(2) K-3 The title page of this friendship story shows children Pip and Parker on a seesaw, with Parker appropriately on the up side: Pip is usually spiraling downward from a problem, while Parker helps her find a better way forward with an imaginative solution. If the crayon breaks, that means they can both use yellow at the same time. If a toy boat is lost, they can make paper boats instead. When the wind becomes too gusty for paper boats, Parker points out that it is perfect weather for kites. Throughout the day, Parker's ingenuity keeps Pip's mood aloft, even as the wind turns to clouds and rain. "'Look,' she said. 'The day is ruined.' Fortunately, Parker knew just what to say. 'Come with me, Pip. I've got an idea.' he said." Wispy art digitally combines soft textures created with hand-cut stamps, stencils, and mixed media. Warm and cool colors visually track the ever-changing emotional movement through the story, and well-placed pops of cheerful yellows harmonize the contrasts of Parker's tomato reds and Pip's cooler turquoise blues. In the end, an accidental spill ruins their artwork and threatens to dash Parker's resilient spirit, but Pip wordlessly and naturally slips into the optimist's role, comforting her friend and spinning the mishap into a new possibility (they float a paper boat on the puddle). The easy role exchange of supporter and supported between these two provides a tender example for growing friendships.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(2) PS Words with double ls tell the story of the siblings from Look now at a seaside amusement park. Hand-crafted lettering incorporates many of the ls into the pictures themselves: the ls in spill are straws tumbling from an overturned cup; those in marshmallow are toasting sticks over a campfire. Bright, ebullient images feature open composition with lots of movement, and heavy buff paper stock enhances their tactile, textured richness.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) K-3 The last park in the city is closing, and Poppy and her fellow "flower fairies" must save it. Artist Woodcock, who "experiments with cutting stencils and printing techniques," pays great attention to the fairies' size in comparison to the obstacles they encounter, which helps a potentially treacly story feel suspenseful. The fairies' bright hues pop against sooty city scenes, making the final spreads of color and life especially gratifying.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(2) PS This book's text consists solely of words containing double os, each incorporated into the art in hand-lettered text. Pictures follow two siblings through a day as they go on an outing to the zoo. The art, "hand-cut rubber stamps, stencils, BLO pens, and additional pencil line work, all composed digitally," is colorful, lively, and sometimes silly. With its satisfying narrative arc and imaginative wordplay, this picture book is pretty cool.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(3) K-3 "Heidi has a special talent," explained via Woodcock's clever, eye-pleasing art: her clothes change, chameleon-like, to match her various patterned surroundings. No wonder she always wants to play hide-and-seek! When Heidi catches on that her friends are tired of that game (they never win), she quickly agrees to other activities that showcase their talents. An understated story about being a considerate friend.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert