(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib. This inspiring biography of Bengali "Banker to the Poor" Muhammad Yunus begins with precepts he learned in childhood. Yunus's path to becoming an economist known for small, low-interest loans to the impoverished ("microcredit") and to receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is back-dropped by striking chalk-pastel illustrations in vibrant colors. An afterword with more information about Grameen Banks is included. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib. In eighteenth-century New Bedford, Massachusetts, nine-year-old Emanuel's Portuguese immigrant father still feels the need to hide his Jewish faith. Tired of secretly lighting Hanukkah candles and feeling ashamed, Emanuel decides to stow away on a whaling ship and become a strong, brave whaler. Dramatic chalk pastel art illustrates the less-than-believable, yet still engrossing, story.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 History Speaks: Picture Books Plus Reader's Theater series. Illustrated by Jamel Akib. This series informs readers about specific events in American history through vignettes starring made-up or real characters. The texts, though easy to follow, include unconvincing invented dialogue. Illustrations of varying quality accompany the stories. Appended "Reader's Theater" sections provide room for further research, elaboration, and performance. The series could be useful in classrooms to engage reluctant historians. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos. Review covers these History Speaks titles: Annie Shapiro and the Clothing Workers' Strike, John Greenwood's Journey to Bunker Hill, and Lizzie Newton and the San Francisco Earthquake.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib. Each of the fifteen poems in this collection celebrates a shade of brown, relating to skin tone and cultural traditions ("Ocher brown... / Like mehendi designs..."). From the sepia of old photos and "Aunty's brown hand" to the beige of feet and sand, the free-verse poems make it clear that all browns are beautiful. Dark-hued illustrations highlight the color's warmth.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib. Ricki is excited to celebrate Divali, but he's worried that his grandfather won't forgive him for accidentally having "meddled with his rosebush." Though the narration can be convoluted and the story tackles too many issues, a lilting Trinidadian syntax and cross-cultural references add flavor to this morality tale about honesty, family, and accepting difference. Gentle rose-tinted illustrations fill the pages.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib. Arun waits for many months before his baby sister's adoption is complete. She arrives from India just in time for the Hindu holiday Rakhi, which is "special to brothers and sisters." Although the story is heartwarming, the static chalk-pastel illustrations depict only two facial expressions: mouth open for happy, angled eyebrows for sad. An author's note about adoption is included.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib & Jamel Akib. An Indian family living in a large city waits for the monsoon rains that will cool off the people and bring rain for the crops. Although the author explains in a note how dangerous monsoons can be, she also talks about the inspiration that the rain brings to musicians and artists. Akib creates lively urban scenes, filled with people that herald the diversity of the city.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt