(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yuyi Morales. This book weaves Spanish words into an English poem, defining the Spanish seamlessly within the stanzas. Eerie yet whimsical illustrations, which include twists on traditional Day of the Dead imagery, provide the backdrop. The details on each page will encourage careful observation, and the surprise ending is enjoyable. Glos.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Get Ready for Gabí! series. Illustrated by Joe Cepeda & Joe Cepeda. Gabí makes a friend when she and a new neighbor, Lizzie, discover that they both love to play superheroes. In the lively text, Puerto Rican Gabí moves comfortably between English and Spanish. Generously illustrated, this second book about Gabí is a welcome addition to the school series genre.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Get Ready for Gabí! series. Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. The first book in a proposed series about a Puerto Rican girl living in California is approachable and familiar. Gabí, like many immigrant children, mixes up her Spanish and English words, using the wrong words at home and at school and finding herself in trouble at both places. This standard school story, illustrated with breezy drawings, will fill a need in many collections.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Winborn. Geese Gabbler and Mrs. Gabbler are so busy celebrating the imminent arrival of their offspring that they don't notice when their egg rolls away; they conclude that it's been "egg-napped." Their forest-animal friends ultimately carry out a successful rescue mission. Propelled by tight if unoriginal rhymes, this ode to teamwork and its critter-packed illustrations will amuse young children.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Juan Bobo (Simple John) sets out to find a job--first with the farmer, then with the grocer. Despite his mother's instructions, the silly peasant boy gets everything wrong and loses his coins and food on the way home every day. But his antics, comically illustrated, are rewarded when he makes an ill rich girl laugh. An author's note gives information about this popular Puerto Rican folktale character. A pronunciation guide is included. Glos.

Reviewer: Elena Abos Alvarez-Buiza

(3) 4-6 Orphaned brothers Javier and Nico move from Puerto Rico to live with their aunt in California. Mysterious events--including unexplained power outages and flying cookware--lead Javi to realize Nico's "imaginary friend" is actually the ghost of a little boy kidnapped decades ago. Elements of the supernatural are smoothly incorporated into this story of two boys trying to adjust to a new home and family.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta