(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Carrick. Because global warming has reduced the length of the seal hunting season, some polar bears have begun to scavenge food from humans. This picture book chronicles such a scavenging mission by a mother and her two cubs. Conveyed in straightforward free verse, this interesting topic is accompanied by wintry gray-blue acrylic illustrations. An author's note includes additional information on this polar bear problem.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(2) PS Illustrated by Paul Carrick. The text in this gentle, lulling bedtime story of maternal love is brief, but complete. The acrylic paintings seem in their spaciousness and immediacy to expand the book's small size: they brim with child-appealing, close-up portraits of mother animals and their babies. Everything about this small and cozy book--topic, tone, format--is just right for the intended audience.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2000

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Paddy Bouma. The young narrator tells about the year between his ninth and tenth birthdays--the year his father is diagnosed with cancer and dies. The message is the story here, with denial, sorrow, guilt, anger, uncertainty, awkwardness, and healing all making a perfunctory appearance. Pencil illustrations add a quiet dignity.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Milgrim. While surfing the Internet, Patrick meets a friendly dinosaur who transports him to another planet for show-and-tell. Colorful double-page spreads feature a rousing welcome from the school band, a dinosaur soccer game, and a narrow escape from Tyrannosaurus rex. A worthy successor to Patrick's Dinosaurs and What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs?, this book will be snapped up by dinosaur aficionados.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo