Preschool to Grade 4

Gr 3–6—An unusual picture book, originally published in Iran. A boy who calls himself the Commander plays war in an attempt to come to terms with the death of his mother and the loss of his leg during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. The story, told by the child from the safe haven of his bedroom, describes his imaginary battles with an enemy who has also lost a leg and a mother. The Commander talks to his mother's photo and is upset that his father is planning to remarry soon. Pencil illustrations are on tan backgrounds with few additional colors. The perspective is unusual and disquieting; readers view everything from the point of view of a fly on the wall, and objects and people appear flattened against the floor. Faces are highlighted with a circle of deeper tan and the single light bulb wears a circle of white. Readers are perched above the action and can see toy guns, an ambulance, a tank, a helicopter dropping bombs, and toy soldiers scattered around the bedroom. This book might work in a school setting or with adults to prompt a discussion of the impact of war on innocent children.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 2–4—When timid, unadventurous Paul decides to go to the top of his apartment building to "touch the sky," it's a big deal. On the way he meets his neighbors, worries his parents, and makes a new friend in eccentric Mabel/Molly, who lives in the penthouse apartment and actually helps him touch the sky. Soon he discovers that the moon is a hole in the sky that is full of formerly airborne people and things caught there. It's all whimsical, totally unbelievable, and full of exhortation to live life, ask questions, don't make war, test out theories, be courageous, make friends, and so forth. Full-color and line illustrations lend cozy appeal for those beginning chapter-book readers who can tolerate the thematically overstuffed, disjointed, and arbitrary plot that gains Paul a new member of his family, new friends, and perhaps a new outlook on his sheltered life.—Susan Hepler, formerly at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

PreS-Gr 1—As any library staff member will tell you, there can never be too many princess stories. While this collaboration between Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Hamilton, does not stand out as anything particularly different, it does have enough sparkle to keep young readers interested. Geraldine leads a rather ordinary life, and each page highlights a part of her mundane day. However, in the grand tradition of other literary, bedazzled mini-divas, Geraldine's imagination and love for the color pink brighten the daily grind of being a scab-kneed little girl. Readers will enjoy Geraldine's princess attitude and the vibrant fantasy brought to life through Davenier's ink and colored pencil illustrations. However, for girly girl stories with a bit more attitude, stick with reigning princesses Eloise, Fancy Nancy, and Olivia.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

PreS-Gr 1—The loving Mom and baby from Ashburn and Murphy's Hush, Little Dragon (Abrams, 2008) reenact a variation of another familiar folk song. Well-rhymed quatrains guide readers through a medieval landscape populated with ever-increasing numbers of inhabitants (from one little dragon and two gruff guards all the way up to ten frisky jesters). Suspense builds on each earth-toned page, as mother dragon advises "patience" while child eagerly anticipates the book's culminating surprise: fireworks ignited by the "whoosh" of the dragons' breath. Simple but richly textured oil and acrylic illustrations contain amusing details for observant eyes (the little dragon can be caught peeking inside the castle walls, and an "old wily prisoner" and his "pet rats five" can be spied planning and executing escape from the dungeon). A playful and comforting addition to storytimes.—Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY

Gr 2–4—What a boy imagines while drawing is chronicled through a dialogue with an owl, a pig, and a crocodile, eraser creatures that live atop his colored pencils. The owl is good with words and backward letters. The pig erases everything except animals drawn larger than him. The crocodile is in charge of numbers. When the boy runs out of room after drawing a landscape, the crocodile goes too far, erasing and erasing until the trio lands in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly a wave sweeps the fearful friends onto a desert island, and they are chased by wild animals. The boy crumples and abandons his work, leaving the eraserheads stuck unless they can figure a way to inspire him to persevere and transform the scene into something else. Kulikov, a master of mixed-media illustrations, effectively uses two contrasting tones to create distinct, but juxtaposed worlds: the boy and his eraserheads are layered and densely rendered, while the child's artwork and the background images are lightly sketched and hatched with a watercolor base. This complex tale will intrigue those adventurers ready for a Jumanji-like experience of jumping into the arduous but rewarding creative process of persevering through mistakes.—Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City

PreS-Gr 1—Collages rendered in vibrant hues lead youngsters through a fanciful expedition. The colorful spreads and rhyming text will entertain children as they discover the variety of bears found around the world. Similar to the author's Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere! (Chronicle, 2007), the rhymes include information about the animals ("Black bears doze in snowy winter sleep."). Two concluding spreads contain facts about bears and ursine habitats. ("Grizzly Bear Cubs grow up to be 9 feet tall and 1,000 pounds." "Black bears live in the mountains and woodlands of North America.") In the last one, the color-coded paw prints containing the facts correspond with the different continents on a map. Beginning readers might like to attempt this one on their own.—Melissa Smith, Green Valley Library, Henderson, NV

PreS-K—This book explores one animal pair per spread and features simple rhymes ("Octopus fat, octopus thin. Sea urchin out, sea urchin in"). A few of the comparisons are clunky (snow leopard climb, snow leopard fall), but most do an effective job of showing the differences. The last two spreads answer the question, "…where do all these creatures go?" and provide a simple illustration of their habitats. The text is accompanied by vivid, appealing acrylic drawings surrounded by textured borders, with backgrounds painted in thick strokes. An attractive, useful concept book.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Willow speaks in whispers so low that no one can hear her. She wants to speak louder, but she just can't, so everyone ignores her. Her father tells her that a big voice is stuck inside her, and will one day come out. Then she gets an idea. She makes a magic megaphone from recycled items and presses it to her lips; her voice comes out loud and strong. All day her classmates and teacher hear her and include her in their activities. But at the end of the day, she drops the megaphone and it breaks. Wanting to be heard, she speaks out in her own strong voice. Everyone cheers. Simple cartoon illustrations capture the child's emotions as she struggles to be heard. Crisp lines with added color on a white background provide an overall sense of unity and balance to the story. Limited text and simple sentences, combined with a strong character who solves her own problems, make this a successful selection.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

Pre-K—With her signature starry headband and red boots and cape, Adventure Annie approaches her first day of kindergarten with gusto. In her enthusiasm, she proceeds to break the first two Kindergarten Gold Star Rules—"Respect our classroom and everything in it" and "Make good decisions"-by painting the classroom hamster cage and sneaking out to the jungle gym. She redeems herself, however, when she is asked to find two lost helpers. She keeps her teacher updated on her search with a walkie-talkie and using her inside voice (Gold Star Rule #3). Annie finally finds the missing youngsters with the principal and leads them back to class safely (avoiding the temptation of other adventures along the way), thus fulfilling the final Gold Star Rule: "Be kind and helpful to others." For her efforts, Annie receives the Gold Star Deputy badge for the day. Annie's good intentions, optimism, and curiosity make her a likable character and an excellent one to dispel fears for incoming kindergartners. Rendered in pencil and bright watercolors, the cheerful cartoon art, which occupies most of each page, will delight Annie's fans—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—Rhino has a terrible itch in his ear and no matter what he does, it just won't stop. He seeks aid from a frog, a monkey, and a lizard with no luck. A bird tells him that he could help, but Rhino says his itch is big, and the bird is too small. The bird responds, "I might be small, but I am just right for you." With a hop, skip, and a little peck, the itch is gone. Readers will be delighted to discover what was causing the problem, and they will relate to the theme that, sometimes, smaller is better. Soft, colorful illustrations fill the spreads. The artwork expands the action as it highlights Rhino's search for a cure. Spare text and a simple, direct style make the book suitable as a read-aloud.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS—This short concept book hammers home the message that a child's loved ones will inevitably return. "You go away…and you come back." This point is reiterated over several paired scenes. In each one, frowning youngsters are shown as someone prepares to leave. Next, the same characters are smiling as they are all reunited. This title was originally published in 1976 with different artwork. This version features a diverse cast, depicted in a flat, simple style. An additional title for large collections or where the original is in need of replacement.—Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

PreS-Gr 1—Jaunty in rainbow-plaid pants, Dog discovers ways to compete with each of his friends. However, he quickly learns that although he swims better than Donkey, Goose is the best swimmer, and Donkey wins the height contest. Finally devastated by his inferiority and shamed by the shabby way he's treated his pals, the orange pup apologizes to Ladybug, Mole, Goose, and Donkey. During a group hug, they kindly assure him that he's the best at having "beautiful fluffy ears. And we love you." The story ends with Dog confident that his talent is the most important of all, so, in fact, he is still "the best." As always, Cousins invigorates her cartoons with color and charm. Her splotches and whirls convey depth and movement. The simply drawn characters have a comic flair and, like Ladybug in her tutu, beguile upon first glance. This well-told tale of competitive obsession belongs in all collections.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-Gr 1—This feel-good book shows a preschooler interacting with her pet. It opens with the question: "What's that puppy doing? She's sleeping. Puppies need lots of sleep." The simple sentences are paired with cozy pastel illustrations. The youngster explores the puppy's behavior indoors and out with a special emphasis on play and fun. The story gives young readers a good sense of the responsibility of taking care of a pet.—Katie Cerasale-Messina, AC Whelan Elementary School, Revere, MA

PreS-K—This picture book begins in a small way, in a kitchen, as a mouse taps a cup with a spoon. Turn the page and readers see the mouse hand the spoon to a cat. From there, more and more animals join in and soon a marching band forms and moves outside. The rhythmic text depicts the action in a minimalist style: "A box, a bowl,/A spoon, a stick./Tap! Tap! Clickety-click!" Dynamic watercolors use fluid lines and soft, clear colors to show a large group of animals celebrating sound and motion. This book seems a natural fit for toddler programs and may inspire some families at home as well. Gene Baer's Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat (HarperCollins, 1991) is similar, but Lois Ehlert's illustrations for that book have a very different visual style. Some may like her bright abstract shapes, and others may prefer Rycroft's more traditional artwork. Larger collections may want both.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

PreS—Bunny loves to chew anything—trees, a guitar, vegetables. When eating vegetables, "Bunny chews them all together! Big, big yum! Burp." In the second book, Duck is learning to use his potty chair. "The first time, Duck misses. Quack! The second time, Duck misses. Quack!!" He eventually gets it right. Children may enjoy the gross-out humor and colorful pages, but there is nothing to set these books apart from the many other titles that fill this niche. Barbro Lindgren's Sam's Potty (HarperCollins, 1986) and Sara Anderson's Vegetables (Handprint, 2007) cover these subjects well.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

PreS—"Mama's by you on the bayou,/rocking you to the sounds of the crickets./Chirp, Chirp" begins this lullabye. As the pages turn, various animals are rocking their babies to sleep—each has a special sound that is added to the verse and repeated. At last, after Mother Black Bear plays her fiddle ("Big bash"), the bayou quiets down for the night ("Hush, Hush") and the animals sleep. Imaginative cut-paper and collage illustrations with the stylized figures of animals and swamp flora set against dark blue backgrounds enhance the text and give the book distinction. There is a small glossary at the back with one-sentence definitions of the plants and animals pictured, although nothing is labeled. There are several excellent picture books about the swamps of Louisiana and Florida. Kathi Appelt's Bayou Lullaby (HarperCollins, 1995), Donna M. Bateman's Deep in the Swamp (Charlesbridge, 2007), and Jim Arnosky's Babies in the Bayou (Putnam, 2007) come to mind. If another is needed, this offering will entertain and inform preschoolers.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 1—Each book introduces a student in teacher Alpha Betty's class. Alexander wants to be in the talent show so his friends Anna Anaconda and Albert Alligator help him develop a balancing act. Bobby Baboon is carrying bananas to school for a treat and gets help counting and eating them from Bubba Bear, Barnaby Badger, and Buster Buffalo, after a little bullying. Corky Cub and his friend Connie Cougar always wear matching caps. He is sad when she moves away, but his teacher and parents help him make new friends and new caps. Dilly Dog's dangerous dancing drives everyone away, and on it goes. Each book has lots of alliteration and silliness. Some of the writing is a little forced to incorporate the correct letter. Also, the books are unlikely to develop a following among children because the characters do not continue from book to book. Each one concludes with facts about the featured animal and related activities. Reading all 26 books or doing follow-up with each letter will provide continuity, but also potential boredom.—Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI

Gr 2–4—Lucy is a typical nine-year-old, and her mother, Liz, is a sculptor best known for her quirky ceramic dragons. Their household appears to be an average one, but when they are alone, something magical happens: their dragons come to life. They all have special abilities, and Lucy and Liz call upon their talents when they need help. Liz creates Gruffen to protect Lucy after she sees a "monster" in her bedroom. Unfortunately, he is young and inexperienced, and causes quite a commotion in the process of dealing with the mysterious entity. He is not short on heart, though, and is determined to find a solution that makes everyone happy and safe—even the "monster." Aimed at younger readers than the audience for D'Lacey's "Last Dragon Chronicles" (Scholastic), this is a cozy and safe tale with bits of humor sprinkled throughout. Line drawings add visual interest; their cartoon style also enforces the light, upbeat mood. This is not a story for readers who are looking for adventure and excitement, but it will satisfy those who want a taste of dragon lore.—Amy Holland, Hamlin Public Library, NY

K-Gr 3—The dastardly Captain Purplebeard and his greedy crew are on the track of "…a shipload of treasure!...Diamonds and rubies and gold beyond measure…." They set sail in their ship, The Black Hole, following a mysterious fiddle player (are those strings on his arms and legs?) who has a treasure map. Heedless of the subsequent verses of the fiddler's song, which warn of some sort of monster "pirate cruncher," the motley crew also disregards certain other strange happenings and perseveres to their ultimate end. Their fate is told mostly in rollicking but sometimes uneven rhymed text. The striking illustrations in bold colors are digitally rendered with great effect, delineating each individual pirate and slyly hinting at the surprise that's coming—visual clues that every self-respecting pirate lover will delight in pointing out knowledgeably after the first reading. An amusing book to savor and enjoy.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

PreS-Gr 2—As is often customary, Joshua Jacobs provides his Bar Mitzvah guests with personalized kippot (head coverings) to wear during the prayer service and celebration. His uncle takes his kippah home with him to Los Angeles and wears it on Rosh Hashanah. During the outdoor Tashlich ceremony, a big gust of wind blows the skullcap away and it lands on the head of Benjamin Brody, who takes it home to Australia. As the yarmulke changes heads, it travels to Israel, Paris, Argentina, and Miami, celebrating the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, and Purim, until it coincidentally makes its way back to New York for Passover, where Josh discovers it in a box in the synagogue on Shavuot. While it's fun to read the different inscriptions on the kippot and imagine the stories behind them, Elissa fails to provide readers with anything more than a basic geography lesson and a brief journey through the Jewish calendar. Cheerful watercolor illustrations add energy and enthusiasm, a helpful glossary is appended, the depiction of women wearing kippot is inclusive, and there is a nice message about the oneness of the world Jewish community. However, there isn't much of a story here that will attract readers, especially those outside the Jewish community.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

PreS-Gr 2—In this follow-up to Willoughby & the Lion (HarperCollins, 2009), Foley offers another stunning visual look into a child's imagination. This time, Willoughby struggles to go to sleep because the moon has disappeared and the night is too dark. Perplexed and a bit frightened, he sees a light coming from his closet and, inside, discovers the moon with a giant snail on it, looking for his lost silver ball. The search for the ball leads the duo through all the moon's nooks and crannies and eventually back to the security of Willoughby's own bed. In the tradition of Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955) and Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (1963, both HarperCollins), this story wholeheartedly buys into a child's imagined world as an escape from an uncertain reality. But truly it is the illustrations that shine. The two-tone pictures layer black and silver ink in vibrant Pop-style line drawings over digital prints to transport readers into Willoughby's dark world, where he searches for light. The level of detail in the snail's map of the moon alone sets the book above most of its bedtime-story contemporaries. Foley's latest is a must-have addition to the canon of stories of little boys struggling to go to sleep.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

PreS-Gr 1—A story about celebrating differences and embracing one's uniqueness. A flock of doves has always done things a certain way, from flying to cooing to bathing. When a passenger airplane joins the birds, it disrupts their pattern of behavior with its inability to adapt. Fed up, they ask the plane to leave. However, when an early winter arrives, the plane comes in the nick of time and helps the doves fly south in the comfort of its cabin. Sherbet pinks and oranges meld seamlessly into various shades of blue, and while the renderings of the aircraft bent over worms and curled in trees look stilted, they effectively demonstrate how out of place it is in the world of birds. It is when stretched out, with the birds buckled into their seats, that the vehicle looks happiest. Simple wording in combination with whimsical, '50s cartoon-style illustrations make for an entertaining read-aloud.—Kim T. Ha, Elkridge Branch Library, MD

K-Gr 2—A lighthearted and visually humorous retelling of the Bible story. In this version, the concept of God as a punitive force is discarded; instead the focus is entirely on the people. Their routine lives seem pleasant enough until someone gets bored and ignites a flurry of discussion about the need for something new and unusual to happen. After abandoning a few ideas such as starting a band or searching the Internet ("But the computer hadn't been invented yet"), they decide to construct a tower "that will make us important and powerful!" It is their arrogance that ultimately results in multilingual squabbling. The rhythmical text moves the tale along at an enjoyable pace and creates a sense of fun. Childlike illustrations are painted in flat, bold colors across spreads that contain lots of amusing details, including an adorable white-and-black pup and a green parrot. Multicultural characters take on a comic quality with large round heads, big eyes, triangular bodies, and silly expressions. For collections looking for a fresh version of an old story, this book fits the bill.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 1—The star of this book, a fuzzy white terrier, is the quintessence of dogdom. The title serves as a refrain, and at each repetition children see only the pup against a green background, looking hopeful and appealing as he romps around on his red-and-white gingham leash. The other pages are awash with charming autumnal scenes that depict the heart of a village and all the happy activities the dog envisions himself engaging in: "I need to chase away the neighbor's cat,/send the birds back to their nests,/and keep the squirrels high up in the trees…." This is readers' opportunity to enjoy many aspects of their own world through the safety and enthusiasm of the animal's eyes. Children will appreciate the vitality and diversity in each picture, executed in charcoal on paper with digital collages. They'll see families in the park, stores with friendly proprietors, houses, sidewalks, vehicles, mail carriers, and a spectacular variety of other dogs. The collages contribute a riot of texture and color to each page. This delightful addition will have children voicing a request very much like the pup's: to get out and interact with their communities.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS—These simple retellings of two Old Testament stories and one of Jesus's parables encourage listener participation. Each page has sounds that relate to the narratives. All of the books include animals, a definite draw for the preschool set. Mitchell's simple, colorful illustrations reinforce the texts' cheerful tone, whether recounting how Noah's family rejoiced after the flood or angels joined the celebration over the return of sheep #100. These books would be good choices for church libraries or preschools, and public libraries may also want to add one or more of the titles. Collections may already have several versions of Noah or creation stories but are less likely to own another version of the parable of the lost sheep.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

PreS-Gr 1—Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy. Here, Greene shows a man spending time with his son through all four seasons. They camp, rake leaves, walk in the snow, and fly kites. Although the months are not named, there is a spread for each one. The rhyming and metered text is simple with only one couplet per page, and the poetry flows naturally. The words cross the illustrations in wavy, large-print type that leads the eye from page to page. Both the text and illustrations give a sense of cheerfulness and warmth in the child's suburban neighborhood. Smith adds enough detail to the watercolor and acrylic scenes to make them active and interesting. Tim Warnes's Daddy Hug (HarperCollins, 2008) addresses the same topic through loving animal fathers.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

PreS-Gr 1—This book opens with a mother and daughter planting seeds and ends with the little girl giving her mother a bouquet of flowers from the garden and saying, "Mommy, I love you." In rhymed couplets, the child expresses how important her mother is to her every day and all year round. Realistic, attractive illustrations show the parent and child engaged in many activities, with the mother the center of them. "Mommy is a caterpillar in her snug cocoon./I cuddle up beside her beneath a circle moon." The heartwarming picture shows the woman in a sleeping bag and her daughter snuggled up next to her, looking up at the full moon. This very sweet, rather cloying book feels much like a greeting card.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH

PreS-Gr 1—These easy-to-read stories follow a mouse named Tiberius and his friends. He has adventures with Sneaky Cat, Drag (a friendly red dragon), and Croaky Crow. The plotlines are very simple and familiar to young children and have been done many times in other picture books. Each story begins with Tiberius waking up, starting down the path, and choosing to go right or left at the sign that points in that direction. He can talk with adults and children and seems to be liked by all. The books are illustrated by different artists who have all managed to make the characters look identical. These titles have little to criticize, but, by the same token, have little to recommend them.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

Gr 2–4—In this follow-up to Garmann's Summer (Eerdmans, 2008), a fourth-grade bully dares Garmann to light a match as he stands at the edge of an elderly neighbor's yard. He accidentally drops the match, setting the dry grass ablaze. As Roy flees, the property owner, a foreboding ex-mailman known as the Stamp Man, tells Garmann to run for help. The fire is soon put out and a friendship develops between the boy and the old man, who share a love of wildflowers and numerical trivia. By summer's end, Garmann finds that he is no longer intimidated by the bully. As with the previous book, the lengthy text is illustrated in mixed-media collage, including dried flowers, postmarks, and digitally altered photos. The tiny print and surreal-looking pictures reflect the introspective nature of the text and make this picture book an acquired taste for older readers. Fans of the first book will most likely appreciate this sequel.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2—A zippy rhyming text takes readers from Maine to Hawaii as children celebrate their states by dancing, prancing, wiggling, twisting, shaking, stomping, and swinging. Massachusetts has the Boston Tea Party dance, "Shimmy like a boiling kettle,/whistle for some tea./Make a spout and tip it down/to pour a cup for me." Florida "has got a Latin beat./Miami Mambo is its name,/it'll make you move your feet." The watercolor and line images of jubilant boys and girls enhance the joyful mood of the well-paced text. Fans of Laurie Keller's The Scrambled States of America (Holt, 1998) will delight in this rollicking story, and readers will "jump and jive and jig" along with the children pictured.—Melissa Smith, Green Valley Library, Henderson, NV

Gr 1–3—As the chief apprentice in Mr. Nathanson's Coney Island carousel shop, Feivel lovingly remembers his wife and children in the old country as he designs and carves wooden horses. He creates a glorious horse with a long, golden mane for his wife, Goldie; a proud, regal beast for his eldest son, Hershel; a gentle creature whose bridle is etched with deer for his son Shmuel; a lively and graceful horse adorned with flowers and ribbons for his daughter Sasha; and a beautiful pony ornamented with hundreds of glittering glass jewels for his baby, Lena. By the time the carousel is complete, Fievel has earned enough money to bring his family to America. When they are finally reunited, the happy family rides the carousel together. The historical note details the contributions of eastern European Jewish immigrants, once wood carvers of synagogue arks and Torah scrolls, who used their talent to create magnificent carousel horses enjoyed by generations of children. Watercolor illustrations with ink lines illustrate the immigrant experience on New York's Lower East Side in the late 1800s and help bring to life the magic of Coney Island. Like this team's Mendel's Accordion (Lerner, 2007), this story celebrates the richness of the Jewish American experience.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

PreS-Gr 1—Mick, Mack, and Molly, three squirrel siblings introduced in Hooray for Spring! and Hooray for Snow! (both NorthSouth, 2009), get caught in a thunderstorm. They take refuge in a small cave where they meet a rabbit and two mice, also riding out the inclement weather. When the rain stops, they all run out to play together, declaring that they are the "Summer Storm Friends." There's really not enough interaction among the characters to show the developing friendship. Also, the title and cover art fail to hint at the main focus of the story: the storm. Cover-art issue aside, the illustrations are the best part of the book. The animals' faces are expressive, and the colors go from bright to muted to dark as the storm approaches. Yellow highlights the dark as lightning crashes and rain streaks down the pages in white stripes. A solid addition, especially where the first two books are popular.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Gr 2–4—With the enigmatic work of M.C. Escher as his inspiration, Johnson puts brush to paper to imagine a startling world that changes on every page. A grand Palazzo is under construction, and young Mauk, restricted to sharpening the Master's pencils, has mischievously shifted the building drawings. As a result, carpenters now stand on their heads, painters hang from the ceiling, and fountains spray down instead of up. With everything in disarray, Mauk races through the now-distorted Palazzo with the Master in close pursuit. Viewers can track his adventure through the running text at page bottom, which, with the help of an arrow, directs them, at the final page, to turn the book around. The story then continues with, of course, an appropriate shift in perspective, and readers soon find themselves back at the beginning—or are they at the end? Children will delight in discovering Mauk in a variety of places and poses and will be intrigued with the inverted architectural details that Johnson supplies. With the help of brown-and-white multishaded drawings, the illustrator provides a never-ending loop of clever optical trickery. This is a great opportunity to introduce Escher (short biography appended) and to connect the story to some of Mitsumasa Anno's puzzle books as well as to David Macaulay's Black and White (Houghton, 1990).—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

PreS-K—Children can count from 1 to 10 by viewing the antics of zoo animals. The author uses a multitude of words that rhyme with zoo (flew, kangaroo, gnu, stew) to describe the secret nighttime activities of these familiar creatures. However, this constant rhyme begins to sound silly and tedious. "Four bears cooked a squid and squidgeberry stew/Which turned five flamingos/from pink to blue." The culminating spread shows all of the animals grouped by their respective number for a final counting exercise. Pale pastel-colored pencil artwork looks washed out despite the action-filled poses. The text font is large, and words are simple enough for beginning readers. This is merely supplemental to the many outstanding counting books that are currently available.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

K-Gr 3—This book expertly combines a comic, rhyming text with hilarious cartoon illustrations to create a completely enjoyable romp. Poor Dad is no match for clever Mom, a cat lover who manages to finagle not one, not two, not three, but FOUR cats into the household. One by one she brings them home and uses guile to convince her husband to keep them, just for a while. Each time he objects with a long-winded diatribe about why the cat can't stay, and still she finds a way to tug at his conscience. ("'You're right again,' Mom said to Dad, 'and I won't cry or get too sad, just thinking of this little cat and how a car might squish her flat.'") Of course, the kids get into the act, putting on their cute little pouty faces that silently beg "pleeeease." The text reads smoothly throughout and is peppered with wonderfully expressive words such as "Vamoose!" and "scourge." Still, the book wouldn't be as good without the large cartoon watercolor and ink illustrations that simply beg to be pored over for every comical detail. Of particular note are Dad's priceless facial expressions that transform from stern to defeated in a few short steps. With a repetitive refrain that makes for a great read-aloud, this book is the cat's meow for children young and old.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-Gr 2—When Duck awakens to the sound of "pshh pshh!" coming from under her bed, she is too afraid to look. She calls from her window to Pig and tells him about the scary "pshh pshh, grrr!" sound. The porker goes to fetch Bear, who is strong, and tells of the sound. Soon Wolf and clever Owl are added to the group, and the noise has gotten much longer and more menacing. Owl declares Duck in danger, and Pig is convinced that only a monster would make such a sound. Once monster-catching tools have been gathered, the group makes its way to Duck's bed, where they discover a tiny mouse snoring underneath. They all giggle as Owl announces that they've "made a monster out of a mouse!" Landa's suspenseful (but not too scary) text is fun to read, especially the alarming sounds, which are set in large type and a multitude of fonts. Warnes's illustrations bring the text to life with apt expressions and a sense of urgency. As the story progresses, the artist subtly tracks the passage of time with the rising of the sun—a nice touch. Great for reading out loud.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

PreS-Gr 2—Carlota, an orphan who looks to be about five or six, dreams of being adopted by "the best family in the world." Her fantasies are wistful, even outlandish, but believable for a child this age. She longs to "live in a pastry shop," or with a family of pirates, or circus performers, or even astronauts. Soon, she meets her adoptive family, a sweet, but rather typical-looking group. Here López and Wensell display their flair for conveying the essence of how a child's mind can work. Although Carlota's adoptive father is an insurance agent, not a pirate, "he loves digging for buried treasure in the vacant lot next door." Her mother, not a baker but a postal worker, sometimes brings her "a pastry for an afternoon snack." Carlota is pictured sprawling on a coach, her head on her mother's lap, munching on a treat. Her brother is a stand-in for astronauts when he decorates her ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars. The illustrations feature vibrant color and capture Carlota's whimsical musings as well as her eventual joyful embrace of her new, loving relatives. Unlike numerous adoption stories that focus attention on the adoptive family's anticipation, this one explores the inner life of a child waiting to be adopted. The ending shows a very contented Carlota whose dreams have come true in a circuitous, but oh-so-satisfying, way.—Deborah Vose, East Middle School and South Middle School, Braintree, MA

K-Gr 3—Highly imaginative Ruby wants to play with Mattoo, her "shy" cat, who shuns her attempts at entertainment. As the child crashes and clangs pots and pans, or jumps up and down on her bed (with the napping feline under the covers), or wraps Mattoo up in a blanket for a rocket-ship ride, readers will understand his "shyness." He even eschews her invitation to share her special chocolate sundae and triple-decker jelly sandwiches. But Ruby's friend Clemente is always happy to play, and they ride their "jet-propelled scooters" into the deepest jungle. As huge creatures surround them, they decide to sit quietly and, sure enough, the fiercest, furriest creature of all appears. This clever, unique tale illustrates how "play" can be fun for humans but not so great for pets. Ruby is delightful, full of creativity and imagination. The use of acrylic ink and collage makes for stunning illustrations, combining remarkable pen-and-ink backgrounds with colorful renderings of the children, and the depiction of Mattoo is charming. This is a great read-aloud, but independent readers will enjoy the detail in the art.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

Gr 2–4—With its appealing illustrations and clever premise, this book puts a different twist on the notion of job hunting. When a classified ad appears in the newspaper for "a good-looking adult" wolf, Manny Wolf—a human—applies for the position. Many applicants respond to the ad, and Manny is hired to read through their letters and to reply. Thus begins his correspondence with famous and infamous wolves from folktales, myths, and fairy tales such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three Little Pigs," "Peter and the Wolf," and even the female that raised Romulus and Remus. The illustrator depicts letters from those characters and Manny's written responses; the narrator then explains in which stories the wolves appear. It turns out that the original newspaper ad wasn't explicit enough. What was needed was "an animal who can't read and doesn't appear in a book," so that a documentary about endangered species can be compiled. The story ends with a spread of information on "Wolves and Their Relatives" and a map of the world showing the animals' range. The accomplished illustrations are entertaining and full of energy and differing perspectives. Older children familiar with the tales and able to handle the lengthy text will enjoy the book, and teachers might find it useful for creative-writing classes.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2—In Best Season Ever, Katie, Pedro, and JoJo debate the merits of the seasons, comparing blooming tulips and puddles to sledding and hot chocolate. They share differences of opinion and learn to accept each others' views. Katie decides, "All of the seasons are fun when I'm with you." In Kitchen, Katie decides to help prepare dinner when her mom visits a sick neighbor and her dad is busy working on his car, with humorous and messy results. Katie's activities will provide opportunities for readers to discuss manners and safety issues within the context of common activities. These books have three short chapters with a large font, plenty of brightly colored picture cues, a suggested activity, discussion questions, and writing prompts. Early readers will enjoy Katie's antics.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

PreS-Gr 2—In this nearly wordless book, one flea leaves a silver arc as it leaps to the watering trough in an empty barnyard at sunrise. Then two cows drink as the flea leaps twice. As the day progresses, each full-color spread shows more animals gathering around the watering trough—three horses, four goats, five sheep, six pigs, and seven bunnies. All of them are black and white with touches of gray or taupe. Eight geese, nine chickens, ten mice, eleven flies, and twelve bats crowd the spreads in turn, interacting with each other and shifting positions with puzzlelike complexity. At sunset a skunk—clearly one too many—comes for a drink and sprays the others, emptying the barnyard. Marino's naturalistic illustrations are done in gouache in this remarkable counting book. On the final spread, the artist challenges youngsters to find the pig whose ears are nibbled, the animals with their eyes closed, and the total number of animals on each spread. Young readers will find much to discover as they revisit the book time after time.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

K-Gr 2—Mayer investigates force and motion in everyday activities. In a rhyming narration, a boy records his observations on gravity and inertia as he plays ball, helps his parents to landscape, and rides a bike uphill. Obviously named for the noted scientist, hound Newton looks on. The child wears a T-shirt with an apple and a formula for one of Newton's Laws. The book concludes with a series of follow-up questions and a simple restatement of Newton's first two laws of motion. This plotless book may fill a slot for an introduction to physics. Rogers's cartoons are cheerfully suburban; even the pets seem to smile.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

K-Gr 2—This is a charming counting book, replete with lilting text and exquisite illustrations. Beginning at dawn with one cockerel, the narration moves through the day and into the evening, counting birds from 1 to 20, and ending with a solitary barn owl slipping into the night while everyone sleeps. The text, which is composed in couplets, counts birds both inside and outside a stately country house. The narrative has a decidedly British flavor, referring to the avian pattern on the crockery for afternoon tea and brown wrens hiding in the garden shrubbery. Each description cleverly captures the character of the different birds, some commonplace, like ducks and pigeons, and others more exotic, lovebirds and peacocks. "Nineteen black rooks flock in tumbling flight, returning to roost in the darkening night." In her bright and cheerful illustrations, Melvin employs geometric designs and patterns that bring to mind the warmth and comfort of a favorite quilt. Comparable to Tasha Tudor's 1 Is One (S & S, 1988) in its quiet elegance, this beautiful counting book may be paired with Doreen Cronin's humorous Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: A Counting Adventure (S & S, 2006).—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS—Mother, Baby, and teddy bear go out for a stroll along the boardwalk one summer day. When the bear falls out of the buggy and is lost, in plain sight, he has numerous adventures before being reunited with the child. The fuzzy stuffed animal travels by dog, wave, fishing net, seal, and pelican before landing in a woman's backyard and being hung on the line to dry, right in the path of the mother and her son. Told in rhyming couplets, this story is similar to Sarah Hayes's This Is the Bear (Candlewick, 1999). Words are almost unnecessary as the pencil and watercolor illustrations, in appealing beach tones of blue, brown, and tan, tell the story of the lost, bewildered-looking bear and his surprising journey. Readers can spot a small red crab that takes part in the escapade and scuttles away only when bear and baby are reunited. A sweet story that will capture the imaginations of young children.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

K-Gr 2—A guinea pig loves dandelions, just like everyone else in his town. The plants are eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all snacks in between until they slowly disappear. Then everyone is forced to eat chewy cabbage. Luckily Nibbles discovers a lone dandelion survivor growing under his bedroom window. With great patience and the help of a library book, he cares for his secret treasure until it has a full head of billowy white seeds. Then, from the top of Daisy Chain Hill, he blows the precious seeds all over Dandeville, which is soon awash in tasty treats again. Now Nibbles has two hobbies, soccer and growing dandelions in lovely raised beds. Middleton's tale of overconsuming and scarcity is direct but not preachy. Using a bold font for emphasis, the text is simple and age appropriate, but the mixed-media illustrations steal the show. A photo of a cabbage is combined with drawn elements such as insects. The library scene is full of humorous book titles that will elicit chuckles from young and old. Every page features something that draws the eye in for a closer look. A great tie-in with gardening or plant conservation, or just an enjoyable read.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Gr 1 Up—This picture book's spirit is similar to that of Dr. Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Random, 1990), but it celebrates growing up by looking back. "You've made us all proud/By who you've become./And we'd like to review/How you did what you've done." Readers are taken on a tour of the steps children take as they learn about themselves and the world around them by tasting, touching, falling down, and getting up. Comical cartoon illustrations bring humor to the enthusiastic text: "You knew how to listen when anyone spoke" shows a child engaged with a classroom speaker while everyone else, including the teacher, has fallen asleep. No one will see themselves in all of the pages, but some will ring true for everyone. An additional title that will be most successful as a gift book for kids passing important life milestones.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

PreS-Gr 2—A heartwarming book that reassures mothers that sometimes their children really do appreciate them. Each spread shows a woman and her daughter engaging in their daily activities. From hair combing to breakfast making to gardening and snuggling, nobody does it "just like Mama." The rhyming text is full of figurative language and charming details and is fluid when read aloud. The mother and daughter are definitely girly girls with a penchant for pink, flowers, and tea parties. The illustrations, with pastel-colored backgrounds, gardens, and lots of detail, highlight the cozy parent-child relationship. This title is definitely a great gift book, and it will circulate in public libraries as well. Mothers who read it will feel celebrated for all the things they do.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

Gr 2–3—Down Girl and Sit, two dogs, visit a dude ranch with their owners. Since the story is narrated by Down Girl, readers learn little about what the humans do on their vacation, but they will happily follow as the city pups meet Git Along, the ranch dog, and go on a series of adventures. They meet barking squirrels (prairie dogs), ugly dogs (coyotes), and get lost in the desert. They enjoy running free with no fences, but then realize that this could be a problem. This small-format chapter book has black-and-white drawings on most pages. It has a lot text but plenty of child appeal. It will charm youngsters who are ready for books with real plots and long sentences. It is the perfect next step for readers who have outgrown easy-to-reads.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

Gr 3–4—In this sequel to Sunny Holiday (Scholastic, 2009), the strong, upbeat fourth grader continues to promote the idea of a Kid's Day, speak her mind, and solve her own problems. Sunny is optimistic even though her father is in jail, her mother loses her job, and her favorite teacher is removed from the classroom. She shows the mayor and superintendent of schools what can be accomplished when someone believes in you and her class scores among the smartest fourth graders in the state. Her teacher and her mother encourage her and, even though trouble comes when Sunny hits a girl for calling her home the ghetto, her mother assures her that "one bad mistake does not make a good person bad." This engaging, simply written story will appeal to beginning chapter-book readers and reluctant readers. It gives children an opportunity to experience empathy, and they will recognize the power of positive thinking as a major theme.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

PreS-Gr 2—Petra is afraid of the dark and convinced that a lurking monster will eat her and the rest of her family. While her parents placate her, her siblings devise a plan. They bake cookies, set the table, and leave a friendly note for any monster that might come by. What they discover that night is sufficient to soothe the puppy, and she can sleep. Readers can determine for themselves whether or not a monster was ever really in the house, but the end result is clear—Petra is no longer scared. While the support and assistance of her siblings cannot be undervalued, Petra herself takes the first brave step toward confronting her monster. Although her distress is clearly portrayed through the acrylic illustrations, the book is neither spooky nor scary. White space is replaced by black, with the colorful, pajama-clad puppies investigating darkened rooms and midnight corners against the inky backdrop. While the situation is specific to a fear of the dark, this book is suitable for children who need encouragement in the face of any fear.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

K-Gr 3—Magnus Maximus measures and counts everything from houses to people to spots on dogs and even the stinkiest socks. When his self-designed job leads him to measure an escaped circus lion, resulting in his saving the town, the people honor him with a statue. (Even the queen came!) The elderly man then takes his measuring to a new level. He works so hard that he falls asleep before he can count his blessings. It's not until he steps on his glasses that he takes a break and discovers some of the simple pleasures in life. Children will enjoy the humor in this eccentric's ever-increasing obsession. Fine ink lines and muted watercolors fill the illustrations with small details, add humor, and complete the story. The art firmly places it in the Victorian era, a time of scientific exploration. The style perfectly captures the focus of the marvelous measurer and his scientific obsession.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 2–4—Young Jean is the only one who can see the gnomelike creature who is making mischief throughout his Gypsy family's encampment. "A Django. It's like a thing. A sort of it. A kind of cozzler that always seems to find trouble." The creature spooks the horse pulling the caravan, causes Jean to call people horrible names, and destroys father's banjo. The child is blamed for all of the Django's misdeeds, and he angrily banishes the troublemaker. One uneventful week later, Jean's father presents the boy with a banjo of his very own. Jean regrets shouting at the Django, but as he plucks at the banjo strings, he begins to feel better. An author's note explains that this story was inspired by the childhood of famous jazz musician Django Reinhardt; it goes on to relate a little more information about his life and career. Lush watercolor paintings with stylish details make this a visually stunning picture book. The story, however, doesn't come together: sad-faced Jean is a pensive waif, but it's hard to comprehend his affection toward the sinister-looking Django with its toothy grin. There seems to be a connection between it and Jean's latent musical talent, but this needs to be clarified. The language is piquant but uneven, and this gorgeous-looking tale falls flat.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

PreS-Gr 2—With broad strokes and witty slapdashery, Proimos's light cartoon art and plotline carry some weighty themes. Readers are introduced to diminutive, cheerful Todd, his too-busy-for-quality-time parents, and his increasingly nurturing television set. "Todd loved his parents. But he had grown much closer to his TV." Only a few pages in, some adult readers will be shifting uncomfortably. The spread featuring Todd, his eyes unnaturally large and glazed over on one side, and the huge TV facing him on the other, won't ease their discomfort a whit. At this point, the author jumps into a hilariously exaggerated focal plot that manages to ease the tension and intensify the message. It all starts when neither parent is available to attend Todd's parent-teacher conference—and the TV volunteers. Amusing cartoon drawings in shades of gray, black, and persimmony-red against a white background and a satiric twist at the story's end further enhance this funny-scary cautionary tale. It's a hoot.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

PreS—A hungry fox decides that he is too clever for school; instead, he is going to catch a hen and make chicken fricassee. He goes to the henhouse where he demands a chicken. The hens invite him in and politely tell him that they all have colds, and that they will contact him when they get better. The fox visits every night for a week, but the hens, wrapped up in their warm and colorful mufflers and sneezing on him, say they are still sick. Weak from hunger, he tries to catch mice and rabbits, but he is too slow. Then he sees a sleeping hunter with a sausage sandwich. He snatches it but wakes the hunter and has to run for it. Back at home, he eats the sandwich and thinks he is so clever and decides to get the chickens the next day. By then, the hens are shown taking off, suitcases in hand and pulling little strollers holding their eggs. The story is told from the fox's point of view, but the bright cartoon illustrations show the hens whitewashing every page. The humor will appeal to crafty chickens and clever children.—Samantha Larsen Hastings, West Jordan Public Library, UT

K-Gr 2—Jacob wants a pet more than anything. After his requests for a dog or cat are refused (Dad doesn't want fleas and cats make Mom sneeze), he suggests more exotic animals like an iguana, walrus, or emu. For each pet, the boy outlines the advantages of adopting one. An emu "is said to be quite an affectionate bird, and although it is tall and needs quite a large nest, it keeps to itself and is never a pest." Perhaps in an effort to discourage him, his parents suggest that Jacob start a pet-sitting business, a rather illogical solution. He puts up a big sign in the yard and soon the house is overrun by dogs, cats, donkeys, rabbits, and even a zebra and a snake. The young animal lover soon realizes how much work caring for pets can be. After two chaotic weeks, the critters go home and Jacob discovers a lovable snail, which turns out to be the perfect pet for him. The bright illustrations add humor to the madcap story, and the artist deftly captures the unique personalities of the individual animals. When a sweating Jacob takes all of the pets for "a marathon run," he struggles to hang onto countless leashes as the dogs, cats, livestock, and rodents race down the road and a harnessed sheep pulls the snake in its aquarium. Barbro Lindgren's Julia Wants a Pet (R&S Bks., 2003) is a more convincing treatment of this popular theme.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 1—Through soft illustrations rendered in pen and watercolor, this simple story offers a helpful message: a bully loses his power when surrounded by friends who rally together. When a girl and her mother leave the house, three toys—a doll named Sally, a duck named Maddy, and a Pig named Sid—must endure name-calling and bossiness from a toy soldier throughout the day. Soon the friends learn that if they can laugh at one another, A-One's message no longer hurts them; in fact, he learns that even he may need friends.—Melissa Smith, Green Valley Library, Henderson, NV

PreS-K—Young George wakes up early one morning while his parents are asleep. His imaginary companion, Nobody, is there to keep him company and inspires plenty of mischief. George decides to create omelets using lots of ingredients, just like Dad does. Into the bowl go eggs (bits of shell included), grapes, corn chips, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, strawberries, and dog biscuits. Thankfully, George remembers he's not allowed to turn on the stove with Nobody around, and without parental supervision. After losing a game of Go Fish to Nobody, he ups the stakes with a new challenge that requires lines of ketchup to be drawn on the kitchen floor. Finally, mom and dad arrive at the kitchen; instead of losing their cool, understanding and love prevail. George fesses up to his parents about Nobody, creating a story arc with depth. Color pops off the page with playful illustrations done in watercolor, colored pencil, pastels, and china marker. Downing cleverly contrasts Nobody in black and white. The visual impact is strong but simple and underscores the tightly written text, and the facial expressions are priceless. Perspective is creatively used, particularly in a spread where George and Nobody are exploring the contents of the refrigerator. Kids and their parents will love this one.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

PreS-Gr 1—Leo's mom knows the extent of her son's fascination with trucks. He's driven them up and down her legs, lost one in her oatmeal, and used another to pour syrup on his pancakes. When they go outside to explore the neighborhood, he ignores everything but the trucks, and when she surprises him with a new cat, he exclaims, "This is not a fire truck!" The plump tabby will not be pushed away, though; she finds ways to interact with Leo and his trucks. With a cat like Lola in his life, the child eventually finds different uses for his toys and more time to spend with a new friend. This book is sure to be a hit at storytime. The colorful art is hilarious and full of the details in a child's everyday life. It's is fun from cover to cover, and the text allows readers to make themselves as loud as the trucks and as animated as Leo.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

K-Gr 1—Mars Mouse rockets to the cheesy Moon to consume it. As punishment for this offense, the Man in the Moon, an elf, charges the now-stout mouse with rebuilding the orb into a crescent. The pair decides to maintain this symbiotic relationship for all time, with Mars Mouse munching to the appropriate phase as needed. Large-type, rhymed text faces spare cartoon scenes of space. The lunar yellow glow dominates the palette. Choppy rhyme ("chore" and "gnaw") and awkward syntax ("And hungry Mars Mouse did get to Moon House") work at odds with the stated intent of using rhythm and rhyme to expand literacy skills. Penelope Pirate's pet Polly refuses to speak, despite her owner's attempts to coach alliterative phrases for letters A through L. Simple cartoon sea scenes face pages of large-type text as the crew speculates possible ailments. "Polly's gone gaga. This goose has got goofy goon-itis!" Due to growing confusion via the text's forced alliteration, it's not likely that listeners will maintain interest through the tale's end, to learn that Polly has laryngitis. The title's irony is likely to be lost on children. Both volumes include a three-book list for further reading; all of the titles suggested are superior to these offerings.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS-K—Five family members take turns spending a busy day with toddler Baby Bear and then tuck him in for the night by reading him one of his favorite books. They make notes in a diary to commemorate what they did with the little cub: he watched butterflies with Momma, gardened with Daddy, chased crabs with Brother, went to the aquarium with Aunt Grace, and did magic tricks with Uncle Roy. All of them love Baby Bear "more than they love honey oatmeal raisin cookies," a statement repeated throughout. This cozy day-in-the life flows well with Weidner's watercolor and colored-pencil pictures of these anthropomorphic brown bears. The pastel palette and simple details, like a hovering butterfly, are pretty and soothing. A recipe for the "Beary Special Honey Oatmeal Raisin Cookies" ends the story sweetly, in every sense of the word.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

PreS—The endpapers of this book look like a patchwork quilt, and on one of the front squares is a quote that underlines the essential message: "A house is made of boards and beams. A home is made of love and dreams." Four animal friends live together happily until the day they all decide to change their lives: One wants them to go to sea as pirates, Two thinks they should climb a mountain and yodel, Three wishes to live in a cave, and Four feels they should go to the big city. Since they can't agree, they go their separate ways, and each one takes a part of their house, leaving only the roof. Of course, nothing is as much fun without friends. All of them return to make up and build their house anew—with one major addition: wheels on the bottom so they can go exploring together. One back endpaper square reads: "Home is where the heart is." Colorful cartoon illustrations in light bright colors fill the oversize pages with many small details—flowers, bugs, and trees are everywhere, offering delight to both lap-sitters or storytime groups. Slight but pleasant.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

K-Gr 2—Amos McGee, an elderly man who works at the zoo, finds time each day for five special friends. With empathy and understanding he gives the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl the attention they need. One morning, Amos wakes up with a bad cold and stays home in bed. His friends wait patiently and then leave the zoo to visit him. Their trip mirrors his daily bus ride to the zoo and spans three nearly wordless spreads. Amos, sitting up in bed, clasps his hands in delight when his friends arrive. The elephant plays chess with him, and the tortoise plays hide-and-seek. The penguin keeps Amos's feet warm, while the rhinoceros offers a handkerchief when Amos sneezes. They all share a pot of tea. Then the owl, knowing that Amos is afraid of the dark, reads a bedtime story as the other animals listen. They all sleep in Amos's room the rest of the night. The artwork in this quiet tale of good deeds rewarded uses woodblock-printing techniques, soft flat colors, and occasional bits of red. Illustrations are positioned on the white space to move the tale along and underscore the bonds of friendship and loyalty. Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

PreS-Gr 2—This entertaining Seuss-style story will have dinosaur enthusiasts clamoring for more. Charming cartoon illustrations provide an amusing complement to the rhyming text. A boy looks around his home and travels around his community in search of his large, green "he likes to roar" dinosaur. The frontispiece shows a silhouette of the boy with the dinosaur tiptoeing behind him; it will get readers hooked from the start. Even the title page contributes to the story. A great hide-and-seek adventure for beginning readers.—Melissa Smith, Green Valley Library, Henderson, NV

PreS-K—In this Israeli import, little Yael looks through the railings of her second-story terrace to observe life on the street. Every time an animal, vehicle, or person approaches, she wonders who is coming. As each one passes by, she hears the sound it makes—the dog barking, the car honking its horn, the bicycle bell ringing, etc.—and then speculates about where it is going as it leaves. Finally, someone comes by that she recognizes. It's her daddy, who waves at her and takes her for a walk. The simple, repetitive language reflects a preschooler's curiosity about the world, and the question-and-answer format invites interaction between readers and listeners. Full spreads alternate between Yael looking down from her balcony and thick-lined close-up illustrations of what she sees. The signs above the neighboring shops are in Hebrew, but this everyday scene could be happening anywhere. A pleasant additional purchase.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-K—Jack, the almost-six-year-old featured in Almost (HarperCollins, 2009), asks the timeless question again and again: "Why do they put holes in the crackers? Why doesn't hair hurt when you cut it? Why are there so many numbers?" The sweet, colorful pictures show a good-natured boy with a wide, cartoony face. Torrey expertly uses perspectives, shapes, details, facial expressions, and postures to extract the maximum impact from each page. Readers will laugh aloud at bonuses like the Quacker Oats container, showing a duck in a Quaker-style hat, as Jack asks, "Why does all the good-for-you food taste bad?" But there are also more personal inquiries. "Why do I have to take a bath?" he demands, as his mother wrestles his shirt off. "Why can't we read just one more book?" he begs his father, who is fast asleep, surrounded by an absurdly large pile of "Ducky Dave" books. He desperately asks his brother, "Why can't I come in?" and "Why can't I play with you?" Why? gently and humorously explores a child's daily encounters with this world of wonders, and even suggests a loving answer to the endless question.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Gr 3–5—Scab McNally is back in this laugh-out-loud volume. With high energy and ingenious ideas, the 10-year-old skates (just barely!) through one sticky situation after another. The plot focuses on a dinosaurlike creature he spots while fishing with his buddies, but nonstop goofiness, plot-related or not, is the real draw here. Cartoon drawings and plenty of sidebars full of Scab's secrets, tips, and other hilarious insider information break up the text. A solid step up from Captain Underpants.—Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

PreS-Gr 1—Max the duck, star of Duck at the Door (2007), Duck Soup (2008), and Duck and Cover (2009, all HarperCollins), is babysitting for an energetic puppy. Anabel's antics are perfectly captured in Urbanovic's chaotically charming cartoons depicting her playing dress up, toilet-papering her Uncle Brody, or playing ball indoors. But when she gets stuck in a tree, it's up to the frazzled duck to find a solution. The story is slight, though comic; it's the bold, funny artwork that really shines here.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 2–4—Honest and full of heart, Justin Case is a story for an oft-ignored segment of kids: the sensitive, introverted, and observant. Those youngsters will see themselves in third grader Justin Krzeszewski, a full-blown worrywart with good intentions. He wants to be a good student. He wants to make friends. It's just that sometimes things don't work out, often with humorous results. Through his journal entries during the course of the year, readers see his changing friendships, embarrassments, a "be careful what you wish for" new pet, and the dreaded gym-class rope. His voice is authentic, and touches of playdates and "screen time" will ring true with today's youngsters. The format will remind many readers of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Abrams), but with fewer illustrations and a more reflective tone than Jeff Kinney's series. Cordell's intermittent doodles pair nicely with the personal quality of the text. Readers who are looking for plot-driven excitement will have to look elsewhere. Justin Case is about the feelings that kids experience as they navigate the roller coaster of family and school life. This is subtly satisfying storytelling. No miraculous character overhauls—just a boy growing up and, hopefully, becoming a bit braver.—Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

PreS-K—"Most critters are quite tidy:/a clean and pleasant lot./But now and then you'll meet a few/young beasties who are not." So begins this humorous guide that addresses checking one's zipper, washing hands with soap, lifting the toilet seat, and remembering to flush. All of these rules are taught in a preschool setting, with animal characters. The rhyming text is humorous without being silly, and gives some important instruction. At the end of each description of a given problem, there is a reminder of the correct behavior in a larger font ("Stanley, use the toilet!"). There isn't really a gross-out factor with this book—all of the behaviors and descriptions are appropriate for the audience. The funny situations will make for uproarious reading. The animal characters are endearing and friendly, with slightly exaggerated tails, ears, and noses. Potty Animals is a practical yet fun addition.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ

PreS-Gr 1—This third "Bear with Sticky Paws" book lacks focus. Lily won't go to bed and insists that it's still time to play. It's only after a small white bear shows up at the door with a suitcase and flies her off to an island party with grass skirts and sticky treats that Lily is worn out enough to admit defeat to sleep. The dialogue is stilted, and with a counting section stuck in the middle of the narrative, it feels more like the confused imaginings of a dream rather than a cohesive story. Is it a counting book? A tale of two friends and a little girl's imagination? Is it a bedtime story? While a book could certainly be all three, these elements are not woven together effectively. The vibrant pastel drawings illustrate the child's imaginings of smiling animal friends and island parties. However, the text sounds like one that a parent concocts at bedtime off the cuff. Stick to Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon (HarperCollins, 1947), Mo Willems's Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late (Hyperion, 2006), and Anna Dewdney's Llama, Llama Red Pajama (Viking, 2005) for more engaging bedtime stories.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

PreS-K—Lyle has a new job: dog walking. It starts out simply enough as he skips along behind one frisky pup. But each day adds another dog, until the crocodile has to control 10 dogs trying to chase a squirrel. The simple concept of this counting-book story is well executed, and Lyle's sunny disposition has lost none of its appeal since his debut in 1962. The author's daughter plies her own watercolors here; her lines are looser, her palette brighter than her father's, but the characters' expressions come through just as clearly.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 2—Poor Mr. Peek thinks he has suddenly gained a tremendous amount of weight when he puts on his zookeeper jacket and a button pops off. As he makes his morning rounds, he complains to himself about how fat and wrinkled he is. "Oh, woe is me! You're getting very fat," he despairs aloud. "None of the animals even like you!" he mutters as he passes the giraffes. He is so sorry for himself that he does not notice that the zoo animals are worried because they think he is talking to them. Luckily, he returns home to discover that he had inadvertently switched jackets with his son. Feeling better now that his clothes fit, Mr. Peek makes his rounds again, this time reassuring himself (and the relieved animals) that everything is fine. Waldron's digital-media illustrations humorously convey the alarmed expressions of the animals while the quirky font and creative text placement reinforce Mr. Peek's stream-of-consciousness muttering as he wanders through the zoo. Pair this with Peggy Rathman's Good Night, Gorilla (Putnam, 2002) for a fun storytime about clueless zookeepers.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

PreS-Gr 2—Described as "a picture book in five acts," this energetic tale centers on a young shrew famous for her temper tantrums. Her family has given up trying to reason with her and simply acquiesces to her demands. Then her equally belligerent cousin Lester comes to visit. After arguing each other into exhaustion, Lola suggests that they would both benefit from being conciliatory. And so they begin to share, and to form a lifelong friendship. In a framing story, an elderly Lola tells the tale to her granddaughter, showing that, though she may have been "tamed" by the experience, she has lost none of her prickliness. "Screaming is relaxing," she tells the young shrew in one inset. "You should try it sometime." Smath's busy watercolor cartoons teem with funny characters and expressions, and match Lola's big personality. The message is clear: although Lola learns how to compromise, she can still embrace her essential nature. Everyone knows a Lola.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

PreS-Gr 2—Spare, poignant, and ultimately upbeat, this tale depicts the natural cycle of friendship from an enthusiastic first encounter to contented companionship to the heartbreak of loss and eventual emotional renewal. Presented with a comfortingly consistent narrative structure, the events are set against the backdrop of the changing seasons, reassuring readers that winter will turn again to spring, sadness to joy. In "spring," City Dog runs free in the countryside for the first time ever and discovers an unfamiliar creature perched on a rock. Asked, "What are you doing?" Country Frog smiles and replies, "Waiting for a friend…but you'll do." The two play Country Frog games ("jumping and splashing and croaking") and when reunited in "summer," they enjoy City Dog pastimes ("sniffing and fetching and barking"). In "fall," Country Frog is tired, so the friends spend their time remembering. When City Dog arrives again in "winter," Country Frog is nowhere to be found (a wordless spread shows the pooch sitting on the rock, looking small and forlorn against a stark winterscape). In "spring again," a sad-looking City Dog befriends another critter with a familiar line, and then beams "a froggy smile" (shown in close-up, this warmly illustrated grin guarantees that Country Frog will not be forgotten). Making expert use of color and texture, Muth's expressive paintings clearly convey the tale's emotional nuances. This understated picture book allows plenty of room for young readers to interpret the animals' feelings for themselves and perhaps discuss their own emotions.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—Joe Peters, "The Can Man," lived in Tim's building until the auto body shop where he worked closed. Unable to find a job, he's now homeless and relies on the cash he gets from redeeming empty cans to survive. When Tim learns that his parents won't have enough money to buy him a skateboard for his birthday, he takes his cue from The Can Man and decides to earn the money himself. However, while he amasses several bags of cans, The Can Man finds almost nothing. Tim has been venturing out ahead and collecting in the homeless man's territory. Joe Peters harbors no hard feelings, though, and even helps Tim at the redemption center. But when the boy weighs his skateboard against the man's urgent need for a winter coat, he gives him the money. The lengthy text describes the homeless man's situation without judgment, and Tim's parents don't pressure him to stop encroaching on Mr. Peters's turf, leaving him free to make his own decisions. The large illustrations, rendered in oil, depict an urban neighborhood of shops and multiethnic apartment dwellers. Pair the book with Ann McGovern's The Lady in the Box (Turtle, 1997) to help students consider the human face of homelessness.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Gr 3–5—Through the eyes of an orange and white cat, readers are introduced to the harrowing event known as Kristallnacht. Benno spends his days observing the friendly, predictable rituals in his neighborhood: girls walking together to school, shopkeepers selling their wares, a Jewish family eating Sabbath dinner, a Christian family eating Sunday lunch. Then one night, he sees brown-shirted men breaking down doors, smashing shop windows, and setting fire to books and buildings. Jewish families disappear, and even though the people that remain resume their normal activities, nothing is ever quite the same again. The straightforward text describes events without sentimentality, as if Benno were simply reporting what he sees and hears. "In Apartment 3B, the mob was breaking the Adlers' furniture and throwing books out the window…. The Schmidts' apartment was untouched." But what truly distinguishes this book is the striking multimedia artwork composed of paper, fabric, and drawn images in hues of olive, brown, and red. Interesting angles, textures, and patterns add to the visual effect throughout. The spreads depict a normal city neighborhood from a cat's-eye view, which is eventually upended by dark shadowy figures with big black boots. Thus the message of terror and sadness that marks the beginning of the Holocaust is transmitted in a way that is both meaningful and comprehensible. An afterword provides historical context for the story, although it presupposes knowledge of the term "Holocaust." Use this book with Karen Hesse's The Cats in Krasinski Square (Scholastic, 2004) for further discussion of the topic. For all collections.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

K-Gr 4—It's time for dog brothers Cooper, Hooper, and Zoomer to get ready for school, but Zoomer doesn't intend to go today. He's busy doing a variety of ridiculous things: blowing the world's largest bubble, making a giant sand brontosaurus, building a dog-food castle, and more. Dad does his best to corral Zoomer and his brothers through their morning routine, but in the end, the pup is right when he claims that he is staying home. It turns out to be Saturday. Bright, fun illustrations detailing Zoomer's ambitious undertakings are the highlight of the book. A choppy story line and a narrative that lacks transitions between one event and the next create an overall feeling of disconnect, causing this attempt at humorous exaggeration to be more confusing than funny.—Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

Gr 3–6—These are pet-care books with a difference. They stress that the care—or at least the proof of it—starts before the animal arrives and that proof of maturity and responsibility may take some time to establish. The books open with reasons for acquiring the featured animal and handy answers to common parental objections. They are also upfront about the drawbacks involved. Some are obvious. For instance, fun, cuddly puppies eventually grow into dogs—sometimes large ones. Some downsides might never have crossed prospective owners' minds, such as the fact that a parrot could conceivably outlive them. The authors do a fine job of spelling out how much care is required to not only meet the animals' health needs, but their happiness needs as well. Color photographs reinforce the desirability of these animals as pets, even if the care required can seem daunting. These titles are solid resources for children who know that they, and not their parents, will be in charge of pet care.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—Composer Mildred J. Hill and lyricist Patty Hill are brought to life in this story about the origin of the song sung around the world. From a remarkable childhood with parents who believed in an education unencumbered by the restrictions and expectations placed on women in late-19th-century American society, the sisters' natural talents and intelligence drew both to careers in education where students in Louisville, KY, benefited from their creative and musical gifts. "Like their father, they believed that music was as important to education as words to a book." The book describes the circumstances that inspired the writing of "Happy Birthday" and includes illustrations well suited for a young audience: vibrant, color-washed drawings over full-page spreads grab the eye with snapshots of the sisters' lives—as children, at the piano, and with their young students. The basic story is here, fictionalized without dialogue, but missing is the later fight to claim authorship of their work. For the rest of the story, see Margot Theis Raven's Happy Birthday to You!: The Mystery Behind the Most Famous Song in the World (Sleeping Bear, 2008), for slightly older readers. This upbeat story, presented with dynamic art, will be a useful classroom and library purchase.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX

PreS-Gr 3—This bright collection of canine poetry also serves as an alphabet refresher and a pet-naming guide. Twenty-six poems bookended by an opening and closing poem feature dogs whose monikers generally stem from their looks, behavior traits, or personalities—Bandit, Chewy, Whiskers. Each poem represents a different type of dog, some common, some less so, and one "mixed breed/mutt" named Snickers. Colorful cartoon illustrations have a retro feel and show each pup living up to its name. The rhythm in some of the selections is a little awkward, but dog lovers will enjoy the clever concept.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 3–4—Teachers especially will welcome this poetic look at animal migration patterns. Ten critters, ranging from Canada geese to caribou and loggerhead turtles, celebrate their "going home" with a rhyme, a small paragraph of information, and a colorful, realistic illustration spreading across facing pages. A large map helps readers follow migratory patterns, and a closing section contains a look at the "mystery" of migration, further data on the creatures in focus, and a handy-dandy passel of suggestions, such as to "Write Your Own Story" about an animal not included in this book. Similar in scope to Berkes's Over in the Arctic (2008) and Over in the Jungle (2007, both Dawn), the book is a pleasant way to tie creative writing and natural history in a simple package.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 3 Up—Billingsley has divided this book according to the four "Mysteries" that are emblematic of Christ's life—"Joyful," "Luminous," "Sorrowful," and "Glorious," and then into subsections about each of its five parts. The book is remarkable in the accessibility it offers to readers of all ages. The introductory page provides visual instruction—a painting of a rosary with labels and arrows indicating which beads are meant for each prayer—followed by the prayers themselves. Each Mystery is presented on a full page with a short narrative centered on white space, followed below by the name of the next recited prayer in italics. This flows to the next narrative piece and the prayer that follows it. The language is especially chosen to clarify biblical verbiage often misconstrued by children. Each left-hand facing page shows a full-color illustration of the Mystery. Billingsley's unusual technique is what stands out; she has created "shrines" of everyday objects, flowers, puppets, children's toys arranged in a vignette, and then reproduced them in gouache. The overall effect is child-friendly but also intensely emotionally evocative. Other rosary guides for children are useful and come in more "pew friendly" formats; this book adds elements that enhance the meditative and contemplative demands of the rosary devotion.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

Gr 1–3—An amiable family of giraffes takes a train trip from Period Plaza Station to Punctuation Station. Along the way, they learn the grammatical rules governing the proper use of the period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, hyphen, exclamation point, and quotation marks. Each punctuation mark is displayed and labeled in colored print, accompanied by rhyming instructions on when and where it is used. The explanations are written in clear and simple language. "The comma is a curly mark./It makes us pause a bit/before a word or phrase, you see./You separate with it." To reinforce the lesson, the giraffes demonstrate the rule in their conversation, which appears in dialogue balloons. The illustrations also incorporate signs and posters showing the properly used punctuation marks. The vibrant art captures the energy of the bustling station crowded with a variety of cartoon animal travelers and the excitement of the train ride itself. A helpful glossary contains brief definitions and sample sentences. Pair this informative and entertaining title with Elsa Knight Bruno's poetic Punctuation Celebration (Holt, 2009).—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

PreS-Gr 1—This fresh take on an often-overlooked appendage compares hands with everyday tools. Eating with fingers and then with chopsticks, walking a dog off a leash and then on, catching an insect with bare hands and then in a net, and digging with and without a trowel are a few of the 17 varied, engaging, and child-centered activities included. Each spread presents one activity. Youngsters are shown performing the task first by hand and then using the comparable tool. The parting page reminds readers that there is no substitute for hand-holding. The snappy, rhyming, oversize text is placed strategically to allow maximum legibility. The beautifully crafted photos highlight the children's hands through the use of short depth of focus and careful composition. Sized for group use, this title will provide numerous topics for exploration and discussion. It will work well for a one-on-one snuggle, too.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

PreS-Gr 4—Ten traditional or classic verses are followed by 13 original poems in this themed collection. Most of the older ones, including "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean" and "The Owl and the Pussycat," can be easily found elsewhere. The new verses vary in quality. Some are charming; in "Sailing," "A white moon sets our sails alight/As we follow the sea through the indigo night/Stars, like eyes, will help us see…." Others, like "Cruising," lack the sharp detail and originality good poetry requires: "Traveling the world from/Wonder to wonder;/To countries small/And countries grand,/They find something special/In every land." From children playing on the beach to a mermaid luxuriating in her watery home, the watercolor illustrations depict characters and scenes in a traditional yet whimsical way. Larger collections with a strong interest in nautical topics may want to add this one.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 1–6—In this moving tribute, 15 poems describe the joy of one African-American family's annual reunion weekend. It begins with the words of Grandma: "Always come home/Come home so I can see your faces./Your brown, your cream, your peach,/your purple, your midnight faces. Come." The poems take readers through the anticipation of everyone's arrival, crowded sleeping arrangements, fishing, telling stories, and more until the time to say goodbye. Velasquez depicts this warm, inviting party in oils, and the illustrations are rich with color and emotion. Each selection begins by calling attention to the love that binds this family. A rich celebration of togetherness.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Gr 1–3—These books take young readers to a few places that are rarely seen by the general public: the underground sections of shopping malls, hospitals, police stations, and sports stadiums. Each book describes the duties of the various employees in such places, what is held in secret rooms, the types of security used, and how the institution is run. The prose is simple and succinct, and full-color, mostly full-page photos dominate the pages. Children who find such places intriguing, or who have curious minds, will certainly have their appetites whetted by this series but they will need to look elsewhere for more detailed information.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

PreS-K—These pages burst with vibrant photographs of baby animals and close-ups of buds and growth. Esbaum uses poetic prose to connect children with the joy of the season: "Spring tiptoes in,/stirring up earthy/smells, coaxing/color from the/winter-brown woods." Students will recognize themselves in the eager, tentative duckling taking to water. A climax of an oncoming storm sends animals scrambling for shelter. This slight but attractive book ends with a forecast for blue skies.—S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GA

K-Gr 3—These hybrid titles offer a story framed by sidebars of facts on the outside edges of each spread. Extras, including a "What to do in…" page; lists of facts such as state symbols, birds, and statistics; and a brief "What do you know?" quiz round out each title. The books strive to do too much, and some inconsistencies are evident. In Cape Cod, for instance, a sidebar lists Boston as the 16th largest city in the United States, while the "Massachusetts at a Glance" page lists it as the 20th largest city. Also, the stories are slight and the factual information is limited. The books combine photographs and maps in the sidebars with colorful drawings in the middle of the spreads, which looks crowded. For students needing introductory information for reports, stick with the "Welcome to the U.S.A." series (Child's World).—Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY

Gr 3–5—Gibbons's signature artwork splashes across the pages of this competent look at crocodilians. While indicating that there are 14 species of crocs and 2 of gators, the author focuses mainly on the American alligator and the American crocodile, disparate cousins that share a geographical environment (with the crocs mainly hugging southern Florida and the Keys). Gibbons discusses anatomical differences and similarities, mobility, hunting techniques, nest building, and parenting in her brief, readable text, using illustrations and diagrams to drive home her points. She closes with a plea for the conservation of these relics from the days of the dinosaurs and an extra page of saurian factoids. Simpler than Lisa Bullard's What's the Difference Between an Alligator and a Crocodile? (Picture Window) or Laurence Pringle's Alligators and Crocodiles!: Strange and Wonderful (Boyds Mills, both 2009), this is a colorful introduction to a pair of reptiles in our Southern states, with some toothy eye-candy on the cover.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—Russell, the great Western painter and sculptor, set out from Missouri for the Montana Territory in 1879, when he was 15. The free-spirited teen, given to skipping school, grew into an adventurous young man who was eager to capture what he saw in his art. Russell was also a good storyteller, and eventually his tales were published in magazines. This picture-book biography follows the design of Harris's Mary Cassatt: Impressionist Painter (Pelican, 2007), noting facts in short paragraphs paired with photographs and Russell's artwork. While the pieces are not presented in chronological order, they are representative of his body of work. Details are listed in the back of the book, but dimensions are omitted. This is an attractive catalog, but for an appealing read-aloud biography try Jeanette Winter's Cowboy Charlie (Houghton, 1995).—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Gr 2–5—It's not easy making grammar appealing to young readers. Accomplishing that goal in two of these three titles is therefore something to praise. Teaching various grammar rules using a sports connection is the premise and it works fairly well with punctuation (Pedaling) and similes and metaphors (Snowboarding). But trying to teach writing rules in 32 pages using a swim meet falls flat. The prewriting steps especially require more explanation. The planning/brainstorming step and creating a word web are not described or defined satisfactorily, and the rewriting and editing process is not well illustrated. The colorful, action-filled drawings help to convey ideas and keep things lively in all three titles, but they work best in Snowboarding. Clever names are used in all three books, such as Tour de Chance for the bike race and kids' names like Sue Z. Kew, Rex Less, Nancy Legstrong, and swimmers Clora Eene and Francie Finn. Children should like that humor. If your library could use updated grammar guides for young readers, those on punctuation and simile and metaphors are serviceable additions. Better choices include Lynne Truss's Twenty-Odd Ducks (Putnam, 2008), Norton Juster's As: A Surfeit of Similes (HarperCollins, 1989), Sue Young's Writing with Style (Scholastic, 1997), and Sandy Asher's Where Do You Get Your Ideas? (Walker, 1987).—Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

PreS-K—The first book reflects changes in the growth of a child through photos and brief text, from one day to weeks to months, up to five years of age, e.g., "I am 8 months old. I am crawling now. I have baby teeth" Additional ideas for an adult are included to help teach the concept of change. Family talks about twins, triplets, quadruplets, adopted children, grandparents, divorced parents, and stepparents. A variety of typical family structures is introduced in photos and text. Backyard Community is the best of the lot as it makes children aware of the living and nonliving around them, such as animals and insects, soil, sunlight, rocks, etc. Different animals that might live there are discussed. The other two books are functional, if a bit dull. All three books are very easy to read and have clear photos that support the texts. Marginal purchases, where needed.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

PreS—These books give quick, 75-word introductions to body parts in a spacious layout of 12 large words on each verso. The text faces a full-page color photograph of the featured topic. The titles focus on safety, cleanliness, and the basics, such as "These are my eyes. I have two eyes." "I have two feet." The kids are diverse in ethnicity, gender, and ability. These basic titles might inform preschoolers, but they're too simplistic for primary-grade children.—S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GA

Gr 2–5—Another fun and informative offering from Leedy. Lightning-bolt-shaped "Erg" takes readers on a fast-paced journey, explaining what energy is, its various forms, how they are generated, and the "good news" and "bad news" about each one. The author discusses global warming and concludes with four pages of practical energy-saving suggestions for children to implement. The watercolor and Adobe Photoshop illustrations feature cheerful and appealing anthropomorphized appliances. Numerous diagrams help clarify the text, and the chatty little asides uttered by toasters, hair dryers, computers, etc., are amusing. Back matter includes a question-and-answer section dealing with issues such as "What's wrong with bottled water?" and "Is it really turned OFF?," as well as Web links and a final page called "More Bad News About Fossil Fuels." A welcome addition on an important subject.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Gr 2–4—This picture-book biography of the inventor of bubblegum is equal parts informative and entertaining. With appropriately simple but engaging prose, McCarthy relates how accountant Walter Diemer began "playing with different mixtures" in the late 1920s at the candy factory where he worked and eventually discovered a gum that bubbled. Judicious use of the inventor's own words helps to convey his enthusiastic personality. Along with Diemer's story, the author also covers a bit of gum history, the trial-and-error of invention, and the excitement that comes with a successful final product, all with just the right level of detail. Appealing acrylic cartoon illustrations fill this snippet of history with a sense of fun. The prominent curves of smiling faces and circular eyes and heads stand out against heavy lines and angles to fill each scene with playfulness that matches the subject. Rich colors capture the lighthearted joy of bubble blowers, both old and young, while contrasting darker tones reflect the drama of the inventor's lab work. A closing spread offers further information about Diemer's life, more fun facts about gum, and a full list of sources. Although the man will be unfamiliar to young readers, they know his invention well, and will appreciate his unexpected but well-earned success. McCarthy's on-target presentation makes this a strong choice for elementary biography assignments, booktalking, or just plain nonfiction fun.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 3–5—In this country study, a student from Japan is coming to visit a third-grade class in Southern California, and Allison is intrigued by the news. A small percentage of the book consists of dialogue between the teacher and students on the impending and subsequent arrival of Sakura. There are sections explaining some Japanese history as well as the modern conveniences such as the bullet train, and current technology. The book also introduces the geography, culture, foods, and festivals of Japan. The children learn a few Japanese words and how to make osumashi and koi-nobori so that Sakura will feel at home. The recipe and craft directions are appended. While not deep in scope, this book may be useful for browsing or for classrooms getting ready to welcome their own foreign-exchange students.—DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA

PresS-K—Often depicted in his jazzy red superhero cape, Ben experiences situations that will be familiar to most young children. The everyday choices that the little bear makes with his rabbit friend, Molly, model the importance of making safe and healthy decisions. In Brave Bike Ride, Ben bolsters the courage to travel to Molly's house alone when his mother cannot accompany him. While this activity could be questionable in some neighborhoods, the text and illustrations clearly indicate that Ben is staying on his own block and testing his new independence under the watchful eyes of adults. Children fearful of new situations will hopefully take comfort in the fact that Ben is not entirely alone in his venture. In Dirty Hands, the friends realize that a day of handling outdoor critters and tumbling down a hill must be followed by hand washing and that it's important to "cover your sneeze with your arm!" Though the stories are not particularly well developed, these simple books with pleasing cartoon illustrations will be useful for character-education units.—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Gr 2–4—Mattern introduces readers to the "stylish and energetic First Lady" in five short and adulatory chapters. Michelle Obama's childhood and Ivy League education are covered, but her law career is given only a glancing mention. Some simplification exists: "Michelle and Barack became good friends. In October 1992 Barack and Michelle got married." The overall emphasis is on Michelle's support of her husband, dedication to her children, and enthusiasm for community service. Words in bold print are listed in a glossary. O'Neal opens his beginning reader with a parallel between Obama and Lincoln, who made speeches on the Illinois State Capitol steps 150 years apart, and then tells the story of Obama's childhood and path to leadership. Readers will be intrigued by some of the details: Barack had a pet ape in Indonesia, for example. The author emphasizes Obama's sense of responsibility and commitment to social action. Some of the information on the first year of his presidency has an air of finality to it that may mislead readers ("Obama worked tirelessly to improve relations between the United States and other countries"). Some words are given slightly awkward phonetic spellings ("HAYR-ih-tidj" for "heritage") while others have no guide to pronunciation ("audacity").—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM

Gr 1–3—These titles profile two lesser-known Jewish holidays. Each one includes history, definitions, customs, and traditions. Unfortunately, both titles lack clarity and context. The more successful volume is Sukkot, which follows a logical progression from history to holiday preparations to celebration customs. Purim meanders back and forth between traditions and the reasons behind them. The text of Sukkot is dry but serviceable, while Purim has the feel of a report written by a precocious child, containing ridiculous statements such as "Judaism is a religion that many Jewish people follow." Both titles, while technically accurate for the most part, are oversimplified to the point of being unclear or misleading. They are decorated with stock color photography depicting a mix of Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews. Some photos are obvious filler, such as an image of two boys playing with leaves because Sukkot takes place in the fall. In Purim, an image of challah baking accompanies text about the Purim treats hamantaschen (oddly described in the singular "Hamantasch"). "Did You Know?" sidebars offer random facts, often raising more questions than they answer. Highlighted words within the text are defined in a glossary, but these selections seem random as well; do readers need "sunset" defined for them? While the need for books on these holidays is great, these titles do more to confuse than to educate. Stick with Joel Lurie Grishaver's dated but accurate and heartfelt "Building Jewish Life" series (Torah Aura) instead.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

PreS-Gr 2—This follow-up to Gnash, Gnaw, Dinosaur! (Kingfisher, 2009) pairs comic verses with colorful paintings. The lift-the-flap element will entice children who like surprises. "Stegosaurus" closes with, "But when it comes to enemies, not one of them likes/the tip of my tail with its sharp, hard spikes!" Then lift the flap over the tail and see—"Swish!"—smaller dinosaurs knocked about. The smooth writing reads aloud well, and each of the eight poems provides a few facts about the creatures. The playful design and typeface enhance the funny pictures; the silly, googly-eyed look of most of the dinosaurs is especially appealing.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 2–4—Gorgeous mixed-media illustrations complement dozens of inventive collective nouns, among them a "bolt of hippogriffs," a "splash of mermaids," and a "dazzlement of Quetzalcoatls" as well as the eponymous "dignity of dragons." These creative descriptions comprise the only text in the book. A four-page glossary defines each fantastic creature and identifies the culture(s) of its origin. Ceccoli has created a stylized and luminous fantasyland energetically inhabited by Ogburn's enchanting bestiary. Fans of mythology and fantasy as well as budding lexophiles will savor this sophisticated picture book. A caveat for conservative collections: the mermaids, sphinx, and sirens are, collectively, a triad of the tastefully topless.—Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY

PreS-Gr 2—"I wonder who will plant a tree?" begins this glowingly illustrated meditation on the interconnectedness of Earth's creatures. Each spread features an animal in a different habitat that, by simply going about its everyday activities, unknowingly plants a tree. A squirrel buries an acorn, a dolphin playfully pushes a coconut onto an island beach, ants march a pine nut into their tunnel, and an owl eats a mouse that had dined on an elm tree seed, then coughs up a pellet that puts that seed back into the ground. The range of habitats and animals shown is impressive, from monkeys throwing figs in the jungle to Amazon River fish excreting seeds from their fruit dinners. Pallotta makes a point of including humans, too, as a teacher and her class plant trees on a field trip. With simple, rhythmic language and engaging illustrations, this book encourages readers to see how the actions of each creature impact the Earth. An excellent accompaniment to science lessons.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

K-Gr 2—In this simple ABC book, each letter is represented by a group of animals and the collective noun associated with them. For example, A is for "an army of ants" has an illustration of many ants eating an aardvark's doughnut. The illustrations of the various creatures are vivid and detailed. The crocodiles sport sun bonnets and sunglasses, the "skulk of foxes" wears T-shirts and jewelry, the band of gorillas wears costumes and plays various instruments, and the troop of uakaris feasts on popsicles. Attractive, but additional.—Katie Cerasale-Messina, AC Whelan Elementary School, Revere, MA

Gr 2–4—Jenkins's cut-paper collages erupt with billowing gray clouds and rivers of lava, forming a frame to surround Peters's chirpy poems recording a day in the life of a busy young volcano. A small road sign warns, "don't expect to have a nice day," while a lava flow cricket celebrates being at a "HotLavaBBQ" and a fern "Eeeeee-yikes!" at a near miss from a lava bomb. This cheerful compilation is accompanied by two pages of factual information culled from the author's visit to the Big Island of Hawai'i. Sadly missing is a general description of just what a volcano is, and how it works. Still and all, this is a way to connect geology and poetry in an interdisciplinary curriculum.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Gr 2–4—These books follow a similar format with sportscaster Buzz Star reporting on an event and using it to illustrate appropriate rules, e.g., Sentences includes fragments, run-on sentences, and word order, then types of sentences such as statement and question. In each section, the tip is boxed, and the text of the story uses bold or color to show that axiom. The cartoon illustrations show multicultural children and adults; they are mediocre in style and design. The stories are awkward to read, forced and didactic. Each one concludes with a one-page summary of the rules and an activity, e.g., copying the sentences and underlining the subject and predicate. These titles are obviously meant for teachers to use in conjunction with writing-skills lessons, but they're not likely to circulate by choice with children or hold their interest.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

Gr 3–6—Raczka pairs paintings with quotes from their respective creators. The artists' words provide insightful glimpses into their philosophies or personalities. Pairings are thoughtful and sometimes humorous, highlighting the work of 19th- and 20th-century men and women from various countries. Raczka features well-known artists, but not always their most famous work, a choice that helps this collection stand out on the shelf. For example, readers will find Dinner for Threshers by Grant Wood when the obvious choice might have been American Gothic. Paintings are clearly labeled, with one or two pieces on a spread. Facts about each artist are appended. A clever and inspiring addition to the series.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

Gr 2–5—Each spread is chock-full of bright color photographs and drawings. The text jumps immediately into such gardening considerations as space, time, and sunlight. Group leaders will find numerous suggestions for using recycled materials, such as creating a scarecrow from cans and lids. However, some of the ideas are not well explained, such as using a copper band or water-displacement spray (what is this?) to discourage slugs and snails, and a few projects are too complicated. Some of the plant and flower suggestions will be more familiar to a British audience, but the planter ideas are fun, especially the bowl of cacti with little plastic action figures. The doable activities mostly outweigh the flaws if you need to add to or update this area of your collection.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

PreS-Gr 2—These titles look at the structure of different types of families (no same-sex parents are represented). They have a reassuring tone and present matter-of-fact information. Each volume contains 110 words or less, and the large, clear text appears on clean white pages. The families photographed are of varying ages, races, and ethnicities. Each title ends with a similar sentence: "—family members love each other." While this may or may not be true in readers' experiences, the books do remain completely positive about the various family situations. The FactHound Web site was easy to use; however, it recommends information from only one Web site, and only books in this series. To get to specific information about blended, adoptive, single-parent, or foster families, at least one link has to be followed. An adult helper would be needed to access this additional information.—Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Gr 2–5—This collection of 21 short poems is right on target with its rhymed glimpses into the cheerful chaos of family life. From cleaning the toilet ("it's the chore/We all abhor") to a runaway bar of soap to looking for something in an overly crowded medicine cabinet ("Wipes and swipes and salve for sores,/Two small plastic dinosaurs"), the bathroom takes center stage in these humorous selections. The colorful cartoons add just the right tone. They are light and funny, featuring a multicultural cast of characters. There's a lot to like in this clever and appealing collection. Oh, the boy's sister used his toothbrush, "to scrub our pet iguana."—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 2–5—Spraying crops with insecticides and chemical fertilizers, polluting wildlife habitats, filling in lakes and ponds—these are a few of the ecologically harmful activities highlighted here. A simple text runs along the top of each illustrated spread, describing a human threat to frogs ("Some tadpoles have trouble surviving when people add fish to lakes and ponds") and then suggesting a solution ("When people take out the fish, frogs can live and grow"). A realistic acrylic painting depicts one or more frogs in their natural habitat, while a sidebar identifies the species shown and briefly presents a case study of how they were threatened and the efforts made to save them. Close-up insets appear throughout, cross-sections show tadpoles underwater, and small maps on the endpapers indicate the geographical range of the various species (the northern leopard frog, Pine Barrens tree frog, Puerto Rico rock frog, and more). Also discussed are their life cycles and their importance in the food chain. While Molly Aloian's Endangered Frogs (Crabtree, 2006) mentions causes of declining populations, its primary focus is on the animals themselves. Stewart's beautifully illustrated title centers on how humans negatively affect wildlife and makes a strong case for conservation.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

K-Gr 5—Tingle tells his family's story from their origins in Oklahoma Choctaw country to their life in Texas. The account spans generations and weaves in ghosts from the past to the present day. When his grandmother and grandfather, then a young couple, arrived in Pasadena, someone threw a stone at Mawmaw, and it wasn't until the author was six that he learned that his grandmother was blind. Tingle was a junior in college when he got word that Mawmaw was having surgery. As the family gathered at the hospital, they told stories about their past, and he heard about her days as an orphan at an Indian boarding school and the discrimination she encountered living in Texas. Then they got the word they'd been waiting for: the surgery was a success, and Mawmaw could see. The large, full-spread illustrations are vibrant and vital in moving the story along. A lovely piece of family history.—Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

*Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre. Tr Hardcover trade binding; RTE Reinforced trade binding; PLB Publisher's library binding; BD Board Book; pap. paperback; CIP Cataloging in publication.