(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. A lesson in mindfulness is couched in a cozy story about a much-anticipated visit with extended family. At first, the child protagonist struggles with a seemingly interminable "today": "Today stretches long...when you're counting weeks to summer, counting days to your trip, counting hours until you'll see Pop-pop and your cousins again." With these lines, Snyder cleverly initiates a second-person narration to align readers with the protagonist. Then, when the child's parents finally stop their "yak-yak-yak[ing] with the neighbors," the family drives to a picturesque lake house, where Pop-pop, cousins, and other relatives await. Graegin's rendering of the peaceful, idyllic setting and her matter-of-fact depiction of an affectionate, multiracial family are warm and welcoming. Now time races by as the child frolics in the lake with cousins and later watches fireflies dot the yard, visually echoed by a string of fairy lights. A wasp sting is the only trouble spot to mar this happy, fleeting day, but grownups and sympathetic cousins ease the child's pain. Fireworks cap off "the today you've been waiting for," and then, staving off sorrow at book's end, closing text reminds the child and readers alike that our favorite days can continue as "a memory you can visit again and again." Thoughtful back matter offers tips for "appreciating the here and now" and using positive memories to ease anxiety and worries.

Reviewer: Megan Dowd Lambert | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Raccoon Manny (Super Manny Stands Up!) and hedgehog Gertie go around town "saving the planet from danger" every weekend. The pals inspire others to help clean up the litter-filled park because, "every superhero needs a planet worth saving." An earthy color palette and imaginative, proactive characters help make this a positive storytime choice for Earth Day and every day.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Thank yous have many purposes in this book, wherein animals and people find opportunities to express gratitude. The poetic text conveys a heartwarming message, despite occasionally awkward phrasing. Lushly colored and delicately rendered illustrations show kindness, inclusion, and happiness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. A quiet introduction to collections, from baseball cards to those in libraries and museums. When dog Hector begins collecting acorns, his classmates laugh. But after a class discussion about collecting, the students realize how special and personal collections can be. Soft mixed-media illustrations show an urban world populated by friendly animals. A note from the curator and art-historian author discusses different types of collections.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. At home, raccoon Manny wears different-color capes that give him imagined superpowers. At school, he wears an invisible cape, which comes in handy when a bully picks on a schoolmate. Manny courageously speaks up, encouraging other students to don their invisible capes and join in. The appealing mixed-media illustrations show the impact one individual can have when speaking out against bullies.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Heartwood Hotel series. Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. In Fernwood Forest, a fall rainstorm brings homeless mouse Mona to the Heartwood Hotel's tree. She becomes a maid, befriends the animal staff and guests, and gains a home (True). While most guests hibernate for winter, Mona helps solve the hotel's mysterious food shortage (Greatest). George's enchanting new series features diminutive critters with big hearts, sweetly depicted in Graegin's plentiful, detailed spot and full-page pencil illustrations. Review covers these Heartwood Hotel titles: The Greatest Gift and A True Home.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Heartwood Hotel series. Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. In Fernwood Forest, a fall rainstorm brings homeless mouse Mona to the Heartwood Hotel's tree. She becomes a maid, befriends the animal staff and guests, and gains a home (True). While most guests hibernate for winter, Mona helps solve the hotel's mysterious food shortage (Greatest). George's enchanting new series features diminutive critters with big hearts, sweetly depicted in Graegin's plentiful, detailed spot and full-page pencil illustrations. Review covers these Heartwood Hotel titles: The Greatest Gift and A True Home.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. "Love me tender. / Love me sweet. / Never let me go." You know the words, but did you know that they have new resonance when paired with dulcet illustrations of a multiethnic cast of toddlers tended by gay and straight parents? In her endnote, Priscilla Presley calls for "accepting those who are different"; one can almost hear the King responding, "Amen, darlin'."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. A group of forest-animal friends sets out to return a gift that dropped from Santa's sleigh: a present for the "New Baby" (not that baby) at a nearby farm. Tired and hungry, the friends trudge along, thoughts of Santa (also journeying through the cold, dark night) urging them forward. Digitally colored pencil and ink-wash illustrations capture the characters' emotions.

Reviewer: Simran P. Gupta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. After a "big blustery blizzard," Thomas is excited to build a snowman. He needs some help, but the "bear" (his little sibling) is "hibernating" (napping) and can't be roused until a "scrumptious snack" gets the bear moving. Together they complete a snow bear and play in the snow. This is a positive, child-pleasing sibling story with cozy, wintry illustrations.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. With many examples of humane behavior, this simple, quiet rhyming book features a diverse group of youngsters going through their activities in an urban setting, sharing, helping, consoling, laughing, and truly listening to one another. A subtle reference to 9/11 will require explanation. Graegin's pencil and watercolor illustrations have been digitally manipulated but have an old-fashioned, comforting look.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Each time his back is turned, Thomas's cozy, newly constructed pillow cave is taken over by a bear. Thomas repeatedly lures it out with various tactics (blueberries, a back scratch, honey, etc.). Homey, warm-toned illustrations with smart perspectives deftly hide the ending's sweet reveal: a little boy in a bear suit who just wants to be with his older brother. Cave-building tips appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. A girl describes the progression of her grandmother's dementia. Unflinchingly direct text captures Julia's love for her grandmother and her devastation when her grandmother doesn't recognize her. Warmly shaded illustrations contain a forget-me-not motif, tying in Julia's hopes for bringing joy into her grandmother's life despite her losses. A powerful, clear-eyed meditation on one girl's loving but painful relationship with a beloved aging relative.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. An errand to help her neighbors, the reclusive Baldwin sisters, leads Fortuna to uncover layers of secrets: the sisters are witches, and they've broken witch law by transforming several birds into humans. Omniscient narration gives this unusual fantasy broad appeal by looking at the story from a variety of angles. Spot art decorates each new chapter.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Just before six a.m., a city park starts to stir: dogs arrive, owners in tow, for an early-morning swim in the pond. Next, a few kids and their caretakers show up; at eight, the sprinklers are turned on, and by mid-morning the playground is mobbed. And so the day goes. Graegin's pencil-and-ink-wash illustrations beautifully reflect the changing light and the shifting population.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. A couple describes milestones in their child's life through toddlerhood: "You were the first to lift your head, to look at the trees and flowers and sky," and so on. Meticulous mixed-media illustrations gently escort the reader through the years, which the parents hypothesize may include "a second-- / or a third" child. It's heartwarming stuff--in a good way.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. "What are these and what are those? / Fancy shoes and party clothes!" Simple questions alternate with straightforward answers in the bouncy rhymed text as a baby bunny learns the elements of a birthday party (guests, presents, candles, cake, etc.) when her loving family hosts her special day. Homey digitally composed pencil and ink-wash illustrations aptly capture the jubilant merrymaking.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Feeling trapped in his home--a zoo--Whit, eleven, craves contact with the outside world so much that he makes a field study of Bird Girl, a peer named Stella. The narrative moves slowly, but the well-drawn characters handle themes of family, abuse, and freedom without being schmaltzy or grim. Judiciously placed pencil illustrations evoke tender moments.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff