(2) K-3 Illustrated by Helen Cann. "What gifts have I / to give / this Child? // No gold, / no frankincense, / no myrrh, / only my quiet / soothing purr." Fourteen poems, each told from the perspective of an animal present at Jesus' birth, are here collected. The poems convey both the majesty and intimacy of that night; decorative mixed-media illustrations highlight each animal on its own double-page spread.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Helen Cann. The well-told stories in this colorfully illustrated collection feature dance as central to the plots. The familiar "Twelve Dancing Princesses" and "Tam O'Shanter" are accompanied by six other tales, perhaps lesser known, from around the world. A section explaining the background and steps for each story's dance is appended, and a CD with actress Juliet Stevenson reading the tales completes the entertaining package. Bib.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Helen Cann. Chinese bamboo flautist Guo Yue offers a fictionalized account of his boyhood in Beijing. Written with a well-judged level of detail, the first-person narration is authentic in its allegiance to a child's view. The Red Guards' arrival provides larger context without sacrificing the book's intimate perspective. Tidy line and watercolor paintings sit well in the unfussy but elegant design.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2008

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Helen Cann. Matthews retells eight folktales from European, Inuit, and Jewish traditions. The arrangement is seasonal, beginning with a ghost story for Halloween and ending with an original tale based on Scottish lore to welcome the springtime. Meticulously patterned borders decorated with seasonal motifs surround the lovely watercolor and mixed-media illustrations and text boxes. An introduction precedes each story; source notes are appended.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Helen Cann. An unremarkable collection of over two hundred prayers--many original--is arranged into five sections including ones for morning and evening prayers. There are many references to Jesus, and prayers from the Hebrew Bible are those most familiar to Christians. The illustrations convey the author's sense that God is part of everyday life. Ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Helen Cann & Helen Cann. Singh has borrowed elements from stories from many parts of the world, including China, Nigeria, and India, and created her own retellings that pay homage to trees. Stately in conception, with handsome watercolors and tree facts that start off each story, the stories are a bit long-winded but engrossing.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Helen Cann. This extensive and readable retelling of Old and New Testament stories includes more stories than most other children's Bibles. Watts retains some biblical language but balances the traditional with a more conversational style. The decorative borders on each page help set the scene, while the detailed illustrations convey the stories' historical and human aspects. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Helen Cann. In this quiet retelling, young Brigid of Ireland is mysteriously transported to Bethlehem and uses her cloak to warm Mary. When Brigid finds herself back home, the cloak is emblazoned with glowing stars. Handsome mixed-media illustrations feature borders with Irish and Middle Eastern motifs. Although source notes are lacking, a historical note explains more about St. Brigid.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Helen Cann. Stories of different goddesses appear in this collection, including Isis collecting fourteen pieces of her brother, Osiris, from the Nile; Cerridwen giving birth to the Welsh bard Taliesin; and the Yoruba goddess Oshun creating balance on the earth. The tellings are flat, but they are broken up with plentiful graphite and watercolor illustrations and garlands of flowers, leaves, and fruit along the page borders. Bib.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Helen Cann. After spending the night at Baboushka's house, the three kings invite her to join them as they look for the Christ child. After she cleans the toys she plans to bring as gifts, she leaves too late, just missing the kings and the newborn baby in Bethlehem. Year after year she continues to search, giving away toys to sleeping children. Watercolors with a distinctly Russian folktale flavor accompany this pleasant retelling.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Helen Cann. This attractive Bible storybook focuses on well-known people from the Old and New Testaments. The text introduces characters and describes events but also probes characters' motivations and explains the spiritual lessons embedded in the tales. Illustrated with attractive mixed-media artwork, the book includes a scripture verse, some questions to consider, and guidance for prayer after each section.

Reviewer: Anne St. John