Preschool to Grade 4

PreS-K–The shenanigans from the comic strip "Dog Eat Doug" continue in Anderson's first book for children. Baby Sophie and her dog spend the entire story raising havoc and avoiding Mom until they finally fall asleep wrapped in sheets on the bedroom floor. Their adventures include racing up and down the stairs, hiding in a closet and under the couch, making messes, climbing the drapes and clock, playing in the clean laundry, and splashing in the sink. This riot of activity is accompanied by a rhyming text that sometimes misses its mark but is always full of energy. Children are bound to chime in on the refrain: "No time for/nighty night,/sleepy, sleeps." The bold and colorful illustrations are full of unique perspectives, and the text is placed in and around them in such a way as to nearly be a part of the art. The facial expressions of Doug and Sophie are quite amusing. This is a fun and quirky bedtime story.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—The boy narrating this expertly rhymed story is reluctant to give up the throne of being an only child. He tells his new sibling, "I was the star,/the prize,/the king…. But you have ruined/everything." Donning his gold crown (reminiscent of Max in Maurice Sendak's classic Where the Wild Things Are), he watches with growing frustration as the cherubic infant is coddled by his parents and grandparents and takes over his possessions. When the baby gnaws on his catcher's mitt, big brother finally breaks down and has a tantrum. But instead of punishing him with a time-out, Mama patiently explains that the baby can't do much now, but the boy has grown so much and can do many things. He proudly lists all the chores he can do, which garners appropriate praise from his family. Reassured that he is still loved, the boy decides "...maybe I can share my throne." McPhail's charming illustrations perfectly capture the narrator's mood in his facial expressions and body language. Ashman's verses, lettered in a child-friendly font that varies in size, are perfect for reading aloud. In the crowded field of new-baby books, this one's a keeper. Pair it with Kevin Henkes's Julius, the Baby of the World (HarperCollins, 1990) for a sibling-themed storytime.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 1–3—Every year, Hillary and Suzanne become "summertime friends" and explore the wonders of Castine, ME. This particular summer is marked by the decision of a pair of mallards to nest in the Johnsons' rowboat. Austin's quiet, realistic pencil drawings accompany her account of ducks and girls enjoying a Maine summer: "With seven ducklings to care about, the month of August was a lot of fun. Hillary and Suzanne watched them closely and could even tell them apart from the way they behaved." Summers in Maine are magic, as Robert McCloskey's books illustrate more than 50 years after their first publication, but this one remains a dry, static tale for all its proximity to the coast. Those not lucky enough to be in Maine in June, July, or August may want to reread One Morning in Maine (1952) or Time of Wonder (1957) and savor the specialness. And for those who long for mallards, revisit McCloskey's Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight offspring in Make Way for Ducklings (1941, all Viking).—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

Gr 1–3—A zany story line spins out a tale of escalating behaviors at Benjamin Dizzie Elementary that begins with a single lie: "'I got tripped!' [Polly] cried as she stumbled into the classroom. 'I was minding my own business…just thinking about my book report—my extra long book report—when out of nowhere, there he was!'" One thing leads to the next, as child after child is tripped by The Tripper, bringing attention to themselves and, in some cases, providing a convenient excuse for missing candy or having a day off school. But clever Dr. Dizzie, the school's founder, who "combed his hair with a fork and his best friend was a monkey," is on to their tricks. The watercolor illustrations feature hilarious expressions, unique perspectives, and distinctive use of color to separate each child's story from the background scene. Kids will enjoy finding visual clues to help them figure out what is going on.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 2–3—Ivy and Bean, "BFFs," are back in a new adventure. Bean is upset when her parents decide that Nancy, her 11-year-old sister, will be her babysitter for the afternoon, so she flags down Ivy with a T-shirt with SOS on it from her bedroom window. Together they find a way to get into the attic without Nancy finding out, but get locked in. All ends well with Ivy and Bean blackmailing Nancy to keep quiet about her trying their mother's makeup. Bean is a typical little sister with a big imagination. The story line and antics of the characters resemble Sara Pennypacker's "Clementine" series (Hyperion). The frequent black-and-white Chinese ink illustrations capture the mood and carefree attitude of the story well. Early chapter-book readers will enjoy this installment in this lighthearted series.—Krista Tokarz, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

PreS-K—The hapless owner of 10 energetic dogs is rudely awakened at dawn by their barking. When they are told to lie down or sit, they do not obey. Instead, they run helter-skelter outdoors, with their pajama-clad owner chasing them and clutching empty leashes all the way to Central Bark. The dogs wreak havoc at the Perfect Pooch Obedience School and cavort through the grass, dumping the trash, climbing the slide, and making a mess of everything. Further disaster ensues when the pups poop. The trainer quits, the Pup Tech 5000 comes rolling along to clean up, and the dogs are put in a pen. However, they are not ready to bow to defeat. They leap and dig their way out and run back home, followed by their still-pajama-clad owner still clutching the leashes. The dogs collapse on the couch and rest up, as they "Cannot wait to go again!" The minimal rhyming text is paired with Catrow's exuberant, comic, pencil and watercolor illustrations. The frenetic, goofy-looking dogs of various sizes and breeds romping through the park are sure to bring smiles to young faces.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—A wonderful twist on an age-old rhyme. This book actually focuses on the building of the house, and the many hands (or paws) that it takes to make it. You see, while Jack the homeowner (a human) takes credit for its construction, it is actually Max, a hardworking general contractor dog, and a number of other skilled canine laborers, who do all the work. So at the end of the story, it's easy to understand why Max gets a little upset at Jack resting on his laurels at the finished site. What he does to Jack results in a laugh-out-loud moment and a neat flip of the ongoing power struggle between builder and owner. Wohnoutka's full-page acrylic paintings are large scale, but are also full of small details for readers to enjoy. The vehicles that drive up to the site delivering materials and excavating are rugged and tough, appealing to the construction enthusiasts, but the soaring house is the centerpiece of the story, and Max's care in building it is obvious. This beguiling book will be a hit both at storytimes and in circulating collections, for those who really want to know how Jack's house got built.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 2—When Harry gets stomach flu, he is admitted to the hospital, examined, and given an IV and a range of tests. The procedures are explained in straightforward language simple enough for young children to understand. Illustrations, done in soft colors and cross-hatching, show the details of his experiences as well as the comforting presence of parents; the boy's mother remains at his side throughout the stay. An endnote explains the critical role that family can play in preparing a child for hospitalization. This reassuring story is a good choice for public libraries.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2—The human capacity for volition and fear of the unknown is central to this tale. A lone yellow leaf clings to a giant oak tree and watches the unfolding drama of winter's approach, refusing to let go of his branch. A "riot of fiery leaves" swirls to the ground, apples grow "musky" and pumpkins ripen, geese fly south, and eventually snow flurries fill the air, but still the leaf holds fast. Finally, he spies a small scarlet leaf attached high above that invites him to let go. Together, they soar away and join in a dance with the wind. In Berger's eye-catching collage illustrations, pieced background papers in shades of yellow, green, blue, and beige show off stylized forms of naked tree branches, leaves, and sun created by clipping and pasting (sometimes tiny) segments of various papers—faded, lined ledger, and graph paper; colored and printed magazine pages—and adding touches of paint. It seems the message to be inferred from this slight anthropomorphic tale is that feelings of indecision can be overcome by heeding the encouragement of another. Some parents may be inclined to disagree.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, Ohio

PreS-Gr 2—The duo who created Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy (2002) and The Shot Heard 'Round the World (S & S, 2005) offer another sports story. Every Thanksgiving, Ethan's relatives arrive and, through mud, cold, or fog, they play a wild game of football. Ethan and the neighborhood kids watch the action and long for the day when they can join in. The year that they are finally old enough to play, nine-year-old Ethan leaps out of bed and into his uniform, only to discover that a blizzard has closed roads and the family won't be coming. The disappointed boy gathers his friends and they trudge to the school football field, now covered in snow. In the "ah-ha" moment of the tale, they realize that they have enough kids to play themselves, and the wild and joyous snow-filled game that ensues carries on the tradition of the Turkey Bowl. As Ethan catches a final touchdown pass, he realizes that his relatives have indeed made the trip and are cheering him on from the sidelines. Payne's muted, full-color illustrations capture the disappointment and joy the characters experience and feature plenty of gridiron action. Perfect for reading aloud at holiday time, this lively story will resonate year-round with sports fans.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1–3—As in Tiger's Story (Boxer Bks., 2007), this lovely book subtly introduces general facts about the subject animal through a simple tale of its first few years. Mother elephant stands over her large baby, sheltering her with tree-trunk-size legs as the youngster takes its first wobbly steps. Then the little one learns how to use her trunk to drink water and to eat grass. When in danger, she is protected by the herd. As time progresses, another calf is born into the extended family, and it is Elephant's turn to protect the new arrival from the farmer's noisy machinery, leading it back to the safety of its elders. The large text is well placed on the warm, sun-drenched paintings that show the elephants and other animals in the lush green pastures and dry yellow grasses of the African savanna. Children are sure to enjoy finding the duck that appears on almost every spread. An author's note elaborates on the few facts mentioned, giving children a good introduction to the world's largest land mammal.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY

Gr 3–4—Ida May returns in this sequel to My Last Best Friend (Harcourt, 2007). Her developing friendship with Stacey Merriweather and growing animosity toward Jenna Drews continue, but not without some bumps and insights along the way. Stacey and Ida discover an old mermaid night-light in Ida's attic. They decide that the lamp is magic, with the power to carry out good and bad wishes, and form a two-member Secret Mermaid Club. The mermaid has a pleasant smile until plugged in—then she exhibits a frightening grimace that makes Ida state, "her evil, glowing grin makes me pee my pants." Various family situations are well represented and lend credence to the characters' behaviors. Ida comes from a solid, two-parent family; Stacey's folks are divorced, and she lives with her mother, while her brother lives with their father; and Jenna's dad has recently lost his job, sending her family into a tailspin. Fourth-grade jealousies, problems, misbehavior, and consequences will be familiar to elementary school girls, who will enjoy this entry as much as the original.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

PreS-K—A young girl explains how she and her mother reconcile after they argue in this simplistic description of angry situations. "This is me. And this is Mommy. We talk about many things, especially when we have been angry at each other and then make up." Riley goes on to list scenarios in which animals or objects clash: "When two dogs are angry at each other…they flatten their ears and growl" or "When two raisins are angry at each other…they hide in separate cookies and refuse to talk." Each example is illustrated with a bold-colored drawing paired with a picture showing Riley and her mother coming into conflict. The ending is too pat ("It is OK to disagree about something. But…we don't have to fight because of it"), the writing is poor, and the plot is difficult to follow. This book will have little impact on children struggling to control their feelings. Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry… (Scholastic, 1999) does a much better job of handling this topic.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

Gr 2–4—Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy are back. This time they are featured in a funny, heavily illustrated "how-to" chapter book that is reminiscent of Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise's "Regarding the…" titles (Harcourt). The instructions for getting the feline into the water include begging, cajoling, and reverse psychology. The text includes clippings from the Daily Nooz, "Uncle Murray's Fun Facts," a "Quick Quiz," a glossary of cat sounds ("fft!"), and two notes from the editor to the author about what is "unprintable." The resistant cat makes a valiant effort to avoid the procedure but finally—"YEOWR!," "HISSS!"—she is bathed. The pup gets his turn in an epilogue, but without any drama. Bruel's zany illustrations incorporate numerous perspectives that heighten the humor.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—Princess Peepers has always been secure in who she is, and is especially fond of her collection of fabulous eyeglasses. That is until she enters the Royal Academy for Perfect Princesses. The other royals make fun of her specs, causing her to pack them all away so she can be like everyone else. This leads to all sorts of mistakes: she misidentifies spaghetti as mud and string, the kitchen as the dungeon, animals as people, and a visiting prince as a horse. Luckily, a happy ending is in store for the hapless young woman as she and Prince Peerless, who is not wearing his glasses either, soon see that they are made for each other. Mourning's graphite and digital/collage illustrations combine figures in traditional costumes from different eras with lush backgrounds. The palette of pinks keeps the emphasis on sweet, even when some of the characters are not. Princess Peepers will circulate well and bring laughs during storytimes.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 1–6—Carter takes paper engineering to new creative heights in this fourth in a pop-up series that combines imagination-stirring visuals with open-ended texts and seek-and-find elements. Here, readers look for a yellow square incorporated into illustrations in primary colors that burst with clever innovations and visual effects. The shape appears in various hiding spots: on a tab that spins around "Uncle Theo's trapeze" (a bar raised into the air by two triangular supports), within a paper swirl that lifts—slinky like—into a tall spiral and then (amazingly) recoils back to a flat page, and as part of a giant 3-D "Doodle on white" sculpture. A removable square with a cut-out middle can be peered through to make yellow strips look like yellow boxes. "Square tubes bloom" as card-stock stalks blossom up from a blue background, each displaying a delicate flower, evoking the solidity and fluidity of coral. The pop-ups incorporate interesting materials—yarn, red netting (think vegetable packaging), and a translucent waxy paper that allows readers to view shapes through "the fog of art"—possibly inspiring collages or sculptures made from found objects. This book will fuel creative thought, initiate discussion about artistic perception, and elicit plain old "wows" from kids.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—In this book, adapted from a script from the television show Charlie and Lola, the siblings prepare for the arrival of the school guinea pig, Bert. Despite the fact that Lola knows less about guinea pigs and their care then her friends do, she is picked to take the animal home. She has determined that Bert is a girl because of his long pretty hair. Everyone assures her that she is wrong, but Lola is proven correct when, after a brief disappearance, Bert reemerges with a brand-new family. Readers already familiar with these children will be pleased to reacquaint themselves with sensible, steady Charlie and the always-playful, always-curious Lola. The illustrations are based on the animation from the television program, and they maintain Child's fun and energetic use of collage. The art fills almost every space without ever seeming cluttered, either by words or images. A spread in which Lola looks for her friends among the high grass of "Peruuuuuu!" serves to impart information (some guinea pigs come from Peru) while illustrating her constant energy and precociousness. This is not a pet-care book, but readers will learn plenty about guinea pigs. This entry in what is now a very popular series will please its fans.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS-K—Jackson loves his soft, worn, fuzzy blanket and takes it everywhere he goes. His parents think it's time to wash it and put it away, but the child won't hear of it. Then he finds a tiny white kitten in the snow. He wraps it up in his blanket and takes it home. Jackson bathes and feeds the kitten and makes a bed for it using his blanket. The streamlined text and realistic watercolor illustrations come together to show how a boy grows up just a bit when the time is right. A great addition to most collections.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—First published as a poem in Highlights magazine (1999), this bouncy text honors fathers who tell bedtime stories. When a young boy can't sleep, the bedtime train is called in, along with an engineer who looks suspiciously like Dad. Accompanied by some penguin friends, they travel down the street, through a wild forest, over Alligator Lake, past a pack of dinosaurs, and into ice and snow, where they become lost, until the youngster takes charge and returns them home. With heavy Sendak influence, the pen-and-watercolor artwork uses a soft warm palette, rounded lines, and unusual proportions and details to keep everything dreamy. Unfortunately, the crowded illustrations don't enhance the text as much as they make it more nebulous and confusing. Consider this only for larger picture-book collections.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Little Baby Mummy does not want to go to bed. Demanding one more game of "Hide and Shriek," he runs outside to conceal himself in the graveyard, but Mama Mummy doesn't join him. Like the young bird in P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? (Random, 1960), he sets off to find her, heading into "the deep, dark woods, the spookery woods" and encountering several creepy creatures: "Clank clink clank/Woo boo woo/Clank clink cloo/'Mama Mummy, is that you?'/But out of the woods clanked—/Bones!" This skeleton, as well as a blob and a vampire—all making their nighttime preparations—greet the mummy and tell him to go to bed. The only time the youngster is truly frightened—by a mouse—his mother is there to comfort him, take him home, and tuck him into bed. The gouache paintings depict the action with humor, and the eerie details and nighttime hues create just the right mood. Well-placed page turns add a bit of suspense. A reassuring offering for youngsters who want just a touch of the shivers.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS-Gr 2—Throughout the trials and errors of growing up, children are bound to hear some big words from the adults around them—words that are big in size and in meaning. In rhyming verse, Curtis explains some of these important terms and just when young listeners might encounter them. "If you need some time/to just be alone,/for doing weird dancing,/to sit still as stone,/if someone is there/and you need to pee,/then say loud and clear, 'Hey, I need PRIVACY!'" Through the course of an average day, the spunky multicultural siblings depicted in Cornell's childlike watercolors encounter many other concepts, including "consequence," "cooperate," "appropriate," "patience," "family," "respect," and "love." Each word is highlighted in hand lettering by the illustrator. Some of the verses are awkwardly worded in order to complete the rhyme, but the author's fans are unlikely to care. More notably, Curtis once again demonstrates her trademark sensibility for childhood's simultaneously awkward and silly moments while focusing on the positive values learned from these experiences. Cornell keeps the tone ever lighthearted with her charmingly busy illustrations. This is a solid addition to any picture-book collection and a must-have where the author has a strong following.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 3—A lively teacher and her energetic students step out of the classroom and into the jungle for an adventure. A twist on the traditional "Going on a Bear Hunt" and similar to David Axtell's We're Going on a Lion Hunt (Holt, 2000), Cuyler's rollicking adaptation stands on it own. On their quest for a lion, the kids slog through mud, climb up trees, splish-splash through a river, and so on. Different species of animals watch as the children make their way to a cave inhabited by a furry, cold-nosed lion with sharp teeth. Printed in color, the action words are set apart from the black text, which is placed within the double-page illustrations. Mathieu's colored-pencil and watercolor artwork bounces off the spreads. He gives the characters individual facial expressions, which convey their changing moods. The illustrations in Axtell's Lion Hunt are more realistic and star two African girls. Both versions could be used in combination for compare and contrast lessons.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH

K-Gr 2— De Brunhoff's cast of characters tours the USA, photographically documented by Zephir, the monkey. Babar's family spends a lot of time with their friends in New York City, visiting familiar places like Times Square, FAO Schwarz, and Central Park. Cornelius is impressed by the city's diversity, which, young Pom explains, means that here, "We don't look weird." Heading west, they are amazed by the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, and enjoy other stops including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hawaii, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Along the way, they make wry observations about how Americans talk ("No problem," "Have a good day") and behave (optimistically, high-spirited), concluding that "Anything you say about the USA may be true, and the opposite may be true, too, because it is such a big country…." The illustrations were done using watercolor cutouts placed on digital photographs, creating an unusual but appealing effect. While the prose is clear and simple, the itinerary is at times confusing, as the entourage jumps from coast to coast. An appendix identifies the sites by page number, although the pages of the book itself are not numbered. No matter, Babar fans will welcome the family's latest outing.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Gr 3–6—Kenny's father brings home a fearsome description of an enormous creature: "...one of them flying things that eats pretty maidens and burns castles to the ground." Instead of being frightened, Kenny, a curious and well-read rabbit, wants to meet the beast. His father, not too bright in some ways but quite sensible in others, is sure Kenny can handle it, but Kenny's no-nonsense mother insists, "Dishes and homework first." What follows is a delightful riff on Kenneth Grahame's classic The Reluctant Dragon, starring a dragon named Grahame that can delicately torch crème brûlée with the flames from his left nostril and has no interest in killing anyone. Before long, rumors and fear create a mob mentality among the local townspeople, and Kenny has to come up with a plan to prevent the retired dragon slayer (George, of course) from killing Grahame. This is a fun story with substance. At one point, Kenny wonders, "How can they want someone killed they don't even know?... How can George just blindly do whatever the king says?" The civilizing influence of literature is another theme that has relevance for today's readers. Lively pencil sketches add to the charm. The author's reputation will enhance the popularity of this solid fantasy.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 3–5—This second book in the series has the same charm and crossover appeal as Dragonsdale (Scholastic, 2007). Breena and Cara are best friends, but now Cara is riding dragons better than any other competitor. Breena doesn't mean to be jealous, but her dreams of being part of the guard flight are fast disappearing as she and her dragon struggle to regain their Trustbond after an accident. The rift in the girls' relationship is compounded by another girl's gossip and lies. When Breena takes her dragon off into the wilderness and doesn't return, it is only Cara who can solve the mystery of what has happened to her. Drake has taken horseback riding and all of its appeal and married it with fantasy and dragons. The setting is well developed and interesting, filled with wonders such as a merboy and his underwater flock of ramlike capricorns. The secondary characters also help bring the story to life. The writing is light and easy, and the black-and-white drawings add to the action.—Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 1–3—In this sequel to Dodsworth in New York (Houghton, 2007), Dodsworth and his mischievous duck visit the French capital, exploring street cafés, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. Though Dodsworth has cautioned the duck, "You can't cause any trouble here," his companion gets into one escapade after another, from escaping the hotel to ring the bells at Notre Dame to folding all of their money into paper airplanes to fly off the Eiffel Tower. Egan's cartoon-style ink and watercolor illustrations enhance the comedy. Kids are sure to enjoy the zany humor and identify with the duck's playful nature. Some French words ("beret," "debonair," "magnifique," "bonjour," "monsieur") are an interesting addition to this easy reader while others are easily understood through the illustrations and context. A few are harder to decipher. Though their inclusion may prove challenging for some students, more sophisticated readers will likely be undeterred. At the end of the story, Dodsworth and the duck are seen floating off in a hot-air balloon toward England.—Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 2–4—"I am Willy," proclaims a spacesuit-clad rabbit as he steps out of his carrot-shaped ship and into Hercules Smith's backyard. "Willy?" asks Hercules. "Willy happy to meet you," is the reply, and the first in an overabundance of groan-inducing jokes. The other half of the hyper and sappy Wuv Bunnies is Gwaad, as in "Gwadd to meet you!" They are determined to help Hercules save the Earth from enemy Funny Bunnies. Big Bad Bunny (B3), the Funny Bunny leader, puts his invasion in motion by planning to turn Hercules's classmates into carrots. He is ultimately thwarted by the boy's well-timed caramel throw into B3's mouthful of braces. Additional attempts at quirkiness, such as having one chapter written in the Wuv Bunny language "prin1Xtsh" and another solely composed of "HAs!" come off as filler. The use of footnotes as glib asides, the standard cartoon artwork, and even the sense of awareness and revelry at how bad the jokes are show that there is nothing new here.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 1–5—An urban African-American boy transcends the loss of loved ones with help from a caring elderly mentor and from the sustaining ability to create art. Bird looks back and remembers his once-admired older brother Marcus's slow descent into drug addiction, expulsion from the family home, and ultimate death—a death that ostensibly led to the decline and death of his beloved grandfather as well. Wise Uncle Son picks up where Granddad leaves off and becomes the steadying and inspiring influence in Bird's life as he learns not only the hard lesson that, "You can't fix a broken soul," but also to look to the future with confidence. Despite the plainspoken, accessible language, the author's flashback structure may not be as successful with this audience as a more linear story arc. The illustrations, rendered with a delicate touch in watercolor, gouache, charcoal, and pen, emphasize the textual theme of resilience in adversity, even while Marcus's appearances are often shrouded in a palette of grays. Bird's own pencil drawings of city life and the repetition of Marcus's symbolic bright cap add interest and meaning to the visual narrative. From a first-time author and illustrator comes a sad truth of contemporary life successfully leavened with hopeful optimism.—Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT

K-Gr 2—Mole, Rabbit, Squirrel, and Hedgehog return for another cozy story. Mole has not heard from Rabbit for a while, so he decides to visit her. Since it's been raining for days, he decides to tunnel underground to her home. Along the way, he encounters Squirrel and Hedgehog, who follow the intrepid digger beneath the earth in order to stay dry. Meanwhile, Rabbit is at home with a cold and is also missing her pals. Just as she is hoping that someone would drop in to see her, Mole and the others burrow through the ceiling and do exactly that. When they realize that she is feeling poorly, Squirrel brings her some nuts and Hedgehog fetches some dry leaves to refresh her bed. But what does Mole bring? Why, he brought Rabbit's friends, which is the best gift of all. Although the story's outcome may be obvious to adults, children will enjoy this simple tale of friendship. Cabban's cuddly animals drawn in a palette of soft, autumn watercolors reinforce the warm and fuzzy feeling of Emmett's story. A pleasant selection for fall storytimes and a good choice for beginning readers.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-K—Neophyte trick-or-treaters might be just a tad nervous about the things that go boo in the night, but this story should go a long way toward alleviating their discomfort. Two nervous rabbits meet on Halloween night. "One bunny quivers./One bunny shivers./One big door./One hissing cat./Two small bunnies/tap,/tap,/tap." Mack's illustrations are a delicious contrast of dark backgrounds, spooky shapes, and bright fuzzy rabbits in their costumes. The theme is that what's frightening for an individual is bearable "and even fun" when you have a companion. The vivid color contrasts and direct, face-your-fears story are reminiscent of Susan L. Roth's Night-Time Numbers (Barefoot, 1999).—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 1–4—Much surface and little substance mark this collaboration from Gosline and Bossi—but oh, what a beautiful surface it is. As the rhyming text extols the virtues of trees and describes the planting and growth of a group of seeds, the jewel-toned illustrations of the natural world immediately draw the eye. The elevated language tends more to poetry than sense: "Warm wishes sowed the greening land/and flocking birds rejoiced the stand/and sang a story that uplifts,/the tale of ten trees' simple gifts." The text then introduces these trees, each chosen to represent a particular characteristic (seemingly at random, for the afterword describing the various species gives no hint as to why they were assigned their titles). The blue spruce represents tolerance, the yellow poplar stands for love, and so on. A listing of state trees is appended. With a slightly New Agey premise, this handsomely illustrated book is more inspirational than educational and may find a home in Arbor Day celebrations and in Sunday school classrooms.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 2—Poignantly told and visually rich, this narrative flies high. When a pigeon breaks its wing, no one notices except Will. Sporting a bright red jacket, starkly contrasted against his drab surroundings, he and his parents take the injured creature into their home. Clean lines and effective panels showcase its steady recovery, readily receiving encouragement from the family along the way. Graham's succinct text masterfully reveals the bird's resilience. "A loose feather can't be put back/but a broken wing can sometimes heal." Pen, watercolor, and chalk illustrations add depth to this tender tale as the injured bird wistfully watches a flock of flyers outside Will's window. Exemplary use of color and perspective denote shifting moods, and thin lines enhance the vulnerability of this boy and his bird. Gently expressed and honestly delivered, this quiet, yet powerful story provides young readers with an affirming conclusion.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayatteville, NC

PreS-Gr 1—One might expect a book with this title to be a rhyming text or counting story, but this offering is neither. Instead, it tells of a group of firefighters who receive a call just as they are sitting down to dinner. They dutifully grab their gear, climb onto the truck, and speed through traffic to reach their destination. After they save the family and cat, they return to the firehouse, have dinner, and go to bed. The pictures mirror the text, with cartoon bubbles that indicate dialogue, while the action is narrated by a single sentence per page and occasional sound effects. The book's size, typeset, and simple pictures are reminiscent of Lois Lenski's The Little Fire Engine (Random, 2000). Although it is nice to see an old-fashioned-style book with a multicultural cast and a female firefighter, the inclusion of the word "little" in the title seems somewhat condescending and precious. An additional purchase.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

K-Gr 4—A tiny mouse and his gigantic fears collide in this humorous creation. This handbook dramatically states, "A fear faced is a fear defeated," and encourages the fainthearted to conquer their fright through writing, drawing, and collage. Spare text and delightful illustrations chronicle this nervous rodent's journey. From ablutophobia, the fear of bathing, to sciaphobia, the fear of shadows, the striking mixed-media art captures the humorous adventures of the white mouse and his red pencil. The pictures emphasize shadow and light, pitting the winsome rodent against some of the scariest and most exotic phobias. Unusual elements abound through a hodgepodge of folded maps and newspaper clippings; varied perspectives and dominant figures feature a cameo by the Three Blind Mice and a dramatic retelling of "Hickory Dickory Dock." With nuanced facial expressions, the mouse scurries through each textured spread against warm cream-colored backgrounds; his actualization reveals a delightful conclusion. Through one-on-one sharing or personal perusal, readers will clamor to relive this small hero's adventures.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayatteville, NC

Gr 1–3—From the touching cover illustration to the playful depictions of Dakota on the endpapers, this empathetic tale of a puppy-mill dog will resonate with animal lovers. Dakota is almost hairless and has sore feet from standing on the wire flooring of her cage. A volunteer, Emma, fosters her and eventually finds her a loving home. Dakota's future owner, a girl who is sick and has lost her hair, at first rejects the pup because she considers her ugly, but she later bonds with the animal. This part of the story is not completely convincing. However, the illustrations of the dog enjoying her first bath and comfortable bed are wonderful. Lane also captures the pet's vulnerability as she learns to walk and to enjoy companionship. The atrocious conditions and tragic lives of these creatures are briefly and accurately described. This sensitive portrayal will educate young readers through its poignant story and the brief facts provided at the end about helping such dogs.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA

PreS-Gr 2—It has not snowed in Anna's village for many years. People still own shovels and sleds, but year after year they go unused. Anna's mother tells her daughter stories of winters past, and the girl longs to experience them for herself. As Christmas approaches, she gets out an old sled and wishes for snow so hard that the wishes float up into the air and turn into snowflakes. Originally published in Switzerland, this simple but charming picture book has been skillfully translated. The narrative is smooth and short enough to read aloud, and the acrylic and gouache illustrations are equally appealing. The palette switches between bright Christmas colors, especially around Anna, and the gray winter colors of the town. Rave is skilled at drawing distinctive faces with just a few simple lines. Even passers-by in a crowd have personality. The snowflakes are interesting, too, as no two are alike. For some reason, those on the cover are all exactly alike. Despite this small shortcoming, the book is a welcome choice for libraries looking for new seasonal material.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

Gr 1–3—With dreamlike images and believable text, this picture book takes readers into an imaginative world and encourages them to reminisce about their favorite toys and make-believe adventures. The story opens as a young boy plays with a dollhouse and its accompanying figures—a baker, a soldier, and an airplane man. They talk to him and take him on fantastic pretend journeys. Time passes, and the dolls are mostly forgotten, but when Charles and his sister must clean up their playroom for a new brother, they are reminded of the time when they would hear the toys' voices and they wonder why, as they grew up, the voices stopped. Ultimately, Charles rescues these favorite items from the trash can, and the final page shows his baby brother playing with them. Depicting realistic-looking characters and just a touch of fantasy, Nolan's watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are descriptive and comforting.—Susannah Richards, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT

Gr 2–5—A simple and heartfelt paean to the Pack Horse Librarians of the 1930s who were part of a WPA program founded to take books to remote areas. Cal and his family live high in the Appalachian hills. He's proud to be a hard worker and scorns his sister, who'd read all day if allowed. When a stranger appears on horseback to deliver books, Cal wants nothing to do with her until one winter evening when she braves the snowy mountain to deliver her goods. Her courage and strong will make him realize that her job must be very important, so he asks his sister to teach him to read. Henson's free-verse narrative is peppered with colloquialisms and authentic-sounding language that might be tricky for some readers, but lend immediacy and atmosphere to the story. Done in pale browns and greens, Small's signature ink-and-watercolor illustrations depict an austere mountain home and the hardscrabble lives of family members who have little to spare. Cal's expressions of resentment and anger, and then his acceptance and enjoyment of reading, are shown with simple yet effective lines. Pair this poignant book with Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer's Down Cut Shin Creek (HarperCollins, 2001) for an excellent unit on these dedicated women and for a great discussion starter on the importance of books.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

Gr 2–4—In this installment in the beginning-chapter-book series, Rita does not earn a place on her friends' swimming team, the Sharks. Instead, she is a Dolphin, which disappoints her so much that she considers quitting the sport. Then she realizes that her younger sister, Tia, also faces a challenge: riding a two-wheel bicycle. Tia's mastering of the skill serves as an inspiration for Rita, who is able to bounce back. Although there is not a great deal of character development, this optional purchase has some appeal.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

K-Gr 3—Fanny, who wears eyeglasses, a headband, a tutu, leggings, and sneakers, is no ordinary girl. More than anything, she wants a high-fashion Connie doll. However, her mother does not like the way the doll looks, so Fanny is unlikely to get one. She attempts to resolve this situation by making her own rag doll, which she loves well enough until her friends make fun of it. Fanny persists by bringing it on a playdate. The Connie dolls are dressed as nurses while Annabelle is the surgeon operating on the sick stuffed animals. When the rag doll's proud owner gets home, she makes Annabelle something that every girl needs—her own doll. The soft watercolor illustrations show this protagonist to be an independent thinker as well as a talented seamstress. Sometimes not following the crowd can have unexpectedly wonderful results.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

K-Gr 2—Tomi Ungerer's Crictor the snake tied up the robber until police arrived. William Kotzwinkle's Walter the Farting Dog grossed out the robber. In this book, Growl, a small purple, toothy monster, scares the robber with her mighty sound and saves the day. Growl lives in a big castle at the end of an otherwise ordinary street. She growls all the time. It's just what she does. One day she lets out an extra loud growl, just as her neighbors are having afternoon tea. They are appropriately startled, tables and chairs are upset, and their tea is ruined. They call the police. Growl is forbidden to growl. She becomes listless and depressed. She cries all day. Late one night she sees a robber creeping across their yard. She lets out an ear-shattering roar that sends him fleeing. When the neighbors realize what she's done, they apologize and invite the little monster to tea. The cartoon illustrations done in gouache are outlined in black. The volume and intensity of each growl is shown by the size and the placement of the word. While the pages are colorful and the text is always easily visible, this title is not a necessary purchase.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Gr 1–2—In this skewed extension of the nursery rhyme, Humpty is a climbing enthusiast who gives up his hobby after a "great fall." His doctor admonishes him to be more careful: "for Pete's sake, you're an egg!" Depressed, Humpty sits around the house in his underwear until he unexpectedly finds himself in a position to rescue one of the king's horses from a mountain ledge. Successful and invigorated, he resumes his favorite activity, but with less risk-a postscript informs readers that he now uses safety equipment. Horowitz combines short sentences with Mother Goose rhyme patterns and includes not only characters from Humpty's story, but also others that children should know well: the Dish and the Spoon, the little laughing dog, Miss Muffett's spider. The cartoon art is funny but uneven—while Humpty's expressions nicely evoke the poor egg's mood, the backgrounds look a little slapdash. The result is a lightweight but charming addition to the popular subgenre of "fractured" nursery stories and fairy tales.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Gr 1–3—Jenkins continues the adventures of Lumphy, Stingray, and Plastic, which began in Toys Go Out (Random, 2006). This charming fantasy about friendship explores their feelings and fears. The Girl who owns them is growing up and they are worried that she is leaving them behind. Telling the story from the point of view of the toys helps children to view these concerns in a nonthreatening light. In six new escapades, the toys learn to stick together and help solve their predicaments. Each new adventure builds anticipation and apprehension as the toys struggle for a satisfactory conclusion. Humor-laced language creates visual images as well as unusual sounds (e.g., "rumpa, lumpa"). Zelinsky's cleverly detailed black-and-white illustrations are amusing and add to the overall pleasure in the book. Beginning chapter-book readers will enjoy the pace of each episode. Toy Dance Party also makes a great read-aloud.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS-Gr 2—The endearing preschooler from The Hello, Goodbye Window (Hyperion, 2005) is back in all of her precociousness as her grandparents try to navigate the world of her moods. Their granddaughter seems to actually be two little girls in one. Sourpuss is bratty and contrary while Sweetie Pie is cooperative, sweet, and cuddly. But her grandparents never know which one they'll be seeing next. She can go down for a nap as Sweetie Pie and wake up as her alter ego. Raschka's abstract, vibrant artwork sets up the differences between these two personalities. Sourpuss is all angles and rigid lines, and the use of a far-off perspective distances readers from this contentious child. Conversely, Sweetie Pie is all curves and softness and immensely huggable. What is particularly satisfying is that despite knowing she can be good or bad, the protagonist is sure in her knowledge that her grandparents love her. Her story will resonate with young children who see themselves in the character. The last page is priceless: Nanna and Poppy sitting across from each other in comfy chairs, holding hands, exhausted. Somehow it is clear that they will be there for whoever wakes up in the morning.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

PreS-Gr 2—This love letter on the lives and antics of little old ladies is a sweet but ultimately incomplete portrait of women in their prime. It starts with, "If you think little old ladies just sit around all day feeding the ducks in the park, you are quite mistaken," and finishes with, "Little old ladies can tell us so much. We only need to listen." But listen to what? While the book shows the women having fun, readers never get to share in the wonderful tales waiting for their attention. The end result is a random assortment of unconnected comments. This is a shame, because the colored-pencil illustrations are delightful, showing a group of little old ladies relishing all the good things in life, like secret admirers, a fine wine by the side of the pool, and each other. Hopefully, some readers will be inspired to find their own little old ladies and ask for a tale or two.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 1–4—This book begins with a letter to readers: "I'm warning you. If you turn the page, you are going to see some terrible things." What follows are a dozen situations that range from unpleasant to downright awful, the stuff of nightmares for children everywhere. Realistic, double-page watercolor illustrations use a clever first-person perspective to render readers the victims of horrors such as a cheek-pinching lady, an over-the-top birthday clown, and a hairy-moled lunch lady who doesn't understand that less is more when it comes to "Industrial Strength" gravy. Another scene shows hands gripping tightly to a too-high diving board, the swimming pool looking tiny below, while a voice puts on the peer pressure, "Come on already…JUMP!" Minimal text and detailed artwork combine to convey a macabre humor that is bound to ensnare even the most hesitant of readers.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 4—Kimmel weaves common folk elements with traditions from the Jewish holiday. Two brothers set up their sukkot. The stingy, rich brother has a beautiful one but begrudges food to strangers. The poor, kind brother's humble sukkah is open to all. The biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the mysterious guests who curse the unwelcoming host and bless the hospitable one. All ends well as the kind brother gains the riches he deserves, while the mean one learns his lesson. Readers will enjoy the sensory frisson as each sukkah transforms into the rotted shell or glittering bower that represents its inner atmosphere. Universal themes of hospitality and justice make the story emotionally satisfying. Krenina's dark, rich paintings support the folktale flavor of the original story. This entertaining tale conveys important values that are applicable year-round and in every tradition.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 2–4—This illustrated chapter book follows the adventures of John Robinson and his expanding family. To escape a vicious feline, the mice leave their home in search of a safer, cat-free environment. Eventually they arrive at a house inhabited by a boy who owns several fancy pet mice. The Robinsons make their home at Number 16 Simple Street and eventually befriend the other mice, as well as one of the "giants," a boy named Bill Black. King-Smith does not shy away from topics such as death and the fact that animals, such as mice, reproduce. Bruel's lively, detailed black-and-white cartoon art appears throughout, adding to the book's humor and charm. A delightful addition for newly independent readers.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—Minerva the Boston terrier (or, in this case, terror) is back. Having declared herself a monster at the start of the story, she makes a fearsome paper-plate mask and takes on a new persona. As a monster, Minerva says, she doesn't have to help with chores, eat green beans, or wear pajamas (the latter due to her thick monster fur). Although being a monster is liberating, it is also isolating: monsters don't play games, eat peanut butter cookies, or get tucked into bed. As in Nobody Notices Minerva (Sterling, 2007), the patience of her parents steers the rambunctious child toward making a decision that resolves the situation satisfactorily for all. Children will appreciate that Minerva is allowed her monster personality and then welcomed so readily back. The gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are crisp, bright, and full of mischief, much like Minerva herself. This book will be a hit with readers who already know the protagonist and a treat for those meeting her for the first time.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Raizy is on her way home with a beautiful bouquet of daisies that she purchased in honor of Shavuot. She invites Naomi, a new classmate, to spend the holiday with her family and gives the girl two of her flowers. Raizy also invites elderly Mrs. Schwartz, who had planned to be alone, and gives her two daisies. Then the child offers to help a neighbor with her twin babies so that she can enjoy the worship service in the synagogue. When she finally arrives home, her bouquet is much smaller. However, her grandmother reminds her that because of all of the mitzvos (good deeds) she performed, "It's half as big as it started out, but it's twice as beautiful." An author's note points out that both Ashkenazic and Sephardic characters are featured in the story, each using a slightly different holiday greeting. A detailed endnote provides additional information about the holiday, and a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms is appended. The color illustrations are stiff and flat. While picture books about this holiday are scarce, the obvious, didactic message and plodding plot will limit the book's appeal to those within the observant Jewish community. Barbara Diamond Goldin's A Mountain of Blintzes (Harcourt, 2001) is a more appealing and accessible story for Shavuot.—Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS—This visually arresting, easy picture book is a surprisingly powerful masterpiece of design. Laid out entirely on electric orange pages, the two-color scheme hearkens back to a bygone era in children's book publishing. Far from being dated or dull, though, Kohara's elegant achievement retains an oh-so-contemporary flair thanks to savvy layout techniques. The story is delightfully simple: a little witch moves into a haunted house, and, fortunately for her, she knows exactly what to do with a house full of ghosts. First she traps them, then she washes them, and finally she repurposes them as useful items, such as curtains, table linens, and bedding. The story ends happily, with smiling ghosts performing new jobs all over her house. The ghosts have the opacity of used dryer sheets and trick the eye into thinking there are two textures on the page; this unique optical illusion is so convincing that readers may find themselves compelled to reach out and touch them. The dense orange that saturates each page casts the whole book in a rich, warm twilight. Toddlers and preschoolers are sure to enjoy this engaging read. With its subzero fear factor, fun narrative, and artful illustrations, it's a surefire Halloween hit.—Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Gr 1–4—Shima is an origami master who lives in the mountains of Japan with only his folded-paper creations for company. A warbler is building its nest in a tree in his yard and watches him at his work. For three nights, while the master is asleep, the little bird flies to his desk and folds a figure in the manner he has observed—each figure amazing the man with its simplicity and beauty. When a hiding Shima discovers the warbler at his desk, he decides to capture it in order to watch its skills firsthand, but the bird has another kind of lesson to teach him. Lachenmeyer's spare text and Sogabe's colorful cut paper and watercolor illustrations are the perfect vehicles for this short moralistic tale. Man, bird, house, and origami creations—the main elements of the story—are outlined in black. Square and rectangular patterns are repeated in the simple Japanese house and in its slatted outdoor walkway; in its screens, windows, and furniture; and in the bird's cage and the table on which it sits. While most pages hold full- or double-page illustrations, three images that show Shima catching and caging the bird and the final picture indicating his offering of friendship are enclosed in red-bordered boxes. A solid choice for discussing the importance of respecting each living creature's own space.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Gr 3–5—The protagonists of Layton's picture books Oscar and Arabella (Hodder, 2003) and Hot Hot Hot (Candlewick, 2004) return, this time in a beginning-chapter-book format. The woolly mammoths are summoned to start school at the Mammoth Academy. Despite its name, all varieties of Ice Age animals attend, and Oscar soon finds a good friend in Fox. Arabella, unfortunately, remains a minor character. Fox says one day in gym that he's heard from a warthog that if you don't bathe for two months, your fur begins to clean itself, and he has decided not to wash anymore. Soon he stinks so badly that the other animals (except for Oscar) keep their distance. But when Fox and Oscar discover a cave filled with terrifying, club-wielding humans who plan to capture and consume the students and teachers, only Fox's odor—and Oscar's invention of the first skateboard—help them warn the school in time. Most of the pages are comprised more of Layton's scribbly-style cartoon drawings than text, and in some, such as those of the humans' "Cave Skool," the text becomes part of the illustrations. This silly, loose, witty tale will appeal to fans of the Pleistocene everywhere.—Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX

K-Gr 3—In rhyming verse, Lendroth offers a hymn to the men who sailed from New England as part of the China trade in the 19th century, spinning the tale of a young girl left with her mother and baby brother while her father goes to sea: "Oh, ocean wide, ocean deep,/will you rock Papa to sleep?/He sailed tonight on the evening tide-/please keep him safe, oh, ocean wide." The tone is a quiet one of waiting while a year of ordinary events passes, but the family's love shines through: "Mama takes my hand and claps it tight-/her lullaby holds back the night." Allén's gorgeous, full-color paintings perfectly re-create the Cape Cod setting and convey the characters' emotions. Pair this offering with other picture books recounting New England life, like Donald Hall's Ox-Cart Man (Viking, 1979), and with poems such as John Masefield's "Sea-Fever," found in many collections including Caroline Kennedy's excellent A Family of Poems (Hyperion, 2005), for a lyrical celebration of times gone by.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

K-Gr 2—This solid addition to the series features a party at Jamie's house where "All the first graders came." Multicultural classmates are dressed in ghost, robot, and elevator costumes and have mixed responses to the Haunted House with a spider web, plastic spider, and bowl full of "goopy worms…in Jell-O." The simple text and familiar theme supports emerging readers and rewards them with a satisfying plot twist and surprise. Gordon's vibrantly colored illustrations give plenty of visual clues for decoding the text and treats of wonderful costumes and party decorations, and add suspense with background shading. Beginning readers will also enjoy Paulette Bourgeois' Franklin's Pumpkin (Kids Can, 2005), Lisa Thiesing's A Dark and Noisy Night (Dutton, 2005), and Hans Wilhelm's I'm Not Scared! (Scholastic, 2005).—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 3–5—A mysterious package addressed to Grandma Palmer's grandfather arrives at the Palmer home while they are on vacation. Kate's doll, Annabelle, and her sister's doll, Tiffany Funcraft, deduce that the package contains the Doll family's missing baby. They open the package to find that Matilda is indeed Annabelle's lost sister. But how do they keep the family from sending her back? Since the package is not addressed to the Palmers, they might not open it, and the baby will be lost forever. Annabelle decides the only solution is to run away with her new sibling to save her from this fate. Annabelle, her brother Bobby, Tiffany, and her brother Bailey join the adventure and find themselves lost in the woods and then trapped in a toy store. The adventure takes a dangerous and mysterious turn when dolls begin to disappear from the store each night. The story opens with Selznick's 12-page illustrated, wordless prologue, and his art moves the story along throughout the book. This fun, magical entry in the series is just as engaging as the previous books.—Debra Banna, Sharon Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—Youngsters will enjoy accompanying Little Critter and his class on a trip to the firehouse. The endearing creature comes dressed in his fire boots and jacket and helps Fireman Joe test his hose. The class watches Fireman Joe check and climb the fire truck's ladder, and they listen to his safety tips. Emerging readers will appreciate the simple sentences, short words, and repetition, and they will love being pulled into Mayer's brightly colored illustrations in thoughtfully composed single pages and spreads. Put this on display with Lisa Desimini's Dot the Fire Dog (Scholastic, 2001), Wong Herbert Yee's Fireman Small (Houghton, 1994), and Monica Wellington's Firefighter Frank (Dutton, 2002) to celebrate Fire Safety Week.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 2—When Beaver's river dries up, he begins building a home on a different one. Pig and Elephant already live on its bank and are wary of strangers. Even after introductions and brief conversation, they deem Beaver to be an intruder. Both Pig and Elephant are immediately remorseful when he leaves, but they are convinced that they'll feel better soon. When they don't, they go off in search of him and invite him back to the neighborhood, and all build a house together. It's never clear why Pig and Elephant are so unwelcoming in the first place, and there's no apparent reason for their sudden turnaround. One minute they're rude; the next minute they're sorry. Bright pinks and yellows predominate in the watercolor illustrations outlined in thin black lines. Unfortunately, the story doesn't hold water.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 2—Twelve children gather together to celebrate Corkscrew the pig's birthday, but they have trouble deciding what games to play. Every time they form teams and begin an activity that will work for all 12 youngsters, Corkscrew and another guest, a lively parrot, interrupt, throwing off the even sides and taking over the action. The final game, Ultimate Frisbee, needs two groups of seven players, so the animals are accepted as teammates and the party ends on a happy note. The endearing creatures add humor and interest to a rather mundane story that seems contrived to use multiplication in the forming of the teams. The inclusion of simple math problems (1 x 12 = 12; 2 x 6 = 12; etc.) doesn't add to the text. While the birthday party theme and the pets may attract readers, the most appealing part of the book is the charming watercolors that show an engaging cast of neighborhood children, messy party decorations, the pig dressed up in bows, and the parrot causing chaos.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Gr 2–4—When Sarah has to give a school report on a country, she's stumped as to which one to choose. She's disappointed that she isn't from or hasn't visited anywhere else. What can she do to make her report special? She finally chooses England so at least she can dress up like a queen and wear a sparkly crown. Then Sarah is invited to a sleepover at her friend's apartment. Mercedes has recently come from Mexico, and everything in her home reflects her native land. All of a sudden, wearing a sparkly crown doesn't seem so important. Sarah chooses Mexico for her country and knows exactly what to do to make her report extra special. This early chapter book is the fourth about Sarah but can easily stand alone. The illustrations are mostly of the characters, but the backgrounds are wonderful for comparing and contrasting the girls' apartments. The story is a great example of friendship and learning new things.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 2–3—This slight story makes some heavy-handed points about overcoming racism and adversity. It begins with two young patients of different races who have been forced to share a hospital room. Skippy has cancer and Connor has diabetes, and they both want another roommate. They are awakened from naps by Batboy Ray, who whisks them back in time to meet Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. The athletes spout truisms about getting along with others, being a team player, and never giving up. The boys also encounter a teenaged Roberto Clemente; Negron's real-life mentor, George Steinbrenner; and Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. Soon the boys are the best of friends. This unoriginal tale clumsily uses two of baseball's greatest heroes to hammer home its obvious points; the weak story sinks under the weight of its overbearing message.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

PreS-K—"Where did I come from?" Henry asks. His parents answer his question with a series of playful stories. Adults will grin at the many references to common birth mythologies, such as a cabbage-patch baby, a wooden child come to life, and a mail delivery with no return address marked "handle with care." Whimsical pen-and-ink drawings with watercolor accents and a lovely minimalist design complement simple, poetic text. Regrettably, the facts are never quite revealed. Instead of giving him a frank answer, Henry's father tells him, "Your mother and I both dreamt you. And then you came true." This, accompanied by a small illustration of Henry's parents sleeping in bed, is the only suggestion of truth in this otherwise charming book. While this final segment may be suggestive of the underlying biology, it fails as a conclusion no matter how you see it. Children unfamiliar with the concept of sex may take the father's answer at face value, more savvy children may wonder why it's never explained outright, and adults who read it may wonder at the implication that innocent curiosity about one's origins shouldn't be rewarded with an honest answer.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA

K-Gr 2—Mike and Conrad do everything together—until a new kid arrives in their classroom. Victor, a self-involved braggart who excels at sports, captivates Conrad's attention, leaving Mike feeling left out. At recess, Victor declares himself captain for a kickball game and picks only the biggest kids, cruelly telling Conrad he's too small to help the team win. Mike, the other captain, feels bad and chooses Conrad. Ultimately, Conrad apologizes and the boys make up. This tale about the vagaries of young friendship is predictable and a bit slick, and the characters are too lightly drawn for readers to become fully engaged in the story. The brightly colored illustrations move the action along and provide funny details. The cafeteria menu board advertises delicacies like "Chocolate Glazed Carrots" "Humble Pie," and "Broccoli Ice Cream." Kevin Henkes's A Weekend with Wendell (HarperCollins, 1986), Isabella Hatkoff's Owen & Mzee (Scholastic, 2006), and George Shannon's Rabbit's Gift (Harcourt, 2007) are all stronger titles on the topic.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME

Gr 1–3—Willow's grandmother tells the story of the 12 animals for whom the years in the Chinese calendar are named, unfortunately omitting Cat's role. When the child's cat, Mao, scratches Nai Nai and she pushes the animal off her lap, Willow and Mao become angry and head upstairs. Mao becomes Cat and tells how the Jade Emperor once invited 13 animals to a race. Dragon flies with Rabbit and Rooster on his back. Rat and his friend Cat sit on Ox as he and the other animals plunge into the river. Rat pushes Cat, who never learned to swim, into the water. By clawing his way onto a jutting rock, Cat watches as Rat jumps ashore ahead of Ox and wins. After Mao explains why the Year of the Rat comes first and why Cat and Rat are enemies, the little girl and her Nai Nai make up their disagreement. So's bright watercolor paintings bring the human characters to life against a pure white background, while traditional Chinese motifs and a subdued palette set the animals in the race apart. More pages are given to Willow, Mao, and Nai Nai than to the actual Chinese legend, and this tale-within-a-tale framework may be confusing to young readers. A simpler retelling is Dawn Casey's The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac (Barefoot, 2006). Nevertheless, youngsters will enjoy listening to this story and seeing the beautiful watercolor illustrations.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Gr 1–3—A child speculates on the role of babies in the world. She gets right to the point on page one as she asks, "Why don't…babies work?" The rest of the story involves her research conducted on her baby brother, as well as on the babies she meets on her travels. She finds them to be lazy little loafers who enjoy snacking and lying around. All the while, kids her age are struggling to make their beds, study for tests, and solve math problems. How do the babies get away with it? As the youngster heads off to school, leaving her little brother and mom in the park, she decides that the reason is obvious. Orlean's reserved wit will be best appreciated by observant, inquisitive kids who harbor the slightest bit of cynicism in their little souls. Karas's gouache and acrylic cartoons reinforce the notion that babies are not silly and cute, but rather happy and lazy. This is a good one-on-one read for any youngster who has wondered why the baby doesn't have to go to school.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Gr 1–3—Readers may predict trouble when Mrs. Rogers asks Amelia Bedelia for an umbrella because, "They say it is going to rain cats and dogs." Then the maid hears a "MEOW" while watching a cat-shaped cloud, and a tiger-striped kitten jumps out of the garden. As always, Amelia Bedelia is bewildered by idioms, and she frustrates people with her own word choices. Fluent readers will chuckle at these misunderstandings, and will be delighted with the suspense and plotting. They may also pick up a bit of information about pet care. The generous trim size is wider than that in most early readers, allowing many sentences to be printed without line breaks. Sweat's cheerful and expressive watercolor and black-pen illustrations extend the story. Another winning addition.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

K-Gr 3—Houdini the caterpillar entertains a class of students with his amazing acts, including the vanishing leaf, the high-wire stick crawl, and his skin-shedding growth. With his flair for showmanship, he revels in his audience's appreciation. When new acts show up—a turtle, spider, and plant—and draw his crowds of children away, Houdini spices up his performances to make them even more dramatic. Alas, even this does not bring back the masses. Then one evening, inspired by posters depicting the stages of a caterpillar's life on the classroom wall, he attempts "his most daring act ever." His place in the spotlight is regained as his audience waits in anticipation for two weeks as he holds his pose without food or water and finally escapes his chrysalis and emerges as a butterfly—"Ta-Da!" Pedersen's ink and watercolor cartoons are detailed without being fussy. Houdini's facial expressions demonstrate both the highs and lows of being a performer. Meanwhile, his captivated audience is shown drawing him, wearing homemade caterpillar antennae, imitating his chrysalis stage, and watching Houdini adoringly. The particulars of a caterpillar's life cycle are covered in detail in the author's note. This fun and informative story has a place in classrooms everywhere.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—If you think you can't jam another twist on a classic tale into your collection, think again. Three pesky porcine protagonists are so bad that their mother kicks them out of the house. They are so lazy that they merely pile up sticks and straw for houses and one takes over a henhouse. The wolf is portrayed as a helpful handyman who offers to shore up their shoddy construction but is rebuffed each time. Rendered homeless by straw-eating cows, nesting birds who need sticks, and a pecking rooster who reclaims the henhouse, the homeless pigs get ready to head for the kindly wolf's abode. When he hears the pigs on the roof, he prepares a "big pot of boiling…soup" and invites them in. The tale ends with everyone living together happily ever after. The full-color cartoon illustrations capture the pigs' bad behavior and comeuppance with a goofy exuberance. The font size shrinks and enlarges to mirror the action and the text works as a fun read-aloud as well as a read-alone.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 3–6—Color and movement are vibrant components in this extraordinary book about Rosa Parks's efforts to take down Jim Crow. Text and illustration work in perfect sync. Andrea Pinkney chose the rhythm of the blues as cadence for the guitar-strumming hound-dog narrator: "This story begins with shoes./This story is all for true./This story walks. And walks. And walks./To the blues." In riveting poetic style, the author relates how Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, AL, on December 1, 1955; her defiance brought about the boycott that changed this nation. The evocative text is bolstered by Brian Pinkney's perceptive vision: he portrays a swirling black mass, colored ink on clay board, to simulate a menacing bird—Jim Crow—that "pecks, pecks, pecks" its determination to undermine the movement. Jim Crow hovers menacingly over the bus and whirls above the beleaguered walkers, but the ever-present dog keeps belting out inspiring words, swinging his tune out over the people. Against electric blues and greens diffused with streaks of black line, Pinkney's artwork rivets the eye with the red of Parks's coat, the yellow of the city bus, and the sunrise red that signals the Supreme Court ruling to end segregation. Children unfamiliar with the historic events of the period will find the tale uplifting and memorable, and for librarians, teachers, and parents, this story will read aloud well, mesmerizing listeners.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-Gr 5—Without musical notation, how does one convey the thematic phrases and unique rhythms associated with each character created by Sergei Prokofiev in his classic introduction to the instruments of the orchestra? The ever-experimental, sound-sensitive Raschka employs color, shape, line, and idiosyncratic language to distinguish each cast member in his utterly beguiling production. Characters appear one after the other on sequential versos to offer opening monologues. Peter enters on a strip of chartreuse, his large, oval face topped by a Russian cap, his lyrical style inspired by e. e. cummings: "See I/Spin around and twirl around and jump around/In this perfect, most perfect/Place I've been." The bluebird twitters a jazzy scat on a path of cheerful yellow. The menacing wolf—all jagged lines and primal grunts against a field of red—gobbles the oblivious duck, as has been destined. Rectos feature a stage framed in brown columns and constructed from four sheets of painted paper that have been glued together; the resulting shadows produce a convincing depth. The action occurs as the watercolor figures, outlined with Raschka's signature thick strokes, interpret their roles. The three hunters enter in a martial bluster, but ultimately the entire crew proceeds to the zoo. Gentle readers and purists alike will appreciate Raschka's solution to the duck's fate; he allows readers to choose either Prokofiev's finale (so labeled) or his one-page epilogue in which a veterinarian performs "emergency surgery." Make room for this inventive, spirited interpretation. A bravura performance from a musical maestro.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Gr 1–3—Imitation can indeed be sincere flattery, as Rex proves in his slightly eerie reworking of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd's classic bedtime tale. The young bunny has been replaced by a little monster, but he still wears striped pajamas as he lies in his bed and says good night to his surroundings. "In the cold gray tomb/There was a gravestone/And a black lagoon/And a picture of—Martians taking over the moon." The parody is clever, matching original verse with rhymes that seem unforced and appropriate for the new setting: "Goodnight skull/And goodnight shoe/Goodnight creature/Goodnight goo/And goodnight to the old werewolf hollering 'Boo.'" Rex's color drawings create a monster child's bedroom filled with the same late-evening light of Hurd's illustrations. The book ends on the same peaceful note as the original. A clever offering just right for graduates of bedtimes with Goodnight Moon.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME

PreS-K—Readers follow a small green frog as it hops from scene to scene (fields, a garden, a barn), each of which provides hints (a cow, a scarecrow, a chicken coop) as to its location. Each clue is tediously met with: "Can you guess where you are, little frog?" As this frequent refrain quickly becomes tiresome and the tips are occasionally awkward, the title relies heavily on the colorful artwork to make the most of the "puzzle" function. The bright acrylic illustrations take on a folksy appearance as they enliven and explore the farm. Though Arzoumanian's affable animals leap and bound joyfully across the page, the work as a whole is hampered by the banal text.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

K-Gr 2—Gregory and Greta squabble over everything. Their constant bickering is apparently regarded as endearing, as the adults smile indulgently while the twin groundhogs pull at ears and tails, fighting over the last piece of pie. "'Double trouble,' said Grannie Groundhog with a smile." Grampie Groundhog, who appears to be having a glass of red wine, then announces that he is retiring and will be passing his spring-forecasting job down to one of the twins, who immediately begin to fight over it. Both siblings are only interested in the fame the job will bring ("I'll be in all the newspapers!" "I'll be on TV!"). Apparently qualifications aren't relevant, as Grampie decides between the children by drawing straws. Gregory wins and gloats, Greta loses and sulks, and the fight that ensues is once again greeted with indulgent smiles from the adults. Gregory sleepwalks during the winter, and, on February 2, he finds that he has misplaced his glasses and will not be able to see his shadow. Greta comes to his rescue. The two realize that they make a good team, then return to the ear tweaking and tail pulling. Their family may love them—but most children will find them unpleasant. Cauley's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations depict a cozy groundhog world, but its denizens are neither interesting nor memorable. For a good Groundhog Day tale, try Pamela Curtis Swallow's Groundhog Gets a Say (Putnam, 2005) and for the supreme teamwork tale, nothing beats Peggy Rathman's Officer Buckle and Gloria (Putnam, 1995).—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 3–5—Emily's parents died in an accident while they were on their way to get her a puppy. She now lives with her grandmother, who cares for old, wealthy, and eccentric Mrs. Bigley. The woman is obsessed with a China doll that she calls Delilah, always wanting to select the perfect gift for her. Emily is yearning for a look at the doll, so she follows her grandma to work, sneaks into Mrs. Bigley's basement, and has several frightening experiences. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bigley has decided that this Christmas Delilah's gift will be a pet, and, at the pet store, she finds the smallest dog in the world. In the meantime, Grandma discovers that Emily has not shown up at daycare, and no one knows where she is. This fast-paced novel has elements of intrigue and suspense and an uplifting ending involving the doll, the dog, and the mystery surrounding Mrs. Bigley's unhappiness.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

PreS-Gr 1—In the spirit of "The House That Jack Built," this cumulative tale recounts a baby's birth on a windy night. As it builds, some of the phrases lose their rhythm, becoming a mouthful that can leave readers gasping for breath. However, the lush, dreamy illustrations in rich, deep hues bring a great deal of loveliness to the story. Opening and closing with the image of a mother rocking her baby, the book is tied together with a wind that blows through the open window and whips around each spread, both dividing and highlighting phrases and images, until it dies down peacefully where it started. The pictures also show a parallel story as a mother mouse moves in and has a litter of babies. Mothers might enjoy sharing this attractive book with young children.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

K-Gr 2—In this eighth book in the series, Vera goes trick-or-treating with her older sisters. She is dressed as a mummy, bedecked in toilet paper with a couple of red splotches added. Mom suggests a winter coat, but mummies don't wear snowsuits. The streets are full of trick-or-treaters, with grown-ups in costume as well as kids. Vera's bandages start to unravel, and while she's trying to fix them, she loses sight of her family. And then it starts to rain. It's bad enough that her costume disintegrates, but then her bag full of candy gets wet and the bottom falls out. The rain turns to sleet and then to snow, and she's lost and cold. Vera sees a house with many pumpkins in the windows and ventures to the door. A school friend lives there and Anand's father takes her into the house. Parents are called and all is well. The watercolor illustrations are quite detailed. As always, Vera is a feisty little girl whose adventures end happily. Fans will appreciate this Halloween episode.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

K-Gr 4—This simple tale has a sneaky, edgy humor that erupts into hilarity as well as a warm, stabilizing feeling for humanity in all of its quirky manifestations. "Old Man Fookwire was so old that when he sneezed, dust came out. He was also a grump. He hated pie. He hated puppies. The only thing he liked was birds." This verbal introduction to the main character is enhanced with paintings—reminiscent of some of the best European children's book illustrations—of an exaggeratedly skinny, flannel-shirted caricature with a long neck, long nose, oversized glasses, and protruding Adam's apple. He never smiles, even when he's painting pictures of the birds that visit his yard every summer. In an attempt to keep the birds around when autumn arrives, he builds wonderful birdfeeders. They do indeed attract the birds—but they also catch the eye of the squirrels. The cheerful, brilliant, and adorable creatures are shown using pulleys, weights, and remarkable cooperative planning to foil Fookwire and raid the feeders. The old man fights back. But the squirrels, still smiling and hopeful, stay up all night for a planning meeting and devise a daring escapade that relies heavily on their deep understanding of physics and their willingness to be launched through the air. What happens to the squirrels, the birds, and to Old Man Fookwire is a symphony of regret, respect, and sweetness. Readers will want to linger over this book and treasure every page.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 2–5—More than 250 years ago, an elm tree took root in land that is now part of Madison Square Park in New York City. Ruelle and DeSaix offer verbal and visual views of some of the events that have occurred around the tree since then. Over the years, the area has served as a potter's field for unfortunates such as yellow fever victims, a campground for Civil War soldiers, and a gathering spot for political demonstrations. At various times, an orphanage, railroad station, baseball field, upscale hotel, and hippodrome have existed nearby. Because so much has happened in the area, the text must race through the list of events without space to provide much detail about any of them. A pictorial time line underneath the large illustrations offers an idea of the passage of time. Dark colors and grainy shadings give many of the paintings a gloomy appearance. Three pages of historical notes will be useful for teachers who want to use the book to illustrate how communities change through time. Bruce Hiscock's The Big Tree (S & S, 1994), which features the life of a sugar maple in the New York countryside, might work as an interesting companion to this work, for teachers who wish to compare and contrast urban and rural development. In short, although Ruelle's book is unlikely to attract casual readers, it could serve as a supplemental curriculum resource.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

K-Gr 3—Amandina Goldeneyes can "dance, and sing, and act beautifully, and perform the most daring acrobatics," but the small pup is so shy that her talents go unnoticed. Vowing to overcome her fears, she fixes up a run-down theater and stages a one-dog show. Ruzzier's quirky ink drawings capture the canine sewing, painting, and building elaborate props. When the curtain rises on opening night, she is saddened to see no one in the audience, but goes on with the show. A tiny cockroach emerges from a tear in one of the seats and is mesmerized by the performance. He calls all of his friends and soon the house is full. After the grand finale, Amandina bows before what she thinks is an empty theater and is greeted with "thunderous applause." The artwork combines delicate lines and faded colors to create a fanciful stage for this likable character. Pair this title with Emily Arnold McCully's Speak up, Blanche! (HarperCollins, 1991) for a look at confidence-building artistic pursuits.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 1–4—Set in Nigeria, this contemporary story introduces an Igbo boy who doesn't see the value of literacy. When Amadi's mother tells him that Mrs. Chikodili is on her way to help him with his reading, he stubbornly declares, "I'll be a trader. I don't need to read to do business." He takes off for the market where he wanders by a bookstall and sees Chima, an older boy he respects, looking at a book. Amadi is mesmerized by an image on the pages, and Chima tells him about snow. Unable to get the idea out of his mind, Amadi returns later to look at the volume again, and is devastated when he sees Mrs. Chikodili buying it. Now that Amadi has a reason to read—to find out about the world beyond his town—he is motivated to learn. When he returns home, there is a surprise from Mrs. Chikodili waiting for him. Amadi's experiences are genuine and come across naturally in the narrative. The vibrant illustrations depict the setting and bring richness and depth to the story. An important addition to any library, this offering fills a necessary niche for current-day stories from other cultures and focuses attention on reading as an important and satisfying accomplishment.—Susannah Richards, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

PreS-Gr 2—One of the lesser-known tales from Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories, this one begins as a man tells his daughter, "Never kick a slipper at the moon if it is the time for the Dancing Slipper Moon when the slim early moon looks like the toe and the heel of a dancer's foot." The story that follows describes the origin of this odd advice. Long ago, a girl woke early one morning after a night of dancing. She went to the window, admired the moon, kicked her foot up, and, "The slipper flew off and flew up and went on and on and up and up in the moonshine." The language veers from the tongue-twisters of the first quote to the smooth rhythms of the second. Litzinger's attractive watercolors show rounded shapes set against a creamy, cool blue. They have a cubist, surreal look that pairs well with the whimsical text. The story lacks dramatic tension, but the quiet silliness will engage some listeners, and the parade of footwear that marches around at one point will satisfy shoe lovers. Overall, this is an effective treatment, and collections with an interest in the classics will want to buy it.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

PreS-K—This picture book is all about pretending. A little rabbit meets a garden hose that is pretending to be a snake, and together they go on an adventure deep into the Amazon rain forest. The story is lengthy and constantly uses colloquialisms like "super duper." Things get a bit scary when the rabbit is surrounded by "snakes" of all kinds that threaten to eat her. The slightly muted but colorful illustrations are whimsical and look very childlike. Humorous touches like sunglasses on the hose are fun, and the sometimes exaggerated sizes of snakes and the rabbit add to the emotional impact of the artwork. However, the text is far too long and repetitive for young children.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—Little Monkey's family is asleep, so the "big little monkey" sets off to explore on his own. He tries to play with the creatures he meets, imitating something they do, but Steady Sloth is too quiet, Proud Parrot too squawky, and Sly Boa too tricky, so he heads back home. He decides that sometimes he is still his "Dear Mama['s]…Little Monkey." Schaefer's text has the style and cadences of a folktale with the effective refrain "bim-ba-lah, bim-ba-lah" appearing as the protagonist swings through the trees. Although at times she injects words such as "hey" into the text, at its best, the language shines as Little Monkey tells the boa: "…I am playing Curl My Tail Around in Tricky Ways. Like you." Pratt's stylized animals, done in sweeping, brightly colored acrylics, are reminiscent of Manya Stojic's work, and the mostly full-bleed illustrations with their color-saturated backgrounds are eye-catching and will carry well in storytimes. Little Monkey is a typical toddler, testing his limits and exploring his surroundings, but ultimately wanting the safety and reassurance of his mother's arms. With a simple text, well-placed page turns, and an accessible story line, Schaefer and Pratt's collaboration is a terrific addition to most collections.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Gr 1–5—After their teacher reads them Page McBrier's Beatrice's Goat (S & S, 2001), a book about an impoverished Ugandan girl and how her life is improved by a special gift, a fifth-grade class is determined to collaborate on a fundraising project for the charitable organization that donated the animal. Schrock, daughter of the founder of Heifer International, uses an unnamed student as her narrator to describe the kids' efforts to raise money by selling healthy snacks. Readers will quickly identify with the classroom setting and dynamics and appreciate the author's direct approach in outlining the events. The original spark of inspiration, the planning process, the endeavor's success, the mathematics of running a business, and background information on Heifer International are seamlessly integrated into the text. Darragh's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations match the upbeat tone of the narrative, support the facts being shared, and provide touches of humor. Though Schrock focuses on raising funds for a specific organization, the story ends with other classes reaching out to the local food pantry and the Red Cross. The message of community service is what children will ultimately remember and hopefully be inspired to emulate: "I think everyone learned that giving—and passing on the gift—feels really good." A first choice.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS-Gr 1—"Monday. Snow. Tuesday. Snow. Wednesday. 'Snow day?' asks Jack." The red flatbed truck and his big-wheeled buddies roll out to play and clear the streets in this energetic story. The anthropomorphic vehicles skate and slide, making a snow truck and throwing snowballs. After all their fun, the streets are clean and they are ready to return to their garages. The vocabulary is appropriately limited and repetitive, and the dynamic illustrations capture youngsters' attention and encourage independent reading. Sure to be popular with truck lovers, this title is a good addition to beginning-reader collections.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

K-Gr 4—This lively retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic creates a delightful narrative framework for the stunning concept art that shaped the look of the Disney animated film. Imbued with Scieszka's unique brand of kid-captivating humor, the effervescent text presents a streamlined version of Alice's adventures that adheres closely to the plot of the movie. The first lines set the tone and immediately reel readers in: "Have you ever tried to listen to a long, boring schoolbook on a warm, lazy day? And have you ever wondered why anyone would make a book so boring? Then you are just like Alice." Scieszka interjects amusing commentary throughout while successfully maintaining an appropriate once-upon-a-time mood. Blair's deep-hued paintings employ rich shades and dazzling color combinations to create a lush, almost impressionistic version of Wonderland. For the most part, the artwork unfolds as a logical visual narrative rather than seeming like a gallery of reproductions. However, observant viewers will notice that Alice's appearance is not always consistent, and that the images may not always provide the strongest interpretation of the text (for example, the March Hare and Cheshire Cat are mentioned but never depicted). Still, children will enjoy this eye-catching and entertaining production.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Seeger's ability to transform everyday words and objects into an amazing concept book continues with One Boy. Using the numbers 1 through 10, her signature die-cut pages, and a vocabulary that is designed to show words inside other words, the author has engineered a tribute to wordplay that is unmatched. On readers' first trip through the text, it will appear that the 10 objects are loosely linked only by their spelling patterns ("Two seals,/At the sea"; "Ten ants/In your pants"). As the story concludes, however, it becomes clear that all of the art was painted by the "one boy" who started it all. Youngsters will quickly return to the beginning to study the paintings more closely. While preschoolers will enjoy the book's design and take pleasure in guessing at what is next to appear, it is children who are beginning to develop their sight vocabulary who will most appreciate Seeger's efforts. This is one boy who won't be left alone for long.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS—With just the bare minimum of a rhyming text, this book describes the antics of a playful puppy. The large, exuberant illustrations, all primary colors and simple bold lines, are the main draw. Korky is delightfully over-the-top, with a nose like Snoopy's and a body like Tintin's Snowy. Full-page paintings show him reveling in all aspects of puppyhood, from catching Frisbees to rolling on the ground to comforting his young owner. Halfway through the book the rhythm is awkwardly broken, reinforcing the notion that this is a title in which the pictures dominate. The words just get in the way. Pair it with Blackstone and Mockford's Cleo the Cat (Barefoot, 2000), which stars a feline who is as colorful and energetic as Korky.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 2–4—Living at the Peabody home, sprightly Maybelle, a cockroach, abides by three rules: "When it's light, stay out of sight; if you're spied, better hide; and never meet with human feet." However, these rules go right out the window once she becomes aware of the Chocolate Surprise Cookies to be served at Mrs. Peabody's tea party. Easy-reader graduates will delight in Maybelle's antics and enjoy her housefly pal, Maurice, and his giggle-worthy shenanigans. Maybelle finds herself smack dab in the middle of a big adventure when she tumbles into a tasty treat. With humorous illustrations on nearly every spread, this is a sweet offering.—Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA

Gr 1–2—A mischievous, easy-to-read comic story similar in tone and audience to The Cat in the Hat. Jack receives a jack-in-the-box as a present. Its manically entertaining occupant, Zack, keeps its owner guessing. Fortunately, when the fun gets out of hand, Zack and his friend Mack save Jack by wanting to trade the lamp they broke for a brand-new one, produced from inside the box. While the story is wacky, the cartoon artwork will appeal to a broad range of lower-level readers. True to its comic-strip roots, without the clutter that some children have a hard time reading, this title is a surefire hit.—Sarah Provence, Churchill Road Elementary School, McLean, VA

Gr 1–2—Artists all, Lester's talented family shush him as he pops his bubble gum in their favorite creative spaces. A strange occurrence in his Uncle Edgar's studio finally sets him on the path to Art, and he develops his artistic gift with bubble gum. The story is endearing; readers will root for Lester to one-up a competitive cousin and win an art contest. They'll worry when his front tooth falls out. But there are many subtleties that will fly right over their heads. Lester's relatives have names like Winslow, Dorothea, and Vincent. Friends are named Georgia and Frida. Wickstrom's clever illustrations imitate or allude to the works of these famous artists. (In one scene, Lester blows a bubble that looks like a cow skull.) The pictures have plenty of kid appeal, but most of the visual puns will be lost on children. Some of the language is sophisticated: "Suddenly, a powerful breath rose inside Lester. His belly bulged…. His limber lips labored and his face turned fuchsia." The words make delicious sounds; the meanings can be unraveled with the help of the illustrations. As they listen to, inspect, and enjoy Lester Fizz, youngsters will wonder why the adult reading aloud is laughing so hard. Maybe they'll be curious enough to find out, and teachers may want to use the book to introduce modern Western art.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-Gr 3—This cautionary tale tells of a baker who almost loses track of his true calling while trying to outwit and outdo a competitor. The donut chef is proud of his newly opened store, and his success becomes so great that another man decides to open his own establishment, vowing, "Your shop is through.../When my store opens next to you!" The feud soon becomes fierce, with each owner creating confections in bizarre flavors like "Peanut-Brickle Buttermilk,/And Gooey Cocoa-Mocha Silk," and in even stranger shapes. But sometimes competition can destroy, too, as the sweets soon lose "their taste. They'd lost their soul./They'd even lost their donut hole!" It takes little Debbie Sue and her request for a simple glazed donut to bring the chef to his senses. Soon other customers are clamoring for the same thing, and, now enlightened, the baker goes back to basics. The entire book has a retro tone, from its lengthy rhyming text to its Art Deco-style illustrations, which are updated with more modern-looking graphic shapes and a multicolored palette. The pictures are slightly reminiscent of Dan Yaccarino's work, but with much sharper, more clearly defined lines. Aside from a jarring mistake when a shop "selling round the clock" becomes one whose doors close "at six," the story's lively rhythmic text and colorful artwork should make it a good pick for storytime.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

PreS—This charming book describes what it means "to be nice" through single words or simple phrases and expressive illustrations of animals created out of swirled acrylic paint, ink, and china markers. Laid out on solid-color backgrounds, the text appears in a variety of fonts and hues. Two blue koalas embrace atop a large, orange "cuddle." Two chicks "nestle" in the grass. For the word "LOOK," two owls gaze at each other; "…but don't stare" on the opposite page shows a green frog gawking at a red bird. Some of the words demonstrate and others remonstrate. Taken together, they allow children to grasp what adults mean when they say, "Be nice." A useful item for all picture-book collections.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS—A sweet, understated story. In minimal yet well-structured text, a child asks, "Do you love me?" Even, he wonders, if he's not gentle? What about, he asks, if "I jump in puddles wearing my new sneakers?" The protagonist, a boy with a thatch of red hair, pinhole eyes, and an earnest yet worried expression, perfectly captures the universality of this question. Phelan's illustrations bring this quiet text to exuberant life with pastel watercolors as the child and his dog leap, jump, and make mischief throughout the white space on which they exist. The perfectly timed text, with questions one after the other, listing all the possibilities this boy can imagine, ends of course with the perfect answer. "No matter what you do…I'll always love you." There are other books with this theme, including Jeanne Willis's Mommy Do You Love Me? (Candlewick, 2008) and Debi Gliori's No Matter What (Harcourt, 1999). Both of these titles feature animal characters and have more text. Use this wonderful book in toddler storytimes, but make sure you get extra copies—there will be a big demand.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

PreS-K—This book is boldly illustrated and cheerful, with foldout pages that contain guessing games. On the first verso, "Who am I?" is written in a childlike, chunky font next to a pair of huge gray legs with pink-toed feet. The facing page is black, with the words "I have big feet" in white letters. Open it upward and a larger view of the animal is unveiled, this time exposing four gray legs, a curled-up trunk, and orange tusks. The newly opened flap is a vivid blue and contains the words, "I have a l-o-n-g nose." The page folds out once again to reveal the whole animal in an eye-catching green setting: "I'm an ELEPHANT!" That's the formula for six creatures—but the formula doesn't begin to describe the wonder of opening up each page into a satisfyingly enormous illustration in the master designer/illustrator's typically pleasing shapes with thick, black outlines and wildly contrasting colors. One particularly enjoyable spread shows a golden-brown hippo with yellow eyes, a pink polka-dot mouth, and a fabulously purple background. Young children will have a blast, over and over again, opening the pages, looking at the pictures, and identifying the animals.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

K-Gr 2—At bedtime, a young monster anxiously awaits the arrival of the Tickle Monster, a nocturnal creature that is never directly depicted in the artwork but nevertheless seems omnipresent: "His nose knows the scent of your toothpaste./His ears hear your pj's unfold./He senses your dread as you climb into bed—/he can see through your ceiling, I'm told." Peeking hesitantly from beneath his covers, the youngster notices ominous dark shadows on the wall. The rhyming verse builds anticipation of the impending attack. The Tickle Monster will show no mercy: "You'll squirm! You'll dance!/(You may wet your pants)." When the defenseless imp has had enough, the intruder will offer a hug, "wiggle under the rug,/and sink through a crack in the floor." The acrylic illustrations' somber brown and dark-green palette creates a spooky atmosphere. Although there are "giggles and grins" at the end, readers may be left with more of a sense of trepidation than of tongue-in-cheek playfulness.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

PreS-K—The barnyard animals are playing with a red ball that accidentally rolls into the doghouse. Who's going to get it out? Mouse says Cow is big, brave, and strong, and must go first. Cow goes in but does not come out. Pig tries next, as Mouse deems him smart, wise, and stinky. Pig takes offense at the "stinky" designation, but proceeds into the doghouse. Pig does not return either. Duck, as the loudest, goes next—and disappears just like the others. The only one left outside, Mouse timidly calls out, "Can't you come out, Duck?"—upon which Dog appears in the doorway and says, "No! Because I am having duck for dinner." Mouse assumes the worst, but the last spread shows all the animals inside the dog's house sitting down to a meal. Mouse joins the party on the endpapers, just in time for dessert. The simple cartoon characters, scenery, and dialogue balloons are outlined in thick, bold lines. Colors are smooth and flat, with backgrounds done in bright blues, purple, and lime green. The pictures are large and distinct, and will work well with a group. The joke is an old one, but it's always new to kids just beginning to understand wordplay.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Gr 1–4—George, a sad little orphan, lives with his sweet-faced grandmother but feels very much alone. When on his Friday afternoon visit to the dog shelter he finds a three-legged dog that seems as unwanted as he feels himself to be, he engages his grandmother's help to adopt the scruffy pup before it is euthanized. This act rescues the boy as well as his grandmother, and a family is born. Thompson never talks down to his readers and the story is simple, clear, and heartfelt enough to be universally understood. The illustrations are full of personality and extraordinary detail: the brick wall by the dog compound and the trees crowding into the narrow bit of sky above it look like exquisite photographs. Thompson indulges in his trademark visual puns, including the presence in the shelter of Kevin, the dog from Sometimes Love Is Under Your Foot (Scholastic, 2008). There is no doubt that he is a more accomplished artist than writer, and some readers may become impatient with the long denouement in which George and his grandmother experiment with making Jeremy a fourth leg out of paper, pastry, and wood. But by that point, the tone of the book has become hopeful, so it's easy to be indulgent. The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness is aptly named and well worth reading.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 1–2—Set in Washington, DC, this story is written as a journal from Keena's point of view. She and her friend Eric are looking forward to beginning second grade, until they discover that there will be separate classes for boys and girls. Plenty happens in the first week. Keena makes a simple error in writing her birthday and allows the teacher to celebrate on 9/2 instead of 2/9. Eric brags about how much fun it is in the boys' class, and Keena sneaks in to check it out and is caught hiding under Ms. Hanson's desk. She faces some stiff consequences for her mistakes, including being sent to the time-out room. Occasional full-page sketches show the African-American child, her friends and family, and her antics. The writing is good, but a spark of character development is missing. Keena's voice doesn't always ring true to a seven-year-old, at least not in journal format. This book may appeal to students who enjoy funny stories, but stronger titles about school situations are available.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

K-Gr 2—Thomson's unpredictable verse should be rehearsed before being read aloud to maximize its impact and its humor. For example, this is one such bouncy passage: "A skull keeps watch from our flag of bones./Our swords are steel and our hearts are stone/as we send our foes to Davy Jones./We are pirates, pirates, ho!" The language is littered with terms like "thieving," "lying," "rascally," and "cut-throat"—plus the ever-popular "avast" and "ahoy." Gilpin's wacky cartoons have a retro, take-no-prisoners abandon. The motley crew members run up riggings, make enemies walk the plank, drive their ship through perilous seas, and have a generally threatening appearance—until one takes a closer look at their faces and postures, which are just plain adorable. The most conspicuous dent in the pirates' armor presents itself in the gloom of night, when they tell each other ghost stories by the light of the eerie, cratered moon. Eyes widen, mouths fall open, muscles tense: "We are pirates, pirates—YIKES!" Although pirate books abound, this funny, fabulously illustrated rhyme is certainly worth adding.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Pixar's film WALL*E inspired this rhymed tour of robots at work. While seeking his blue-"eyed" girl friend, thick-wheeled robot hero WALL*E admires the diligence of his hugely diverse fellow bots. After some accidental chaos and crashes, the pair finally reunite to hold "hands" at the robot dance. Fans of things mechanical will appreciate the wall-to-wall collages of dozens of types of busy machines. The compositions vary from orderly to discordant, and Butcher embellishes each spread with changing palettes that complement the yellow-bodied hero with an E.T.-shaped head. Thorpe's verb-rich text and free use of exclamation points will make for an energetic read-aloud, but the plot is a bit meager.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 2—Katie tells readers right from the get-go that she is one happy kid. She loves to play with her friends, cuddle with her parents and little brother, and just twirl through life. That is, until she goes to bed. Most nights she can "comfortable" herself right to sleep, but other nights the Jibberwillies come. This is not a new subject but the treatment here is altogether fresh. In Heo's delightful artwork, the Jibberwillies are not frightening; they are more odd-looking than anything else. Their name might sound shivery but it doesn't conjure up awful ogres hovering over the bed. Katie tries to make them go away but it just doesn't work. Mommy comes in and, with Katie nearby, catches the creatures in a bucket and tosses them out an open window. This acknowledgment of a child's fear and allaying it makes for a positive and reassuring message. Well written and artfully designed, this is a sound choice for any collection. Pair it with Ed Emberley's Go Away, Big Green Monster! (Little, Brown, 2005) to be sure the Jibberwillies are gone for good.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

K-Gr 3—This insipid story of a newly immigrated 19th-century Irish family whose daughter feels the pain of separation from her homeland reiterates the origins of Thanksgiving. Mary's father introduces the story of the five kernels of corn, which is used to remind people of sacrifices made by the first colonists during "the starving time." Mary comes around and actually thinks of something she is thankful for. The accompanying paintings appear to be based on or re-created from photographs and reinforce the vapidity—despite their period clothes, the characters resemble Land's End catalog models more than Pilgrims. In one of them, Mary looks more like a spoiled 21st-century birthday child as she pulls her finger through a pie that is to be the only special dish at her family's feast table. Talk about gratefulness! This book has limited child appeal.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

K-Gr 3—A rhyming story based on "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse." Mitzi is a city witch who returns home one night to an unexpected visitor, her country cousin, Muffletump, whom she has never met. Muffletump finds the city too noisy, crowded, and polluted, so she casts a few spells to make things more to her liking. When she decides it is time to head back to her country tree house, Mitzi tags along, and needs a few spells of her own to survive without her urban comforts. Finally, Mitzi returns to her city haunts and the cousins realize that they miss each other. They cast a final spell that allows them to be neighbors without sacrificing what makes them happy. Readers will enjoy the situation-changing spells. The illustrations are full of humor (some of which will be appreciated only by adults), including the wordplay built into the storefronts and signs. Libraries interested in fractured tales or nontraditional retellings may want to consider this one.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

PreS—This lift-the-flap book reinforces that everyone, everywhere, regardless of what they may do professionally, must take the time to stop and "go to the potty." Each scenario stretches over one and a half pages with the remaining space devoted to a flap (decorated as a restroom door) to open. In each case, readers are presented with activity in progress. However, a key worker is missing: "The fire alarm is ringing! The fire truck needs to go. But where did the firefighter who drives the truck go?" Open the door, and thus intrude upon the missing adult who has just recently used, or in some cases still is sitting on, the toilet. Readers visit the police station, construction site, doctor's office, baseball field, zoo, and more to discover again and again that important people are in the restroom. The bright, glossy cartoon drawings contain small details (the astronaut has toilet paper stuck to his space boot and the train engineer has train cars on his boxer shorts) that add to the goofiness and help relieve tension for a topic that can be embarrassing. Unfortunately, the brief text becomes overly repetitive, but the demand for books on the topic makes this a slight, albeit silly, addition to most collections.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 2—Yorinks and Egielski are best known for crotchety, confrontational characters who live in urban neighborhoods, progress through fantastical plots, and whose exploits are narrated with sophisticated language and saturated watercolors. This book, however, comes up a bit short. The setting is suburban New Jersey in what appears to be a Jewish household, where the mother takes to "plotzing" on the couch when in distress. Young Melville is prone to tripping—with outlandish consequences. He descends into a "pointy dimension," where everything, including the formerly curved borders around the scenes, becomes angular. His family and friends are incredulous; the doctor just thinks he's a klutz. During a visit to his father's garbage dump, the boy disappears, only to emerge in a pointy version of his living room with a parallel, pointy, not very pleasant family. A chase ensues, and it is only when he trips "on the carpet his father in both dimensions never fixed" that he returns home to remorseful parents. Two folding pages contribute to the hide-and-seek climax, but this gimmick is only mildly interesting and doesn't reward repeated viewings. "Pointy" isn't enough to carry this tale, visually or linguistically, and there isn't much else going on. The story, alas, fails to make a point.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—This serviceable book combines an alphabet format with examples of how numbers are used in everyday life. Colorful watercolor illustrations depict cheerful scenes filled with children, their families, pets, and activities. The page for A ("apartment number") shows neighbors visiting in a hallway, while the entry for B ("bus number") depicts smiling students climbing aboard a yellow bus. The situations vary from computers to signs to sports to a visit to the vet, all typical things children encounter in their daily lives. Youngsters will enjoy searching out the numbers in each picture and identifying how they are used. This book could easily lead to many stories from home and motivate students to look for numbers everywhere. With a wealth of possible uses in the curriculum, it has a place in classrooms and libraries.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Gr 1–4—Beginning with the rising sun and ending as she falls asleep at night, a Holstein waxes poetic about all the things she enjoys about her life. The verse on each spread begins with the words, "I love…" and then continues to describe the simple pleasures of agrarian life. Buttercup clearly is a dreamy cow and she loves all manner of things, from the grass at her feet to her own tongue to her quiet barn at the end of a lovely day. Readers learn that Buttercup also loves making (cow)pies, constantly chewing her cud, and even the skunk who nuzzles against her legs. The iambic rhythm makes the selections easy to read and recite aloud, and the poems would be wonderful additions to storytimes about cows, farms, or even during Valentine's Day programs. The cheery illustrations subtly reflect the changing light throughout Buttercup's day. The opening pages are awash with warm tones of blue and green and the colors slowly change toward the end to reflect sunset and, finally, night. Buttercup provides the answers to life's eternal questions—she loves the simple things and shares this joy with readers.—Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

Gr 3–4—A small human crew and a rambunctious rottweiler ride out to the Jovian system to drop off a pair of probes and to step onto the surfaces of the moons Io and Europa. Teaching values as well as astronomy, the authors intersperse discussions of the discovery and nature of Jupiter and its satellites with remarks about selfish people, international cooperation, and the necessity of caring for our own planet. The scientific and technological details are realistic, but the plot is so slight and the characters so sketchy that, like the dog bounding around various painted extraterrestrial locales in his jointed metal vacuum suit, they're more of a distraction than an enhancement. Consider this outing only after choosing among the plethora of conventional informational treatments of our solar system's second-largest member, such as Adele Richardson's Jupiter (Capstone) or Elaine Landau's Jupiter (Children's Press, both 2007).—John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 3—Isadora sets the classic fairy tale in a sunny African setting. A child, taken from her parents by a sorceress, "grew into the most beautiful child under the sun." When she is 12, the evil woman locks her in a high tower, climbing up Rapunzel's beautiful, black, flower-strewn hair when she wants to ascend her prison. The story remains true to the original, including the ending in which the young woman and her twins are reunited with the prince, and she cures him of his blindness. Colorful, vibrant oil paints and collages brighten up the story. The artwork has rich brushstrokes and is heavily patterned, and details abound, including the green warts on the sorceress's face. Add this book to Isadora's fairy tales reimagined in Africa, such as The Princess and the Pea, The Twelve Dancing Princesses (both 2007), and The Fisherman and His Wife (2008, all Putnam).—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Gr 3–5—This attractive picture book opens with an introduction to the causes of the American Revolution. George III and his advisors looked for a way to relieve the monarch's war debt and decided to impose taxes on the American colonies. The colonists rebelled, but the real action started with Paul Revere's midnight ride and the "shot heard round the world," which plays out with a combination of accessible narrative and bloody realism in Brown's vivid, appealing watercolors. The central figures are sketched with interesting details: British Major Pitcairn bragged that "the whole banditti of Massachusetts will run away" if he showed them his sword, and American Captain Parker was "dying of tuberculosis." After the colonists' defeat at Lexington Green, the British marched to Concord and were beaten by a larger militia. An endnote describes the outcome of the war and the fates of the major players, including the King who "passed his last years raving mad and chained to a chair." Brown keeps the information flowing easily while getting the salient points across. His version is different enough from Dennis Brindell Fradin's book of the same name (Walker, 2005) for the two to exist peacefully together on the shelf.—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

Gr 1–4—Following Lincoln's death, his body was taken back to Illinois for burial. Burleigh focuses on one boy's perceptions as he and his father travel through the night by horse-drawn carriage to see the funeral train pass. Full-spread images capture the cool night and the hot bonfires, the solemnity of the locals, and the grandness of the train. Both artist and writer researched the trains, engines, and events surrounding Lincoln's final journey; they use an original image of the paper flags waved at mourning processions for endpapers and offer more information and additional resources on the title-page verso. Minor's gouache watercolors capture the prairie as well as multiple perspectives of the train, while Burleigh's prose is almost poetic: "Past speeches and silence. Past black drapes, heaped roses, archways of green leaves, and the sound of muffled drums." The result is sensuous with sounds, sights, and the emotion of the event. Lincoln is ennobled in this historical picture book.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library

Gr 2–4—Burleigh sticks to the happier aspects of this last flight of the intrepid carrier pigeon whose timely message enabled the rescue of a stranded American battalion during the waning days of World War I. In the afterword, readers learn that Cher Ami was badly wounded during this flight—blinded in one eye and crippled when one of his legs was shot off. Since the action of Burleigh's narrative begins when the battalion is already surrounded behind enemy lines, it will be difficult for young readers to understand it within the context of the war itself. MacKenzie's sun-drenched palette is an odd choice for depicting battlefields. Then, too, readers may wish they had a fuller description of how Cher Ami came by his wooden prosthesis (on display with his body at the National Museum of American History) and of his recognition by the French government, which presented him with a medal for bravery. Somehow, this book misses the mark—sadly incongruous in a book about a homing pigeon.—Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 1–3—The 12 songs in this collection are lively, full of clever lyrics, fun to listen to, and have good solid messages. Unfortunately, only three of them are included on the professionally produced CD. Accompanying each entry is a full-page cartoon illustration done with childlike charm, with lots of elongated limbs and primary colors. The lyrics contain certain key words in different colored fonts, sometimes in varying sizes. The chords to each song are also appended, but they are not very helpful without the melody. If all 12 selections were on the CD, this would be a wonderful product. With only three, it falls short.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—Here the covers open and tie back to reveal three scenes, each of which is a 3-D dino-diorama thickly populated with toothy predators and well-armored prey amid lush greenery. Rey's brightly hued, actively posed pop-up figures are also reproduced (though more fuzzily) in an accompanying booklet that fits securely into a pocket and itself opens to a standard two-dimensional overview of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods on land, along with glimpses of ocean dwellers and notes on dinosaur eggs, fossil formation, and mass extinctions. There is some chowing down but no actual gore in sight, and paper-engineer Williams creates an unusual effect by layering a sheet of clear acetate into one scene to represent the surface of a lake or stream. Eye-catching visuals compensate for the routine text.—John Peters, New York Public Library

K-Gr 4—Rogers has fashioned Dylan's 1973 song into an homage to the musician and to coming of age in the 1960s. Adults familiar with the songwriter's life and albums will recognize images in the artwork that recall the period. For those who miss these references, a page-by-page explanation of the visual clues is appended. Most children will feel that the text reads like a blessing spoken by an adult to a growing boy. The illustrations show a street musician giving his guitar to a Caucasian child. He learns to play it and becomes friends with an African-American boy. The two eventually form their own street band, travel the country in a VW bug, and participate in rallies to save the planet and stop the war. The story comes full circle as the young man passes his guitar on to a girl at song's end. Some of the images will be confusing to those who don't read the back matter; e.g., the sticker on the guitar case that reads, "This machine kills Fascists" is a Woody Guthrie reference. A pleasant but additional purchase that will give baby boomers an opportunity to wax nostalgic about "the good old days" with their grandkids.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 1–4—How did the civil rights activist prepare what would become his most famous address? What was it like to be part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963? Dr. King's sister answers these questions, providing background about the organization of the march, a look at key events of the day, and insight into how King crafted the speech. Although he is depicted as older and more serious than the mischievous little boy portrayed in My Brother Martin (S & S, 2003), Farris's unique perspective on her subject continues to be compelling. She concentrates on the march and the effects of the speech. Some phrases in the text are printed in a larger font and in color, emphasizing important aspects and establishing an appealing rhythm for reading aloud. Ladd's acrylic paintings are an excellent accompaniment to the text. His use of color and varying perspectives creates a great deal of visual energy, extending the excitement of the event. An informative addition.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

PreS-Gr 2—On safari, an unseen narrator hopes "to see/A hippo or two,/Perhaps even three?" Clever rhyming verse details the spectacular sights along the way, such as lions, chimpanzees, and sleepy leopards, "Relaxing in trees." This expansive tour of the African Plains is brought to life through Beaton's signature fabric appliqué collages. Gray felt elephants splash themselves clean with streams of water accented by silver beads. Crocodiles with shiny sequined scales lounge on a textured shore. The vibrant colors capture the hot, arid habitat. Observant readers will spot the "hidden hippo" on each spread—sometimes peeking up from the water, or disguised as a rock, or partially obscured by a tree. Endnotes include descriptions of the featured animals as well as information on recent efforts to protect endangered species. Young adventurers and conservationists alike will pore over this visually stunning story.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

K-Gr 2—This book looks at the subtle charms of trees in winter. On a walk through a forest, a boy observes the branches, shapes, and various barks. He and his dog make snow angels, watch animals quietly eating, and tap a maple tree for syrup. The style of this book, both in text and pictures, is as quiet as its subject. In a simple poetic form, seven trees are described: sugar maple, American beech, paper birch, yellow poplar, bur oak, Eastern hemlock, and white spruce. Readers get a sense of what they look like from a distance ("the egg shape of the maple tree/the taller oval of the beech…" and up close ("the peeling bark of paper birch/feeds hungry hares that eat their fill"). Evans's intriguing illustrations mix prints, watercolor, and collage, and are tweaked with digital enhancement. The lines are thick but supple, and the boy's red jacket and golden dog enliven the soft colors of the winter landscape. This title won't jump off the shelves, but it will be appreciated by nature lovers and primary classrooms studying trees and seasonal scenery.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 1–4—Gibbons offers myriad facts about corn, from the most basic to the more complex process of how kernels are actually formed. The colorful watercolors are sure to attract the attention of even the most reluctant readers. The author explains the importance of the crop to the ancient Mayans and to the Pilgrims, as well as the many products derived from it today. Various spreads are devoted to types of corn, and to planting, pollinating, and harvesting it. Colorful, often humorous pictures show an assortment of people enjoying corn in its many different forms and the equipment used to produce it. A simple, yet informative and engaging look at an important food source.—Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS

Gr 1–4—This story of the struggle of a polar bear mother and her two cubs to survive introduces both the harsh conditions of the Arctic and the challenges of global warming for polar bears in general. Guiberson uses precise verbs and onomatopoeia to paint a picture of the daily activities of the bears while gracefully weaving in facts about their weight, diet, and climate. Spirin's detailed watercolors are surprisingly varied in depicting an essentially frozen world, using interesting perspectives including a close-up view inside the bears' den and a view of them peering through the ice as witnessed from below. End matter includes a call for action to slow global warming and a list of organizations to contact online. Pair this with Robert E. Wells's Polar Bear, Why Is Your World Melting? (Albert Whitman, 2008) for a science read-aloud session.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Gr 1–2—This muddled rhyming tale aims to help children understand the concept of skip-counting. Miss Emma and Cowboy Kirby each have a herd of cows that fences can't keep apart. In an effort to split the herds and keep them on their respective sides, Cowboy Kirby, using skip-counting (1-3-5; 2-4-6), assigns the even-numbered cows to Emma and takes the odd-numbered cows for himself. As the cows continue their escapes, the two ranchers, trying to figure out the math and cows, meet and begin spending time together. Finally, with evens and odds completely mixed up, the two decide to marry and bring the herds together. While the cartoon art, cute cows, and subplot of the two neighbors finding love are endearing, the math story line (even with the author's note at the end) will be confusing for kids and parents alike.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Gr 3–6—Though coverage of this topic is needed by elementary students, the treatments here are disappointing. Classifying discusses 10 types of maps in 32 pages. History covers the development of maps, and exploration. Reading explains each part of a map and includes instructions for finding the U.S. Capitol on a map of Washington, DC, using the building's coordinates. One of the best features in the latter title is "Wonders of the World"—pictures of some of these famous locations, along with their coordinates. The books are difficult to read. They should entice children to pore over the pages, spending time with the maps. Instead, readers are rushed from one new piece of information to another with little or no summarization, and no completion of concepts. The cartographic reproductions are too small to be of much use, though the accompanying photographs are beautiful. These books may have some use as ready reference tools for information on terms, parts, or types of maps but they are not enjoyable reading.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Gr 2–4—The author of Godspeed, John Glenn (Boyds Mills, 2006) and other accounts of space-program highlights describes the disastrous Apollo 13 mission for younger readers. With a combination of brief overview narrative, more detailed sidebar explanations, and full- or nearly full-spread paintings done in a realistic style, Hilliard covers the basic facts in a systematic way, but he writes in a wooden, matter-of-fact tone that robs the episode of much of its terror and suspense. For example, "Jim's wife, Marilyn, stayed in constant contact with Houston and hoped that, against all odds, her husband would return to her and their children." Similarly, the figures in the paintings are usually in static poses, often seen from the back or with faces in shadow. The important task of making children aware of our achievements in space exploration needs all the help it can get, but is better served by more vivid retellings, such as Ian Graham's You Wouldn't Want to Be on Apollo 13! (Watts, 2003) or Mark Beyer's Crisis in Space: Apollo 13 (Children's Press, 2002).—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 2–5—North America's bears—black, grizzly, and polar—are introduced in this attractive presentation made compelling by Mangelsen's full-color photographic delights. Bear mothers and babies are featured throughout, with a mother with two cubs decorating the endpapers, verso, and title page. Starting with the black bear and moving from close-ups to action shots, the creatures are shown eating, sleeping, sitting, standing, climbing, running, and swimming. Hirschi reveals the differences in each bear's hibernation patterns, habitats, diets, size, and population estimates. These short paragraphs are chock-full of information. Beginning researchers as well as young wildlife enthusiasts will find Our Three Bears well suited to their interests.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Gr 1–5—In this new take on animal adaptation, readers are asked to guess how six different animals might hatch an egg, use a leaf, eat a clam, or dig a hole. They can then turn the page to see how the creatures, ranging from the well-known grizzly bear to the unusual white tent bat, pull off the task. Jenkins and Page have done a remarkable job of selecting animals with unique adaptations and organizing them into categories for the gamelike feel of the book. The explanations in the body of the book and in the more detailed end matter are clear and engaging. Jenkins's beguiling slender loris on the cover, with its torn-paper fur and uncannily realistic eyes, draws readers into a menagerie of detailed paper art. This is good science, organized and illustrated for joyful learning.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Gr 1–5—The "Silly Dilly" duo is back again with an irreverent, entertaining commentary in song about school life. From an ode to the odiferous contents of a smelly locker (sung to "Frère Jacques"), to a selection bemoaning the complexity of math, 14 ditties set to well-known tunes capture the absurd, laughable commonalities of the school experience from a student's point of view. Other subjects include the "Lost and Found," a post-recess visit to the nurse, the horrors of cafeteria lunches, class-picture day, test stress, and "I Don't Want to Do Homework!" (to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"). With exaggerated features and hilarious body language, Catrow's expressive cartoon characters capture the bizarre and ridiculous elements of the text. Imaginative, witty details fill the illustrations: portraits of "ABE" and "GEO W" (that's George Washington) hang on the wall; math problems instead of numbers indicate a clock's time; random art and inexplicable phrases ("3Z–4 Shut the Door") fill chalkboard computations; and anticipated vacation fun abounds at "Camp GonnaKetchaItcheeRash." A few syllables may fit awkwardly with the tunes, but for fans of the other "silly dilly" songbooks or newcomers, this one is sure to please.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

K-Gr 2—In this short picture book about a few episodes in Amelia Earhart's life, readers can see that, even as a child, Earhart always dared to try the things she dreamed about. While growing up in Kansas, she imagined swooping down in a roller coaster from the shed rooftop to the backyard, and despite her cousins' skepticism ("You can't do that, Amelia!"), successfully built a track and cart out of scrap wood and roller-skate wheels. When she was older, she dreamed of flying her own plane and also accomplished this goal, though her family expressed their doubts. In 1929, when she vowed to complete the first Women's Air Derby, reporters laughed at her, but she came in third. Unfortunately, a book that starts out as a promising introduction to Earhart's life ends abruptly with her trans-Atlantic flight in 1932. Despite the author's in-depth research, the story is slight and feels unfinished. Most of the information is relegated to the five pages of background notes, which include a biographical summary, a time line, and sources for further reading. The main narrative does not cover the mystery surrounding the around-the-world flight that marks Earhart's place in history. Attractive because of the colorful pencil and watercolor artwork, yet disappointing for the lack of a substantial text.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Gr 3–6—The text of this book is a renga, a poem in which one author writes one verse (three lines) and another writes the next (two lines), linking the new verse to the previous one in some way. The poets describe with carefully crafted word images the places and people one might see walking down the main street of a small town. The connection between the verses is sometimes obvious and other times obscure. The cadence of the free verse poems feels like a slow amble and adds to the homey effect of the poetry. Realistic watercolors perfectly reflect the easygoing mood of the selections. Lippincott has managed to connect the illustrations in the same way that the authors connect the verses. Readers can find details from previous illustrations in the background of the next picture. In the introduction, Lewis and Janeczko explain the form of the poem and invite youngsters to try writing one with a friend. This lovely book will inspire readers to do just that. Birds on a Wire is more contemplative than this team's Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku (Little, Brown, 2006). It shows the versatility of the authors and is a fine addition to most collections.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-Gr 1—This musical ode to two prized pooches packs a crowd-pleasing wallop of theatricality: "I got two dogs, Fanny and Blue./Bet you kind of wish you had two dogs too.... They're not too smart, but they're loyal and true-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo/Oh there's nothing I'd trade for my Fanny and Blue." Lithgow performs his catchy melody on the accompanying CD, complete with a back-up chorus, trilling flutes, and trumpets. The lyrics are translated clearly onto the book's pages and will send listeners into fits of giggles at each houndlike repetition of the "ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo" refrain. Neubecker's large, vibrant paintings perfectly capture the frenetic world of dog ownership, cheekily depicting a broader appreciation for each creature's personality than the verses alone provide. For example, "I got two dogs, Fanny and Blue./Always go together like a sock and shoe" is paired with a picture that reveals the two mutts using a sock and a shoe as chew toys. The illustration for "I walk 'em in the evening and the morning dew" shows the pups bounding after a very displeased cat with their leashes trailing behind. Sure to entice youngsters, this book will find a welcome home in storytime and circulating collections.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 1–4—Combining whimsical cartoons and striking photographs of animals in the bush, this title is a marvelous intermingling of adventure and science. Riley embarks on a trip with his cousin, aunt, and his Uncle Max, a conservation biologist. They track indigenous animals, learning important conservation lessons along the way. Boxes presenting significant facts about the animals appear next to their photographs. Future expeditions are promised—the story ends with the boy receiving a letter from his Uncle Max, inviting him on another trip. A kid-friendly and expansive Web site provides activities chronicling Riley's adventures. In a crowded field, this is a standout title that will appeal to teachers and students alike.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Gr 3–6—A fascinating episode from Japanese history, related in an oversize picture-book format. In 1841, while 14-year-old Manjiro and four men were fishing, their small boat was destroyed in a storm, and they were cast away on a tiny island for almost six months. Though they survived a drought and an earthquake, they feared for their lives. "For over two and a half centuries Japan had been closed to the outside world. Anyone who tried to return after leaving the country could be put to death." They were finally rescued by a New England whaling ship. At journey's end, Captain Whitfield took Manjiro home to New Bedford, MA. Whitfield married and bought a farm where the boy learned to plant, cultivate, harvest, and ride a horse—a skill reserved for samurai in Japan. Despite increasing homesickness, he attended school and graduated at the top of his class. In 1849, the California gold rush lured him to San Francisco where he collected $600 in gold dust in 70 days. Finally, after a nine-year absence, he headed back to Japan with two of the original castaways. When they arrived, government officials jailed and questioned them for seven months. He told them of America's desire to trade and of railroads, telegraphs, drawbridges, and wristwatches. At last, he became an honored samurai. An author's note gives background on Japan's 250-year isolationist policy and how one curious, determined boy opened the door to the Western world. McCully's realistic watercolors are striking against white backgrounds and show the contrast between traditional Japanese and 19th-century New Englanders as well as the tumultuous seas and perils of a fishing life. An exciting account of a pivotal period in U.S.-Japanese history.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 3–5—Using animal-shaped numbers from 1 to 10 and back again, McLimans introduces various marine creatures and their survival status. An African penguin, sea lamprey, tiger tail sea horse, and blue-ringed octopus are among the featured species. The text boxes accompanying each entry are not offset as distinctly as they were in the author's Gone Wild (Walker, 2006), so viewers are not sure where to look first. The boxes include the class to which each marine animal belongs, its habitat, aquatic region, threats, and status ("vulnerable," "endangered," and "critically endangered"), but the terms are not defined. Between the count up and count down is a spread of "Ocean Facts by the Numbers," which presents various statistics in the power of 10. For example, "Less than 1 percent of water on Earth is freshwater," "Plastic waste kills up to 1 million seabirds every year," and "About 1 billion people live in coastal urban centers, and the resulting overdevelopment threatens almost 50 percent of the world's coastal habitats." The black silhouetted numbers are sinuous and compelling in this unique and imaginative description of the dangers facing ocean life today.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 3–5—Markle's intimate style beckons readers into her text and immediately immerses them in the world of spiderlings. The author defines terminology throughout so there's no stopping to wonder what "ballooning" means or how to pronounce arachnids. The full-color photographs are the work of many photographers and are filled with energy, especially the Jumping Spider captured mid-leap to catch a fly. Every image is a stand-alone work of art that viewers will be enticed to linger over. Although many mother spiders either abandon their eggs or die after producing them, Markle shows and tells about those that guard and protect their young. She introduces about 14 species (of the 30,000 spiders worldwide), but she does it in such vivid detail and with such respect and appreciation that youngsters will feel connected to these spider moms and their babies.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

K-Gr 3—This entry in an ever-expanding alphabet series presents a facet of Jewish tradition for each letter. Large, colorful illustrations are accompanied by short rhymes and prose sidebars with additional information. The rhymes are uneven in quality and do not always scan well. They often require knowledge of Jewish life to be understood. The sidebars provide background and context to fill in these gaps, but even so, the information is limited and broadly simplified, and the book will best be appreciated by those familiar with Judaism. As in many such alphabet books, the facts are somewhat random. The author introduces an assortment of holiday customs, biblical or other famous Jewish figures, and cultural elements like klezmer music. Despite many references to Israel, the book has an American point of view; the letter "U" represents "U.S. of A. where half the world's Jews are living today." The luminous illustrations are the book's best feature. The realistic paintings show expressive individuals often captured in quiet moments of emotion. The modern scenes depict mainstream white American Jews with whom many non-Orthodox readers can identify. This is a solid choice for identity-building and education in Jewish settings, and it could be used to introduce Judaism if interpreted by a knowledgeable facilitator and combined with other titles.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Gr 1–2—These nine tepid verses touch on subjects close to a child's experiences-a wiggly tooth, boredom (which vanishes as soon as mother suggests chores that need doing), an unwelcome visit from an elderly great aunt, a collection of worms in a shoebox, a bathroom invention, dreams of monsters and bedbugs. The gross humor and exaggerated cartoon illustrations are right on target for this audience, who will be motivated to read these simple rhymes spread out on amply illustrated pages.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

K-Gr 2—Nancy is back, and here she encourages her audience to use some "fancy" words. Arranged alphabetically with usually one entry per letter, the terms are introduced. For example, "Fiasco—a big flop, a disaster. I dropped all the parfaits. What a fiasco!" Instead of dogs, Nancy uses "canine" and substitutes "excursion" for trip. Other fun-filled suggestions include "boa," "tiara," and "wardrobe." The energetic, colorful illustrations entice readers to add sparkle to their conversations and writings.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 3—In this retelling of a Grimm tale, the peasant Crayfish and his scrawny young daughter, Maggie, face another supper of watery porridge. The scene contrasts with the smorgasbord being consumed by a doctor to whom they deliver a load of wood. Envious of this lifestyle, Crayfish follows the man's advice to purchase an alphabet book, a suit, and a sign that reads, "Doctor All-Knowing." He and Maggie are soon invited to dinner by an even wealthier man who asks Crayfish to reveal the identity of the thief who had stolen his money. As happens in the mayhem of fairy tales, a parade of guilty servants and a sequence of misinterpreted comments by the clueless Crayfish lead to the recovery of the treasure and just rewards. Boiger's expressive caricatures register a range of emotions from paternal concern to melodramatic groveling. Her carefully designed compositions and varying perspectives cue viewers to subtle meanings, as when father and daughter appear as long, thin shadows in a patch of sunlight near the rotund doctor's bounty. Orgel's balance of descriptive language, humor, and clarity perfectly suits the intended audience. A note explains that she changed the original by replacing the protagonist's wife with a daughter, a wise decision that causes the drama to be more about hunger than money and allows for a food-filled happy ending. Children will revel in this little-known story in which everyone wins.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

PreS-K—This simple, attractive alphabet of action words and pictures depicts children engaged in play and other activities. "Act," "blow," "catch," "dance" are just a few of the featured activities; youngsters also "unite," "view," "whistle," and "mark the spot" (X). The letters appear in both upper- and lowercase. The design is particularly effective. Large, colorful cut-paper collages of multiethnic children feature interesting patterns that stand out against solid backgrounds. Tie-dye-like endpapers are inviting as well. A good choice for the very young.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 3—Large, attention-grabbing watercolor illustrations accurately depict the life of a house sparrow, one of our country's most common nonnative species, including mating, nest-building, and raising chicks. A variety of layouts, from full-page to small vignettes that are still usable with groups of children, makes this a natural for classroom sharing or storytimes. Individual children who spend time one-on-one with the book will discover small dramas at play, such as cats stalking birds and families out for neighborhood walks. The most basic information appears in a large font on the left side of each spread, while other brief, smaller-font paragraphs reveal more specific facts about the creatures' lives, such as how they find food and build nests; thus the reading experience can be tailored to a variety of attention spans. Although this book is a European import, as are house sparrows, the author includes five paragraphs at the book's end about sparrows native to North America. Those who don't mind a bit of anthropomorphizing (a sparrow is scared; fledglings are happy hiding in the bushes) will find this a useful introduction to the annual life cycle of these birds.—Ellen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Gr 3–6—Written in prose as elegant and spare as that of its subject, this distinguished book takes readers from Abe's backwoods boyhood in Kentucky to his first harrowing witnessing of slavery in New Orleans, on to the Illinois legislature and the presidency. Each half-page of generously spaced text appears against a white background. Rappaport's carefully chosen words are both accessible and effective: "The war dragged on./Lincoln grew sadder and sadder/as more men died." Until, "The South finally surrendered./The job of healing the nation began./But Lincoln was not there to help./An assassin's bullet ended his life." Corresponding quotes from Lincoln appear in italics, e.g., "The moment came when I felt that slavery must die that the nation might live!" Handsome, larger-than-life paintings fill the remaining page and a half of each spread with powerful images—of Abe as a strong, lanky youth with a book or oar in hand, then later as a lawyer with unkempt hair, feather pen, and midnight candles burning. Readers see the somber, resigned faces of slaves—young and old—first in chains, then picking cotton under a blazing sun, and later the proud faces of an all-black regiment of the Union Army. From Lincoln's striking countenance on the cover—scruffy dark hair tinged with gray, big ears, bright eyes, and benevolent face, lined with worry and age—to the end, this is one Lincoln book that all libraries will want to have.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 2–4—This charming biography of the creator of Millions of Cats, "the first modern picture book," shows how Gág's family and childhood inspired her lifelong pursuit of art. Born in 1893 to German-speaking parents from Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), she grew up in a small town in Minnesota with her five younger sisters and brother. Nourished on German fairy tales and her artist father's love of painting and drawing, Wanda was determined to honor his dying wish that she attend art school. "She refused to let go of her passion…. Or the responsibility of educating herself and her sisters and brother…." Each page of text is introduced with a quote from the subject's diaries and letters, and faces a white-framed illustration reflecting the Old World charm of her childhood, which comes to life with Ray's evocative paintings. Readers will want to discover or revisit the work of this classic author after reading this loving tribute.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

PreS—This board book introduces babies to body parts, senses, motions, and expressions. The seven spreads each explore one characteristic ("I am a busy baby," "I am an expressive baby") in four to seven lines. Each page of text faces a full-page photograph of a child exemplifying the statement, such as the flexible baby shown touching toes to nose. About half of the babies are photographed in black and white. The one drooling on the cover is especially amusing. Older siblings and babies will enjoy interacting and imitating, but the simple text breaks no new ground. An acceptable selection for libraries with a high demand for baby books or in need of new titles for their board-book collections.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

K-Gr 4—Lively, comical illustrations enhance the abundant droll humor in this noodle-head tale that plays off the Grimm Brothers' "Clever Elsie." It stars twin bear cubs who create one fiasco after another as they try to take care of their family farm while their parents are away. Brother Jonas tells the oxen to plow the field while he sleeps and then chastises them when they just wander around: "'What a mess!' he scolded. 'After lunch, you will have to plow the field all over again!'" When Sister Juniper forgets to close the spout to the cider barrel, she compounds the mess by trying to soak up the cider with flour. A sly fox, a pig with an eye patch, and a raccoon offer to sell Sister Juniper pots and pans, and she tells them to take the money they are owed from its hiding spot because her father told her not to touch the brick under which the money is hidden. When the thieves take all of it, the siblings follow to retrieve the family fortune, resulting in additional mishaps. The expressive, lucent watercolors highlighted with Prismacolor pencils portray the foolish escapades adeptly, and the anthropomorphized animal characters evocatively represent human characteristics and foibles. Although the text is a little lengthy, the waggish humor provides a good opportunity for a dramatic read-aloud.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA

Gr 2–5—Eye-catching, three-dimensional spreads with a smattering of facts introduce six amazing predators. The dramatic pop-ups feature the authors' trademark "swing cards"—elements suspended from the main sculpture that provide a sense of movement and depth. In one scene, a polar bear made from several hanging layers of card stock seems to dance beneath a frozen arch while cubs balance on an undulating ice floe. In another spread, a similarly constructed great white shark lurches out of a grotto with mouth open wide to reveal its gullet as a diver hovers nearby. Unfortunately, the text is occasionally obscured by the movable pieces. A pull-out guide to each animal's hunting style is provided, presenting basic statistics, but no explanation is given for the creature's designated "killer rating" (one to five dots). Brief info about current populations ("Endangered?") is featured, along with a miscellany of other tidbits. Throughout, the tone tends toward the sensational ("like all villains, the crocodile has a faithful friend. The plover bird…."). In the "Spider" entry, the species depicted by the pop-up is not identified, and the text doesn't do justice to the many different ways these animals hunt. The Sundarbans mangrove swamps are mentioned as being famous for man-eating tigers, but most children will not know where the area is located. Still, readers will enjoy the visual fireworks. Additional browsers' fare.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 1–5—Seskin has tapped a mother lode of musical enthusiasm in this book by showing young readers the "how to" necessary to create songs and set them to music. Following 12 excellent examples and step-by-step instructions, readers discover how to put together the parts of a song. Musical terms are defined, song forms are suggested, and a CD of tunes provides sample accompaniment as Seskin backs up his relaxed vocals on guitar and with choruses from various schools. Among the highlights, the echo response in "Good Morning" shouts with energy, while laughter comes across in the words and voices of "My Pets." The author guides students past more difficult intervals and bridges of songs but avoids drowning out the younger voices of his fellow musicians. Environmentally conscious listeners might appreciate the chorus of "Four Rs"—an infectious "green" message, or "Read About It," a selection to touch the heart of any librarian. The breakdown of song parts and explanations for beginners, illustrated by seven notable artists in a range of styles and mediums, make this lesson in creativity an easy pick for all libraries.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Gr 2–5—The epic tale of the Pilgrims' first year at the Plymouth settlement is told in verse. Beginning with the Mayflower's journey across the ocean and concluding with the three-day harvest celebration and feast, the struggles and successes of the year are described. Each good turn of events is commemorated with a "Thanks be to God…" appropriate to the Pilgrims' religious motives. The difficult journey and early loss of lives are mentioned along with the discovery of the cleared Patuxet fields and baskets of corn. Squanto, "this wise, clever man," is given credit for helping the Pilgrims by teaching them the skills they needed to survive. It's during the "Feast the Pilgrims prepared" that some long-standing inaccuracies are most apparent. How the Indians participated in and contributed to the Thanksgiving celebration is reduced to the statement that they "shared in the singing and dancing." This omission flaws an otherwise mostly balanced retelling of one of our country's earliest stories. Richly colored and detailed illustrations match the proportions of the events; however, the mentions of "death and disease" and "days of despair" are not reflected in the pictures. Only one apparently ill man is shown amid a room full of robust women and children preparing a meal of roasted fowl and fresh produce. Kate Waters's Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest Feast (Scholastic, 2001) and Joseph Bruchac's Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving (Harcourt, 2000) are better. Larger collections may have room for Shore's title, too.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Gr 2–5—This book introduces all sorts of dwellings. Some entries will sound familiar—apartment buildings, farmhouses, igloos, the White House. Some will be unfamiliar to most kids—Quonset hut, junk houses. The author obviously had trouble coming up with something for the difficult letters, and it's quite a stretch to call Xinfang and yurts American houses. Done in muted colors, the full-page illustrations show multicultural families in their various homes. Most dwellings are summed up in one page; a few are given a spread, such as "Unique Home." The information is interesting enough, but it's best used as a jumping-off point for further study. Angela Gustafson's Imagine a House (Out of the Box, 2003) covers housing around the world and uses photographs as well as drawings. Strictly additional.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 4—Twenty-nine poems, in the voices of a dozen children who ride the school bus together, depict various activities that take place in and out of the classroom. Bright, cartoon illustrations in acrylics, pastels, and collage capture the youngsters' boundless energy. From a food fight in the cafeteria and its disastrous aftermath—a virtual indoor storm in the lunchroom—to a joyous ode to field day at year's end, these poems resonate with mischievous good cheer. Characters represent a cross-section of race and color. This collection will surely strike a familiar note with young readers.—Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

Gr 1–4—More than 100 years ago, in Louisiana, MO, the Stark brothers were searching for a new fantastic apple to sell. At the same time, hundreds of miles away in Clay County, WV, Anderson Mullins, inspecting his new farm, came across an amazing tree loaded with golden apples; he sent the Starks three of them. From these two events emerges the story of the discovery and successful marketing of the Golden Delicious apple. The narrative is simple and direct, with an occasional flair: "The sun poured down hot as apple butter just out of the kettle. His white shirt stuck to him tighter than the skin on a grape, but he didn't care." From the subtitle, readers might expect a deeper development of that reference to Cinderella, but after an initial comment by Lloyd Stark—"This just might be our Cinderella!"—it is not mentioned again. Kemly's soft pastel illustrations provide interesting historical details, including dress and transportation, and help to move the story along. An author's note gives more background, along with details about the grafting process. Resourceful teachers could easily find history and science connections to this story.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

PreS-Gr 2—As any first grader can attest, the multitude of spellings for similar sounds can be confusing. Traynor conveys this concept through silly rhyming sentences such as "Let me introduce my goose./He loves chocolate mousse/and pineapple juice." Bronfeyn's modern, computer-designed illustrations are as whimsical as the text, featuring diverse children giggling and peeking shyly at the many animals featured. Carrying the zaniness further, the illustrator often juxtaposes gigantic creatures and undersize children, though the effect sometimes borders on randomly combined clip art. Nonetheless, the blending of amusing text and eye-popping colors will appeal. The final pages offer additional examples of rhyming words with varying spellings. Cheese Please will make a lighthearted accompaniment to spelling lessons. Order especially in communities with significant ESL populations or as an additional purchase for larger collections.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

Gr 2–4—Yolen relates both fact and legend in this brief biographical piece about John Chapman, know best as Johnny Appleseed. Against each double-page painting, the text is set in a creamy rectangular box that has the appearance of a frayed-edge leaf torn from an old book. At the top is a rhyming quatrain followed by the refrain, "Johnny, Johnny Appleseed" (e.g., "Learns to write,/Learns to read,/First word he pens/Is apple seed./Johnny, Johnny Appleseed"). Information about Chapman's life appears under the verses; it details his growing desire to travel west, his love of nature, and his interactions with Native Americans and settlers. Tidbits about Chapman, his family, his travels, and the heritage he left are also included. While sources are mentioned for a few of these facts, there are no source notes or acknowledgments for most of the seemingly factual information related here. Burke's thickly painted illustrations in rich hues of greens and browns, blues and yellows range from folk style to several realistic portraits and one lifelike study of an open pair of hands holding apple seeds. An author's note adds some details of legends that spread about Chapman's feats and his unusual lifestyle. Will Moses's Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend (Philomel, 2001), written in the rambling style of an old yarn, is filled with verified factual details of Chapman's life and includes a bibliography. Gwenyth Swain's Johnny Appleseed (Carolrhoda, 2001), written in easy-reader format, includes both a chronology and bibliography.—Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

PreS-Gr 2—Twelve nursery rhyme characters are taken to task in this picture book on decorum. A traditional verse is presented on the left, and the right-hand page questions the action, folding out to reveal a large, colorful spread with a more "polite" scene. "What should Jack have said" when he pulled out that plum with his thumb? "Next time I'll use a fork." Some lessons are silly. For example, the visiting pussycat who frightened the mouse under the queen's chair should have said, "Excuse me, mouse. Don't be scared. I won't hurt you." And when this little pig went to market, the last little pig should have helped carry the packages instead of whining. The color cartoon art contains comical details, but overall the images don't rise above the ordinary. This thin book struggles to serve as an etiquette manual or as comedy.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA