(3) PS Illustrated by David Walker. In their seventh outing (Bears in the Snow etc.), the four colorful little bears and Big Brown Bear prepare a picnic to enjoy under flowering trees. When "the wind's just right," the little cubs abandon their honey bread to fly kites, then go for an unexpected ride along. The bears' pastel colors match the springtime setting in Walker's acrylic illustrations, which nicely complement Parenteau's sweet rhyming story.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Friendship Dolls series. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, eleven-year-old Macy is dismayed by the growing anti-Japanese sentiment in her Oregon town and becomes determined to stop the called-for destruction of a unique Japanese doll from her curator father's museum. Parenteau's third (later-set) book about the Friendship Dolls Exchange with Japan explores complications on the WWII American homefront; unfortunately, many aspects of the plot feel forced.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) PS Illustrated by David Walker. In this fifth title about the four small bears (Bears and a Birthday, etc.), they form an impromptu band ("Boompity boomp!"). Their music wakes up Big Bear ("Uh-oh!"), but he's not mad; he grabs a ladle as a baton and leads the band. Expressive pastel-colored acrylic illustrations and an exuberant rhyming text full of onomatopoeia will have preschoolers eagerly joining in.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) PS Illustrated by David Walker. The four small, colorful bears don their winter wear for some playful fun outside in this sixth preschool-perfect outing (Bears on Chairs, etc.). It's hard taking turns on their "bright red sled," so Big Brown Bear becomes the cuddly group's sled. Paired with a loosely rhymed text, Walker's pastel acrylics capture equally well the stark snowy day and the cozy warmth inside afterward.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(2) 4-6 Ship of Dolls was inspired by the true story of how, in 1926, American children sent dolls to Japan to promote friendship and peace. In this sequel, Japanese girl Chiyo cares for the American doll sent to her school. Chiyo wins readers over in this standalone story, and fans of the first book will enjoy following Emily Grace across the world to her new home.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) PS Illustrated by David Walker. In the fourth title about the four small bears (Bears on Chairs; etc.), they prepare a birthday cake for Big Brown Bear's surprise party. Soft, pastel-colored acrylic illustrations capture the exuberant cubs' sloppy, heartfelt efforts, especially wrapping the gift--a royal-blue ball. Jaunty rhymes and the perfect amount of tension make for a terrific preschool storytime read-aloud.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by David Walker. While trying to get four grubby bear cubs to take a bath, Big Brown Bear gets dirty himself, so he climbs into the tub alone. He has such a good time that the little bears decide to join him, and everyone gets clean. The cheerful rhyming story--the third one about these bears--is accompanied by equally cheery illustrations in soft pastel colors.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Lexie must win a trip to the San Francisco sendoff for Friendship Dolls bound for Japan: her mother, who has sent Lexie to live with her grandparents, will be singing at the farewell ceremony. After a classmate swipes Lexie's contest-entry letter--and wins--the girls navigate a friendship. Fully realized characters and a historical backdrop make for an involving story.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(4) PS Illustrated by David Walker. Big Brown Bear says good night to four small bears in their separate beds, but after scary noises wake everyone up, all five finish the night in the same bed. The rhyming scheme wears thin quickly, relying heavily on rhymes for the word bear. Overly cute acrylic paintings in soft pastel colors complement the tone of this bedtime book.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by David Walker. "Four happy bears / on four small chairs. / Not a bear / has to share." Then Big Brown Bear arrives and wants a chair too. How will they manage? After several tries, the bears push their chairs together. Simply composed pastel-hued illustrations with lots of white space show the cuddly-looking creatures working cooperatively so they can all lounge on "one long chair."

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. This cacophonous counting tale features the "preeps," "ribbits," and "gree-deeps" of a multitude of frogs ("One big frog...blew out a song: Ka-blu-urp"). Their voices join in a rising symphony then decrescendo until the evening is still. Lively mixed-media illustrations in shades of blue and green flow across the pages, providing an apt landscape for these personality-rich froggies.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo