(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. When a grandfather and grandson visit a natural history museum, the Tyrannosaurus rex exhibit prompts a discussion about what we know and don't know about dinosaurs. The child's many questions about dinosaurs are answered by his grandfather with the best facts available, and even more fully by the vibrantly colored, kid-friendly illustrations. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2004

(3) PS Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. Poor Rooster! He can't remember what he should say. He tries "cock-a-moo-moo," "cock-a-quack-quack," "cock-a-baa-baa," but the other animals just laugh at him. They come to appreciate him, however, when a marauding fox appears and Rooster wakes everyone with his mixed-up crowing. Bright full-page illustrations make this noisy, silly tale good for story hours.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. Caught drinking orange soda for breakfast, Oliver spends the day with his cousin Lily and his well-meaning aunt Jen as they search for the freshest ingredients for a healthy "yummy scrummy fruity frothy milk shake." Bold, expansive gouache illustrations accompany this didactic but entertaining story.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) PS Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. When his friend Hippo dies, Monkey is inconsolable--until a new friend helps him see that what they have learned from Hippo will help them both. Though the book is overly purposeful, Puttock sets the right tone in addressing the grief that children feel and the pain of their loss. Vibrantly hued illustrations capture the appealing characters and their changing emotions.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. A mother and daughter gather frog spawn from a pond to observe the metamorphosis from egg to tadpole to frog. While French provides step-by-step guidance for gathering and observing frog spawn, there's enough detail for a vicarious scientific experience. Bartlett's use of multiple frames showing frog development paces the action while allowing enough detail for small, but important, changes. Ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2000

(3) PS Share-a-Story series. Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. A caterpillar, who wishes that he was a lion, goes around growling at other animals until he actually scares a little fish and realizes that he would rather be a small bug than a ferocious predator. The vivid illustrations use a variety of painted textures to highlight the story. Suggestions for ways to share the story with young children are also included.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(3) PS Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. This rhyming counting book, an adaptation of "Over in the Meadow," takes readers on a safari through the African plains where mothers encourage their young ones--from one baby rhino to ten young monkeys--to eat, play, swim, or sleep. There are plenty of opportunities for counting since the babies are first shown alone, then in action with their mother on the facing page in bold, textured paintings.

Reviewer: Sara Pearce

(4) PS Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. Paddiwak, a "prince of a cat," feels jealous when his young mistress brings home a new tabby cat. Claiming that he's "never, never, never going home," Paddiwak stays outside until it starts to rain. Bright, textured paintings augment the tension between the animal characters as well as the predictably tender encounter at story's end.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. Oliver insists that his grandpa grows the most wonderful fruit, but when his realistically frustrated mother buys the same fruit in the grocery store, he claims he doesn't like it. Oliver changes his mind when he helps make a beautiful fruit salad. The illustrations--bold with large expanses of bright color--are more engaging than the story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) PS A lyrical tale of a mother bird's hunt for food to feed her babies is illustrated in bright paintings saturated with color. Half-gatefolds have been added on each page, with a full-spread gatefold at the end, all of which seem superfluous and unnecessary to the enjoyment of the simple counting story. Suggestions for searching the artwork for shapes and patterns are included at the end.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.