(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell. Squirrel Walnut, who misses Mom when she's at work, talks to her about why she has a job ("so I can pay rent on our den"). The writing is inconsistent, but the vigorously illustrated story is refreshingly honest about the nonmercenary reasons that grownups work ("I'm good at what I do"; "People depend on me").

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Poetry Builders series. Illustrated by Cary Pillo. These how-to poetry books focus on friends writing poems together. The stories, though contrived, clearly present the characteristics of each form. Teachers will find the volumes useful for making poetry accessible to students. A few helpful writing exercises are appended to each story. Colorful but undistinguished illustrations show a multicultural cast of enthusiastic young writers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Poetry Builders titles: Connor and Clara Build a Concrete Poem, Nina and Nolan Build a Nonsense Poem, Rena and Rio Build a Rhyme, Penelope and Pip Build a Prose Poem, Henry and Hala Build a Haiku, Luke and Leo Build a Limerick, Ana and Adam Build an Acrostic, and Sophie and Sadie Build a Sonnet.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Looking Glass Library: Shapes series. Illustrated by Sharon Holm. In this series, a cat and her pet dog notice the shapes of things (often cookies or other treats) around their home and neighborhood. Simple, pedestrian rhymes encourage readers to look for these shapes both in the inoffensive pastel-hued illustrations and in the real world. Suggestions for games are included. Glos. Review covers these Shapes titles: Rectangles, Squares, Circles, Triangles, Crescents, and Ovals.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Looking Glass Library: Shapes series. Illustrated by Sharon Holm. In this series, a cat and her pet dog notice the shapes of things (often cookies or other treats) around their home and neighborhood. Simple, pedestrian rhymes encourage readers to look for these shapes both in the inoffensive pastel-hued illustrations and in the real world. Suggestions for games are included. Glos. Review covers these Shapes titles: Rectangles, Squares, Circles, Triangles, Crescents, and Ovals.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley