(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. A harvest moon hangs in the night sky, tantalizing a young witch. She goes inside to retrieve a broom, but a monster declares he needs it. Neither is scary: the witch smiles sweetly and the monster wears a diaper. Bold shades of limited colors, including purple, gold, apple green, and red, help create a gem for emergent readers in its self-contained simplicity.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(4) K-3 Colección Luz Verde series. Illustrated by Christopher Denise. In this "Little Red Hen" takeoff, Digger Pig's friends refuse to help her make a turnip pie. Since they did not help, Digger Pig doesn't share the pie. Though the pages are crowded with both English and Spanish text, the use of repetition and simple vocabulary will encourage new readers. Cheerful textured illustrations show a cozy farm environment.

Reviewer: Alissa C. Salamone

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata. When a young city boy visits his grandparents in the country, he helps them make breakfast, water the flowers, etc. Returning home, he has a new sense of maturity. Although the boy's narrative sounds too mature for a child delighted to be called a "big boy," the theme of self-actualization and the stylized watercolors are appealing.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) YA Adequately explaining the science of cloning and its social implications, the volume goes a bit far afield with its lengthy discussion of cloning as depicted in fiction and movies. Although this edition now includes information on stem cell research and Clonaid's goal of producing the first cloned baby, some of the earlier chapters are not sufficiently updated. Mediocre black-and-white photos are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Martin's mother won't let him climb to the top of the "giant jungle ladder" at the playground; she fears he'll fall. One night, Martin dreams that he rides his purple truck to the sandbox, where he meets a friendly lion cub, and together they climb the ladder. The fantasy-minded prose verges on preciousness at times, but the tale is absorbing and the muted pastel illustrations nicely evoke the after-dark setting.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) PS Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger. After attending a birthday party, a toddler and his mother celebrate the world around them by singing "happy to you" to the people, animals, and things they encounter. Daniel wants to say "no" to naptime, but says, "happy to you, naptime" instead. Rounded watercolor illustrations enhance this somewhat sentimental account of a young child's day.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Denise. Digger Pig repeatedly asks her friends Chirper Chick, Quacker Duck, and Bow-Wow Dog for help in making a turnip pie, but they only want to help eat it. Accompanied by expressive illustrations, the simple text in this easy reader features lots of repetition. The typeface is large, but more leading between the lines of text would be helpful for emergent readers.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 My First I Can Read Book series. In the simplest of prose, Cohen tells what happens when six little fish meet six little feet while swimming in the bay. The repetition, rhythm, and understated humor of the text, combined with the bright yellows, oranges, reds, and greens of the artwork, are certain to attract beginning readers.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.