(4) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. A boy asks his mom to read his favorite bedtime book, in which a bear prepares for hibernation; as she reads, the boy prepares for (and submits to) sleep. The parallel-experience concept is solid, but sometimes the story's "meta" visual element ("The bear...crossed the page") is just plain confusing. Regardless, Hallensleben's paintings of wintry scenes are consistently sumptuous.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Text and art depicting carolers, Nativity scenes, and cookie baking alternate with excitement building among the farm animals. What are they waiting for? The book provides hints, and readers will find the Christmas Eve birth of a foal worth the anticipation. Banks's narrative is full of sensory detail, and Hallensleben's paintings, with their luminous color and thick brush strokes, capture the season's warmth.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(2) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. A baby fox's parents teach him to find food, hide from his enemies, and "run like the wind." Banks's lullaby text speaks directly to young children, reassuring them that growing up happens naturally. Hallensleben's paintings depict lush surroundings in rich, natural colors, while his simple, solid animal figures express human emotion. Perfect for sharing at bedtime.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. When an old woman dies, her belongings, including a cat, are shipped to a city, but once there, the cat is abandoned. He starts walking and, at last, returns to his old house, where he's welcomed by two children. Banks uses a calm tone and precise details to describe the cat's trek. Color-saturated paintings reflect a loving view of France, both countryside and towns.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2004

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Here are two more picture books starring the animal-child friends. In Jungle, Lisa is jealous of Gaspard's summer vacation story, so she invents a story about her own trip to the jungle. In Friends, Gaspard tells how he and Lisa became friends. Both stories end abruptly, but the episodic text and bold, painterly illustrations have a quirky charm. [Review covers these titles: Gaspard and Lisa and Lisa in the Jungle.]

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Here are two more picture books starring the animal-child friends. In Jungle, Lisa is jealous of Gaspard's summer vacation story, so she invents a story about her own trip to the jungle. In Friends, Gaspard tells how he and Lisa became friends. Both stories end abruptly, but the episodic text and bold, painterly illustrations have a quirky charm. [Review covers these titles: Gaspard and Lisa and Lisa in the Jungle.]

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(3) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Both these stories about the two friends are narrated by Lisa. In Rainy Day, Gaspard and Lisa climb in and out of trouble at Grandma's house while searching for rainy day activities. Baby Sister finds Lisa adjusting to life with newborn Lila--eventually even liking her new sister. The pleasantly busy and richly colored illustrations are a good match for the cheery stories. [Review covers these titles: Gaspard and Lisa's Rainy Day and Lisa's Baby Sister.]

Reviewer:

(3) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Both these stories about the two friends are narrated by Lisa. In Rainy Day, Gaspard and Lisa climb in and out of trouble at Grandma's house while searching for rainy day activities. Baby Sister finds Lisa adjusting to life with newborn Lila--eventually even liking her new sister. The pleasantly busy and richly colored illustrations are a good match for the cheery stories. [Review covers these titles: Gaspard and Lisa's Rainy Day and Lisa's Baby Sister.]

Reviewer:

(2) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. A mother tiger settles her restless cub, who doesn't want to close his eyes, with quieting promises of fanciful dreams and assurances that she will be there when he wakes. The rich paintings depict a lush, inviting jungle setting, and the softly rounded animal forms are more friendly than realistic in both dream (a plaid whale) and waking (a smiling croc) worlds, a style suited to the soothing bedtime story.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2002

(3) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Lisa and Gaspard, childlike animals resembling stuffed toys, each star in a mild, pleasingly age-appropriate adventure: Lisa travels to New York (with the World Trade Center towers still intact) and gets lost; Gaspard goes to windsurfing camp and admits he can't swim. The painterly illustrations have a winning depth and texture, while the tone of the text is pitched just right. [Review covers these titles: Gaspard at the Seashore and Lisa in New York.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Lisa and Gaspard, childlike animals resembling stuffed toys, each star in a mild, pleasingly age-appropriate adventure: Lisa travels to New York (with the World Trade Center towers still intact) and gets lost; Gaspard goes to windsurfing camp and admits he can't swim. The painterly illustrations have a winning depth and texture, while the tone of the text is pitched just right. [Review covers these titles: Gaspard at the Seashore and Lisa in New York.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Gaspard and Lisa attempt to create the perfect gift for their teacher using the dubious combination of a shower curtain, Krazy Glue, and yellow dye. Lisa's calm narration is an amusing contrast to the frantic scenario; the textured, rich-toned illustrations are accomplished; and the surprise ending--the raincoat may not fit their teacher but it fits her dog--is grand.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Banks and Hallensleben trace the history of time through the many transformations of a volcanic rock, now washed ashore by the sea. A small boy discovers the rock on the beach, and as he explores its surface, alternating spreads relate the rock's metamorphosis over millions of years. The shifting landscapes are beautifully evoked by Hallensleben, and the concept of a tangible object that shares the earth's history is effectively conveyed.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2001

(4) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Gaspard and Lisa continue their adventures in these two books. Gaspard accidentally swallows his new keychain and is taken to the hospital, and he and Lisa get locked inside a museum after playing a trick on their classmates. The artwork and stories contain some quirky humor, but the writing is a bit self-conscious. [Review covers Gaspard and Lisa at the Museum and Gaspard in the Hospital.]

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) PS Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Gaspard and Lisa continue their adventures in these two books. Gaspard accidentally swallows his new keychain and is taken to the hospital, and he and Lisa get locked inside a museum after playing a trick on their classmates. The artwork and stories contain some quirky humor, but the writing is a bit self-conscious. [Review covers Gaspard and Lisa at the Museum and Gaspard in the Hospital.]

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. Every night Alex's father goes to work as an engineer on a construction project, and Alex longs to go with him. Finally one evening Papa gives Alex a hardhat, and the boy accompanies his father to work. The crisp text and night-colored paintings depict the excitement of a construction site as Alex explores it with his father.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Georg Hallensleben. In this French import, Isabelle the pig has a crush on the little angel in a painting at the art museum. One day, he steps out of his frame and takes her on a private tour of the exhibits. He can't leave the building, though, so Isabelle decides to work as a museum guard. Although the story is odd, the colorful pictures, which are illustrated in a loose style that shows the brush strokes, are lively and expressive.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(1) PS Banks and Hallensleben's third collaboration evokes the powerful bedtime magic of 'Goodnight Moon': the opening scene finds a young child in a large but cozy room filled with familiar objects. However, the book then soars out of the house to take in the vast world. Banks's rhythmic text subtly conveys the theme of a great and wondrous world while never sacrificing the comfort and security of parental love, and Hallensleben's rich, luxuriant palette moves adeptly in and out of the home.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.