(4) PS Illustrated by Susie Poole. Babies at a party celebrate with shapes: one wears a triangle party hat, one gives a square gift, another plays with a rectangular block, and they all sit in a circle. The minimal (if bland) text with its repeated refrain ("clap for the baby") and brightly patterned illustrations featuring generically diverse, round-headed tykes combine early experiences--clapping, shapes--at just the right pace.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) PS Illustrated by Susie Poole. "Wave to the baby in the big red wagon. / Wave to the baby in the soft orange pouch." One by one, babies are carried, pushed, and pulled as listeners are encouraged to wave to them all. The babies then crawl, stand, and walk to a party. The festive illustrations feature friendly looking little ones, but the rather bland text is something of a party pooper.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) PS Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max. In this board book edition, O'Connell's simple words ("The baby goes Splash / The baby goes Splash Splash Splash Splash") and Wilson-Max's bright, bold illustrations still have the power to attract readers. Those familiar with the original, however, will miss the sixteen omitted pages and will find this version a bit choppy.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2004

(4) PS Illustrated by Amanda Gulliver. "A is for Accident. / Adam had an accident. / It's all right, Adam." Each letter of the alphabet gets an alliterative treatment in this alphabet-book and potty-training-primer combo. O'Connell is dogged in her quest for alphabetically significant potty-related words, and Gulliver's art, while featuring kids with the generic cherubic cuteness of Hummel figurines, valiantly honors the frankness of the text.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Majella Lue Sue. Penina (Penina Levine Is a Hard-Boiled Egg) returns in this second entertaining adventure, which takes place during Hanukkah. Penina must overcome her beloved teacher's departure, her best friend's vacation to Aruba, and her sister Mimsy's perpetual "Cuteness Routine" before finally being able to enjoy the festivities. Copious black-and-white illustrations round out the funny story.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Majella Lue Sue. Jewish sixth-grader Penina balks at her teacher's assignment: write a letter to a younger student as the Easter Bunny. Her family supports her, but that doesn't keep her from otherwise getting in trouble at home. Funny dialogue, believable characterizations (Penina's petulant attitude, her impossibly peppy four-year-old sister, the unintentional insensitivity of Penina's teacher), and copious black-and-white illustrations round out the story.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(2) PS Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max. "The baby goes Beep / The baby goes Beep Beep / The baby goes Beep Beep Beep Beep." For each familiar baby action--singing a song ("la"), reading a book ("flip"), heading to bed ("shh")--this chant becomes cumulative. The catchy beat of the simple text along with the deeply colored paintings with strong black outlines make this book an attention-getter for either a baby in the lap or a group of squirmy toddlers.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2004

(2) YA Following her first year of college, Myrtle looks back on her high school friendship with Margie. Together, Myrtle and Margie were the "core members of Seneca High's coven." Myrtle's self-deprecating humor about her weight and eating habits is typical YA, but the narrative is without the sharp edge that's increasingly common. The novel is by turns funny and poignant, a fresh twist on the journey of self-discovery.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2000