(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. This fifth edition of the classic sex-ed compendium for tweens and young teens updates the 2014 edition, most notably revising the text throughout to use more gender-inclusive language and less binary thinking. Harris lays the groundwork in the first chapter, e.g., providing definitions for sex and gender and acknowledging that for some people the labels assigned at birth "do not describe who they are." Many pages have been redesigned to accommodate added text and reconfigured chapters. The addition of new illustrations better reflects diversity in all its forms. A welcome--and welcoming--edition.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1995

(3) PS Illustrated by Michael Emberley. From first cry to first birthday, this picture book follows three families navigating their babies' first years. Simple rhyming declarations--"First roll, then creep. / First crawl, then sleep"--list milestones large and small; Emberley's digitally-colored pencil illustrations depict the three ethnically diverse families in affectionate vignettes. Straightforward and readable, this celebration of babyhood will appeal to fans of Susan Meyers and Marla Frazee's Everywhere Babies.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Six-year-old Priscilla becomes obsessed with gorillas because "they always get their way," unlike Priscilla, who has to concede to her teacher. Alternating between school and home, the story provides an engaging look at the dynamics Priscilla negotiates as she struggles with both independence and cooperation. The story's unassuming narration highlights the characters' funny quips, while the pencil and watercolor illustrations make their emotions clear.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2017

(4) PS StoryPlay Book series. Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Mother fox loves her cub even when he's angry or wild (Love); cartoon illustrations display a cat's dramatic imaginings when its book goes missing (Bear); a frog invites animals to dance with him in "the cool of the pool" (Down). New to these editions are intrusive discussion prompts and appended "creative activities" to help parents "engage with your little one." Review covers these StoryPlay Book titles: I Love You Because You're You, Maybe a Bear Ate It!, and Down by the Cool of the Pool.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Narrator Missy eagerly anticipates Miss Brooks's morning Story Nook time. One morning when the power goes out, Miss Brooks has the kids tell their own stories instead. Missy begins a story that also helps work through her bullying problem--"An ogre lives down the street from me..."--and her punchy narration offsets the pat resolution. Pleasingly detailed pencil-and-wash illustrations give the characters distinct personalities.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. The original Horn Book review described this invaluable resource as an "unassuming, coherent, comprehensive explanation of sex in all its complicated glory." The frank and nonjudgmental discussion is illustrated with anatomically correct cartoon drawings. This twentieth-anniversary edition includes a broader definition of gender; expanded information about using the internet; and updated information about contraception, abortion, sexual abuse, and STDs, including HIV/AIDS. Ind.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1995; November, 2014

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Celebrating our bodies and our sexuality for younger readers, this frank and nonjudgmental discussion is illustrated with anatomically correct cartoon drawings. The fifteenth-anniversary edition of this invaluable resource is Harris and Emberley's laudable attempt to keep the content "as up-to-date and accurate as possible." The updated text and art include a broader definition of gender and expanded information about using the internet. Ind.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2000; November, 2014

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Hoberman has selected more than 120 poems that are good choices for memorization. Divided into eleven sections, the collection is a treasure trove of the familiar and the fresh. Emberley's watercolor, pastel, and pencil pictures both embellish and illustrate the poems. A wonderful gift book for poetry lovers, but even children who have never considered memorizing a poem will find much to love here. Ind.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. In this disorderly classroom, Adelaide annoys Bailey who blames Clyde, etc.; the pandemonium continues through Z, then Adelaide apologizes for starting it all. The students engage in refreshingly childlike actions, which add up to a whole lot of slapstick fun. Cartoon line art with watercolor expertly draws eyes across the pages while offering pictorial clues about what might happen next.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. A first grader finds her school librarian's passion for books "vexing," to say the least. She also dismisses her classmates' book choices: "Too flowery"; "Too clickety." But when her mother brings out Shrek! she finally meets a book she can love. In Emberley's ebullient pencil and watercolor pictures, the little girl's stubbornness is reflected in her wearing the same outfit day after day.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. This reliable series gets a refreshing variation, with its signature phrase ("you read to me! / I'll read to you!") replaced by pithy rhyming morals. The thirteen fables are mostly familiar; their traditional structure makes them a canny choice for the color-coded poems for two voices. Hoberman is really the master of unforced rhyme, and Emberley's pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are consistently spry.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. An unassuming, coherent, comprehensive explanation of sex in all its complicated glory. The text is freely and profusely illustrated with explicit drawings done in a frank but disarming style. All the people pictured look wonderfully happy with themselves, whether they're kissing or copulating. This fifteenth-anniversary edition has been updated with current information about issues including HIV/AIDS, HPV, and personal safety and the Internet.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1995

(3) PS Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Baby Harry's screaming and attention-hogging irk his big brother, who announces that Harry should be thrown away, flushed, and--finally--sent to the moon. When he can't find Harry, though, he fears that his parents have heeded his words. This jealous-of-a-new-sibling book rises above others on the topic with its childlike narrative and fresh, funny illustrations that track the narrator-brother's emotional about-face.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Michael Emberley. After a sleepy yawn and big stretch, a catlike creature finds his book missing from his comfy bed. His active imagination takes over: "Maybe a bear ate it!" After panic subsides, he finds the beloved book buried under the bed--where observant readers will note it's been all along. Emberley's expressive cartoon-style illustrations against white backgrounds ably display the youngster's dramatic imaginings.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) PS Illustrated by Michael Emberley. This tongue-in-cheek advice book turns the tables to a kids' point of view, describing what grandchildren should do for their grandparents. Readers are instructed about the importance of such practices as letting their grandparents sometimes win at games and making sure they get naps when they are tired. Emberley's cartoon illustrations show animal grandparents and grandkids enjoying time together.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. As with the previous volumes, this book includes short rhyming stories to be read aloud by two voices, with the text color-coded for ease of use. The focus here is monsters and Halloween creatures. Despite the spooky title, Emberley's pencil, watercolor, and dry pastel illustrations play up the fun, not the frights, of the holiday.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(1) PS Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Harris and Emberley (It's Perfectly Normal, It's So Amazing!) successfully tackle questions about body parts, where babies come from, and other related issues for a preschooler audience. The ever-curious cartoon bird and his more reticent bee friend set a welcoming tone right from the beginning, and the text gives basic yet thorough explanations. Emberley's cartoon illustrations work seamlessly with the text. Ind.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2006

(2) PS Growing Up Stories series. Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Fictional twins Jasmine and Jackson represent the two-year-old set; factual information about typically developing two-year-olds is supplemented by a few extra bits on twins. With humor and understanding, Emberley's illustrations portray the (African-American) children's everyday triumphs and troubles. Their many activities are related in a straightforward, immediate text. The accompanying boxed information is aimed at older siblings.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2004

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Like its predecessor, this lap-friendly volume includes a handful of rhyming short stories designed to be read aloud by two readers. The verse is sprightly and conversational; each story is a mild but clever takeoff on a familiar tale. Emberley's line is elegant as well as funny, the colors are fresh, and with a plenitude of vignettes for each story, still-new readers get plenty of clues.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2004

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Harris and Emberley follow Hello Benny! What It's Like to Be a Baby with this lively look at one-year-old behavior and development. Toddler Maria goes about her business while supplemental boxed information, appearing in tandem with the story, demonstrates how her actions are typical for her age group. The lighthearted cartoons document what exasperating and exhausting but lovable creatures one-year-olds can be.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2003