(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Kuo. Pickup Little Green happily carts crops and hauls pigs with Farmer Gray. But when a new heavy-duty truck arrives, Little Green is put out to pasture--until the farmer's daughter spruces him up for a new purpose. Stylized, graphic illustrations, predominantly in oranges and greens, show the refurbished truck proudly parked at market, surrounded by an admiring (racially diverse) crowd.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Janice Nadeau. Some grandmas love to cook, dance, do yoga, or kvetch; some work, some travel, and some tell "tales from long ago." They can be called Nana, Oma, Granny, Nai-Nai, or YaYa. They're all different, but they all want to share their love with their grandchildren. The somewhat sophisticated illustrations add humorous details to this rhyming, sentimental ode to grandmothers.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) PS Illustrated by Marylin Hafner. This story follows a loving family as they prepare for and celebrate Hanukkah. Candle lighting, special foods, gifts, games, and songs are shared. A brief explanation of the history of the holiday and of some terms is included. This paper-over-board edition with die-cut cover is slightly different from the original picture book version.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 1991

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. In a nostalgic paean to community and family, the imminent arrival of a new baby threatens a young girl's idyllic life in her Manhattan apartment building--a virtual United Nations. The residents' preparations for the annual roof party and the girl's grudging acceptance of change are shown in richly colored, WPA-inflected paintings and described in a poetic text.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Once the lead singer of a doo-wop band and now a school janitor, Mr. Searle ("He's old but cool") encourages bashful and lonely students to "collect all kinds of sounds" and turn them into music. Schotter's rhythmic text begs to be read aloud, while Collier's thoughtfully composed collage art reflects the story's uplifting messages about creativity and self-fulfillment.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) PS Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. When the Wizzy Foot (who looks and acts like a little boy) wakes up, he wreaks havoc--and has fun--all day. The conceit wears thin, but the rhythmic text and bright illustrations carry listeners through to the inevitable ending: "...one last roar, / Or...was that a snore? / Hush!!!!! Quiet now!! Not a peep! / The Wizzy Foot is finally asleep."

Reviewer:

(3) K-3 Illustrated by S. Saelig Gallagher. Young Luisa wants to see her mama smile again. With the help of the staff and customers at the beauty salon where Mama works, Luisa plans a surprise party for her. The oil paint illustrations deftly capture the family and community love in this feel-good story that also stresses the importance of education and includes some humorous touches.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) PS Illustrated by Cyd Moore. Kara and her toy rabbit are worried that there isn't enough room for them at Papa's now that his new wife, Peggy, has moved in. Papa and Peggy reassure Kara (and Rabbit) that there's plenty of room, and together they tidy up Peggy's things. The deliberate text is overly long, but using Rabbit to voice Kara's fears may resonate with children in a similar situation. The watercolors effectively portray Papa's overcrowded house.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root. In Ella and Grandpa's beloved pine barrens, the pinecones are "waiting" for fire to free their seeds and to clear room for the seeds to sprout. When Grandpa dies, Ella grieves but is heartened by the birth of her nephew and by the eventual growth of new trees following a fire. Unsentimental illustrations convey a loving family in this moving story about life, death, and rebirth.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. When his mother, the "Control Tower," tells Captain Bob to "clear the runway," a.k.a. his room, he boards his cardboard airplane and accomplishes his mission. Although the story features amusing flying puns--Bob wears "Wind Socks" on his feet--and celebrates the imagination in the text and in the energetic oil paintings, it lacks the coherence and charm of Captain Bob Sets Sail.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Cyd Moore. Kara's parents live apart, and she travels back and forth between their houses. She likes both homes, but her stuffed animal, Rabbit, wants to know where Kara lives. Her parents respond reassuringly: in Mama's words, "...wherever you are, you are always in our hearts." Although the book is at times too sweet, Schotter handles Kara's sadness and uncertainty well. Exuberant watercolors show her two lively, loving households.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by C. B. Mordan. Headstrong and imaginative, ten-year-old Manda determines to help when she discovers her parents' plan to hide a slave family escaping via the Underground Railroad. Manda eagerly befriends young Hannah, and in doing so discovers a wise and lonely girl who yearns for freedom and literacy. Readers will be engaged by the story's courageous characters and suspenseful plot, despite a few overly sentimental moments.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(3) PS Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. "He was Captain Bob, the bravest and best Captain that ever sailed the Soapy Seas." A young boy has a magnificent, imaginative adventure as he takes his bath, facing the dangers of a nautical life. The text uses alliteration, playful language, and occasional rhymes to build energy and playfulness, while Cepeda's exuberant oil paint illustrations show the reality of Captain Bob's voyage.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Frannie is dubious when a neighbor, Mrs. Teplitzky, volunteers to play the evil Haman, but the family Purim play is a rousing success. The older woman is an actress and becomes Frannie's new friend. The lively text, matched with colorful illustrations, aptly tells the story of the holiday and a tale of friendship between generations.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Relatives pour into the house to participate in the Passover Seder. Magic is provided by the occasion and by Uncle Harry, a magician whose timing is just right. The lively cartoon-style illustrations in color capture the chaos and the caring. Appended is a summary of the Passover story and a list of the Four Questions asked by the youngest child at the Seder.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.