(4) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. For flower girl Emma, her cousin's wedding is full of surprises--her "celery" dress just bears the color, not the veggie, and by the way, there are two brides. Some of the misunderstandings are forced, but this cheerful story, which treats both Judaism and same-sex marriage as relatively incidental, is celebratory in tone, with plenty of smiling faces in the green-accentuated illustrations.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. Stella is anxious about her class's upcoming Mother's Day celebration: she has two dads but no mom to bring. The love-makes-a-family message is received gladly, but the story's scaffolding shows (e.g., it's implausible that Stella's classmates at her socially progressive school wouldn't know until May that she has two dads). The watercolors are sensitive and inviting, befitting the subject matter.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. Bored with the usual birthday parties, Annabelle demands that hers be on the moon this year. This location, however, has its own set of problems: Mom can't light the candles and no one can eat cake wearing a space helmet. The story, told in verse with some forced rhymes and lines that don't always scan, is accompanied by attractive exaggerated illustrations.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. Annabelle is a budding fashionista who shuns boring braids and childish overalls. This sassy character first whips her hair into a bouffant then creates a long, colorful gown to wear to school. Some of the text's rhymes are uninspired, but the illustrations are vibrant and the story speaks to young readers looking to make an impression of their own.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson