(2) PS Illustrated by Blanca Gómez. In this loving concept book about the multitudes contained in the number one ("One is five. One bunch of bananas. One hand of cards. One family"), lyrical text and warm illustrations depict diverse families ranging from one member to ten. A final spread brings the families together, their interactions underlined by the conclusion that "one is one and everyone. One earth. One world. One family."

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(3) PS Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo. "Wipe a tear. / Hold you near. / Toss a ball. / Stop your fall." This sweet book is all about the love expressed by a family through everyday activities done with hands. The gentle rhythm, simple rhymes, and homey, colorful illustrations--a striking mix of linoleum block printing, pencil, and digital techniques (an artist's note is appended)--make this a great toddler read-aloud.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann. Shannon's comically gangly turkey is a creative thinker, unlike pessimistic Pig, Hen, and Chick, who give up on reaching some high-growing blackberries. Like the industrious Little Red Hen, Turkey Tot keeps on working, and with a little imagination and a positive attitude, he succeeds. With its short sentences and humorous repetition, this makes an entertaining book for storytime as well as a good early reader.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) PS Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Text and distinctive folk art tell a cookie's backstory, focusing on all the many hands involved in making it. "Hands that feed and milk the cow. / Churn the butter. Guide the plow." Paschkis's bold illustrations show a diverse network of characters doing their parts with joy. A recipe for sugar cookies is included at the end.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. When the Witches' Double Spelling Bee rolls around, young witch Cordelia thinks she'll be a shoo-in. Her skills are put to the test against thirteen-time winner Beulah Divine. Shannon's text engagingly demonstrates the relationships between words while Fearing's kinetic pencil and digital illustrations lend a Saturday-morning-cartoon quality to the characters and the comedic spell-casting action.

Reviewer: Russell Perry | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Menchin. The chickens in these poems lay cantaloupes, sing (badly), and explain their role in evolution. Comedy wins out over reality in the well-rhymed verses, which use chickens' potential for humor to its full advantage. Drawings of the birds interact with the printed words, which often border on concrete poetry, if concrete poetry can have feathers.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. In the steadily falling snow, Rabbit discovers two turnips. He leaves one outside Donkey's door, who leaves it for Goat. And so the gift is passed anonymously from friend to friend, until all the animals gather to share it together. The repetitive text and wintry acrylics match this tale's gentle tone. Chinese characters adorn some of the spreads. An author's note provides source information.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(2) PS Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. This ingenious book invites the very young to rethink absolutes. "Pink is for crow..." the book begins, confoundingly, accompanied by a picture of a sleek black bird. A page turn reveals the explanation--"when it has just hatched from its egg"--and a rich, vibrant painting shows featherless pink baby birds in their nest. This distinctly unconventional book will reward preschoolers' attention.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2005

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Deborah Zemke. Shannon describes life on Wise Acres farm in three very funny short stories. The farm animals have unusual talents and interests--the turkey plays the banjo, the pig practices fancy dives, and the sheep waits by the mailbox for mail. Illustrations depict a bucolic scene with anthropomorphized farm animals, and readers will laugh at the stories' absurd solutions.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(1) PS Illustrated by Laura Dronzek. Hen takes her chicks to the garden for "sweet itty-bitty beans and potato bugs," until the day they find the path guarded by a loud and grumpy dog. Hen despairs, but all three chicks think they can best the brute. The story structure has the appeal of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"; the succinct narration moves right along. With its boldly colored art and chant-along repetitions, this will serve both preschool groups and beginning readers well.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2003

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey. In his latest tale, Lizard mistakenly trods upon Skunk, and the opportunistic mammal takes advantage of Lizard after feigning injury. Once Lizard catches on, he tricks Skunk into showing him he's okay, then creatively derails Skunk's anger with a healing celebration. Lizard's solution sets a good example, and the animated, candy-colored illustrations are sure to please.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by John O'Brien. Each brief tale in this clever clutch of riddle stories ends on a recto page with the mantra "What's the truth, the whole truth? And where's the lie?" while a turn of the page offers the solution and an explanation. The drawings frequently provide clues to the stories, which range from easy to medium-hard. Impeccable and informative concise notes are provided for each tale.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2001

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amit Trynan. "The moon is bright, the ice--just right, / for skating with some friends tonight." These twenty-four light poems celebrate all kinds of action: from dancing and hopping to diving and puddle jumping. Some of the verses are uneven in quality and awkward to read aloud, but Trynan's bright acrylic illustrations, featuring energetic and colorful frogs, aptly reflect the action of the poems.

Reviewer: Aishah Abdul-Musawwir

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey. When pushy Snake tries to take over the rock that everybody knows is Lizard's home, Lizard soon realizes that wishing songs and pleading aren't going to get his place back. Once Snake agrees to a simple game of chance to decide, Lizard proves that even a little guy can outsmart a sneaky snake. Aruego and Dewey's trademark clarity and humor enhance their illustrations for this clever tale of comeuppance.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin