(2) YA This heartfelt biography traces Ballets Russes star/choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky's (1890–1950) trajectory from lonesome childhood through his 1909 Paris debut and ensuing mega-stardom to his diagnosis of schizophrenia and institutionalization. Curlee sensitively explores Nijinsky's contradictions, including as a magnetic performer with little social grace and as a sex symbol tormented by his own sexual desires. The beautifully designed volume includes Curlee's striking jewel-toned portraits and archival photographs. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) 4-6 Curlee begins with an anecdote about how railroads shaped his North Carolina home town. The text then proceeds to give a narrative history of trains, from the development of the steam engine in England to the laying of tracks across America and around the world. Dramatic acrylic illustrations in Curlee's recognizable style effectively show changes from the Industrial Revolution through today. Bib.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(2) 4-6 This book provides an eye-catching introduction to sixteen mythological creatures of ancient Greece. Straightforward and clean, the text outlines without dramatization what the mythical beings were and describes their roles in Greek lore. Confining each within a broad, sober border, Curlee depicts all as classically statuesque; even such horrors as Cyclops, blood streaming down his arms, seem congealed in the moment.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2008

(3) 4-6 Stunning art deco–style illustrations make this history of skyscrapers stand tall. Curlee introduces New York's Chrysler Building then discusses construction methods of ancient civilizations. He next presents late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century innovations before exploring the cutting-edge skyscrapers of today (e.g., Dubai's Burj Al Arab Hotel). Readers will discover both the art and science of construction. An appended chart shows notable buildings' relative heights. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(4) K-3 Curlee uses historical and present-day ballparks as place markers for memorable events in baseball. He chronicles both the modifications in the game and the fields upon which it is played, but despite the title, he gives more history of the game than information about baseball's "green cathedrals." The flat, acrylic drawings showcase places better than events or individuals. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2005

(2) 4-6 Curlee's stylized art suits his subject in the latest of his picture book presentations of architectural wonders. Against a background palette of Grecian blues, Curlee dramatizes the marble elegance and purity of the Parthenon. The text details the construction with a clarity and precision that matches the clean, readable diagrams and crisp illustrations. Judiciously incorporated statistics underscore our sense of this marvel of antiquity. Bib.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004

(3) 4-6 With slightly stylized, slate-heavy illustrations, this handsome book introduces readers to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Curlee incorporates considerable history into his presentations of the U.S. Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial, along with passing references to other buildings that border the Mall. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 In clear, steady prose, Curlee discusses how the list of the seven "ancient wonders" originated, then devotes four pages each to the Great Pyramid, the Hanging Gardens, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus, the Mausoleum, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Pharos. The stylized acrylic illustrations, though careful, are static; a composite at the end shows the marvels in scale with modern structures.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) 4-6 The Brooklyn Bridge receives handsome tribute here as a great accomplishment of engineering and human labor. Full-page paintings provide impressive views of the underwater excavation of foundations, the construction of the anchoring towers, and the suspension of cables. While the text explains the technical aspects of construction, it also recounts the costly efforts of the Roebling family and the laborers. Bib.

Reviewer: Margaret A. Bush | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2001

(2) 4-6 Curlee narrates dramatically the story of the Statue of Liberty's creation, from its conception to the fulfillment of sculptor Bartholdi's obsession to create a monument to liberty that would rival the Colossus of Rhodes. Although the reader is bombarded with statistics, Curlee always keeps the dream of Liberty's creators and her creation foremost. Stunning, stylized portraits of the lady heighten the lucid, appreciative text. A time line is included. Bib.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2000

(2) 4-6 In this celebration of a truly remarkable artistic achievement, the text is succinct but thorough, presenting information about the site, the choice of the four presidents to be immortalized, clear explanations of the engineering principles and artistic decisions involved, and biographical information about the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. The illustrations are an exultant view into the nature of art and, yes, patriotism. Bib.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(2) 4-6 Moving from the last Ice Age, Curlee traces the story of Arctic exploration to the present, paralleling this history of outsiders with the Inuit culture for whom the far north was home. Fascinating tales of success alternate with horrific stories of failure, and stark acrylic paintings illustrate the forbidding and formidable landscape. The comprehensive text ends with a map of the Arctic, on which are positioned all the major explorers and their voyages. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.