(4) K-3 Illustrated by Annabel Tempest. As the title suggests, this picture book attempts to explain Christian theology using four words: "Wow" (the Creation), "Uh oh" (the Fall), "Yes" (Jesus' life and resurrection), and "Ahh" (human redemption through Christ). The stilted rhyming text may require some additional explication, but the bright, cartoony illustrations--especially closing spreads depicting an idyllic, multicultural New Creation--make the message seem inviting. Suggested Scripture passages appended.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Flipside Stories series. Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. The story of the sinning tax collector, whose soul is saved by Jesus, is told in two stilted rhyming narratives. Mid-book, the reader is asked to "flip" the book to "take another look" at the story: one is from the perspective of Zacchaeus, the other from Jesus'; it's an effective gimmick for the book's purpose. Bright cartoon-style illustrations depict people of many skin tones.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA During the summer of 1963, thirteen-year-old Tree Taylor has two goals: to kiss a boy and to get her first big break as a journalist. When a potential news story practically lands in Tree's lap, she learns about the complex ethics of investigative journalism. There's some moralizing, but the satisfying story's setting is nicely enlivened by references to period music and politics.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Carlynn Whitt. Looking at his pregnant mother, a little chimpanzee doubts that there really is "a baby in there," but he goes along with the preparations--building the baby a nest, throwing his mother a shower--just in case. The bold and bright jungle-colored double-page spread illustrations are chaotic and unfocused but congenial.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. This narrative poem relates the Nativity through its sounds: the flip, flap, flap of Joseph's sandals; the flut-flut-flutter of descending angels. Mackall's carefully constructed verse emphasizes that while the first Christmas may not have been a "silent night," it was a "miraculous" one. Peaceful illustrations eloquently capture the range of emotions from Mary's weariness to the joy of Jesus' birth.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(4) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. Plow horse Fred believes he is really "Federico the Dancing Horse" and searches for a place where he can dance to "the song in my heart." He ultimately ends up in a circus alongside his beloved human friend, Lena. Fred/Federico's often ponderous narration isn’t very light on its feet, but this is nevertheless a gently entertaining story accompanied by genial illustrations.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA Boyfriend-obsessed Bailey tells three strangers the story of how she came to own her three ex-boyfriends' dogs. She chronicles her time with ladies'-man Went, brooding film student Mitch, and perfect but bland Eric. Bailey initially comes off as eccentric and witty, wooing Went with zippy repartee, but her character gets lost as Mackall allows Bailey's boyfriends to define her.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Deborah Chabrian. While a boy helps bake cookies for the needy, his mother explains that Christmas cookies were first made during the Middle Ages to tell the story of Jesus' birth. Readers not picky about historical accuracy may enjoy the sentimental tale. Soft, hazy watercolors match the nostalgic tone of the Depression-set story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) PS Illustrated by David Hohn. "How much love does God have for me?" God's love is "More...Higher...Deeper..." and reciprocated by the children in these stories. Rhyming text and softly washed illustrations provide child-friendly, if random, images (e.g., a hippo splashes joyfully into a puddle to demonstrate how big God's love is; a girl's wall-decorating finger painting shows how useful her God-created hands can be). Review covers these titles: God Loves Me More than That and When God Created My Toes.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) PS Illustrated by David Hohn. "How much love does God have for me?" God's love is "More...Higher...Deeper..." and reciprocated by the children in these stories. Rhyming text and softly washed illustrations provide child-friendly, if random, images (e.g., a hippo splashes joyfully into a puddle to demonstrate how big God's love is; a girl's wall-decorating finger painting shows how useful her God-created hands can be). Review covers these titles: God Loves Me More than That and When God Created My Toes.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Renée Graef. This book allows Mackall to vent about an injustice from childhood. In 1961, though she won a writing contest, she wasn't allowed to serve as batboy for the Kansas City A's once they realized she was a girl. The illustrations aptly capture place and time, but stiffly postured figures are ill-suited to depict athleticism. Nevertheless, the story will resonate with contemporary tomboys.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA When Mary Jane gets involved with Jackson, a definite hottie, her senior year starts looking up. But when Jackson's on-again/off-again girlfriend finds out, things turn nasty. Mary Jane's alter egos, Plain Jane and sexy M.J., are unsubtle plot devices intended to reflect the main character's sense of fragmentation. But readers may relate to Mary Jane's feelings, especially as she debates having sex.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) K-3 Tales of Young Americans series. Illustrated by Chris Ellison. In Rudy the young title character rides the rails during the Great Depression, and Quilt is about the 1946 Hawaiian tsunami. The plots are bland; Quilt is message-driven and Rudy doesn't really have an ending, but they both impart some historical information. The illustrations in Quilt are colorful but stiff, while the paintings in Rudy are muted and impressionistic. Review covers these Tales of Young Americans titles: The Tsunami Quilt and Rudy Rides the Rails.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Fourth-grader Laney narrates this story about the torment suffered by Lara, the overweight, unfailingly kind new girl in school. Along the way, Laney points out the "writing tricks" (such as foreshadowing and suspense) she's using, a narrative conceit that quickly becomes tiresome. Not surprisingly, Lara teaches her peers a lesson about acceptance and compassion after a malicious prank goes too far.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(3) PS Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. "Squeaky chairs, / secret stares, / coloring sheets with teddy bears. / Broken crayon-- / someone shares. / This is our first day." Lyrical, rhythmic, impressionistic rhymes full of memorable concrete details distinguish this first-day-jitters book from many of its ilk. Delicate watercolor and acrylic illustrations capture the young narrator's mixed emotions about an almost universal experience.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shannon McNeill. A family car trip to an amusement park includes singing, backseat squabbling, stops for snacks, and the increasingly frequent refrain, "Are we there yet?" McNeill's stylized paintings get messier and messier with ice-cream spills, bingo game pieces, and dog drool as the trip progresses. Readers will enjoy the humorous, and realistic, details in both art and rhyming text.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by R. W. Alley. Mary and Joseph set off for Bethlehem in this rhyming, fast-paced rendition of the Christmas story. Alley's cartoonish illustrations show harried, surprised shepherds racing after the angels and three kings galloping off to catch up with the star. This is a light, slight, and breezy Christmas selection.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth