(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Buket Erdogan. These easy-reader editions (originally published as picture books Mouse's First Fall and Mouse's First Summer, respectively) feature "slightly different text" but keep the same low-key, season-themed adventures of adorably inquisitive Mouse and big sister Minka. Question-and-answer texts ("Over there, Mouse finds something green and tickly. / What is it? A grassy hill!") and Erdogan's original round-edged illustrations are both appealing. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Mouse Loves Fall and Mouse Loves Summer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Buket Erdogan. These easy-reader editions (originally published as picture books Mouse's First Fall and Mouse's First Summer, respectively) feature "slightly different text" but keep the same low-key, season-themed adventures of adorably inquisitive Mouse and big sister Minka. Question-and-answer texts ("Over there, Mouse finds something green and tickly. / What is it? A grassy hill!") and Erdogan's original round-edged illustrations are both appealing. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Mouse Loves Fall and Mouse Loves Summer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephen Savage. A young polar bear sets off alone on a wonder-filled walk among sleeping animals and falling stars, returning to snuggle into her "mother bear's soft, warm fur." This story is tailor-made for toddlers who are working hard to establish independence without giving up security. The board book version maintains the original picture book's emotional warmth and the artistic integrity of its evocative illustrations.

Reviewer: Viki Ash | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2004

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephen Savage. The ever-inquisitive polar bear cub (Polar Bear Night) ventures out into the early morning light while her mama is still sleeping, and she soon runs into a curiosity. Simple linocut illustrations make effective use of color and perspective; the words and visuals bring to life the Arctic world of snow and sea in this joyous celebration of independent exploration and first friendship.

Reviewer: Julie Roach

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christy Hale. Sama is hurt by a boy from the enemy village, but she decides to end the cycle of hate by building a "forgiveness garden" instead of retaliating. Hale's mixed-media collages in a limited palette of natural colors beautifully illustrate this gentle but profound parable. An afterword addresses the Garden of Forgiveness in Lebanon and the movement to spread its peaceful message.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) PS Illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. "Squint it. Grin it. / Shrug it. Hug it. / Zig-zig-zag it." Four children at a summer day camp demonstrate the actions in this bouncy rhyming text as they encourage preschoolers to move along with them. Labels on the bold acrylic illustrations identify different parts of the body to be wiggled (fingers), shrugged (shoulders), or twisted (waist).

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) PS Illustrated by Jonathan Bean. "One starry night / a sheep watched over her lamb / I am here." Thompson's poetic, reverent text tells of the night Jesus was born. Bean's digitally colored pencil illustrations portray the calm nighttime scenes. The gentle words are beautifully matched by the strikingly composed art; both are infused with meaning and are powerful in their simplicity.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Buket Erdogan. In this easy reader version of the picture book Mouse's First Day of School, Thompson describes what Mouse finds when he rides to school in a backpack: "Mouse finds juice. Mouse finds fruit and cookies. It is snack time! Sip, slurp, crunch!" Mouse also finds "his favorite thing. Mouse finds friends!" Illustrations in glowing colors provide appealing close-ups of Mouse and his discoveries.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) PS Illustrated by Matthew Cordell. A young frog explores the wonders of his world in Thompson's parent-centered tale. Although Junior seeks out the farthest stars, he always returns home, knowing that no matter how far he explores, his mother will always be there waiting for him. There's some spark to the rhymes, and Cordell's illustrations don't take themselves too seriously; otherwise, it's all just reassurance for moms.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(3) PS Illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. "Swirl it. / Curl it. / Scoop it. / Loop it..." Four children take turns modeling how to eat various kid-friendly foods; each demonstration comes with a labeled illustration ("mashed potatoes" goes with "Swirl it," "spaghetti" with "Curl it," etc.). Right-on-the-beat rhymes and good-humored acrylics showing smiling--but not squeaky-clean--kids turn a modest concept into an appetizing read.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by John Butler. One spring day, a little bunny plays with a chipmunk, annoys a porcupine, rolls in clover, and returns home to tell Mama about his day. Full of kid-friendly language such as "giggle, giggle giggle!" and "wiggle, wiggle wiggle!," the bubbly text has toddler appeal. Butler's close-up views of the animals, with their realistic, meticulously rendered fur, are hard to resist.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Robin Eley. Twenty kitties "skipping, scamping!...verving, vamping!" make their way through this counting book. Cats arrive and depart in groups of varying sizes, drawing on readers' addition and subtraction skills; on some spreads the cats are drawn in configurations that touch on multiplication: "Twelve fine cats in three lines of four." The illustrations have a slightly static quality, but each of the cats is unique.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Santa, casually dressed in short blue pants, a gray-and-white striped shirt, a brown coverall apron, and bunny slippers, begins preparations for the big event. He calls the reindeer, polishes his sled, and consults his book. Thompson's quiet text captures the story's breath-held hush of anticipation leading to "the Christmas magic." Muth's tranquil watercolor and pastel illustrations display the snowy, remote setting.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(3) PS Illustrated by John Butler. A shy lamb hides behind his mama when approached by some more-outgoing animals. He finally opens up after meeting a little mouse who, like him, enjoys the comfort of having her mother close by. Like the story, the illustrations are soothing: lush green meadow with blue and purple-pink sky serves as a backdrop to the wide-eyed animal portraits.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) PS Illustrated by John Butler. Being the smallest of the flock does not prevent a newborn chick from climbing high, running fast, peeping loudly, and finding the biggest seed. Mama Hen explains to the other animals that her little chick is "just big enough!" Double-page spreads in soft yellow and tan acrylics and colored pencils create an idyllic farmyard that reflects the text's lyrical cadences.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 "Hope is sad tears flowing, making room for joy...knowing that you are loved...finding happiness in simple things." This book offers a series of vignettes focusing on the cathartic effects of hope. The philosophically mature text is handsomely illustrated with photographs of young children from many different cultures. An author's note provides "more thoughts on hope."

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) K-3 Photographs by James Estrin. Five little girls who have cerebral palsy or other muscle disorders make their dream of being ballerinas come true. Straightforward text chronicles physical therapist Joann Ferrara's ballet class, culminating in a dance recital. Photographs of the girls in costume, set against pink backgrounds, show their joy as they experience the glitter and glamour of ballet while also improving physically.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jonathan Bean. In House-That-Jack-Built-style rhyme, this book describes the provenance of a pie, starting with apples then moving outward to include the tree, the rain, and the world. Likewise, the illustrations start with close-ups then pull back to show the landscape. The use of only three colors (red, mustard brown, and black) and its illustrative style give the book an old-fashioned sensibility.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2008

(3) PS Illustrated by Buket Erdogan. In this eighth book in the series, two mice run, jump, and hide in the fallen autumn leaves, admiring their different colors and shapes. This entry includes the playful language featured in earlier titles, and, as usual, the rich colors and rounded shapes in the textured paintings are a pleasure to view.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Derek Anderson. One by one, Mama Duck's five ducklings go to sleep but not before Mama identifies mysterious noises and sights ("whooo! whooo! whooo!" is an owl hooting; "sway, sway, sway" is a tree moving). An appropriately quiet text featuring effective use of repetition ("Now it's sleepy time, little ducklings") and boldly composed double-page spreads combine to tell a reassuring bedtime story.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano