(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jim Kay. This substantial and strikingly illustrated new edition invites readers into Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts. From spot art of a rat to an impressive spread of hippogriffs to a giant werewolf spanning three spreads, Kay's full-color paintings particularly focus on the fantastic beasts in this entry, while also illuminating its darker aspects for both newcomers and returning fans.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jim Kay. An oversize and gorgeously illustrated new edition invites readers into Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts. From spot portraits to double-page spreads of flying cars to pages crawling with spiders, Kay's full-color paintings again give the uninitiated an immersive reading experience while offering the series' many devotees a fresh look.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) YA Illustrated by Jim Kay. Each story here centers on a particular object from the First World War: a commemorative butter dish, a compass, the nose of a zeppelin bomb, among others. Eleven authors, including David Almond and Marcus Sedgwick, contribute stories of various strength and styles, but all succeed in conveying the loss, fear, and impact of war. Illustrations and background information for each object are provided.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jim Kay. This hefty and handsomely illustrated new edition invites the reader into the wizarding world of Harry Potter from the moment the book is opened to the final pages. Kay's beautiful, slightly off-kilter paintings reinvent the now-familiar characters, giving new readers an all-encompassing reading experience and the already-acquainted a fresh go at the classic.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 1999

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jim Kay. Decidedly pro-bug ("the world would be a terrible place without them"), this particularly intricate (and delicate) pop-up book features impressive design and engineering. With finely detailed backgrounds, each of the five double-page spreads treats a subtopic like "Where Bugs Live" with a large central pop-up bug; numerous foldouts, sliders, etc.; precise drawings; and uncondescending text (some in handwritten-looking cursive font).

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) YA Illustrated by Jim Kay. Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd. A monster spirit visits Conor to tell him three stories before Conor must tell him a fourth--the story of his recurring nightmare. The mysterious content of the nightmare physically affects Conor in ways that are both organic to the story and emotionally powerful. Kay's drawings effectively enhance Ness's heart-wrenching and thought-provoking narrative.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011