(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. Emily Beekman, reluctant to go to school for the first time, makes her mother promise to go with her forever. When Mrs. Beekman discovers how much fun school is, both Emily and her teacher find it difficult to persuade her to stay home. Colorful cartoon illustrations will engage young audiences, but the lengthy text is a bit labored.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. Uncooperative hen Coriander sets up a nest (complete with umbrella and boom box) in the middle of a road, stopping traffic and enraging drivers. It takes some reverse psychology to send her back to the hen house--although she still gets her way in the end. The repetitive text plods along, but readers will enjoy the many funny details in the cartoonlike illustrations.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. In this story, illustrated with lighthearted cartoons, eleven-year-old John Jacob and his father transport the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia into hiding during the British siege of 1777. The frame of the story--John Jacob telling his siblings about the adventure and swearing them to secrecy--seems unnecessary. The historical note is useful in relating fiction to facts.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. Talented mouse Tessa loves to sashay to the beat while, unbeknownst to her, an equally gifted cat who lives in the same house, belts out tunes. One night during a rain shower, each is inspired to indulge his or her passion, and they finally meet. The ending is a bit anticlimactic, but the comical acrylic illustrations (Tessa uses bottle caps as tap shoes) convey the book's energy.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington. It looks like Farmer Puckett won't be able to haul the town's Fourth of July fireworks to the fairground this year, because his new mule, Jake Johnson, sat down and won't get up. Illustrated with bright, blocky caricatures, this spirited tall tale features down-home storytelling and colorful characters, including Mrs. Puckett, whose idea to light a fire under that "fool mule" has spectacularly unintended results.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann