(2) PS Illustrated by Elissambura. "Now don't make a peep... / The baby's finally asleep," begins this lighthearted and enjoyable story. After putting Baby down, big sibling and Mama tiptoe away from the crib. "Creak! Creak! Creak!" goes the floor, but, phew, they make it. What's that noise from the kitchen? It's Daddy's "loud belly," which "wants PB and jelly...Grumble! Grumble! Grumble! 'Shhh! The baby's asleep!'" The older child goes around the house shushing people--handkerchief-holding "Pop Pop's red nose / just needs some good blows"; hairdryer-and-comb-wielding "Shae's hair is still wet / her curls haven't set." Finally everyone, including a lawn-mowing neighbor, knows to keep it down. But dogs will be dogs, and with a spread-spanning cry, the baby awakens. Fortunately, there’s one more trick up our protagonist's sleeve: a book. Elissambura's digitally painted mixed-media illustrations, featuring textures galore and variations in family members' skin tones, are lively, colorful, and personality-filled. The story, with its predictable pattern, highly relatable situations, and enjoyable sound effects, has good read-aloud potential--but quietly.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by Samara Hardy. "Let's help Amara find her pumpkins!" suggests the offstage narrator as our young, brown-skinned, overalls-wearing protagonist searches her farm. Brief, declarative answers to the refrain "Is that a pumpkin?" help listeners discern the similarities and differences between pumpkins and the other produce (including potentially unfamiliar persimmons, okra, kumquats, etc.): "That's a persimmon. A persimmon is orange, but it has a smooth, waxy skin and no ribs." Finally, Amara finds her pumpkins...just in time for an autumn potluck. The repetition in Brown-Wood's engaging, informative text reinforces comprehension, while Hardy's digital illustrations, featuring hand-painted ink and watercolor textures for added depth, provide a festive atmosphere with their vibrant autumnal hues. A recipe for molasses pumpkin bread is appended.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by Priscilla Burris. The young brown-skinned narrator describes a joyous gathering at Grandma's house. The party includes one grandma, two turkeys, three neighbors (who come bearing "FOUR pots of hot greens and ham hocks")...all the way to fifteen grandkids. When Grandma's house becomes too full, the narrator suggests a solution. Lively, cheerful illustrations convey the energy of the gathering as well as Grandma's determination to make everyone welcome.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Hazel Mitchell. Little Imani is teased by the children in their Maasai village because she's small. Mama's bedtime stories help Imani dream so big that she tries--unsuccessfully--to "touch the moon." After watching warriors perform an adumnu (jumping dance), Imani knows how to realize her dream. This gentle girl-power fable veers a bit too far into fantasy but is grounded by the fetching illustrations' cultural details.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn