(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Voluble, irrepressible Jordie is delighted to spend time with the dog owned by her new neighbor, Professor Reese. The elderly physicist also has a laboratory equipped with a teleportation device, and she welcomes Jordie and brother TJ as young lab assistants. Combining Jordie's self-discipline struggles in school and at home with science, sci-fi, and mystery, Kerley's adventure has wide appeal.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matte Stephens. This appealing fictionalized biography introduces American wildlife artist Charles R. Knight from his young granddaughter Rhoda's perspective. They meet at the American Museum of Natural History to view his work--some of the first paintings, based only on fossil remains, to depict prehistoric animals--then visit the Central Park Zoo and have tea at the Plaza Hotel. Stephens's playful, quirky gouache illustrations incorporate some of Knight's actual art. Bib.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) K-3 Along with a comforting text, photos tell the stories of deployed parents and of the coping strategies of the children left behind. Men and women from many backgrounds remind readers of the variety of people who serve in this country's military. This book will open eyes to the challenges families face when parents serve far away. Back matter includes a world map. Websites.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) K-3 Gorgeous, vibrant photographs and simple, affirming text merge in this picture-book tribute to friendship. Back matter includes quotes from famous authors, resources for parents and caregivers on promoting friendship and dealing with bullying, and an author's note encouraging readers that friends come in all shapes and sizes. The photography's diverse subjects and global settings attest that friends span ages, race, and gender, too.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. This picture-book biography focuses on Ralph Waldo Emerson's home in Concord, Massachusetts, and the role it played in his affinity for nature and literature. Kerley's well-documented account features many sourced quotes from Emerson's writing; Fotheringham's stylish illustrations establish a firm sense of time and place and add a colorful element of whimsy.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) K-3 Impressive photographs reign in this visually stunning but rather unfocused invitation to adventure. Each double-page spread has brief, active text ("Sift. Scrape. Go on--get your hands dirty") to inspire children to take chances and expand their horizons. Pictures range from a child jumping into a rock-lined natural pool to mineralogists exploring crystal caves; selected photos are explained in the back matter.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. Kerley lightly outlines the commonalities of differences between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. There's some oversimplification (e.g., taxation is mentioned as a problem, while lack of representation is not), but the text is lively and informative. Fotheringham's lighthearted illustrations, in various shades of red, white, and blue, dominate each page and reinforce the tone. An author's note and facsimile of the Declaration of Independence are included. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens's biography of her father informs this account covering both biographer and biographee. Kerley details Susy's process of writing about and observing her father, using primary sources and inserting seven small facsimiles of Susy's journal pages into the book. Fotheringham's muted palette and large, sturdy illustrations provide discreet counterpoint to a complicated design. Timeline.

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

(3) K-3 As Kerley names daily routines familiar to children of every land--washing, eating breakfast, attending school, etc.--her vivid color photos are presented side by side, inviting comparison. Kerley wisely avoids saddling her text with message, which she instead includes in a back-of-book note: "The more we can embrace our commonality, the more tolerant we can be of our differences."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. Spunky and headstrong, Alice Roosevelt Longworth "was hungry to go places...do things." Readers follow her sneaking out at night; riding trays down the White House stairs; and diving, clothed, into a pool. With a palette emphasizing Alice Blue, her signature color, the illustrations match Alice's spirit with zigzag streaks, slanting figures, and circular spot art. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2008

(3) 4-6 Theo's search for the truth about his father's disappearance in Vietnam is framed by his fascination with space travel and his quest to answer the question: what is the most important thing about Earth? Through a mix of first- and third-person narration, this layered, intricate story unfolds to show Theo how his family's history intersects with the history of his country. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) K-3 "All it takes is... / one hand / one smile / a single voice" to "spread a little peace." This spare and idealistic text is illustrated with arresting photos of happy people from around the world--especially children--enjoying life. A double-page spread gives more information about the photographs, some of which is too vague to be useful. An author's note is included.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS A simple text accompanies engaging photos of children and their parents from around the world enjoying each other's company. Whether fishing in Brazil, riding ponies in Iceland, or playing ball in Uganda, these diverse parent-kid combos are visually signaling their similarities. The book ends with captioned small-scale reproductions of the photos which provide more information about the featured regions.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Selznick. This movingly illustrated picture book biography focuses on the Civil War years. In well-crafted prose, Kerley stresses the poet's love of words and his compassion for the common people. Selznick extends the text with glorious colored-pencil drawings. The quoted lines are carefully chosen, and more complete versions of the poems are included in the back matter. Bib.

Reviewer: Kathleen Isaacs | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2004

(4) K-3 Dramatic, lush, beautifully composed color photos from the National Geographic Society focus on water use around the world. The brief text about where different cultures go for "a cool drink of water" is jazzed up in different sizes and typefaces but remains fragmentary and ungrammatical. End matter expands on the locations pictured and discusses the shortage of freshwater resources worldwide.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Brian Selznick. This picture book introduces the English artist who, using the few fossils available, created the earliest models of dinosaurs. After his work was displayed at England's Crystal Palace Park, he came to the United States with plans to bring dinosaurs to Central Park. Kerley's pithy text is a good match for Selznick's attractive art, which is clear-eyed yet contains a dash of magic.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta