(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ashley Barron. A racoon is panic-stricken after taking a spill down a chimney. During a nighttime car ride, a family is startled when a moose sallies out onto the road. A chipmunk is brought to bay in a rainspout by its feline predator. In the fifteen short narrative poems in this picture book, racially diverse children and their caregivers unexpectedly come face to face with undomesticated critters, some imperiled, and choose to show them kindness and respect. A closing poem observes each animal’s whereabouts following their human encounters. Ruddock’s evocative rhyming verses and Barron’s textured cut-paper-collage illustrations convey both the vulnerability and power of wild creatures. Readers will warm to the wisdom of giving wildlife their space. An eloquent exemplum of animal ethics that avoids preachiness.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) PS Illustrated by Ashley Barron. New lyrics, set to familiar tunes (such as "B-I-N-G-O" and "Happy Birthday"), urge young children to be kind, manage their anger, accept mistakes, etc. Bright collage illustrations mirror the messages, showing expressive kids from many cultures and with varying abilities. Back matter provides rationale for caregivers and storytime tips. Sheet music and sound files can be downloaded for free.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS Illustrated by Ashley Barron. A West African mother (country not named) with gentle arms, a Peruvian sister with a shawl, a Korean dad in a wheelchair using a front carrier, and more all demonstrate and celebrate the bonds between loving relatives and little babies. The families, including a multiracial family from "the place you call home," are depicted in wonderfully textured collages full of socially inclusive details.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ashley Barron. This picture book shares how children from fourteen different countries celebrate their birthdays. From Russia to Jamaica and Peru to Lesotho, readers learn about the various birthday traditions in each culture, including the special meals, clothing, ceremonies, and games involved. Barron's cheerful cut-paper-collage and digital art lends additional appeal. An introductory world map highlights each child's location; activities are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ashley Barron. Young Kyle, a three-toed sloth, leaves his mother for the first time to travel from the rainforest canopy to its floor. Why? His weekly trip to relieve his bladder and bowels. He's nervous, but, encouraged by other rainforest creatures, he succeeds. Colorful collages, some vertical, first hide then reveal his helpful neighbors including a parrot and whipsnake. Factual information is appended.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ashley Barron. Two-page spreads, illustrated with pleasing cut-paper collage, link animals' activities to geometry concepts. For example, "Would spiders weave webs to spin silken scenes?" is paired with questions about finding shapes therein. The prompts and activities range widely in difficulty and the book's assertion--"So...does nature know numbers? No way!"--is confusingly explained. Animal facts are appended.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Math in Nature series. Illustrated by Ashley Barron. A rhyming text poses questions about numbers in nature: "With toes like those, / do you suppose / raccoons can count on trouble?" Additional text boxes ask readers to perform simple (though not always clear) math tasks related to counting or estimating: "Can you count the [raccoon] toes by fives?" Pleasing cut-paper collage art features appropriate fall tones.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey