halloween is introduced as coming from the ancient Celtic holiday Samhain and the customs of the Catholic All Saint's Day. The book describes how people decorate, dress up, and trick-or-treat throughout the world. Most of the photos show children in their costumes. King introduces the civil rights leader's life and his contributions and explains why his birthday is celebrated. Color and black-and-white photographs highlight the man's life, and the book discusses the various events associated with the day, including marches, special church services, and volunteering. Peppas explains that Thanksgiving is a harvest festival that commemorates when the Pilgrims thanked God for their harvest by feasting with the Wampanoag in 1621. The book outlines modern-day traditions such as gathering with family, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and enjoying food and football. A "Did You Know?" blurb on each spread provides a new fact—for example, one in Thanksgiving describes food drives. Most captions are a repeat of what is previously stated. These are pick-up titles if you need replacements.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 2–4—Though nearly identical boilerplate spreads and perfunctory further-reading lists that include only this publisher's titles will keep these volumes off the top shelf, they will serve as updates to older titles. Space Station covers the origins, construction, and purposes of the ISS and closes with a note about its uncertain future in light of waning U.S. interest. Mars tallies visiting space probes, from Mariner 4 in 1965 to 2008's Mars Phoenix lander, and looks very briefly ahead to future missions. Living on the Moon summarizes previous trips to our closest celestial neighbor, describes the next generation of NASA Moon landers, and discusses plans for initial lunar settlements. In Probing Space, readers will learn how space probes are launched and where they have gone, and will get a few hints about what has been discovered through using them. All four volumes pair simply written texts with a mix of small color photos and artists' renditions, with an emphasis on the latter. With one mismatched picture and caption, plus a misleading description of orbital corrections, Space Station is the weakest link; the other three titles provide serviceable supplementary or reinforcement reading.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 2–6—Born in New Orleans in 1903, this naturalist/painter "…may be the most famous American artist you've never heard of." Anderson grew up on the coast of the Mississippi River. He is best known for his Horn Island watercolors. This wild, uninhabited island was his inspiration and refuge for weeks at a time—his only shelter, the rowboat he used to get there. He would climb trees and wade in the water to capture his subjects; "Art was an adventure, and Walter Anderson was an explorer, first class." While a museum in Ocean Springs, MS, eventually housed much of his art, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the family's personal collection, and Anderson's cottage was left in ruins. Through simple language and quirky details, Bass makes an eccentric, unknown subject exciting and accessible to children. A lengthy author's note includes a more detailed account of Anderson's unorthodox life as well as reproductions of his work. Lewis's watercolors, in the blues, greens, grays, and browns of nature, capture the isolated beauty and wildness of the island. Enrich units on American artists or the environment with this title.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 2–5—In this informative book, each spread features a short poem related to Civil War history superimposed on a large, well-rendered oil painting, with more-detailed text on the side of one or both pages. Bauer presents multiple points of view, listing the many names the war has been called, discussing how battle names varied in the North and the South, and providing a succinct but instructive explanation of why the war began. She strikes a balance between major historical points and intriguing details that will maintain interest. Many particulars of ordinary life, such as uniforms, food, pastimes, and medical care, humanize the conflict. The information is realistic but not harsh, and it maintains an age-appropriate tone. The text and images, which complement and expand upon each other, include Caucasian and African-American men, women, and children. No mention is made of Native American involvement. This title will be a good companion to Patricia Polacco's Pink and Say (Philomel, 1994), George Ella Lyon's Cecil's Story (Scholastic, 1991), and Susan Fletcher's Dadblamed Union Army Cow (Candlewick, 2007).—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 3–5—These simply written guides cover basic facts in a series of double-paged sections. Short blocks of text are devoted to the animals' outstanding physical and behavioral characteristics; some historical background; natural habitats and life cycle; role in the mythology of various cultures (a short myth is recounted); and tips on how to respond to (or avoid) encounters with the creatures. Sidebars present additional miscellaneous facts. A large, clear color photograph of one or more of the featured animals (unfortunately, only a few species are identified in captions) appears on about every other page; some text pages also include smaller photos. An addendum in each title includes three frequently asked questions (with answers) about the animals, and poses several questions to readers as a review of key points. Although Laurence Pringle's Bats! Strange and Wonderful (Boyds Mills, 2000), Sandra Markle's Outside and Inside Rats and Mice (S & S, 2001), and Barbara A. Somervill's Mosquitoes: Hungry for Blood (Rosen, 2007) contain more detailed information, particularly on anatomy and development of young, these brief overviews do a good job of presenting the basics. With their succinct, easy-to-read texts and accessible formats, they will also be good choices for hi/lo readers.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

Gr 1–3—Various items pertaining to Halloween are introduced. A brief poem describes each word while a more detailed description provides historical facts and other information. Fun tidbits include related riddles, game and costume suggestions, and recipes for scary treats. The illustrations on every page are done in a medley of shades ranging from bright green to deep purple. Younger children should enjoy learning the alphabet by relating the letters to things associated with Halloween while older kids should find the amusing facts informative as well as entertaining.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 2–5—Christensen uses impressionistic oil paintings and lyrical text to introduce readers to Reinhardt in this appreciative tribute. Her subject's youth was marked by poverty; a spread depicts the Gypsy encampment where he was born, the gaily painted caravans in eerie contrast to their icy bleak surroundings. With a natural agility (he caught trout by hand), Reinhardt taught himself to play guitar and found escape. While still a boy, he began to make a living playing music on the streets of Paris and in jazz clubs; he was on the brink of success when a tragic fire left his hand so badly burned that doctors predicted he would never play again. In stark colors, Christensen conveys the hopelessness of the musician's situation, trapped in his iron-railed hospital bed. He refused to give up, though, and the next page finds him rapt, guitar clasped to his chest, eyes closed in the effort of drawing forth music again. Christensen completes the tale of the guitarist's success with an author's note, a brief paragraph on the Roma people, and a bibliography/discography. She includes enough detail to give perspective, but it is her lush paintings that so effectively give life to the man's effervescent charm and determined courage. This inspiring account of an individual overcoming tragedy and adversity should find a wide audience.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2—Beloved classics are successfully served by these bold, striking renditions. There's no sugarcoating here, as the wolf in "Little Red Riding Hood" is shown receiving his gruesome comeuppance and Henny Penny's friends never return from Foxy Woxy's lair. Large, arresting gouache spreads in Cousins's signature style utilize saturated colors and thick, dark outlines against solid backgrounds. Expressive characters enhance the stories' shifting moods. Large type accentuates the dynamic texts, building each spare entry to its powerful climax. Crisp retellings of "The Little Red Hen," "The Three Little Pigs," "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "The Musicians of Bremen," "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," and "The Enormous Turnip" round out this arresting volume.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

Gr 3–5—The oft-told history of the first African-American student to attend a newly integrated elementary school in New Orleans, LA, in 1960, gets a fresh dose of facts. Rather than exclusively cover the best-known aspects of Bridges's story, Donaldson adds scope by including what happened before and after the girl's fateful first-grade year. Information on her time at William Frantz Public School, the repercussions of her attendance on her family, and her resurgence as an advocate not only for civil rights, but also for the New Orleans schools, especially after Hurricane Katrina, adds depth and resonance. However, while the author explains that Ruby was the first African-American student to integrate a school in Louisiana, she does not make it clear that the child was the first to integrate an elementary school in the entire South. This omission diminishes the historical significance of Bridges's brave act. Primary-source black-and-white and color photographs (and a picture drawn by first-grader Ruby) with clear, concise captions add gravity and reality to the story, and the illustrations that begin each chapter give the pages more appeal. A lovely section at the conclusion of the book provides an anecdote about Norman Rockwell's The Problem We All Live With, a painting of the young student.—Nicole Waskie, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

K-Gr 3—Each book opens with a page of vital statistics: the "baby name," "number in litter," "weight at birth," "age of independence," "adult weight," and "life expectancy." The books then go on to describe where the animals live and their predators and conclude with a "Fun Fact." The photography is excellent. Sidebars on some pages include more facts or reinforce the text. The covers of the books have adorable pictures of the baby animals. If short, factual titles on specific Australian animals are needed, these will fill the bill.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

K-Gr 3—A visually attractive primer on British culture. Originally published in the United Kingdom and written for a native audience (references to "our coins and stamps"), the book translates successfully. While "Football" (soccer) "Vindaloo," and "Wellies" might be familiar to British readers, they are sufficiently unusual Stateside, and as such offer a true taste of a foreign culture alongside more familiar British symbols like "Arthur," "Mini" (referring to both the skirt and the car), and "Robin Hood." The full-page, mixed-media illustrations are colorful and stylistically appropriate for each letter of the alphabet: a mod rendition of "The Beatles" against a gray Liverpool pier as opposed to an energetic, aggressive portrayal of "Punk." An appended alphabet glossary recaps and briefly explains the significance of each subject (readers will be grateful for the translation and pronunciation guide for "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch," which is the name of a railway station in Wales). This fun book will read as a nostalgic trip for anyone familiar with Britain and serve as a conversation starter for budding Anglophiles or for use in a classroom setting.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

K-Gr 4—A gorgeous, in-depth look at animal colors as they occur in nature. Highly graphic and visually appealing, the book is organized first by singular colors, followed by common combinations. Each spread features a banded block in shades of the focus color, along with the color word in large, white text. The border on the right page is dedicated to five smaller pictures of like-colored animals. For the youngest readers, this book can be enjoyed as simply an excellent introduction to color and to identifying the animals. For older readers, this book holds appeal as it also provides factual information, such as habitat, behavior, and diet, in bite-size doses beneath each picture. The photography is sharp and clear, in a style reminiscent of Nic Bishop's work, and the rich, vibrant colors jump off the pages. The last spread gives comparative information about animals' use of color by using side-by-side photographs. Simply stunning.—Nicole Waskie, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY

K-Gr 2—"Zero is...the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten. 0 sounds." "Zero is...the kites in the sky once the wind stops blowing. 0 kites." Using these and other evocative examples from children's everyday experiences throughout the seasons, Franco explores the concept of zero. The gouache illustrations are done in soft, muted tones and have a naive charm that will have substantial child appeal. Most of the scenes are set outdoors, clearly depicting and emphasizing the book's link to the passing seasons. While the idea is a simple one, the presentation is such that it could easily be used to encourage youngsters to think of ways they could use any of their five senses to experience having zero of something. Like Franco's Mathematickles (S & S, 2006), this is another fine addition to the growing number of books that make math concepts both enjoyable and memorable.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 3–5— Frozen Extremes demonstrates that the Arctic and Antarctic regions are hospitable to a range of species. A brief discussion of exploration is included, and global warming is briefly mentioned. Rain Forest Extremes offers information on a variety of animals, plants, and peoples and suggests what to take along on trips to the deepest jungles. Deforestation is mentioned briefly but readers are assured that "Local groups have been given control of their lands and national parks protect forest wildlife." Deep Sea Extremes concentrates on oceans' lower depths and the unusual creatures living there. Printed on mostly black pages, a variety of sea life, ranging from plankton to the great blue whale, is presented. Oddly, in discussing how underwater volcanoes can bring the temperature up to 660 F, an accompanying photograph shows an underwater photographer wearing only regular scuba-diving gear. Hyde notes that trawlers are harvesting into deeper areas, but overfishing is ignored. Mountain Extremes covers the largest mountains of the world and their various inhabitants and includes many examples of worst-case scenarios in which climbers can die. A sidebar describes a mudslide in Colombia that was caused by a volcanic eruption, resulting in 23,000 deaths, although there is no other discussion of volcanoes. There are many excellent photographs in these books, but they are layered upon each other and the accompanying captions are often difficult to attach to the appropriate illustration. The myriad facts are often interesting, but have little focus. Students may not be able to maneuver through the hodgepodge of extremes.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Gr 3–5—A vast, yet endangered, ecosystem flourishes in this slim, elegant pictorial book. Spirin's dramatic, realistic illustrations spill over the pages, compressing Guiberson's lyrical text into bamboo-toned columns on the side. Exploding with the sounds of the boreal forest (in spring, a Tennessee warbler sings "tika tika swee swee!" while a moose "squish squosh"-es in a beaver pond), the text describes the interaction of entwined lives in this special ecosystem. (One small note—the air hole depicted in the snow-covered beaver lodge seems a tad large—a predator could gain easy entry.) Taking readers through the seasons, Guiberson and Spirin present a verbal and pictorial treasury for nature lovers and young researchers alike.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 3–6—Isamu Noguchi was a prolific and influential artist whose creative interests ranged beyond sculpture and into scenic and landscape design, architecture, furniture, and art education. This book uses spare writing and textured collage to depict his life as a boy of mixed Japanese and American heritage living in Japan. Hale includes the fact that his mother was abandoned by his father before Noguchi was even born and makes the case that his isolation and difference as a child contributed to his appreciation of the natural world, which in turn informed his work throughout his long career. The mixed-media collage illustrations reflect the blend of East and West that runs throughout the book—block printing, rice paper, and Japanese printed paper are integrated with Western-style drawings of faces and other details. Thoroughly documented and heavily reliant on primary sources, the book includes a lengthy afterword about Noguchi's adult life, complete with photographs of his family and his work. An original and thought-provoking addition to biography or art collections.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

PreS-Gr 2—Bold, full-spread illustrations with inset details feature a variety of trees and woodland animals in this informational picture book. As the facts about trees count down, the images represent the numbers 10 to 1, while corner insets show the tree, spring and fall leaves, a seed, and occasionally the flower of the specific tree pictured, such as birch, dogwood, oak, and maple. Children will be drawn to examine the expressive images of animals and find additional ones along the detailed border featuring close-ups of the tree's bark. This attention to detail makes the book more than a simple counting or seasonal book with both the four-line stanzas and art offering simple facts: "Six linden leaves/in Valentine shapes/reflect golden sun/in autumn's landscape." The counting pattern gets disrupted at three, opting for numerous "three-pointed maple leaves," and birch leaves shown falling "two by two." A spread, "For Creative Minds," includes quizzes and challenges readers to match facts with images, note specifics about leaf shapes, and learn about how plants support animals.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

Gr 2–5—Heller chronicles the experiences of David Ginsburg, a marine biologist who spent five months at McMurdo Station in Antarctica studying underwater wildlife. He was there during Hanukkah, and was inspired to celebrate the holiday by lining up sea urchins and sea stars on the ocean floor in the shape of the traditional Hanukkah candleholder and photographing his impromptu temporary menorah. The photos don't always seem to show what the text describes, and many are of mere snapshot quality, but this is forgivable considering the limited selection of shots that must have been available showing this unique event. The text is pedestrian but serviceable. Basic familiarity with Hanukkah is assumed. Useful endnotes provide additional information on sea urchins, McMurdo, Ginsburg, and the author. This unusual combination of Antarctic exploration and Judaism's best-known holiday is sure to intrigue readers. Perhaps it will even inspire them to create their own found-object art.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 3–5—The only word to describe these volumes is simplistic. Students who are old enough to be interested in these topics are likely to have the vocabulary to accompany the subject. Jackson does not use words like "injured," "convoy," or "protect," but employs "hurt," "group of ships," and "keep people safe," instead. In describing a tank's armor, "ceramics" is defined as "Matter that is heated until it hardens." Planes implies that the Air Force manufactures its own vehicles and proclaims that, "A fighter plane is made to fight in the air." In this computerized age, does the captain actually use a wheel to steer the ship? In Navy Ships, the discussion of the takeoff/landing frequency on aircraft carriers contradicts itself. All of the titles annoyingly refer to weapons and other armament as tools and suffer from sloppy wording. The full-page color photos facing each page of text cannot salvage these books. Some of the captions are reminiscent of those found in 1950s primers. The above-mentioned items, along with other oversimplifications and omissions, prevent these titles from being even marginal purchases.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 1–4—A visually stunning book illustrated with cut paper and torn collages. Jenkins's introductory warnings are gently alliterative: "NEVER pet a platypus"; "NEVER touch a tang." The gentleness stops there, however. "NEVER jostle a jellyfish. A box jellyfish, that is. Most jellyfish can sting people, but….If you are unlucky enough to become really entangled with a box jellyfish, you can die very quickly." Readers may enjoy staring deadly danger in the face, knowing that it is distant and rare. They'll also be treated to fascinating facts about creatures like the cassowary, electric caterpillar, cane toad, and puffer fish. Further reading is provided in the back matter, including an explanation of animals' need for powerful protection from their predators in the wild. This exceptionally well-written portion of the book is generously illustrated. The most eloquent of these cut paper and torn collages are on the front and back covers, which feature a rhesus monkey looking solemnly out, and then opening its large mouth filled with scarily sharp teeth. This superlative illustrator has given children yet another work that educates and amazes.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 3–5—The brief accounts in this whimsical collection of animal anecdotes introduce symbolic leaders such as goat mayors, dog-kings, and a rhinoceros who won a seat on the São Paulo city council in a write-in campaign. The stories, which are arranged by continent of origin, hail from legends and oral histories, though some are more recent and better documented. Yayo's acrylic-on-canvas paintings capture the topsy-turvy spirit of the tales and add playful details: a dog-king proudly leads a procession carrying a bone scepter; an elegant cat, appointed a lady-in-waiting in Imperial Japan, wears a kimono adorned with koi fish. Animal lovers will find this a fascinating diversion, even as it slyly plants ideas about government and leaders. For example, residents of a Colorado town observed that their cat mayor was "a politician who really listened, although she did not return phone calls." For a more comprehensive look at the history of humans and pets, see Sheila Keenan's enjoyable Animals in the House (Scholastic, 2007).—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 3–5—Thomas Moran was an artist/illustrator who, in 1871, left the comforts of civilization to join a scientific expedition to the then largely unexplored Yellowstone region. He had never been an adventurer, but what he lacked in skill he made up for in effort. His detailed drawings, paintings, and journal entries helped convince the U.S. Congress to make Yellowstone our first national park. Judge's account of Moran's adventures is interesting and engaging. Though somewhat fictionalized, it is based on firsthand accounts. Throughout the story Judge includes quotations from Moran's notebooks and from the journals of others on the expedition. An author's note mentions Moran's further adventures, but there is little about his earlier life. Judge's watercolors are done in the style of Moran's artwork. They are painted with energetic lines and the rich, earthy colors of the American West. A reproduction of the artist's famous painting, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, appears on the final page. This book does a great job of introducing a somewhat obscure artist to a young audience.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

K-Gr 4—These titles vary in their usefulness and complexity. Consistency is a problem. In Continents, seven places are named at the beginning under "The 'A' Continents" when only six begin with that letter, and the "Q" entry is "Quartz," which is a bit specific for a book on this topic. Similarly, the first chapter of Animals is "Animals in Danger," but "Rhinoceros" represents "R." In all of the titles, specific names of things, insects, continents, or animals are mixed with generalized categories like "Habitat loss," for "H" in Environment. The books are visually appealing, with color photos on every page, and include a variety of children, animals, and natural environments. They might expose children to new words and curious creatures, but they're strictly additional purchases.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

K-Gr 2—This book depicts an ordinary aspect of every child's life—getting from one place to another (unfortunately, the locations are not stated in the text). What makes it extraordinary are the images that depict the journey: a child in Africa sitting on his mother's shoulders, for example, or a little girl riding a yak to her destination. Each spread includes an easy, large-font sentence or phrase, but it is the stunning color photographs that tell the richer story. Sure to spark questions, observations, and awe, Getting There shows children that all over the world youngsters like them are doing the same things in different ways.—Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City

Gr 2–5—Endpapers featuring a photo collage of generations of televisions from the earliest oval-screened version to modern flat screens set the book's context. Then, readers are asked to imagine life when there was no TV, radio was only for the military, news was hard to come by, and people studied the Sears, Roebuck catalog to make their purchases. Juxtaposing the staid images of farm life with fanciful ones depicting Farnsworth's broadening vision, Couch draws, paints, and digitally enhances the story. To show the boy learning about inventors as he studies the stars, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell appear among the constellations like ancient Greek heroes. While plowing a field, Farnsworth developed the idea for how television could work, inspired by those parallel furrows as a format to transmit an electronic signal. It is the inventor's passion and genius that come through in this picture-book biography that follows him from the three-year-old who drew schematics of train engines, to the teen who automated the clothes washer so he would have more time to read, to the young man who celebrated his invention. Krull's focus is on the boy genius becoming an inventor like his heroes, and only in a note does she mention his struggles with RCA and his bitterness later in life. The facts aren't new, but with Krull building the story and Couch's exceptional images, it's one to inspire young audiences with the vast possibilities that imagination and diligence can accomplish.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

Gr 1–4— This picture-book biography begins in 1877, in Rochester, NY, with Eastman buying his first camera. Weighted down with all of the necessary supplies, he set out to take a picture. Several people in town, including the grocer, blacksmith, and baker, followed him and became part of it. Unfortunately, the picture-taking process took too long and the bored townspeople headed home before he could develop the wet plate. Eastman was determined to make photography easier and more affordable for everyone. During the next eight years, he invented the dry plate, the first roll of film, and the Kodak camera, and started the Eastman Kodak Company. The book will entertain and inform readers even though the author uses a significant amount of unattributed dialogue. Slavin's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations showing how Eastman, his mother, and the family dog changed over the years complement the text.—Michele Sealander, Hamburg School, NJ

Gr 3–4—The vocabulary in these introductions is somewhat basic but mostly adequate, and the content is accurate but limited. Alamo covers not only the battle but also before and after, in chapters such as "Life in Mexican Texas" and "The Alamo Today." Gold Rush, which has chapters describing the daily life of miners and racial discrimination in the mines, states that travelers often became ill from mosquitoes while crossing the Isthmus of Panama, but does not mention malaria or yellow fever. In a similar oversight, the cover of Railroads features freight cars, but the text does not mention the railroad's role in hauling freight, and the lack of passenger rail service in rural America is not addressed. Daring Women includes profiles of well-known figures such as Betsy Ross, and also features lesser-known individuals such as Polly Cooper, a Native American woman who helped the hungry Colonial troops. Each book has at least one cause-and-effect chart. The titles also feature numerous reproductions and often-unclear stock photos. Map reproductions are difficult to read because of their small size. Captions, printed in red, add to the text, but are hard to read when printed on a dark blue background as in Daring Women. Spare content makes these titles marginal purchases.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

Gr 3–6—The Lewins continue their accounts of their worldwide adventures, here with two voyages to southern India. On their first trip, they visited a camp of trained elephants and their handlers in the forest and learned of the royal elephants used for festivals. They met Drona, who was to lead the annual Dasara procession in Mysore in the fall, and they were so enraptured that they decided to return for the festival. Upon their arrival, they learned that Drona had died, and that a new elephant had been chosen to lead the procession. Ted Lewin's brilliant, realistic watercolors capture the sun-drenched pageantry of Mysore as well as the dusty, filtered light of the forest, while Betsy Lewin's lively cartoons aptly depict the action and personalities involved. The story has pathos and tension, and the Lewins' narration takes readers into the forest, to the grounds of the maharaja's pale palace, along the parade route, and eye-to-eye with the majestic animals. Facts about elephants and brief biographies of some of the royal elephants are a welcome addition, and a glossary—with pronunciation help—is provided. If the art doesn't grab chidren, the elephants surely will. Wonderful.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Gr 2–4—The focus of this slim collection is on the origins of sports, ranging from ancient times (running, swimming, and gymnastics) to modern-day (skateboarding and Frisbees). A factoid introduces each sport; baseball, for example, is linked to Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr., a surveyor who drew up the rules of the game in the 1840s and is "often called the father of modern baseball." The best poems offer a lighthearted approach to the creative process; they include "James Naismith's Predicament," which notes that basketball's founder started with the elements he didn't want his game to include (such as balls to be kicked or hit with a stick). Most of the poems are less memorable, however, with forced rhymes and trite observations; in noting soccer's unruly origins, "Kicking the Dane's Head" goes on to conclude that: "And through the years that sport became/a tamer worldwide kicking game." O'Brien's whimsical cartoon illustrations add interest and comic detail; the double-page illustration for "Fast on Their Feet" (gymnastics) shows the ancient bull jumpers of Crete performing vaults, rings, and balance beam exercises with the aid of obliging bulls. This collection will be best appreciated by sports fans and teachers, who will find its innovative approach useful for poetry units.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 3–5—This book demonstrates the importance of many significant events of an often neglected era, such as the formation of the three branches of U.S. government; ongoing conflicts with France and Britain, including the War of 1812; the Louisiana Purchase; and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Giulio Maestro's pastel and watercolor illustrations are atmospheric and somewhat idealized. Every scene, from crowded city streets to busy ports, looks clean and pleasant. Soldiers killed in battle are scattered across fields in a way that makes them resemble toy soldiers more than wounded men. However, the pictures do provide a sense of period architecture and dress. The text is continuous, more like a story than a collection of dry facts, and will work as a read-aloud. On the negative side, the narrative focus spotlights the "Founding Fathers" rather than taking the more expansive view many modern history books adopt. The only women mentioned are Sacajawea, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison; the only references to African Americans are in the context of slavery, with no individuals mentioned by name. However, Native Americans do receive attention and Tecumseh is one of a group of leaders whose writings are included in a section of quotes. No bibliography or sources for further reading are listed. Because the book is not divided into sections or chapters, children may have difficulty extracting information for reports. While not a first choice for research, this book is successful in bringing history to life.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 1–4—This biographical picture book, based on the life of a Chinese-American pilot, has a first-person narrative. Gee describes her love of airplanes as a small child and of sharing with her siblings her dreams of someday flying over places such as the Eiffel Tower and the pyramids. Several years later, when World War II started, she learned about the Women Airforce Service Pilots and knew that she wanted to join them. After attending flight school, she was one of the few chosen to train as a WASP. The work was "hard and tiring and wonderful, all at once" and Gee soon earned her wings. She flew several missions, some of which were fun (training exercises were "like playing tag in the air") and some of which were frightening. Rendered in acrylics and colored pencil, the colorful double-page illustrations are filled with detail and vibrantly depict the settings and events. An author's note provides more information along with photographs of Gee and her family members. This story should serve as inspiration for children that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 2—This heartwarming picture book is based on the authors' adult title, Dewey (Grand Central, 2008). It describes how on a cold night Myron found a tiny kitten in the return box at Spencer Public Library in Iowa, and the feline's impact on the library community. Dewey Readmore Books overcame unpleasant encounters with young children who picked him up upside down or petted him the wrong way and settled in, "happy" to help people. The realistic illustrations, done in vibrant watercolors, bring the tale to life (the orange cat's expressions are priceless). The story moves along swiftly, and will be a hit with readers requesting animal books.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

Gr 3–5—This colorful introduction examines four types of unusually aggressive, predatory ants. After a spread covering the insects in general, separate sections of varying lengths briefly describe the outstanding physical characteristics of army, driver, fire, and bulldog ants; their habitats; nests; behavior (particularly their methods of attack); diet and feeding habits; and the danger they pose to humans. A few dramatic encounters are related. The army ant section also describes life cycle; the functions the queen, males, and workers perform within the colony; communication; and a typical "raid." Realistic, vivid color drawings of these creatures accompany the text on every page; a few illustrations are larger. While the majority of this sensationalistic work is clearly written, there is a confusing discrepancy regarding army-ant diet. One sentence states that the ants "…eat only invertebrates…" and merely sting vertebrates, but another, on the same page, declares that "Any creature in their path has to run for its life." Also, the book opens with an account of hunters thwarting an army-ant attack on caged animals by setting a fire. It is unclear if this was an actual incident. Sandra Markle's Army Ants (Lerner, 2005) gives a clearer description of the ants' behavior and is a better choice for reports. It affirms that they will prey on any animal, points out their role as scavengers, offers more detail on a typical raid, and is illustrated with sharp, close-up photographs. Nirgiotis's title is good for browsing.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—Perfect reading before a trip to the shore, these beach versions of Mother Goose rhymes combine familiar rhythm and meter with new content. The colorful illustrations amplify the selections they accompany and invite children to stop and linger over each picture. "Lydia Gail has lost her whale./He's somewhere around Nantucket./Leave him alone, and he'll make himself known./He's hiding in her bucket." In the accompanying illustration, the child's toy can be spied atop her yellow pail. Animals are the stars of the art, with only a few children and adults featured in "An Old Woman Who Lived in a Shell," "Lobster Pies," "Two Skippers from Texas," "Tweedle-Dum & Tweedle-Dee," and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." These lighthearted verses read like plays on words for adults familiar with the originals and will be fun for children. Such titles as "Mary Had a Little Clam," "Jack & June (went up a dune)," and "Hatteras Light Is Falling Down" are rooted in the Eastern seashore, while "I Saw a Ship A-Sailing" sets a prairie schooner on the Oregon Trail and "The Witch of November, 1913" commemorates the storm that battered the Great Lakes and sank 12 ships, killing more than 270 people. These clever reworkings end with factoids about each poem; a two-page map pinpointing the location of each rhyme, and a one-page list of map activity and poem-related questions (with answers). Discussion questions wrap up these activities.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

PreS-Gr 2—This eye-catching picture book is all Dolly: big, bright, and shiny on the outside, sweet as Southern tea on the inside. Through straightforward (and only slightly forced) rhyme, readers are introduced to the idea that colors make up the world around them and can be used to describe their emotional landscape as well. "When I'm tickled PINK,/It means I'm feeling dandy./Everything is great and/As sweet as cotton candy." The comparisons are predictable: red/angry, green/jealous, blue/sad, but suit the intended audience. Parton also encourages empathy ("So remember as you go/from hue to hue/That each and every person/Has feelings too") and self-control ("It's not/always up to you,/The way that you feel./But/how you act,/Is a different deal")—important concepts for this age group. Sheffield's bold, digitally rendered illustrations match the cheery simplicity of the message and the slightly flat, didactic text. This book radiates the author's good intentions and is sure to be appreciated at storytime.—Piper Nyman, Brookmeade Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Gr 1–3—The span of activities occurring in a reef is seamlessly presented in a "day in the life of" picture-book format. Each easy-to-read sentence is packed with information. Like the text, the paper-cutout illustrations combine simplicity and sophistication. Utterly gorgeous, they amplify the material presented on every page. Vibrant reds, purples, golds, and black and white pop off the page. A lime green moray eel glides across a spread as it stalks fish in the dark by smell. Why does it ignore a sleeping parrot fish?, the narrative asks. Readers see a muted blue fish on the page next to the eel and learn that it oozes out a filmy body covering that disguises its color and masks its odor while it sleeps. The book concludes with two pages of facts about coral reefs, a list of famous reefs, and the current and future threats to these endangered habitats. The endpapers silhouetting the reef animals in shades of blue and black are inviting and haunting at the same time. Outstanding.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

PreS-Gr 3—This story starts on the cover with the glorious, golden countenance of a lion. No text is necessary to communicate the title: the direction of the beast's gaze and the conflicted expression on his tightly cropped face compel readers to turn the book over, where a mouse, almost filling the vertical space, glances back. The endpapers and artist's note place these creatures among the animal families of the African Serengeti. Each spread contributes something new in this nearly wordless narrative, including the title opening, on which the watchful rodent pauses, resting in one of the large footprints that marches across the gutter. In some scenes, Pinkney's luminous art, rendered in watercolor and colored pencil, suggests a natural harmony, as when the cool blues of the sky are mirrored in the rocks and acacia tree. In other compositions, a cream-colored background focuses attention on the exquisitely detailed and nuanced forms of the two main characters. Varied perspectives and the judicious use of panels create interest and indicate time. Sounds are used sparingly and purposefully—an owl's hoot to hint at offstage danger or an anguished roar to alert the mouse of the lion's entrapment. Contrast this version with Pinkney's traditional treatment of the same story (complete with moral) in Aesop's Fables (North-South, 2000). The ambiguity that results from the lack of words in this version allows for a slower, subtle, and ultimately more satisfying read. Moments of humor and affection complement the drama. A classic tale from a consummate artist.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 1–4—Children will discover a world of bustling Americana charm in this seek-and-find book in which Mitzi, a black-and-white dog wearing a red collar, leads the way. From the snow-covered trees in winter to the red balloons of summer, oil paintings of traditional scenes of ice-skating and biking exhibit a broad spectrum of color. The images span the seasons, and each one includes many hidden items, including Mitzi herself. Facing pages have titles and a list of items to search for in the corresponding picture. A good choice for fans of seek-and-find books, and useful for a discussion of folk art.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Gr 3–6—Gaudí was born in Spain in 1852. He rejected the popular Gothic style and embraced the modern curves of Art Nouveau. Short sentences tell of the architect's boyhood in Catalonia, his love of nature, and his early influences and inspiration. Gouache illustrations playfully re-create Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and other structures. "For Gaudí, building is serious./Everything must function./But he isn't afraid to use/his imagination." He incorporated nature inside and outside his creations. A list of Web sites direct readers to photographs of Gaudí's works. An accessible introduction to a man who was inspired by the natural world to create some highly original buildings.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

K-Gr 4—San José and Johnson contend that their selections in this cheerful anthology are organized to serve Howard Gardner's groups of intelligences: language, senses (eyes, ears, movement), rational thinking, dealing with others, and knowledge of ourselves. The compilers also want to encourage readers to write their own poems and occasionally nudge them in that direction in brief notes heading each lively section ("Imagine That," "Wiggle, Waggle, Shimmy, Shake," and more). Spread across a broad white page or two and accompanied by pleasant watercolor figures and vignettes, the poems come from widely varied poets, familiar and new. Mixed throughout are entries by children whose names and ages are given. While sources for the poems by adults are acknowledged in the end, San José and Johnson never explain the origins of the children's poems. This slim volume will provide many moments of reading and listening pleasure.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Gr 1–4—Considered the father of ecology and a member of the first crew to travel deep into the sea in a Bathysphere, Beebe was, at the time of his live radio broadcast from beneath the sea in 1932, a household name. Focusing on his childhood activities, his success as a very young man, and his best-known achievements, Sheldon keeps the book brief and fast moving. India ink gives a period feel to the large, bright illustrations. Smiling at an opossum in a nearby branch or watching with trepidation as a giant, unknown sea creature passes by the window of his Bathysphere, Beebe is always shown in the thick of exploration of the natural world. Helpful end matter includes an author's note with a cutaway view of the Bathysphere and a page of intriguing quotes from Beebe. A fine book for any aspiring scientist, this is a natural selection for those who have enjoyed Kathryn Lasky's One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (Candlewick, 2009), Rosalyn Schanzer's What Darwin Saw: The Journey That Changed the World (National Geographic, 2008), and Alice B. McGinty's Darwin (Houghton, 2009).—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

K-Gr 3—A brief overview of the 17 species of penguins inhabiting the Southern Hemisphere. A page with one or two simple sentences (or, sometimes, a partial sentence) alternates with realistic, often-full-page watercolor paintings of the featured animals. The text describes key physical and behavioral characteristics common to all penguins, diet, and some special characteristics of different species. Most of the beautifully rendered paintings feature a colony of penguins in a natural setting showing front, back, and side views of the birds; in some illustrations, they appear in the foreground, clearly displaying body markings, colors, distinctive crests, etc. Each species is identified in a caption on the text page. Short blocks of text, paired with small color replicas of the paintings, provide more detailed information in an afterword, along with the animals' geographical range. Although the amount of detail the minimal text offers is, perforce, limited, Sill's title still compares favorably with other introductions aimed at about the same age level. Its carefully executed watercolor artwork is more precise than that in Gail Gibbons's Penguins! (Holiday House, 1998) and depicts more species than the photographs in Frankie Stout's Penguins (Rosen, 2009). With its simple text and lovely watercolors, About Penguins will appeal to a wide audience.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

K-Gr 1—An attractive and instructive picture book. On each spread, a rich, full-bleed watercolor painting is accompanied by a rhyming stanza that encourages readers to add up the number of baby and adult zoo animals. The endearing scenes are framed in a bold pattern formed from a detail within the picture itself, to a very pleasing effect. A few zoological terms are deftly slipped into the text. Slade's rhymes are refreshingly successful; they do not succumb to the trap of contrived language, as so often happens with rhyming. An appended section features a composite of all the spreads, allowing kids to review the equations simultaneously; this is followed by further math exercises and an activity for matching facts to the animal babies highlighted in the book. This cheerful package of images and information delivers intellectual nourishment in the guise of a tasty treat for the eyes. It's a fun introduction to early math skills and basic animal facts.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

K-Gr 3—In the style of "There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly," Sloat reflects upon the Stone Age paintings discovered by a young girl, in 1879, on the ceiling of the Altamira Cave in northern Spain. They seem to represent the creation of the world, and he tries to re-create the child's thoughts as she viewed them. Vitale's glorious mixed-media illustrations on board, bursting with beautifully toned colors and an array of eye-catching patterns and stylized figures, are clearly the focus here. They depict moon and sun, stars and planets, day and night, fish, birds, animals, and people, and an old man within a circle who appears to be the creator of it all. The paintings are filled with texture as well as color—smooth folds of cave rock; light-speckled waves in the ocean depths; the cracked surface of the moon. An author's note tells how the cave paintings were discovered. This reality-based piece shows that, since ancient times, people have tried to explain, through stories, how the world was created. However, the style of the text—repetitive, rhyming verses based on a familiar nonsense song—seems the wrong choice for this introduction to an important archaeological discovery, and Sloat's sometimes nonsensical verse with accompanying paintings of primitively drawn striped and spotted people does little to introduce young children to cave paintings.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 2–6—As in If the World Were a Village, Smith and Armstrong help children understand large statistical numbers by collapsing the U.S. population of 300 million down to a village of 100. For example, "82 people in our village speak English as their first language, 10 speak Spanish. 1 speaks Chinese, 1 French and 1 German." Other languages that represent less than one whole person are also mentioned. Topics explored include family make-up, religions, jobs, ages, wealth, items owned, energy and water use, and health. Comparisons are sometimes made with historical data to show change and with worldwide numbers for contrast. Lively, cheerful acrylic paintings depict the diversity of our country in a somewhat idealized manner that suits the all-inclusive tone of the book. While the concept is successful in making huge numbers more comprehensible, statistics are known to be slippery, and attempts to classify people by race and ethnic and cultural groups are not always straightforward. Does the term "Hispanic" identify a distinct group? Some say yes, others no; Smith identifies the village as having 75 white members, 12 black, 4 Asian, 1 Native American, and 8 who consider themselves "members of some other race or of mixed race," noting that he's including Hispanics with whites. While readers may or may not agree with Smith's interpretations of the figures, he lists extensive bibliographic resources and provides suggestions for ways to engage children in considering their country and its place in the larger world. At the very least, the book will provoke discussion; ideally, it will inspire deeper thought and consideration of "what distinguishes America from other countries and Americans from other people."—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

K-Gr 1—What distinguishes these books from others on the same subjects are the vibrant, eye-catching photographs. The sentences are simple and repetitive: "In fall we can…" as the books describe clothing, weather, and human and animal activities of the various seasons. Reading teachers will want to use this set for instructional purposes while early readers will feel successful mastering the text. Students will delight in the color photographs of animals and children enjoying the activities.—Catherine Trinkle, Hickory Elementary, Avon, IN

K-Gr 2—Stewart takes readers on an informative journey, describing how snakes, voles, spotted salamanders, carp, beavers, and red-spotted newts, among other animals, "spend their days" during the winter months. Fascinating facts—a wood frog can freeze solid on the forest floor and survive—make the spare text intriguing and fun. Beautiful paintings in muted watercolors convey the creatures in their habitats and the quiet of the season. This pleasing addition is a great read-aloud for units on winter and animal habitats.—Michele Sealander, Hamburg School, NJ

K-Gr 2—In this fourth adventure at Hazel Ridge Farm, Teeny Weeny, a lamb rejected by its mother and Itsy Bitsy, an orphaned fawn, are raised as brother and sister at an actual animal-rehabilitation center. At first barely strong enough to eat, the newly adopted animals grow robust enough after weeks of bottle feeding to escape their playpen and move to the barn. Ultimately, the young buck's inherent nature takes over as he leaps over fences to explore the wild around him, leaving his more security-minded companion behind. When his leg gets caught in the fence as he tries to escape yet again, his human caregiver realizes that it is time to let him live with other deer in the woods. The caregiver's first-person narrative tells a quality story while seamlessly introducing facts about taking care of animals. Full-spread paintings capture life on the farm and the endearing friendship between these two otherwise unlikely siblings. This is a great introduction to what it is like to look after wild animals in need and why it is so important to let them go.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—This book describes the life cycle of the black-and-yellow Argiope aurantia (a type of garden spider). After a mother spider lays her eggs, the spiderlings hatch inside the egg sac and wait for spring to chew a hole and emerge into the sunlight. Seeking a permanent home, one young female "spins out silken thread into the breeze" and floats upward, ballooning gracefully on air currents, and eventually finds a safe haven where she matures, meets a mate (there is no mention of details), and lays her own eggs, beginning the cycle anew. The clear, simple text is perfectly accompanied by delicate, bright-hued watercolors. Kids who want more may enjoy the brilliant photos in Nic Bishop's Spiders (Scholastic, 2007), even if they are not ready for the more in-depth text. Wadsworth and Wynne have created a sturdy framework for introducing their subject's architecturally elegant orb web.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

K-Gr 1—Wallace follows the same formula of combining factual information with kid-friendly artwork and upbeat dialogue that she used in Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! (2009) and Shells! Shells! Shells! (2007, both Marshall Cavendish), but without the same success. In this selection, Minna and her friends visit a space exhibit at a local children's museum to learn about stars. The book suffers from an identity crisis because the text is rather advanced for the young audience for whom the adorable cut-paper bunnies and backgrounds will hold appeal. The discussion of what a star is is particularly confusing. Also, the dialogue is somewhat forced, and the humor often falls flat. Furthermore, Wallace seems to stretch to create enough related projects. Stars! does contain some digestible factoids and neat pictures of space for the younger set. However, the conflicted and therefore confusing packaging of a challenging text and simplistic illustrations makes it an additional purchase.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

K-Gr 2—Wells's signature style is exhibited in his cartoon illustrations and conversational text. Readers follow children and their dog as they are taken from Earth on a trip to the other seven planets in a spacecraft that's fast enough to give a quick tour. At each stop the narrator explains why humans could not live there. The characters are promptly returned to Earth, and the book explains why it's the only planet that is just right for humans. Each page is filled with acrylic-and-pen illustrations and plenty of text but the title is not as overwhelming as it may first appear. Useful as an introduction to planet research, the book will work as a read-aloud or for independent reading.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

Gr 3–6—Spare, engaging text paired with striking gouache illustrations make this book a perfect choice for aspiring young artists. Born in Germany in the late 19th century, Albers "watched his father paint doors as if they were artists' canvases." He came to America in 1933 to head the art department at an experimental college in North Carolina, but his numerous trips to Mexico were the true inspiration for his famed series of paintings known as "Homage to the Square." "The buildings! The pottery! The way colors looked different under the Mexican sun…. Over and over again, Josef painted nothing but rectangles. Long rectangles. Tall rectangles. Rectangles within rectangles—all in different combinations of colors." The accompanying spread, worthy of any museum gallery, shows a diminutive Albers climbing a mountain of multicolored, different-sized rectangles, walking stick in hand. He became fascinated with color and with the way it affected the mood of a piece, and set out to study it as carefully as a scientist. Notes on Albers and "See-for-Yourself Activities" augment this beautifully designed offering.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 2–4—This story begins with an author's note that succinctly explains the drastic changes that occurred when the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in 1996. The focus is primarily on the regime's impact on women, who were no longer allowed to attend school or leave home without a male chaperone, and had to cover their heads and bodies with a burqa. After Nasreen's parents disappeared, the child neither spoke nor smiled. Her grandmother, the story's narrator, took her to a secret school, where she slowly discovered a world of art, literature, and history obscured by the harsh prohibitions of the Taliban. As she did in The Librarian of Basra (Harcourt, 2005), Winter manages to achieve that delicate balance that is respectful of the seriousness of the experience, yet presents it in a way that is appropriate for young children. Winter's acrylic paintings make effective use of color, with dramatic purples and grays, with clouds and shadows dominating the scenes in which the Taliban are featured, and light, hopeful pinks both framing and featured in the scenes at school. This is an important book that makes events in a faraway place immediate and real. It is a true testament to the remarkable, inspiring courage of individuals when placed in such dire circumstances.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ