(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. An offstage (until the last page) narrator tells readers about her friend Maya, a young ballet dancer. The text in rhyme describes how "music moves Maya," whether it's classical, jazz, gospel, or reggae. Soft illustrations capture the joy of dance and finally display our narrator, who is in a wheelchair but experiences her own satisfaction--through her drawing.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) PS Photographs by John-Francis Bourke & John-Francis Bourke. "Hands can wave / to say 'hello.' / Hands can touch things / HIGH and low. / Hands can learn / to tie a shoe. / Hands can say, / 'I love you.'" The banal rhymes don't always scan, but the book's large, candid-looking color photos, set on inviting solid-color screens, of young children digging, clapping, and otherwise acting out the text are appealing.

Reviewer: Nell Beram