Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 2–4—Ms. Wurtz decides to encourage creative dialogue by leaving a blank notebook in her classroom's Writer's Corner so that students will "talk to each other." The only stipulations are to "have fun" and "sign your name," and she promises not to read it until the end of the month. As the children begin to express themselves, alliances and rivalries develop. Personalities are revealed: rule-maker Lizzy; her peacemaker sidekick, Yoshiko; class clown Luke; and organizer/self-proclaimed editor Milton contribute to the journal and illustrate their handwritten entries. As the boys' bathroom humor escalates against the girls' pleas to write only "nice things," a rebellion in words develops. After the journal is "kidnapped," the classmates realize that their writing has become hurtful, and Luke suggests that they all contribute to a story to end the month's entries without any hard feelings. This seemingly disingenuous tale is carefully planned. It is no surprise that Ms. Wurtz's idea to plant the journal in the Writer's Corner on August 31st will perhaps determine and improve her class's dynamics for the coming school year, in addition to giving her a sense of her budding writers' potential interrelationships. Although the children's adversarial issues and appropriately lame rhyming verse take up their focus at first, the classmates come together with their fictional rescue story in a well-meaning, satisfactory end to the story. Fans of Geronimo Stilton and Marissa Moss's "Amelia" notebooks (S & S) will enjoy this offering.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

PreS-Gr 2—Blending fairy-tale elements with fanciful artwork, this picture book expresses a mother and father's love for their child. Speaking directly to the featured youngster, they explain that, despite the excitement of their former lives—Papa was a dragon-chasing king and Mama was a daring sea rover—they both yearned for something more. Even after they fell in love, married, and pursued adventure side by side, they still felt a lack, asking one another, "What more could we possibly need?" Leaving behind their castle and riches, they make a new life in a forest cottage, where they welcome their baby and watch him grow. The boy shows them simple wonders—"A smooth-polished pebble, a fiery leaf"—and teaches them to slow down and appreciate the world's magic. Now content, they tuck him in each night and declare, "Nothing is better than this." Painted in rich hues, the romanticized illustrations echo the once-upon-a-time tone of the rhyming tale. Flowing brushstrokes and graceful lines add to the dreamlike quality. The text and some of the paintings are framed with gold borders, a delicate filigree at the beginning and plain bold lines at the end, reflecting the characters' change in focus. While not a first purchase, this whimsical tale makes a satisfying bedtime read.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

K-Gr 5—Using the background of the Irish potato famine, Bateman weaves a tale of Irish history and leprechauns, threads it with optimism, and embroiders it with cleverness and luck. At one time, luck was in abundance in Irelandz—until the leprechaun king got angry at the humans for soaking it all up. Using a spell, he steals it away. The people fall on hard times, and Fiona uses her wits to get it back from the wily king. Murphy's illustrations are richly toned and evocative. Some are spreads, full of color in a folk-art style; on other pages, the smaller spot illustrations highlight the details in the story. Each page is a harmonious blend of artwork and text, which makes the story an engaging read-aloud, and it's also accessible to young readers. Children will love this tale, particularly the facial expressions on Fiona and the small people who surround her, and they'll delight in the young woman's cleverness and quick thinking.—Luella Teuton, Western Kentucky University College of Education, Bowling Green, KY

K-Gr 3—Everyone laughs at Jane for wanting to be a knight, except the court jester, who loans her his small suit of armor, and she spends her days practicing knightly duties. When a dragon steals the prince, Jane sets out to rescue him. After a long, wearisome battle, they sit down and talk about what's expected of dragons (stealing the prince) and knights (being men). In the end, she turns an enemy into a friend, returns the prince to his parents, becomes a proper knight with Saturdays off to visit a friend, and dances with the jester at the royal ball. Bathed in a golden light, the whimsical illustrations for this original fairy tale cast a golden glow on Jane's aspirations and adventures. The watery blues and lavenders in the second book are equally fitting and as amusing, as the child and the dragon search for the king's magician, banished from the court because he cannot do a rain spell. Unfortunately, the magician discovers that the missing ingredient is anger, nearly destroying a farming community and Jane's dragon. When the creature is struck by blue lightning and falls into the water below, the youngster saves him and shows the repentant sorcerer that being sorry is only the beginning. Baynton reverses the traditional role of girls in fairy tales and redeems their adversaries. These kindly stories, also an animated TV series, are solid choices.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2—Two friends spend a lot of time together. One day, Bob (a caterpillar) looks up into the tree and decides he needs to climb. Otto (an earthworm) stays below, digging in the soil. At this point, Bob's story appears on the top of the pages, with Otto's below. Bob climbs, eats, and takes a nap in a cocoon while Otto eats and digs through the dirt. Bob emerges as a beautiful yellow butterfly. Otto becomes sad when he sees his friend, as he thinks that had he climbed the tree, he could have been a butterfly too, instead of being "Just a big…fat…worm." Luckily, Bob's a clever pal and he knows that Otto is aerating the soil, helping the tree to grow, and providing food for Bob. The story is a good vehicle for showing that friends don't always have to do the same things, and that their actions can complement one another's. Bright, vibrant illustrations on full spreads enhance the satisfying story, which would be perfect for introducing spring science units.—Nancy Kunz, Tuckahoe Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—This fanciful cautionary tale chronicles one day in the life of a very busy bear who awakes with a boy on his back. In a simple rhyming text, Mack describes his extraordinarily demanding schedule as the child accompanies him on his rigorous routine. Eventually, the boy intercedes and convinces Mack of the importance of taking time to smell the lilacs. This charming follow-up to A Boy and His Bunny (2005) and A Girl and Her Gator (2006, both Arcade) puts a new spin on the formula by casting the animal as the principal character. Spare, less-is-more black line drawings filled in with shades of brown and orange create characters with broad appeal and are a perfect complement to the text. Outstanding in its simplicity, the story conveys an important message in an unassuming manner.—Debbie Lewis O'Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

PreS-Gr 2—A little boy learns from Harry, a dachshund, how to treat an unfamiliar dog safely and politely. Harry's friendly, gentle voice reminds the child to ask for the owner's permission to pet the dog, allow the animal to sniff his hand, and approach from the side. The pooch coaches the boy as he encounters an excited puppy, a guide dog, and an unfriendly canine. Cues such as growling and tail wagging are explained. Straightforward guidelines and a positive, encouraging tone make this book appealing and practical. Young dog lovers will delight in the variety of breeds shown in the bright, clear illustrations. Harry's advice will certainly come in handy, and dogs will appreciate the safety and consideration shown by readers who put the techniques into practice.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

K-Gr 2—Cork and Fuzz, two adorably illustrated characters, return in a story that addresses an important topic. Competition strains the best-friendship of Cork, a short muskrat, and Fuzz, a tall, athletic possum who has a tendency to win easily and boast a lot. Even though clever Cork thinks of several different games to play, he ends up losing all of them. Readers who have come up against poor sports will empathize with him and grit their teeth as competition turns to conflict. Fuzz repeatedly says, "I won!" and Cork threatens to go home. When the buddies realize that their friendship is at stake, they come up with a fun and clever compromise. Filled with repeated vocabulary and simple sentences, the text keeps the plot moving quickly. Lively illustrations depict the action as well as the woodsy setting. Kudos to McCue for providing the characters with a wide range of convincing expressions and activities while still having them look just like a possum and a muskrat.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

Gr 1–3—While at his grandmother's Cape Cod home, Thomas finds an old belt buckle on the beach. He is then visited by a vision of a child named Silas, who once served as cabin boy to the very sea captain who owned the house. Silas tells Thomas how he and the other local boys once saved the captain's ship from mooncussers—villains who trick sailors by putting lanterns out on the beach to lead ships into shallow water and then steal their cargo. Silas and his friends set fire to the long stairs to the captain's house, so that he saw the house's outline and realized that he had been misled by the lanterns. Though the plot elements would seem thrilling enough-villainy, adventure, heroism—the telling of the story is wordy and meandering. Minor's paintings are atmospheric and fetching, but overall this book will appeal more to adults than to kids.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—A baby rabbit is named Little Monday by the forest animals who find him alone in the forest. One day, the youngster sets off to find his mother, querying Swan, Owl, Bear, and numerous other creatures about whether he is their offspring. The appealing illustrations lend winsome expressions to the bunny, and there is warmth and humor in the telling of his quest. The payoff in such stories as P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? (Random, 1967) and Martin Waddell's Owl Babies (Candlewick, 1996) is that the mother shows up, to the child's great relief and joy. Little Monday's parent turns out to live in the moon, unable to come down or even touch him, except for a moonbeam on his cheek. Despite her reassurances—"Even on the darkest nights, even when you can't see me, I'm always with you"—the message does not carry the necessary satisfying ending, a tangible parent, that books with this theme require. A brief author's note explains the myth of the rabbit in the moon in a variety of cultures.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—One day, Emily and her rabbit are launching themselves into outer space to look for alien life-forms when they are interrupted by the Chief Footman to Queen Gloriana. He offers to trade a golden teddy bear for Bunnywunny. " 'No, thank you,' said Emily Brown. 'This rabbit is NOT for sale. And his name isn't Bunnywunny. It's STANLEY.'" But Queen Gloriana will not take no for an answer, and repeatedly sends her military staff to offer undesirable toys to Emily in trade for her rabbit. After several more refusals from an increasingly irritated little girl, the special commandos sneak into her bedroom at night and steal Stanley. Emily Brown storms the palace and confronts the queen, who cannot understand why Bunnywunny looks so miserable. So Emily takes pity on the silly queen and whispers the secret of how to have a happy toy. This gem of a book features a spunky child with a terrific imagination. The wacky illustrations, done in collage, pen and ink, and watercolor, perfectly depict the joy and energy of the companions' playtime activities. The exuberant text makes use of various fonts and cartoon-bubble dialogue. This book has loads of child appeal. Emily Brown clutching Stanley brings to mind Mo Willems's equally expressive Trixie and her beloved Knuffle Bunny. Pair these two books for a delightful storytime about favorite bunnies.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 3—This cumulative tale introduces six animals, beginning with a small fish and ending with a grouchy-looking polar bear. The story builds as each creature is chased by a slightly larger one. When a man (a rosy-cheeked Inuit with harpoon in hand) appears on their ice chunk, the animals have a stroke of good luck: the ice splits in two, separating them from the hunter. The rhyming text is fast-moving and fun. However, the animals' interaction is poorly defined; neither the text nor the illustrations clarify whether the animals are playing with or hunting one another. Cartoon facial expressions range from gleeful to panic-stricken. The depiction of the Inuit hunter is somewhat stereotypical. In addition, the six animals, along with the man and his sled dog, are pictured together on one ridiculously small piece of ice. A four-page information section provides basic facts about each of the animals featured, the Inuit, and Arctic waters in general. A cut-and-color activity and Web address are also included.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

PreS-Gr 3—Emily does not attempt to hide her displeasure when given a new orange raincoat instead of the yellow one she really wanted. However, her disappointment evaporates when she discovers that the garment bestows magical powers upon its wearer. Although she initially delights in her newfound abilities, she soon learns a lesson about being careful with her wishes. Then she finds out that her mother has exchanged the orange raincoat for an ordinary yellow one owned by a neighbor's daughter. Emily immediately goes to Mei's house, explains that the coat is magic, and promptly reclaims it. Although children will revel in the story's magical elements, even the most gullible of youngsters may find it difficult to understand why Mei is willing to return the conjuring raincoat. The highlight here is the exquisitely detailed collage artwork made from decorative paper. While the other characters are drawn with pen-and-ink lines, Emily's figure is more fleshed out-she has purple-blue hair and wears green overalls and a striped shirt and socks. Full of color and whimsy, the varied textures create an illusion of dimensionality that sparks the imagination. Despite its shortcoming, this picture-book fantasy is great fun and introduces a plucky heroine full of mischievous charm.—Debbie Lewis O'Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Gr 1–3—Tobias, a mole with an unusual bird-shaped head and dolphinlike grin, enjoys a solitary life digging tunnels and collecting shiny pebbles. When he invites a neighbor to see his prized collection, his visitor warns him that there are robbers nearby who "especially love shiny pebbles." Tobias frantically hides, moves, and rehides the pebbles, becoming so exhausted that he falls asleep, waking to find the treasure has been stolen by his visitor, who leaves behind a single colored stone and a mocking note. The soft-focus colored-pencil shades and patterns of the pebbles become more intricate over time as Tobias's collection expands, and Delessert's use of the same medium conveys an increasing sense of panic with ominous swirls and outsize shapes as Tobias is preoccupied with thoughts of the impending intruders. The main character dominates the page when he is happily admiring his collection and is drawn small as though overwhelmed by his fears in scenes prior to the robbery. His nightmarish worries may be frightening to small children at first, but these images are offset by those of the colorful patterned stones. Tobias certainly seems to bounce back quickly, resolving to gather new stones (in the next spread he has an impressive new collection) and be wiser next time. The message of sharing secrets with strangers, and, for older students, the folly of obsessing over material possessions may be worthy discussion points.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

PreS-K—Picky Achilles, a small crocodile, refuses to eat his bananas for breakfast and matter-of-factly explains that he'd rather eat a child. Despite the delicious chocolate cake his parents make to whet his appetite, Achilles is insistent. As he walks down to the river, he notices an opportunity—a young girl sitting on the riverbank. Droll humor saves the day as Achilles meets his match. Sunny cartoon illustrations capture the setting with grass huts and tropical trees in the background. The yellow endpapers with silhouetted bananas add additional flavor. Rereading will be a delight.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

PreS-Gr 2—Waking up and seeing his first snow, Mole goes off to explore and slips and slides down a hill, crashing into a tree. He mistakes an icicle for a diamond but as he carries it home, it melts. His sadness disappears when his friends explain what it was and he gazes at the awe-inspiring beauty of the icicles on a tree at sunset. The story's action surrounds the text like a part of the landscape, while the cartoonlike animals portray the playfulness and rambunctiousness of children. Comic-book panels show the comical movement of Mole's adventure up and down the hill. However, although the watercolors of the woodland change for the upcoming sunset, the icicle-covered tree is fairly drab and unlikely to attract children's attention. Regardless, this is a creative addition to the winter-themed books because it does capture the magic and curiosity of children experiencing their first snowfall.—Jessica Lamarre, Medford Public Library, MA

PreS-K-Two brown field mice, a father and daughter, scamper and scurry through the woods on a bright, sunny day. When Littletail challenges Longtail to a race, he wins, but he reminds his downcast youngster that one day she will be too big for him to catch. During hide-and-seek, Longtail easily finds Littletail, but he reminds her that she will grow to be cleverer as well. In a game of follow the leader, her father gets stuck because he is too big to follow her through the roots of an old tree, and he tells a triumphant Littletail that one day she will be as big as he. That evening, just before a very tired little mouse falls asleep in their cozy nest, Longtail kisses her good night and tells her what will last "always and forever." Large, realistic illustrations filled with wildflowers and berries provide a soothing backdrop to the mice romping in the woods. Wonderful for bedtimes and storytimes, this is a simple, heartwarming tale of companionship and a parent's unconditional love.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

Gr 1–3—When Mike chases his ball into a bottomless garbage can, he discovers the world below New York City. Underground, he meets Balloonhead (Balbo for short) and other odd characters, including a doglike creature. Together they explore the tunnels and encounter hundreds of angry alligators fighting over stale bagels. Mike gets to the root of the problem: the creatures want to go back to Florida. He has the solution as well: his Uncle Ernie has a ship. The gators gather up all the jewelry, coins, walking sticks, and clothes lost in the sewers to fund a voyage. Mike and the "dog" climb through a manhole and make the arrangements. As the ship sails at dawn with 330 alligators, Mike, his uncle, and the doglike creature wave from the pier. The author relates this fantastic tale without talking down to children. The complex sentence structure and vocabulary give an added level of sophistication to the somewhat complicated story line. The simplicity of the cartoon illustrations lends balance to the whole work. Bold black lines delineate the brightly colored blocky figures. Alligators in humans' clothes, wearing jewels, and carrying walking sticks lighten the dark tunnels with friendly fun. Sophisticated young readers and their parents will enjoy this city gator tale.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

PreS-Gr 3—This wordless tale begins with a little girl dressing for a day at the beach though it is clearly snowing. Even the cat is surprised when she picks up her "un-brella" and goes outside. It is here that the title of the story becomes clear. Wherever she opens the un-brella, sunshine flows and grass, flowers, and insects appear. She spends a fine winter day walking in her bathing suit, sunbathing, and swimming. As the season changes to summer, she is again at home. But now, dressed in winter gear, she opens her un-brella and spends the day making snow angels, ice-skating, and building snowmen. The book ends with the girl watching rain fall, leaving readers to wonder what kind of "brella" she will use now. Franson's illustrations resemble paper cutouts although they are done using a computer. The crisp, clean pictures have bright colors, exceptional detail, fun patterns, sly repetition, and heaps of whimsy. They are irresistible. The expressions on the faces of the cat, girl, snowmen, goldfish, penguins, and other animals clearly advance the story. Pair this title with other wordless books like Raymond Briggs's The Snowman (Random, 1986) or Alexandra Day's "Carl" books (Farrar) and allow creative storytelling to reign.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 3–5—Thomas Savage, 13, accompanies Captain Christopher Newport on his second sailing from England to Jamestown, arriving in the "New World" in January 1608. Newport and John Smith give Thomas to the Native American leader Powhatan and ask the boy to learn the language and act as an interpreter. As tensions between the English and the Native people mount, Thomas's position becomes precarious. Eventually he goes to Virginia's Eastern Shore and becomes one of the first white landowners there. Fritz usually writes nonfiction, but she could not find a great deal of factual information about Savage's life. She says in her foreword, "Without documentary evidence of what went on in Thomas' mind, I have to call this book historical fiction." However, she seems reluctant to commit to the genre and, as a result, Thomas is not a fully realized character. Sentences that include "perhaps" or "he may have" preserve historical accuracy, but serve to distance readers from the action. The charcoal drawings were "colorized on a computer, printed onto stipple paper, and finished with acrylic paints," a process that gives the colors depth and texture. However, the depiction of the Native people does not fit historical descriptions from the period. Instead of looking intimidating, all the Natives appear avuncular and unthreatening. There are no shaved or partially shaved heads; no face or body paint in evidence. The whole book has a somewhat old-fashioned feel to it. However, libraries looking to expand their resources for Jamestown's 400th anniversary may want to include this title in their collections.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

K-Gr 2—Princess Isabella is tired of being pampered, and of sitting around being pretty. She wants to climb trees, wear pants, and make her own sandwiches. She wants to have fun. One morning, after she throws her crown in the fishpond and refuses to be a royal anymore, her father orders her to work in the kitchens for punishment. For three days she is happy doing chores, and when the king sends for her, she refuses to retrieve her regal headdress. This time he sends her to the pigsty. Isabella likes this work even better—the pigs are smart and interesting. When her father sends for her again, she not only refuses to get her crown, but also to put on a dress or comb her hair. That evening the king tells his daughter that she may do what makes her happy as long as she returns to the castle because he misses her. This sweet and amusing tale makes use of bold type that resembles handwriting to emphasize important words such as "boring," "pinched," "stink," and "pigsty." The comical watercolor illustrations are replete with royal reds, golds, and purples. They clearly depict the expressions of the characters in an entertaining and refreshing way. Pair this one with Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess (Annick, 1992) for a storytime about independent-minded royals.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 1–4— In this gentle tale, "Young Takeboki needed a job, and the monks in the temple needed a Flower Keeper." The boy's humble pride in his task lasts through his long lifetime and into his afterlife. The author credits "the artistry of Japanese gardens" as her inspiration, and borrows a bit from Buddhist teaching to weave a folkloric lesson on the value of good work. Meade's pleasing watercolors spread across the double pages to follow Takeboki through the seasons and then across the years as he contentedly sweeps, arranges patterns in the sand, tends to leaves and flowers, and dreams of greater worlds. As others rebuke him for his lack of ambition for a more lucrative job, he reflects repeatedly on a simple truth. "The monks need a temple, the temple needs a garden, and the garden needs a Flower Keeper." The illustrations provide a bit of foreshadowing, incorporating the figure of another smiling boy, the future Flower Keeper, in later scenes. The old man's life's work takes on much larger proportions in the land beyond Earth, where he's once more young and now has a golden rake and a silver broom to tend the clouds in all directions as Sky Sweeper. Nicely constructed for reading aloud, this quiet story has a satisfying progression that might prompt reflective discussion.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

PreS-Gr 2—In this spirited bit of backyard psychodrama, a kitten, a baby blue jay, squirrels, and a girl on a bicycle each balance in uncertainty and expectation on the brink of new freedoms. The baby jay wants to fly but fears leaving the nest; the kitten longs to explore the big world outside the house; the girl teeters on her new bike. Each tastes the brash possibilities of liberation. Each narrowly escapes disaster: the kitten is chased up a tree; the jay tumbles out of the nest; the girl takes a spill. But in this backyard, there are literal and figurative safety nets in the encouraging hands of mothers, both human and avian. So the day ends safely in the deep satisfactions of newfound accomplishments, with the baby squirrel vowing to leave the nest tomorrow. The brief, clear text is in speech balloons, allowing the characters in the performance to speak for themselves. The jay's repeated refrain, "But I will never leave this nest!" gives a humorous cadence to the tale. The warm palette and the energetic line of the paint-and-ink illustrations convey both the thrill of curiosity and the certain security of home. Heartening as well as thematically and artistically assured.—Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

PreS-Gr 1—A plump brown bear adds a humorous touch to this charming book about shapes, colors, and sequence. Five words, four of which appear in the title, make up the entire text. The cuddly-looking bear changes color and shape as he balances, juggles, and eventually eats the three pieces of fruit before loping off. The front endpapers show oranges, green pears, and green apples with rosy tinges in a line leading readers into the simple and appealing story. The endpapers at the close reveal the telltale remains: an orange peel and the apple and pear cores. Beautiful, softly hued watercolor illustrations loosely outlined in black pen and ink are delightful. Children and adults alike will relish this delectable book.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 2–4—Youngsters who haven't read Dear Max (S & S, 2006), which features a correspondence between a boy and a well-known children's author, might have a hard time catching up to the story line in this second volume. Max, who turns 11 during the course of the book, faces new problems as he copes with life at home and at school. His pen pal, D.J. Lucas, attempts to alleviate some of the boy's anxiety over Mum's new boyfriend (Hairychops), a bossy babysitter, and gossipy schoolmates. The letters written between Max and D.J. seem a bit stiff at times, and children will have to read well into the book to figure out their relationship. The British dialogue makes for a narrow audience (e.g., Max expresses excitement about the new blue waistcoat that his mother is making him for a special event). Type fonts help to differentiate between the two letter writers. The postcards included are hard to decipher and easy to skip over. The line drawings that appear throughout are humorous and childlike. An additional purchase for libraries where the first book has a following.—Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—Harper presents a series of expressions of endearment, beginning with "You're a good egg. You're a little milk jug./You're a honeypot./Please give me a hug." This is followed by "You're my top banana./You're my sugar lump./I think you're a peach 'cause you're nice and plump." The book concludes with "You're my carrot curl./You're my cat-nip tea./You're my biscuit treat./You're my black-eyed pea./You're my juicy berry./You're my sunflower seed./You're my crunchy peanut./You're what I need. Oh, I could eat you all up!" Adults will have trouble explaining many of these expressions to young children. Chorao's beautiful double-page gouache and colored-pencil illustrations supply rich details of indoor and outdoor life and invite repeated study. They show bears having a picnic with a honeypot, an adult raccoon and baby with a bowl of raspberries, and loving adults and children of many races and species. Chorao fans will prefer The Baby's Lap Book (Dutton, 2004) for simple satisfaction.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—In this delightful story about life on a farm, an African-American youngster is determined to become the best chicken chaser ever, although Big Mama repeatedly asks her to leave the animals alone. Despite the girl's best efforts, her favorite chicken, Miss Hen, always manages to escape. As the summer days wear on, she finally finds Miss Hen's hiding spot in the tall green grass. She is sitting on a nest with "fuzzy chicks cuddling tight beneath her wing," and although it would be easy to grab her, the child makes a more mature decision and resists the temptation. Harrington uses exceptionally colorful and descriptive language throughout the tale. Miss Hen has feathers as "shiny as a rained-on roof" and is as "plump as a Sunday purse." Her calls sound "like pennies falling on a dinner plate." Jackson's intriguing collages, combining printed cloth with painterly brushstrokes, will have readers lingering over the pages. The birds' feathers are fashioned out of different materials, including fabric, marker pen on loose-leaf paper, newsprint, and lace. Shifting perspectives capture the thrill of the chase as well as the calm of quieter moments. The youngster's face clearly expresses determination, understanding, and pride. This book makes a marvelously delicious read-aloud, accompanied by participatory "prucks" and "squawks" from the audience.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 3–5—Duck-billed Monday spends happy times with Lester Day and Tom Morrow in this semi-wordless, sensory-driven picture book. They have a great time together, and Monday wishes for those times again—so much so that he wastes time calling to friends who are no longer there. As the seasons pass and winter arrives, he disappears in the total whiteness of a snowstorm. His friends return but they cannot find him; he has become a faint memory, which is indicated by the embossed impressions of his outline in the thinner paper. After they have gone, Monday comes around again, looking a little different. The now-blue outline of his house, change of clothes, and heavier paper show that he has changed from the experience. Herbauts's deft illustrations subtly define the passage of time that brings the story full circle. As the seasons change and Monday disappears in the snow, the heavy bond paper gradually becomes thinner. Dents and dimples in it, combined with watercolor paintings, create the storm, and when Monday disappears, he can only be "seen" by feeling the impressions in the paper that indicate where he once stood. The unique visual and tactile techniques enrich the poetic text, combining to create a deeply profound story that contemplates the idea of pining away for yesterday and wishing for tomorrow. This thought-provoking book will have limited appeal to children, but when observed closely and talked about, it should find a small, appreciative audience.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—The O'Fallons' nanny has decided to take a three-week vacation to visit her family in Ireland. Emma, one of five children, is afraid that her parents will like the substitute better and might replace Annie while she is away. What follows is her outlandish but heartfelt plan to keep her nanny. A subplot in which Emma takes a classmate's book home without permission is strongly developed as well. When her pet ferret destroys it before it can be returned, Emma struggles with telling the truth. Eventually, her plans and secrets become too much and it is Annie who lends her the support she needs to make the right choices. This simply told, easy chapter book is the second title about Emma, but it can stand alone.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 1-3-Lily loved kindergarten, especially painting, but by the time she reaches second grade, "school isn't fun anymore," because she has trouble reading. "The letters dance and blur in front of her eyes." To her dismay, the teacher announces that the students will each read a page aloud on Parent Day. Lily talks over her worries with her mother and is surprised to learn that she also had trouble reading when she was a little girl. Lily practices all week, and her friend Grace helps out by becoming Lily's reading buddy. On the big day, the parents admire Lily's artwork, but when it is her turn to read, she freezes. She stumbles over some words in the first sentence, but slowly gains confidence, and manages to read the entire page. Everyone applauds and her mom gives her a proud hug. On the way home, Lily is happy because she realizes "she can do it again." The detailed watercolors infuse the story with genuine emotion that is somewhat lacking in the narrative. Although a bit lengthy, the text is composed in the present tense, using uncomplicated sentence structures. Children who struggle with their letters may identify with Lily and want to practice their own reading skills with this sweet picture book. However, Diane Burton Robb's The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia (Albert Whitman, 2004) may be a better choice.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 2—This gentle, picture-book history of klezmer music may have difficulty finding an audience. Mendel plays the accordion and forms a traveling band, but when life gets difficult in the old country, he leaves for America. On the way, he meets other musicians and starts a new group. In New York, he marries and has children and grandchildren, who love different kinds of music. Finally, his great-grandson finds the old instrument in the attic and has it fixed, and a new generation of klezmorim emerges. The text is unremarkable and lacks transitions in places; but the simple language is accessible and makes the complex story of immigration comprehensible for a young audience. The attractive folksy watercolor illustrations move the story along effectively and capture life in the various settings. The characters are representative of Jewish culture without being caricatures; the joy of music is clear on their faces. An endnote discusses immigration, klezmer music and its resurgence, and the history of the accordion. Libraries that serve large Jewish populations may find this specialized piece of historical fiction useful; however, it is an additional purchase for most collections.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

PreS-K—Stephanie, a young squirrel-like creature, is concerned about the impending birth of a sibling. She doesn't want to share her room, toys, or food. But mostly she's worried that Mom might not still love her after the baby arrives. Mom consoles her by saying "…my heart is a magic house, filled with many rooms." When someone new comes along, you just add another room. Pons takes this literally and shows the standard Valentine-shaped heart inside a house with many family-filled windows. Brightly colored illustrations show a cozy, cluttered home and a warm, reassuring relationship between the pregnant mom and her child. Like most getting-a-new-sibling books, this one ends happily with Stephanie ready to build a room in her heart for the new baby and maybe share a toy or two. If you need another title in the genre, this one will work nicely.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 3—Spunky cowgirl Waynetta and her mother live on a ranch where the lack of water has forced them to sell all but one of them. Finally, Ma has to ask her daughter to sell that "sorry-looking critter," but instead the girl exchanges it for some magic corn. In this exuberant reworking of "Jack and the Beanstalk," Waynetta reaches the top of a giant cornstalk to find "the biggest ranch she'd ever seen." Then she walks to the front door (readers must surmise that it belongs to a house) and is greeted by a giant woman who says, "I reckon you've come to take back the things my husband stole from your ma years ago." The giant, who looks like an old Wild West villain, arrives chanting, "Fee, fie, foe, fat,/I think I smell a cowgirl brat!/Fee, fie, foe, feet,/chicken-fried cowgirl is what I'll eat!" While Waynetta hides behind a giant-size bowl of beans, he brings out his treasures, "a longhorn no bigger than a barn cat" that deposits "a golden cowpat," a lariat that "never misses," and a "thimble-sized bucket" that "never runs out of water." Watercolor images in varying shades of brown with dramatic splashes of purples, reds, greens, and blues depict Waynetta's rickety old house surrounded by broken fences and desert landscape. A gun-toting, ax-wielding mother and other exaggerative characters accompany the rich Texan parlance that peppers this amusing read-aloud.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 1–4—This retelling of Washington Irving's story is a cautionary tale. Content to just "get by," Rip shirks his duties as a husband and provider by going fishing and goofing off, much to his wife's chagrin. One day after climbing into the Kaatskill Mountains and drinking with the ghostly Henry Hudson and his men, Rip falls asleep. When he awakes, he realizes that he has grown a beard and that his well-oiled gun has rusted. Twenty years have passed. His wife is now dead, but his children remember their father. In contrast to the original tale, Rip redeems himself, rebuilding his old house and mending his ways. Fisher brings his dramatic painterly style to the large picture-book pages to enhance the read-aloud experience. An earthy palette of greens and shades of brown depict the countryside. Bold black lines outline prominent characters and objects on the pages, bringing them into tight focus. Some may prefer N. C. Wyeth's illustrations in an older version of Irving's story (HarperCollins, 1987) for individual reading. Others may favor Will Moses's detailed folk-style paintings in his retelling (Philomel, 1999). But Kimmel and Fisher's offering can be seen from afar for group sharing.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 2–5—A follow-up to Cory's Stories: A Kid's Book about Living with ADHD (American Psychological Assn., 2004) is a hands-on, how-to book for organizing an ADHD child. Annie is smart but she just can't stay focused on anything so she is always behind in class. With the help of her parents and teacher, she learns how to organize her work and is given other tips for completing her assignments. The book offers 10 easy-to-follow steps that begin with a clean, organized desk at school and a quiet, organized work space at home, and end with a signed reward contract. The in-between steps include secret reminders to focus, find a study buddy, set a goal, and have a daily planner and a homework folder. Comical color illustrations and a conversational tone explain that a youngster with ADHD is neither dumb nor an incurable behavioral problem. With the numbers of children diagnosed with ADHD growing, it is important for all of those affected to understand the condition. An extensive note for adults is included. This is an excellent resource for school libraries, professional collections, and parenting collections, and a great shared read for parent and child.—Wanda Meyers-Hines, Loudoun County Public Schools, Ashburn, VA

K-Gr 3—In this beautiful story of remembrance, Daysha strives to ease her grandmother's grief a year after Grandpa's death. The youngster revisits places they shared and finds a button from his coat, flowers and stones, and other items that remind her of him. She shows them to her grandmother, prompting tears and embraces. Then, Grandma takes her out for ice cream, just like Grandpa used to do. Daysha realizes "that Grandma's sadness didn't really need a cure—just hugs, and the right kind of remembering." Johnson's oil paintings are set in the sunny springtime of the American Southwest, with misty, golden skies and vistas of rocks and wildflowers. Unfortunately, the decision to depict the characters as rabbits rather than people diminishes the impact of this heartfelt tale. Nevertheless, it's a worthy addition to collections on grief.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Little Donkey and his mother go out to buy Jackie a birthday present. The youngster chooses a beautiful kite with a very long tail and by the time they reach home, he can't part with it. He tries everything to keep it—he hides it in his bed, he fakes an illness—but Mama insists that he go to the party and give his friend the gift. The black-line and color illustrations are simple and spirited; they flow well with the text, making it easy for children to follow along. This sweet story about friendship and the rewards of generosity would be great for a character-education unit.—Kristen M. Todd, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY

PreS-Gr 3—Turning the standard fairy-tale formula on its head, LaRochelle begins his story at the end. The endpapers depict a princess and a knight waving good-bye to a long line of intriguing characters who are marching away from the castle. The text begins, "And they all lived happily ever after. They lived happily ever after because…" and proceeds backward through a madcap chain of events that includes a skittish dragon, a giant tomato, a pack of ferocious bunnies, and a fortuitous bowl of lemonade. Only on the last page are readers rewarded with the anticipated phrase, "Once upon a time." Egielski's illustrations are a triumph. The flattened, static quality of the characters calls to mind Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen (HarperCollins, 1995), and the warm, muted tones evoke the fairy-tale art of Trina Schart Hyman, but the fanciful details—a blue, winged pig; a pair of runaway lemons—are completely original. The hand-lettered text, enclosed in streaming banners, consists of terse, declarative statements that are lavishly expounded upon by the illustrations. The tension between the simplicity of the narrative and the richness of the artwork allows this tale to transcend its clever gimmickry. Though the book can be appreciated in one reading, and would work well when shared aloud, multiple perusals are necessary to spot all of the details. When youngsters reach the beginning of The End, they will want to start all over again.—Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA

PreS-Gr 2—Kaleb waits outside in the shopping cart while his mother pops back into the store for a forgotten item. After the grocery boy pushes the cart to the car, he sneezes a great big sneeze, letting go of the cart, and it begins to roll. In Gingerbread Man fashion, the bright red cart-with a smiling Kaleb inside-acquires a train of followers as it bolts, zooms, and zips through town. Kwas's bright, modern-looking graphics sweep youngsters along to the journey's conclusion, back at the store just as Mom returns. Creative layouts and expressively rendered figures bring life to what could be just another cumulative tale. Even a stop sign gets star treatment with a little extra razzle-dazzle. Long peppers her repeating passages with just enough variation to keep readers rolling along through the text. A fun and eye-catching addition to any picture-book collection.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 2–5—It is 1899, and Griffith, Ruby, and Graham Payne have just buried their father. Now they and their mother are hitting the road with the Travelin' Nine, a barnstorming team of baseball players made up of veterans from the Spanish-American War's "Rough Riders" with whom their father used to play. Their Uncle Owen has entrusted them with a baseball that their dad owned. They know only that it has some kind of power when all three of the children touch it. In this first book in the series, the Travelin' Nine has arrived in Cincinnati to challenge the local team. During the game, strange things happen, and the children are at a loss to understand why. Nothing is explained, and the story ends with the siblings and the team preparing to board a steamboat that will take them to Louisville for the next matchup. There is no question that both Long and Bildner love baseball (the pictures of both author and illustrator in the back of the book in vintage uniforms leave little doubt). The level of historical detail is admirable, and Long's dreamy, black-and-white illustrations are breathtaking. Unfortunately, history and distinguished art cannot make up for the lack of an engaging story line: two-dimensional characters and a weak plot make this chapter book fall flat. If the subsequent "Games" can pick up the pace and flesh out the characters more fully, the series has potential to appeal to fans of Mary Pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House" series (Random) and other historical fantasy.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

PreS-Gr 3—Another flight of piratical fancy with young Jeremy Jacob and the motley crew from How I Became a Pirate (Harcourt, 2003). Jeremy Jacob, supposed-to-be babysitter, is distracted from keeping an eye on his snoozing sister by the boisterous, baby-wakening arrival of Captain Braid Beard and his men, who have come in search of the treasure formerly entrusted to our suburban buccaneer. They need his help to find their loot, and he needs their help to mind Bonney Anne. Unfortunately, pirates are unfamiliar with nappies, and num-nums, and naptimes, so there are a lot of funny faux pas and hysterical, histrionic looks—particularly when it's discovered that the baby's made a snack of the all-important X-marks-the-spot map. All's well that ends well, though: the brigands' booty is recovered, and their reward to Jeremy Jacob will become the birthday gift he wraps up for his mom. Long's dialogue makes for a rollicking read-aloud, and Shannon's signature artwork is a vibrant concoction of rowdy colors; Magoo-eyed, snaggle-toothed characters; and a baby who bears an unsettling resemblance to Alfred E. Newman. Yo-ho-ho!—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT

K-Gr 3—This offering has a sweet, anti-materialistic message but is problematic on a number of levels. The weekend before Father's Day, a snail wants to find the perfect present for his dad. The youngster is not good at making things, and the cool neighborhood store has closed early. What is he to do? Langley discovers the best gift ever: spending time with Dad as they enjoy nature together. The text contains many long sentences and hyphenated phrases, such as "Amazing Auto-Select-Sports-Only Remote Control," making it difficult for inexperienced readers. Older children who can handle the text might think the cartoon-style illustrations, while pleasant and colorful, are babyish. Even as a read-aloud, the story demands careful listening skills. Additionally, the humor seems forced and uneven. The first half of the book is funnier than the second, and the first picture sets readers up for potty humor (Langley sits on a toilet) that never materializes. An additional purchase.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

PreS-Gr 1—By highlighting some amazing feats of the animal world, this picture book attempts to persuade young children that their own career potentials are limitless. "If a spider can build a beautiful web, when I grow up, I can be an architect!" Many of these comparisons miss their mark or have weak connections, such as, "If a male sea horse can give birth, I can be a magician!" or "If an elephant can shake hands with its trunk, I can be president of the United States." Flat cartoon illustrations in superbright colors on busy geometric backgrounds have a 1960s feel. Instead of working together, the loud pictures and bold statements compete with and detract from each other. While the overall message is a good one, the book itself fails to inspire.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-K—The artwork outshines the text in this didactic piece about the importance of caring and friendship. When Mama Ruby, a stuffed kangaroo, and her joey come to live in a new house, the other stuffed toys shun them because they are secondhand. Mama tries hard to help the others out, but they still won't be friends. However, when Little Joe accidentally gets thrown in the garbage, the other animals find their hearts and help Mama rescue him, and everyone is happy and accepted. This story is not subtle. What's more, the reasoning behind two hand-me-down toys being added to a collection of show toys that are never played with is unclear. No children ever appear, and the only human depiction is the hand and leg of the person who takes out the trash. However, the watercolor illustrations are extremely appealing. In a flowered brown print, Mama looks very much like a well-loved toy, Polar Bear looks soft enough to touch, and Camel's disdain, as well as Little Joe's and Mama's dismay, are effectively conveyed. The combination of full-bleed, single-page, and spot art lends a nice flow to the story, and integrates well with the slightly long and uninspired text. Due to the lovely illustrations, libraries that need another story about friendship, acceptance, or toys might want to consider this an additional purchase.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 1–4—A dreamy tale about a girl's nighttime journey. Joy is enchanted by unicorns and fairy tales. One blue-moon night, she wakes to find a magic path leading to Blue Moon Mountain, where she encounters all of the creatures of fantasy and myth except the unicorn she seeks. She soon discovers a love for all of the magical creatures that exist only there. When the moon begins to set, the child is flown home on the back of a phoenix. Having missed his opportunity to be admired, the unicorn rashly follows Joy and finds himself trapped in her world. McCaughrean's narrative, overflowing with images, is confusing at times. Episodes like Joy's encounter with the Sphinx seem to have been included for added mystery rather than substance. While detailed and vibrant, the figures are at times stiff and awkward looking. Additionally, the tropical-color palette and fading borders give the art a dated look. Endnotes adorned with woodcutlike illustrations present a needed overview of several of the creatures depicted in the story. Give this undisciplined tale only to die-hard fans of unicorns and pixie dust.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 1—This rambunctious story has an onomatopoeic rhyming text that children will love to hear again and again. Chicky chicks, buzzy bees, and kitty cats romp in the sunny warm shine and snuggle in the sleepy shine until, "Pitter, patter. Pit. Pit. Patter. Splitter, splatter." Down comes the rain, which makes them "soggy, groggy moggy." "Sunny, sunny breeze and shine. Fluff and fur and fuzz." Inspired by the art and culture of her native Zimbabwe,MacLennan dabs, swirls, and sponges bright splashes of paint on brown butcher paper. Lively spreads and the creative placement of text express energy and movement to make this a unique, eye-catching experience. This creative book is as much fun to read aloud as it is to look at.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2—If we are mostly made of water, will we dissolve in the rain? A boy ponders questions like this one, including his bath-time concerns about going down the drain. What seems to start out as a book about fear of water and overcoming it evolves into much more. The child and water begin to have a magical relationship. Water from the sink spells out his name; waves sing to him. He conducts experiments with condensed rainwater and sunlight, discovering how to clear up polluted waters. Beautifully written, illustrated, and designed, this small gem of a book calls to be opened, touched, and read from its texturally and visually appealing cover showing the boy and a flock of birds at the shore to the rich, color-drenched pictures of the real and the fantastic inside. Capturing the appeal and mystery of water while effectively addressing issues of overcoming personal fear and environmental awareness is no small feat, and this book achieves it.—Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—This story takes place in the village of Ear, which is famous for making scrumptious grape juice. One day, Boss Nova Boombatz, "the big head of all things grape," drafts Sixto Poblano (so named because he has six toes on each foot) to stomp on his fruit, thinking that the boy's extra toes will help him accomplish his task much faster. The other stompers are astonished to see that it only takes him two stomps to squish an entire barrel. The talented Sixto gets bullied by Boss Nova into working day after day, when he would much rather be playing kickball with his friends. Boss Nova agrees to let him go after he completes one more task—to squish a gigantic vat of grapes that takes 40 days for the townspeople to fill. As the village orchestra plays, Sixto dives in and stomps away for seven straight days until, in danger of drowning in all that juice, he kicks out the cork. The boy escapes, surfing a purple tidal wave that sweeps all the town's inhabitants onto a far hill and fills the valley with what becomes known as the Grape Lakes. He goes back to playing with his friends and Boss Nova is never heard from again. The stylized pencil, ink, gouache, gesso, and watercolor artwork is vintage Potter in all its quirky glory. Although Sixto is described as an amiable fellow, the pictures of a purple-stained boy in his skivvies may not be everyone's cup of tea. Many readers may find the American tall tale of Paul Bunyan making the Great Lakes more engaging.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 1–3—When a star falls into Floridius Bloom's yard, he builds a brick wall around his home to keep all the Light for himself and to protect him from the Monsters on the planet of Gloom. One day, young Zrill makes a hole in the wall to sneak a peek at the Light and accidentally drops a brick on Floridius's foot. Zrill takes him home to his mother to heal his toe, and Floridius learns lessons about monsters, loneliness, and friendship. The tale culminates with the inhabitants of Gloom helping to tear down the wall, which allows the star's Light to "encircle them all." Phelan's watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations bring the text to life. Color, facial expressions, and landscape give the text depth and rescue the story from being completely abstract. The depiction of the whimsical and nonthreatening monsters is especially enjoyable. Overall, though, the story is rife with symbolism, and it tries a bit too hard. It would be appreciated more by an adult audience than by children.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 1–2—In this unusual offering, an unnamed boy narrates the story of his upbringing by a pair of honey badgers that found him in a basket. While Maurice and June "dine mostly on snake," the orphan eats "only flowers." He proceeds to describe his childhood: living in a den, sipping from a stream, etc. After admitting that it is "odd," although not "absurd" like the life of a friend who "lives with a pair of creeping beetles," the boy announces that he will go to bed. The honey badger is an animal known for its nocturnal behavior and fearless nature as a solitary predator. The mother and muffler-clad father are pictured as protective, pastoral, and concerned. On the cover, gray, mustard, and beige figures do little to attract the attention of young readers. The Sendak-like illustrations portray a seeming indifference to the text; for example, "Some people say it is absurd. I guess it is a bit odd" is paired with a depiction of the "family" walking happily atop a fence. Mezo-American-style sculptural figures appear in unrelated scenes as though watching over the characters. With its odd phrasing and unusual illustration/text pairing, this story is indeed "absurd" and disjointed.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

PreS-Gr 2—As a father reads to his daughter in the evening, a rhyming narrative describes how various animals get ready to slumber: "In the treetops, by the river,/on the mountains, plains, and sea,/creatures settle down to sleep and/dream sweet dreams, like you and me." Each color-saturated spread depicts a different critter and a lilting four-lined verse about its bedtime preparations. An additional phrase is appended, as each parent whispers an idea for a happy dream to its offspring. For example, Dolphin murmurs, "Leap up higher!"; Cheetah says, "Fast as lightning!"; and Red Fox suggests, "You'll find crickets." Finally, at story's end, the father tells his child: "Dream you'll sail to far-off places,/then sail back by morning's light," and then promises, "I'll be waiting here…." The text's rhythmic cadence is soothing. With soft edges and deep nighttime hues, the artwork tempers realistic images of the animals in their natural habitats with a dreamlike quality. At the beginning, stuffed-toy versions of the creatures are shown perched on the girl's bed, gathered around to listen to the story; in the final spread, they are cuddled together with eyes closed. An adequate addition to the canon of nature-inspired bedtime tales.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—In this saccharine story, a Chihuahua that doesn't bark stays with his human's friend at the Four Seasons Hotel while his owner is away. Chocolate becomes a favorite there and ultimately finds his voice singing with a piano player. In the end, he goes home because "Papa needed him." The writing is cloying and condescending, and uses entirely too many explanations and adjectives. "The concierge—that's the person in charge of helping the guests—approached them. 'You precious little thing….'" Children may be confused by the lack of transition when Chocolate suddenly ends up in a car and appears at the hotel with apparently no interactions or good-byes from "Papa." The color illustrations, which have an impressionistic feel, give the humans an unattractive look, and the angles of some of the pictures, in their attempt to be from a dog's point of view, become uninviting. While the pup himself is quite appealing, mentions of a flamenco performance and a fashion show are unlikely to speak to a picture-book audience. With its minimal plot, adult sensibility, and patronizing writing, this uninspired offering misses the mark.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

K-Gr 2—On a spring night in the countryside, frogs in groups numbering from one to 10 joyfully announce their existence with sounds such as "peep, peep," "woomp, woomp," and "blu-urp, blu-urp." In reaction to a passing car, the same groups (with the counting now backward) find clever hiding places. Lively, poetic text invites reading aloud. Verbs are particularly well chosen; the frogs crouch, huddle, and ka-plop. Children will enjoy finding and counting the creatures on each page. Watercolor, aquapasto, and gouache illustrations in blues, greens, and browns nicely play up the rural nighttime setting.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI

Gr 2–5—In her second adventure, Clementine is the only untalented student in her third-grade class, with the talent show fast approaching. She hints that her family may be leaving Boston and moving to Egypt on Friday if her father takes the building manager job at the Great Pyramid, but her teacher just laughs. Her friend Margaret offers her tap-dancing lessons, but her improvised beer-cap tap shoes don't work. Her baby brother (variously called by vegetable names) always laughs when she sings like Elvis, but her parents veto the leash she needs to keep him on stage. It's Mrs. Rice, the principal, who finally shows everyone where the child's talents lie. Clementine is a true original, an empathetic human being with the observant eye of a real artist and a quirky, matter-of-fact way of expressing herself. Whether shopping for new shoes with her mother, saving the talent show, or dining with her parents at the Ritz-no-crackers restaurant, she is laugh-out-loud funny. Frazee's line drawings are plentiful and just right. Libraries will need multiple copies of this one, because early chapter-book readers will jump at the chance to spend another eventful week with Clementine.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 2–5—Ten-year-old Naima longs to earn money to help her poor Bangladeshi family, but her talent in painting traditional patterns, or alpanas, is no use. While considering whether she could disguise herself as a boy and try to drive her father's rickshaw, she wrecks the vehicle and its painted tin sides on a test-drive, threatening the family's sole livelihood. Her solution is to steal away, disguised as a boy, to a repair shop and offer her services painting decorations on the rickshaws. She is surprised to find that the owner is a woman. When Naima reveals herself, she is hired on the condition that her father will keep bringing her for training at the shop, so that her paintings will help the business. The future looks bright for the girl and her family. Short chapters, well-delineated characters, soft black-line pastel illustrations, and a child-appropriate solution enrich this easy-to-read chapter book that would also appeal to less-able middle school readers. The rich back matter includes an informative glossary of Bangla words, plus a valuable author's note that explains the process of microfinance and its results for poor women in rural markets.—Susan Hepler, formerly at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

Gr 3–5—Ten-year-old Ben, whose mother died when he was a year old, is satisfied with the calm, predictable life he shares with his father. Then, in the 18 months this novel spans, three females drastically alter his world. He categorizes the changes as "all right" or "not all right," according to his barebones philosophy of life. First, there's Casey, the co-owner of a new bakery, who is warm, attentive, and fun. When she becomes his stepmother, she engenders mostly positive changes. The second is Maudie Mingmei, the baby Casey was arranging to adopt from China before she married. Although he worries that having a younger sibling will cause chaos, Ben is charmed by his lively new sister. He encounters Casey's great aunt, called "Poornora" because of her overwhelming pessimism, when they are both reluctant houseguests at a beachside cottage shared with Casey's parents. More of Casey's relatives are renting the surrounding houses. Complications arise as Ben tries to fit in with his new cousins. Even worse, Poornora decides that since they are both outsiders, they should be miserable together, and constantly seeks his company. Ultimately, he's able to appreciate this persnickety lady as well as the rest of Casey's "too-big family." Rodowsky is in good form, crafting another book with a likable narrator whose experiences with acquiring a stepmother and an adopted sister are portrayed in a positive, humorous manner.—Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA

K-Gr 2—The creative duo who enchanted early readers with Henry and Mudge have launched Henry's cousin Annie and her pet rabbit in a series of their own. Children who missed Henry and Mudge and Annie's Good Move (1998) and Henry and Mudge and Annie's Perfect Pet (2000, both S & S) will quickly catch up with these charming characters and their thoughtful friendship. Annie is looking forward to wearing her favorite "ribbons and bows and lace and fancy little shoes" for her birthday celebration and invites Henry, his parents, and Mudge to join her for a "Dress-up Birthday." As Annie and her father greet their guests, they realize that "dressing up" can have several connotations, but learn that a party with special friends brings great happiness. Stevenson's lively pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations depict lots of action in the story's four short chapters, and amplify the characters' warmth, affection, and laughter. Annie has a winning combination of sensitivity, deliberation, girly frills, and fun, and readers will look forward to her next adventure.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 1–4—Danny and the rest of the gang from The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club (2004) and Space Station Mars (2005, both Tricycle) are back. When the group finds that someone has gotten into their clubhouse and made a mess without opening the lock, they decide that the intruder must have been a ghost. With the help of Allison, who did a report on the topic for school, they begin to search for the culprit. Throughout the week, they find what they believe to be evidence that the ghost has been roaming the neighborhood after dark. In the end, Molly the dog becomes the hero as she scares away the culprits. San Souci's vividly colored cartoon illustrations are filled with humor and action. Visual details, such as the characters' clothing and hairstyles, set the events in a sweetly nostalgic past. Readers who look at the artwork closely will find that the problems blamed on the ghost have real down-to-earth causes. This whimsical tale has great child appeal.—Danielle Nicole Du Puis, Forest Ridge Elementary School, Laurel, MD

PreS-Gr 2—In this endearing picture book, a tail-wagging dachshund and a multicolored stuffed bear star in three tales about friendship. In the first, Dog wants to go outside, but Bear is perched atop a tall chair and can't get down. It takes encouragement and ingenuity, but the pooch eventually helps his pal descend; unfortunately, Bear's scarf has been left behind. Next, Dog wants to play and brings out numerous toys, but Bear is busy reading. At last, he closes his book and asks, "What shall we do?," and the pup appears with a stack of volumes ("Read to me!"). Finally, Dog decides to change his name. Bear points out that none of the traditional canine choices is suitable, imagining what his friend would be like if he were called Spot (speckled with colorful dots), Fluffy (pink, with a cotton-candy body), or Prince (dressed in royal regalia). They reach a consensus when Bear suggests "My Best Friend Dog" (Dog for short). The characters and a few highlighted objects are drawn with thick black lines, colored with bright variegated hues, and set against white backdrops. The eye-catching artwork shines with humor and warmth. Told with simplicity and charm, this story is appropriate for sharing aloud or for newly confident readers.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—In this lively, self-confidence-boosting tale, a pleased-as-punch chick shows off his new bright-hued footwear and feels ready to take on the world. With brief, often exclamatory sentences, the narrator enthuses over his snazzy socks (they "fit just right! Orange must be my size!"), revealing that he can now tackle the "big-kids slide." He even receives a phone call from the president, who wants to check out the special stockings. "What can't these New Socks do?" he wonders, before anticipating his next milestone: "Now I'm all excited to get pants!" The text, which presents a childlike blend of fervor and silliness, is wonderfully extended through the artwork. Plain backdrops in pale blue and white focus the attention on the protagonist. The chick's body is a yellow lima-bean-shaped blob; black-dot eyes, a beak fashioned from two half-moons, and thick-rimmed glasses define his face and add expression. His wings, rendered in simple black curves, are in constant flux, injecting humor and energy into the pictures. Varying perspectives add visual interest and show the sensational socks off to best effect. With its naive approach, direct narrative, and wry illustrations, this book will appeal to fans of Mo Willems's pigeon. A fun choice for reading aloud or sharing one-to-one.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 1–3—Each book begins with the same poem that invites readers to turn the page. The stories address issues such as passing judgment, greed, messiness, and clumsiness. In the end, each character learns a valuable lesson. The illustrations are filled with vibrant colors and textures. Each book has suggested learning extensions, like researching animals (Buzz), trying new foods (Pig), a craft project (Jeremy Jones), and community involvement (Messy Molly). Each book also offers suggested follow-up reading along the same theme. Useful titles for units on character building.—Colleen D. Bocka, Nathaniel Rochester Community School, Rochester, NY

K-Gr 3—Told in an authentic child's voice, Papi's Gift is the touching story of Graciela's separation from her father, who is earning a living in the U.S. due to a drought at home. He has been gone so long that the girl is "forgetting his face." Every Sunday, the family communicates by telephone, and one day Papi mentions that he sent Graciela a surprise package for her seventh birthday. The child imagines what must be in the box, and she waits and waits. When Papi says it must be lost, she becomes angry and doubts whether she will ever see the rain—or him—again. With time, Graciela sends Papi her own special package and learns to hope again. A few Spanish words and phrases add authenticity to the engaging text. Moreno uses pastels to render soothing, warm illustrations that have a Latin American flavor and elements of folk art. In almost all of the pictures, the central theme is family, and readers experience the close-knit group from varying perspectives. This is a strong addition to the growing body of picture books with Hispanic themes and characters. Oddly enough, Stanton never names the country where Graciela lives; many will assume that it is Mexico. Pair this picture book with Jacqueline Woodson's Coming on Home Soon (Putnam, 2004) to provide two views on separation from a beloved parent.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

PreS-Gr 2—This British import is original, funny, and endearing. Dexter Bexley rides his scooter into a hungry Big Blue Beastie who thinks about eating him up. The boy appeases the monster numerous times with engrossing activities such as delivering flowers, solving crimes, and eating a Beastie-size sundae. When Dexter runs out of distractions and expects to be devoured, Beastie introduces his own surprises. Besides being a delightful read-aloud with abundant alliteration and repetition, the story celebrates the beauty of friendship. The boldly colored, humorous, sometimes spare illustrations are perfect for the straightforward text. The book design adds to the appeal with backgrounds of assorted colors. Pair this with Mo Willems's Leonardo, the Terrible Monster (Hyperion, 2005) for a lively storytime about monsters and friendship.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX

Gr 3–5—Now that Sharron's dad has been missing for a year, the toy dog that he gave her when she was five has taken on great meaning. Her mother and grandmother slowly realize that he has run off, but nothing is made clear to his confused daughter. The stuffed animal has become the center of her love and devotion, so much so that she has crossed the line between reality and imagination, and believes that The Friskative Dog is real. When her fourth-grade class is assigned career reports, she knows that she wants to work with dogs. Her schoolmates are aware of her attachment to the toy and subject her to snide remarks. When tension and loneliness escalate, Sharron takes him to school, precipitating a crisis. Straight's ear for classroom dialogue is similar to Andrew Clements's. Both a school and a family story rich with the setting of southern California, this book has potential for both discussion and reading aloud.—Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

K-Gr 3—Readers will be transported to the rugged Himalayas with this story of a deaf Sherpa boy in Nepal, who braves a storm in search of his family's yaks. He finds the animals herded around a young calf whose leg is wedged between rocks. Unable to rescue the animal alone, Kami whistles for help. When no one comes, he slips and slides down the icy mountain to get his father and brother. He relates the problem through mime. Together the family rescues the calf, and the plucky hero proudly leads the way home. Although Kami's disability plays an important role in the story, the author focuses on his strength. Readers will find inspiration in his abilities, his resourcefulness, and his courage. Dark, yet vivid watercolors extend the text, as both awaken the senses to the sights, sounds, and feel of the icy cold mountains' austere beauty. This story opens the doors to new worlds and gives readers a character to admire.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

K-Gr 2—A young snail steps out of her shell and hides it beneath a leaf so she can take a bath, but when she returns, it's gone. Consecutive spreads depict her asking various animals, from an ant on up to a cow, whether they have stolen her "house." They all react with outrage and point out the advantages of their own homes. At the end of the tale, the snail discovers that her shell was where she'd left it all along; she'd looked under the wrong leaf. The colorful, artsy cartoons accentuate the sweet goofiness of the text. It's ultimately hard to find a niche for this book, though; the humorous repetition as the snail addresses each animal would entertain preschoolers if the text weren't too wordy to hold their attention. Likewise, the vocabulary is advanced enough for third graders, but their interest in such a silly story will probably be low.—Daisy Porter, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3—Little Moon Dog happily snoozes by the Man in the Moon's side until a tourist bus filled with annoying winged visitors arrives for summer vacation. The Man in the Moon goes into hiding, but the pup gets curious about the vacationers' activities and slips out to investigate. When fairylike temptresses give him treats and a pair of his own wings, LMD becomes fascinated with his new friends and their mischievous behavior and goes with them when they leave. Eventually, the fairies tire of his company, begin to wreak havoc with the signs of spring, and chase him away. Little Moon Dog sits sadly alone with patched wings longing for home, while the Man in the Moon begins to give up hope of finding his companion. When he recognizes the canine's sad howl, he searches for him and they return home in a Rube Goldberg-like hot-air balloon. The following year, master and companion decide to go away when the visitors are expected. Dog and master are large-headed with expressive eyes and body language; the Man in the Moon is drawn as a bearded caretaker both of his companion and their environment. The cover art glistens with a pearlescent moon glow and similar soft-focus colors appear throughout, infusing the characters with an ethereal luster. The lessons of caring for our environment, false/true friendship, and that adventure is not as important as long-term love and understanding are all useful ways to use this story in the library or classroom.—Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY

Gr 2–4—In Florence, Guido is a second-generation baker who inherits neither his father's talent nor his good character. Both flaws cause his business to suffer, and eventually money grows so scarce that Guido sells all the furniture. After his wife, Maria, furiously demands at least a bed to sleep in, Guido finds an enchanted bed that can fly at night. It takes the pair on wild rides over the city and into the land of the master bakers where they accept a bag of magic yeast. After this, their business booms until Guido gets greedy and foolishly exchanges some of the yeast for what turn out to be counterfeit bills. Then the business goes to pieces, and Maria gets sick and goes on another midnight flight in the bed, and when she returns, things again turn around for the hapless couple. The main problem with this text-intensive illustrated story is that it covers a lot of ground and then fails to make much of a point. The plot is entirely too complicated and arbitrary. The imagery is rich and wonderful, the photorealistic details in the art are nuanced, the illusion of light playing across each page is inspired, and every feature, down to the veins and knuckles in Guido's hand, is rendered flawlessly. But the story is downright puzzling, and then it abruptly crash-lands into a "happy" ending that makes little sense. Thompson's art is notable, but this is not Willard's best work.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

PreS-Gr 1—In the first title, three animal friends picnic at the park, where they trade food items and share. Fun! features a trip to an amusement park by three pals, and one of them shows bravery and good decision-making. In Surprise!, three children serve their mother breakfast in bed. The writing in these offerings is stilted and all too reminiscent of basal readers. Surprise!, a Level 1 reader, has nearly 50 different words, and the other books, at Level 2, almost 100. All three titles have a white band at the top of each spread with new vocabulary introduced on those pages. A note to parents gives ideas for helping children use the books for reading practice. Each book has colorful, cartoon-style illustrations. Share has computer-generated characters in bold, rounded shapes; Fun has stylized pictures that evoke Japanese cartoons; and Surprise! has watercolor-and-pen drawings with characters who have dot eyes and two curved lines for nose and mouth. The pictures support the texts well, giving cues to decoding. Libraries that need more books to reinforce reading skills might find these titles useful.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–4—Adler crafts a portrait of an individual whose zeal for life enabled him to stay positive and productive even after a car crash left him a quadriplegic. Campy always loved baseball, signing with the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues when he was only 15. In 1945, Branch Rickey invited him to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He became major league baseball's first African-American catcher in 1948, and won league MVP in 1951, 1953, and 1955. Left paralyzed in 1958, he regained some basic skills and eventually was able to become a baseball coach. Adler's account is lively and concise; though the author is clearly a fan, he manages to keep sentimentality at bay. James's oil paintings are a lovely complement to the story, adding detail and character. The book is an accessible introduction to this inspiring athlete's story.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Gr 3–6—These titles are touted as "accessible introductions" rather than comprehensive guides. They cover beliefs, sacred texts, history, worship, festivals, life events, holy places (except for Sikhism), and arts (except for Hinduism). The books are attractively illustrated, and each one includes crafts, a story, and a glossary, plus "Notes for Parents and Teachers" with related activities and Web sites. However, introductory books should still contain maps (none) and basic data (largely absent). The glossaries are weak, with many important words missing. Each title leaves out something crucial—Buddhism omits mantras, mudras, puja, karma, and sutras; Hinduism doesn't mention death, food, tilaks, and other forehead marks; Islam ignores wudu, clothing, Sunnis and Shias, jihad, the Hagith. Sikhism leaves out the Ik Onkar symbol (it's one of the crafts but is never identified as such), ragas, the Mool Mantra and Lavan, and the Akhand Path. Since there is no wholly adequate religious series for this age, "World of Faiths" may be needed, but should be used with caution.—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 4—Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Seville, OH. Nothing, that is, until 7 feet, 11½ inches tall Martin Van Buren Bates comes to town. A retired circus performer, he is looking for a quiet place to settle down with his wife, who is "every inch" as tall as he is. The inhabitants of Seville go to great lengths (heights!) to make the stranger feel welcome: when Bates opens a window so that he can put his feet out and sleep comfortably, the boardinghouse proprietor tends a fire underneath to keep his toes warm through the night. The next morning, she enlists the aid of other ladies in preparing his breakfast, where five frying pans work at once to make enough johnnycakes to satisfy his appetite. The language is appropriately old-fashioned—the giant wears a "stovepipe hat the size of a pickle barrel!" The storytelling style and appealing subject matter make this book an excellent choice for reading aloud. The decorative borders, use of cross-hatching, and muted colors give the illustrations the look of old colored etchings. The book is well designed, with thick, creamy paper, a distinctive circus font for the title and headings, nice use of white space, and a suitably tall format. Altogether, it's a standout package.—Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

K-Gr 3—Realistic watercolors of North American animal parents and their young sprawl across facing pages, leaving ample space for two paragraphs of simple text. One is boxed, enclosing a modest amount of straightforward data, and the other, on the opposite page, voiced by the "babies," giving tiny snippets of "babyhood" and a glimpse of future, adult life. A final page offers a tad more data for the mildly curious. Similar in scope to Andrea Helman's Northwest Animal Babies (Sasquatch, 1998) and more geographically focused than Bruce McMillan's handsome The Baby Zoo (Scholastic, 1995), Seymour Simon's attractive Wild Babies (HarperCollins, 1997), or Kathy Darling's more detailed, eye-catching books about animal babies (Walker), this oversize, attractive, and easy-to-read book is a pleasing introduction.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 2–5—These brief, introductory books offer some unique topics that will captivate beginning readers. The first book gives readers an insider's view of the day-to-day experiences of the members of a rock band. In spite of the series title, though, there's not a girl in it. Hero Girls features the accomplishments of a range of American girls, challenging readers to accept a broader definition of what a true hero is. Making Movies chronicles how a movie is made from casting to premiere. It highlights one female director in a caption, but its tie-in to the series is also tenuous at best. Racer Girls highlights women auto racers around the world who are making an impact in a male-dominated sport. All of the texts in this 12-book series have three short, informative chapters written in a large, nonthreatening font and full-color photos on every page with helpful captions. Light-bulb icons provide related trivia and extend learning. Key words in the texts are written in boldface print for easy referencing in the glossaries, and "Find Out More" sections reference other books as well as a link to the publisher's site. While the titles offer enough depth for primary reports, they're more suited to browsing. It's just unfortunate that they've been locked into a specific gender.—H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

PreS-Gr 1—This warm and pleasing retelling of the classic include a rope-jumping Goldilocks in red cowboy boots who bursts with personality. The bears' home is a cozy log cabin set deep in the idyllic woods. The luminous oil-over-acrylic illustrations enhance the story with delightful details. A cylinder of the familiar oat brand sits on the kitchen counter, and a photograph of proud Papa Bear holding a fish and fishing pole hangs in the bedroom. And, characteristic of the Buehners, readers are invited to find a rabbit, cat, and Tyrannosaurus rex hidden in each picture. If your folktale collection could use a freshening up of the Three Bears' story, this is the one to add.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

K-Gr 5—This picture book addresses 11 socioeconomic issues, including health, education, justice, wealth, and the environment that pertain to African-American children and their families. Illustrated with collages of smiling youngsters on abstract backgrounds, each spread has a brief poem that begins, "I dream for you a world." The text itself is slight, with significant information given in the foreword and in the densely packed appendix. While this is a useful introduction to "issues of importance" as identified by Tavis Smiley in Covenant with Black America (Third World, 2006), most children will need adult assistance to sort out the specifics of becoming Covenant Kids. This book raises awareness of many problems in society, and the specific action statements are empowering but not age specific. Children can learn their history and make a family tree, but suggestions such as supporting black colleges and buying computers are beyond their reach. This picture book may be best used by caring adults who want to share their dreams of a better world for all.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–4—This strikingly illustrated and well-written retelling of the tale begins, "A long, long time ago, when shoes were still made by shoemakers and not by machines in factories, a shoemaker and his wife found themselves in very hard times." The shoemaker, whose deeply wrinkled face exudes tiredness and despair, retires for the night, leaving the pieces for one pair of shoes. He awakens the next day to find a "marvelous" pair of shoes, and each day, the number of finished shoes increases. One night the grateful couple watches the elves tiptoe out "like two whispers in the wind" and determine to reward them. Arresting paintings reveal multiple details: the shoemaker has a long pipe in his mouth, shoes and balloons float around in the air, the first customer dressed in an all-white suit, boots, and top hat arrives at the shop in a fancy jalopy with white walled wheels. The well-known Moscow artist plays with perspective and shadows to add layers of interest to the art. Some children may enjoy perusing these details; others may be put off by their slightly eerie look. This book deserves a place in larger folklore collections.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 4—This visually appealing cookbook presents 300 recipes for adults to make with a child's help, rather than recipes that kids can successfully complete independently. Loaded with tips on making the kitchen and the experience kid-friendly, many of the recipes have an "art project" slant—some as simple as assembling assorted raw vegetables on a plate to look like a cowboy boot in "Rancher's Delight," and others more complex, such as "Edible Eagles," which turns marshmallows, coconut, Oreos, cashews, and black decorators' gel into upright eagle heads. Bright color photos of the finished dish illustrate each recipe, with ingredients and preparation steps clearly presented at the adult's level. "Kids' Steps" note how youngsters can easily pitch in preparing each dish. Rather intricate work with different knives is often called for, and the amount of actual child involvement is often limited. The recipes frequently call for high-fat ingredients including whole milk, cream, half-and-half, butter, and sour cream, with no suggestions for making healthier versions of the dishes. Judi Gillies and Jennifer Glossop's The Kids Can Press Jumbo Cookbook (Kids Can, 2000) is a true kids' cookbook that emphasizes healthy, fresh ingredients, and super-simple prep.—Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

PreS-Gr 4—Subtle pronoun changes breathe new life into the traditional spiritual "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" by a shift of responsibility from "his" hands to ours. The rhythm of the song shines through unchanged, but the verses say, "We've got the whole world in our hands," "He's got the birds of the air in his hands," and "She's got the fish of the sea in her hands." Like Kadir Nelson's He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (Dial, 2005), Corr's joyful pictures illuminate the wonder of our world. His bright, folksy paintings focus on the planet's diversity and form a nice contrast with Nelson's scenic illustrations. Comparison of these two books would initiate a great classroom or Sunday school discussion. Supplemental pages provide an explanatory paragraph about each world wonder and music and words for a sing-along. An additional page on "Ways to Reduce Global Warming" suggests another pronoun change.—June Wolfe, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

K-Gr 3—Daly's boldly colored illustrations perfectly match this West African incarnation of the classic story. Pretty Salma is sent to the market by her grandmother and told to come straight home, but she takes a shortcut through the wild part of town and encounters Mr. Dog, who tricks her out of her basket, sandals, ntama, scarf, and beads. Mr. Dog scares Salma off and he goes to Granny's house to trick her. Meanwhile, Salma finds her grandfather in his Anansi costume telling stories in the village square and the two of them quickly set off to rescue Granny. The cartoon-style paintings capture the sights and flavor of the setting and add dimension and humorous details to this modern version of a timeless tale. Enjoyable on its own, this story would be especially fun combined with and compared to the many other "Little Red" stories available.—Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

Gr 2–4—This seventh installment in dePaola's autobiography covers New Year's Day through April 20, 1942. The war creates a backdrop that seems at first more interesting than ominous. Tomie overhears talk of rationing and hoarding, peeks out from behind blackout curtains, and notes that, due to the war, Fleer bubblegum will no longer be available. As ever, the author fills the story with authentically childlike details: he wishes that second-grade penmanship were easier, regrets that he can't make the Valentine mailbox in school, and visits a meatpacking warehouse. In the final chapter, news arrives that his cousin, Blackie, has died in the war. The book ends on a stark note—an illustration of the second grader from behind, looking through a doorway, simply asking, "Why?" As in his previous autobiographical books, dePaola's spot-on sense of what children find interesting hits the bull's eye. He doesn't turn away from the profound sorrow of Blackie's death, setting it in the context of a loving extended family. The black-and-white full-page and spot pictures convey emotions effectively, and illustrate items that might be unfamiliar to 21st-century children. Facsimiles of diary pages enhance the story. Those who have enjoyed previous installments in the series, and those looking for a child's view of the Second World War, will want to read this.—Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE

K-Gr 2—Lightships were anchored where lighthouses could not be built. They protected our ocean harbors as well as points along the Great Lakes. The last one was decommissioned in 1983, so this fascinating picture book is a piece of nautical history. Floca's watercolor drawings depict daily life aboard one of these vessels, cooking, sleeping, working, all the while rolling with the rhythm of the waves. There were many hazards involved. Big ships came too close, anchors lost their mooring, and weather caused many problems. But when the fog rolled in, the lightship sprang into action. Lights flashed and horns sounded, allowing ship traffic to make it "through fog and night, past rocks and shoals, past reefs and wrecks, past danger." The drawings are very detailed. Some pages are collages of small scenes. Many are full spreads. The sailors' facial expressions are amusing to watch, and the resident cat appears on almost every page. The front and back endpapers show a cutaway view of one of the vessels. This fascinating, little-known slice of history should prove interesting to every child who loves big boats.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Gr 1–4—Although the text remains unchanged from the 1993 edition (Freeman), larger page size and improved formatting make the story easier to share with groups. Instead of fading into the illustrations, the text blocks are highlighted and framed. The pictures themselves are brighter and more sharply focused versions of the originals. Pages are fewer in number, necessitating some shifts of text and the elimination of a few images. Overall, the revisions add to the book's visual appeal. The story follows changes that occur on an island after the departure of a family of wolves to the mainland. Without predators, the deer population swells. The deer eat so much vegetation that rabbits and mice have fewer babies, resulting in less food for foxes and owls. After the wolves return in winter by crossing the ice, the relationships among the various species begin to be restored. Godkin's simple example of how easily the natural balance can be upset should help foster ecological awareness. Libraries without the original book should definitely consider purchasing this one, and collections with an older copy may want to substitute this more readable version.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Gr 1–3—One or two sentences of large-print text appear under a full-color, full-spread photo of the featured animals. Each title focuses on its insects' outstanding physical and behavioral characteristics, succinctly describing major body parts and, in Crickets and Grasshoppers, the production of sounds to attract mates. Typical diets are also mentioned in all of the titles except Crickets. A half dozen or so terms appearing in boldface are defined in the glossary, which offers additional details on some of the topics addressed. The photos are wonderfully detailed close-ups of one or more representative insects, with body hairs, bristles, grains of pollen, etc., clearly visible. Particularly good is the shot of a fully extended cricket leaping out of range of a lizard's gaping mouth. While all four titles are clearly written, the amount of information, as well as the range of topics covered, is limited. Melvin Berger's Chirping Crickets (HarperCollins, 1998) and Patrick Merrick's Walkingsticks (The Child's World, 1997) are more detailed, albeit on a slightly higher reading level. In addition to covering major characteristics, they describe the insects' life cycles, molting, and special characteristics of several different species. However, as there is little information on these insects for this age level, Green's beautifully photographed beginning readers will be useful introductions.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

K-Gr 3—This handsome book is notable for its clever design and appealing illustrations. The story of Moses, Pharaoh, the 10 plagues, and the crossing of the Red Sea is explained in child-friendly language with additional information included about the traditions of the Seder. What distinguishes this book from others of its kind is the overall excellence of the colorful artwork. Particularly striking is a poignant spread of the long line of Jews leaving Egypt "under the cover of night." The stylized ancient Egyptian figures and the imaginative lift-the-flaps will engage children and bring the biblical story to life for modern readers. The word "God" is spelled "G-d" as is done in religious Jewish texts, but this attractive book will be enjoyed by youngsters of other faiths, too.—Lisa Silverman, Sinai Temple Library, Los Angeles

PreS-Gr 2—When King Darius has Daniel thrown into the lions' den because he prays to his own God, an angel is sent down to help him—"a great big angel who was good with lions!" The celestial visitor manages to distract the big cats for a whole day, scratching behind their ears, rubbing their bellies, wrestling with them, and finally lulling them to sleep. The following morning, Daniel is released and his enemies are put in the den. The angel leaves the men to their own devices, telling the lions, "It's dinnertime." The lighthearted tone of the text and cartoon artwork (one amusing illustration shows the burly angel tumbling in a heap with the grinning lions, while another shows scrawny-looking Daniel comfortably reclining on top of the snoozing beasts) make for an enjoyable tale, but the implied gruesome ending may be too harsh for more sensitive readers.—Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL

Gr 2–4—These basic introductions explore the functions of blood and bones and their roles in maintaining a body's health. Although packed with a great deal of new vocabulary for young readers, the large print, labeled diagrams, and glossary help make the titles easily accessible for their target audience. Full-color photos, including electronic micrographs (Blood) and human skeletons (Bones), will also attract readers and aid in their understanding. Ten two-page chapters highlight the mechanics of the individual systems. The books seem to end abruptly, without a summary to connect all the information presented. They are comparable to Anna Sandeman's Blood (Copper Beech, 1996) and Susan LeVert's Bones and Muscles (Benchmark, 2001), but not as well done as Seymour Simon's Bones: Our Skeletal System (HarperCollins, 1998).—Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

Gr 2–5—Clearly intended for reports, the writing in these basic biographies is so bland that these amazing artists come across as not very interesting. The illustrations are usually adequate, but on the pages discussing Picasso's Blue and Rose periods, the image included is not representative of either. While the captions are mostly descriptive, many do not include a title of the work or date. The books refer to ABDO's main Web site for updated Internet links, yet the site is poorly designed for children to navigate. Better options include the "Masterpieces: Artists and Their Works" series (Capstone) and the reliable "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists" series (Children's Press).—Robin L. Gibson, Granville Parent Cooperative Preschool, OH

Gr 2–4—These books stress the importance of dealing with potentially dangerous emotions rather than letting them fester. Two-page chapters include a page of text and a color photo and caption. The vocabulary is easy enough for youngsters to read and understand independently. The first title has tips for stress reduction and for expressing anger in nonharmful ways, such as through art and exercise. The last spread discusses dealing with the anger of others. The second book helps readers to identify jealousy and describes how the feeling can arise as a result of competition, rivalry for a teacher's attention, and sibling rivalry. Both books emphasize discussing problems with trusted adults and do a good job of helping children to deal with their emotions in positive ways. They could be a good first step toward recognizing upsetting feelings and seeking further help.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

K-Gr 3—Pocahontas is arguably one of the most famous Native Americans in United States history. And yet, she is often defined in terms of her relationships to the males in her life—her father, Powhatan; her friend John Smith; her husband, John Rolfe; and her son, Thomas Rolfe. Krull puts the spotlight firmly on the mischievous girl Matoaka, affectionately nicknamed Pocahontas. Primary sources provide the basic facts. She saved Smith's life (or possibly helped adopt him into her family) and she took food to the Jamestown settlers. Later, she was held captive by the English and married tobacco planter John Rolfe. Krull draws on scholars such as David Price and Helen Rountree to develop a more complete portrait of life in Virginia in the early 1600s. She occasionally ascribes undocumented emotions to Pocahontas, and makes a few questionable claims ("The princess became the first American convert to Christianity.") Diaz's cut-paper collage illustrations literally glow with vibrancy. He uses a palette of tropical colors—lemon yellow, lime green, ocean blue, and orange. The colors and book design harken back to the D'Aulaires' biography (Doubleday, 1985), but Diaz's figures are anything but old-fashioned. They burst from the page with exuberance and energy. Bridging her two worlds, Pocahontas is shown on the front cover as a young Native girl, and in English dress on the back (Diaz's interpretation of the famous Simon van de Pass portrait). Overall, this is an inviting introduction for young children.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Gr 2–5—Short chapters describe various rituals that are observed in several countries, including the United States and Israel, within a narrative format. Jewish-American children will be intrigued by the practices in Ethiopia, India, Turkey, and Gibraltar, among other places that are not known for their Jewish populations. The child-friendly color illustrations of maps are appealing, but the depictions of various family scenes and foods are less clear and not as successful. Unusual facts and recipes are included.—Lisa Silverman, Sinai Temple Library, Los Angeles

Gr 3–6—Once upon a time, the railroad was the way to travel, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company was one of the best in the business. Blocked from reaching its Manhattan goal by the depths of the Hudson River, and with a bravado showing just what money can do, the company hired workers to tunnel under and an architectural firm to build the then-grandest railroad depot going—Pennsylvania Station. In this heavily pictorial, slim volume, Low's lyrical text and handsome illustrations pay tribute to an imposing piece of American architecture, describing its cultural impact both in its existence and its destruction. This book opens a nostalgic window into its magical vastness, and mourns its loss—reduced to rubble dumped into the nearby Jersey marshes. Similar in tone to Harvey Stevenson's equally attractive Looking at Liberty (HarperCollins, 2003), Low's compassionate pen and artistic eye may have children taking second, assessing looks at "old" buildings headed for the wrecker's ball. An enlivening addition to the usually somnolent 385.3's.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

K-Gr 4—Markle knows how to find just the right balance of facts for her intended audience and has selected stunning, full-color photographs to complement her texts. The focus of these books is on how the animals deal with predators. Musk Oxen is the only one in which they are actually being eaten, though there are no gory illustrations. Their defenses include the circling herd protection and wicked horns. Even still, a pack of wolves can cull out a young or weak herd member and concentrate their efforts. More emphasis here is on the bulls fighting bulls for dominance and mating rights. In Octopuses, readers are shown how an animal can be both predator and prey. The octopus can hide in "plain sight," squirt ink, paralyze with saliva, or forfeit a tentacle to escape predators in the sea. In the third book, readers are immediately drawn in by the opening shot of a lion towering over two nonchalant Old World porcupines. The animals' food, habitats, mating, and mothering habits are portrayed, but the essence of the text is in its descriptions of their escape from danger and use of their quills. Each book has a motivating "Looking Back" section in which children are challenged to reexamine a photograph on a certain page to find still another feature that the animal has for adaptation. These books offer an outstanding combination of fascinating texts and informative, appealing photos.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

K-Gr 3—Each title describes the use of its respective sorting skill in everyday life and includes a "Facts" section. Size uses balls, beads, scarves, etc., to encourage children to sort by big and small, long and short, thick and thin, and so on. Money addresses sorting by size, value, color, and smoothness of the edge of the coin. The more advanced skill of sorting currency to reach a certain value is also included. Color photos are clear and uncomplicated. Although the cover shows the new buffalo nickel, the Jefferson nickel is used in the examples. The older dollar bill is also illustrated. Toys shows examples of sorting by color, size, and use, and also introduces a Venn diagram. Playthings include stuffed animals, blocks, cars and trucks, a tea set, plastic dinosaurs, and more. These titles are comparable to Henry Pluckrose's Sorting and Sets (Gareth Stevens, 2001), and they will be helpful for introducing and reinforcing the skills students develop with manipulatives.—Ann Joslin, Fort LeBoef School District, Waterford, PA

Gr 3–6—This volume covers almost 200 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, arranged by geographical regions. The author starts with an overview of each continent, highlighting special details about it, such as the highest peak and the largest city. Then, countries or regions within it are broken down for further study. The arrangement may lead to confusion for readers new to geography. For example, South America is divided into North Andean South America, Eastern South America, and South Andean South America. A table lists the area, population, and number of countries for each continent. The area, population, language, type of government, and currency for individual countries is similarly displayed. Children can learn about food, wildlife, historic places, sports, music, people groups, arts, architecture, and many other topics of interest. The writing can be a bit dry and generalized at times. The author writes about Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait, "These three countries all have vast deserts with large oil deposits." There are errors, such as "England, Scotland, and Whales [sic] make up Great Britain." (Wales is spelled correctly on the map.) Two of the country maps use a star to designate the capital cities, but Scotland's capital garners only a dot. Watercolor illustrations and hand-drawn maps featuring bodies of water, mountain ranges, and capital cities are scattered throughout. They are simplistic in style and coloring, with sparse detail. A full-color compendium of flags of the world, a general index, and a country index are appended. This is a serviceable title for browsing, but it is not an essential purchase.—DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

PreS-Gr 1—The basics of seeing a doctor and/or nurse are adequately explained with clever, colorful collage illustrations setting the scene and clarifying the explanation. "A is for appointment," "B is for bandage," and "C is for checkup." Some medical tools are included. Physical conditions such as fever and vomit appear, and procedures such as a urine sample and X-ray take readers through the alphabet. Murphy has compiled an interesting array of terms to help children realize that medical professionals are there to help them. "There's no reason to keep feeling yucky when all you have to do is see the doctor to feel…A zillion times better!"—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

K-Gr 3—This simple adaptation of an ancient Middle Eastern parable reads easily and sends a salient message. Unfortunately the stark, unappealing artwork detracts from the book. In the tale, a wealthy Persian merchant prizes a talking parrot over all of his other possessions. The bird longs for freedom, but the merchant politely refuses. When the man sets out on a trip to India, he agrees to deliver a message to the parrot's brothers. He completes his business and visits the jungle, where—after conveying the message—the parrot's brothers fall instantly from the trees as though dead. The merchant tells his prisoner the sad news as soon as he gets home—whereupon the caged parrot falls down, too. However, the moment the man opens the door to remove the "dead" bird, he flutters to life and makes his escape, grateful to his brothers for the getaway plan they sent via his captor. Despite the bright colors, the illustrations are strangely bland. The shades of green, purple, blue, and yellow that predominate have the same flat, uniform density and appearance of a child's marker set. Consider this a sound purchase for the value of the relatively obscure (and culturally rich) story it tells.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 2–4—These titles profile prominent soccer players, offering brief biographical information about the athletes, their attitudes toward the sport, and glimpses at their achievements as professional players. In Okocha and Ronaldo, young soccer fans will read about the adversities these men overcame in their home countries before becoming successful. The didactic texts and mediocre layouts lack aesthetic value, although the information seems solid. The strength of these works is in the subject, which may lure struggling readers who are fans of the sport, but reading these titles is an exercise in mechanics.—Michael Giller, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville

PreS-K—With one short, simple sentence per page, these titles are suitable for one-on-one sharing with toddlers or as beginning readers. A featured noun appears in boldface in the sentence and is also printed in a blue oval at the top of the page. The books give basic information about the nomenclature for baby animals and about animal anatomy. The color photos are interesting enough to attract attention. Back matter has a quiz in which several words are to be matched to pictures, a "How many?" page that requires counting, and one that asks what sounds pictured creatures make. The index page asks readers to find the illustrations for the entry words in the text, thus providing index practice. A note with many good suggestions for parents and teachers is included. Worthy purchases where needed.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–5—This attractive picture book will satisfy report writers and browsers alike. Pringle describes how the "strange geese" were first sighted by Portuguese explorers off the coast of South America in 1520 and concludes with current concerns about global warming and pollution. In between is a wealth of information, from pooping to parenting, presented in an engaging, accessible narrative. Readers will be surprised to learn that there are 17 species of this flightless bird, the popular emperor in Antarctica being only one of many. "You probably did not think of the little blue penguin, which stands just sixteen inches tall. This smallest of all penguins lives along the coasts of southern Australia and southern New Zealand. It hops ashore into green forests, not snow and ice." The lifelike watercolor illustrations portray the subject with full spreads and boxed paintings accompanied by short, descriptive captions. Landscapes show the birds hunting squid, tobogganing on their bellies, and huddling to protect their eggs, while dramatic close-ups reveal the stiff spines in the mouth of a Rockhopper, two males fighting, a couple courting, and a poor "Macaroni penguin tangled in a fishing net." A map and chart show where the different species live. Sandra Markle's Growing Up Wild: Penguins (S & S, 2002) is of comparable difficulty and contains striking photographs, but deals only with the Adélie species. Libraries will want to own both titles.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS-Gr 1—Each of these small-format beginning readers contains eight or nine spreads with large print text on the left-hand side opposite a full-page color photo. A small photograph of an object is found in place of a printed word in the short sentences. While some of the words replaced by pictures would not be recognized by beginning readers (rollerblades, flower, elephant, carousel), others might be familiar (ball, pins, bird, bee). Some of the remaining terms may also challenge new readers. In addition, occasional awkward sentence structures leave children without textual clues. The full-page photos are generally clear and bright and may lead to discussion of terminology that will help build young children's vocabularies. However, the rebus photos are small and in a couple of cases will be hard for children to identify (handlebars, ticket). Each title opens with a two-page picture glossary and closes with a list of two or three "Words to Know."—Kathleen Pavin, Purdy Elementary School Library, Fort Atkinson, WI

Gr 1–2—The simple language in these titles enables beginning readers to find success on their own. "Many kinds of animals live in China. Deer and goats live in China." The books also discuss the countries' shape, location, landforms, climate, and people. An activity is included. Richardson has tackled the daunting task of compacting a plethora of information, with the result that some statements are vague; for example, "People in Iran like to spend time with their families and friends. They like to eat with each other." The large color photos are clear and help support the texts. Additional information is included in the captions. Be advised that the material is very shallow and only serves to expose children to these countries.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS-Gr 2—Delightful verses and vivid watercolors provide an inventive introduction to toads. Grouped by season, the sections contain five to seven brief poems accompanied by full-bleed paintings or spot illustrations. In spring, males awaken from their long sleep to sing, "Puffing like balloons,/Blowing out their tunes"; migrating toads encounter dangers such as a hungry snake or automobile traffic ("Beware!/Please cross/The road/With wide-eyed care"); and tadpoles transform into toadlets. Summer is the time for eating insects ("My tongue is a tool….It's long and it's swift/And it's covered with goo./I flick it at cricket/And stick him with glue"); croaking along with "The Thunder Toad" in the sky; and soaking up rain. As the weather changes in autumn, one toad molts while another camouflages itself beneath fallen leaves. Winter means digging a burrow ("Sheltered safe from ice and snow") and hibernating until spring. Written with simple language, rhythmic repetition, and flowing rhymes, the poems read aloud beautifully; they consistently mix interesting toad trivia with whimsy. Sentences printed in a smaller font provide additional facts. The artwork, which is realistic yet pleasingly soft-looking, depicts the animals in action, shows their habitat, and echoes the text's sense of wonder. Like Joyce Sidman's Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow (Houghton, 2006), Toad by the Road melds poetry, art, and information into an educational and imagination-stirring romp through nature.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—This straightforward overview of the respiratory system follows the journey of a breath through the body. Color diagrams, X-rays, and photos provide visual support, though these are not always as well labeled as one would hope (a diagram of the nasal cavity is the worst offender). The book also covers related issues such as coughing, sneezing, hiccups, and respiratory problems and diseases. The writing is concise and full of clear examples meaningful to kids, and the glossary, index, and suggestions for further reading extend the book's usefulness. More detailed than Suzanne LeVert's The Lungs (Benchmark, 2001) and geared to an older audience than Pamela Hill Nettleton's outstanding Breathe In, Breathe Out: Learning about Your Lungs (Picture Window, 2004), this is an excellent resource for reports.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS—Originally published in 1991 with drawings by Rosalyn Schanzer, this book has been re-illustrated with Cohen's clear, colorful photographs. It opens with the flight of the Jews from Egypt and assumes basic familiarity with the story of the Exodus. The very simple text explains the essence of the 10 commandments, using the Jewish division of the Exodus passage (Protestants and Catholics group the 14 imperative statements from the Bible differently). Each one is introduced by a child dressed like Moses, holding a stone tablet that shows a commandment number and the corresponding rule. The facing page features a delightfully natural photo of preschoolers acting out the idea behind it. The book is clearly aimed at a Jewish audience, as evidenced by use of the word "Shabbat" and illustrations depicting challah, a Torah scroll, and the wearing of kippot. Traditional family structure, as described in the original commandments, is not reinterpreted; same-sex or divorced parents may have trouble with the wording and illustrations for "love your mother and father" and "married people should love each other" (i.e., you shall not commit adultery). An excellent teaching tool, attractively updated to appeal to today's more design-conscious kids, this is a must-have for early childhood teachers in Jewish settings, and a solid choice for Jewish families.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 1–3—These books describe the lives of the featured animals, from birth to full independence. Each spread has an acrylic painting with a paragraph or two of text and a box of facts. The illustrations provide fairly realistic depictions of the animals and the surroundings. The concluding pages have a labeled diagram of the animal's body parts and a range map. Easy-to-read additions with enough information for basic reports.—Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ

Gr 2–4—These simple, attractive books introduce world faiths. Basic beliefs, food and clothing, worship, scriptures, festivals, life events, and holy places are covered either through the featured child's words or in "Learn More" sections. Numerous clear, color photos add to the texts. The major flaw is the maps, which are roughly drawn and omit country boundaries, and the lack of concrete data/statistics. In addition, some definitions are incomplete or unclear. Still, these books are the most thorough for this audience. The "Religions of the World" series (Rosen) is extremely basic and skimps on special occasions. The"Places of Worship" series (Gareth Stevens) concentrates on places and types of worship, as does the "Start-Up Religion" series (Cherrytree).—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

PreS-K—Many collections of poems that purport to be for very young children are actually for primary graders. This oversize book really is for preschoolers. The poems, one per page, are arranged in four categories that encompass child's a world: "Me, Myself, and I," "Who Lives in My House?," "I Go Outside," and "Time for Bed." The poetry is witty, intelligent, and well crafted, and perfect for the target audience. The list of contributors reads like a who's who of children's poetry—Margaret Wise Brown, Nikki Grimes, Aileen Fisher, Jack Prelutsky, and others. Almost all of the selections have appeared in print before. Most of them are only a few lines long, and are printed in large informal type in a variety of colors that match the illustrations. The art was created using a wide range of mediums and techniques, and Dunbar blends them seamlessly to create charming images that are amazingly expressive. The children in them are carefree and happy and the book as a whole suggests a world that is safe and secure. Here's a Little Poem is a great way to introduce the youngest listeners to the genre.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT