(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Alan Barnard. Highlighting the dinosaurs that lived in the land masses that now form North America and locating them within current U.S. geographical regions, Brewster provides an enticing connection between the extinct animals and modern-day readers. Unfortunately, the scattered facts are nearly lost in a busy layout, which includes Barnard's dramatic dino illustrations, and some information is overshadowed by melodramatic language describing violent dinosaur encounters. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Joseph Boulogne--his mother a slave, his father a wealthy Frenchman--became a celebrated composer in the eighteenth century. The fascinating story of his life is told through narrative text; sidebars and timelines also provide historical context, though the density of text is daunting. Velasquez's atmospheric paintings blend well with the many archival drawings and artwork. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Young Kate Millet is thrilled to be the model for John Singer Sargent's painting Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. Sargent, however, decides Kate's hair is too dark, and when he chooses other models, she gets angry. The telling is wordy, but the story and paintings provide an engaging look at Sargent's work and the 1880s expatriate art scene in England. Bib.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) YA Illustrated by Laurie McGaw. Offering biographies of several real-life princesses, including England's Victoria, Hawaii's Ka'iulani, and India's Gayatri "Ayesha" Devi, this book aims to describe what childhood was like for various royalty. Enthusiastic readers will be disappointed at the brief treatment each subject receives. Time lines, portrait-like paintings, and archival photos illuminate the biographies. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman