(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amanda Harvey. Every night, Sophie thinks she hears a dragon downstairs in her living room, but when she creeps down to catch him--wearing her suit of armor or her firefighter gear or her princess dress--there's never anything there. Gently rhythmic text and cozy watercolors depict a girl gradually working through her fear and happily discovering the real source of the noise.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Amanda Harvey. Bobby Quinn is too shy to make new friends, but when he receives a lively beagle puppy for his eighth birthday, she helps him overcome his shyness and make friends--with both an elderly neighbor and kids his own age. The author handles the common childhood situation with a deft touch. Brief chapters and black-and-white line drawings add appeal for new chapter-book readers.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Amanda Harvey & Amanda Harvey. Although Ruddy finds Grandmother Silk stuffy and boring, he discovers another side to her when the two are snowed in for three days during a freak October snowstorm. When they have to make do without water, electricity, or any outside help, Ruddy shows his strengths and his grandmother softens to become a more compassionate person. The story, accompanied by warm illustrations, is touching but slowly paced.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(1) PS Illustrated by Amanda Harvey. When Santa comes to Bella's preschool without reindeer, a sleigh, snow, or a present for her cat, Bella's enormous disappointment is met with her mother's assurance that Christmas is just beginning. The rest of the book is a catalog of the cheery rituals and activities Bella's family performs in preparation. The universal story is engagingly told, and the illustrations capture the pleasures of the holiday.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2002

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Amanda Harvey. A new series introduces fourth-grader Jake but then, strangely, goes back to describe his experiences dealing with a bully in second grade. Jake tells how he dealt with Link Baxter by first ignoring him, then fighting back, and eventually coming to understand a little bit about his persecutor. Although there's nothing original about this standard story, it reads quickly and easily.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amanda Harvey. What does it mean to be best friends? In this simple description of friendship, the narrator begins, "I know everything about John and he knows everything about me." The boys know what is in each others' drawers and closets, what frightens each of them, and who they especially like. Quiet watercolors depict the many activities that make this friendship special.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amanda Harvey. Two sisters--one good, one bad--seek their fortunes with very different results in this retelling of Joseph Jacobs's "The Old Witch." Contemporary details in the watercolor and pencil illustrations jazz up the classic folktale (the wicked sister sets off wearing a Walkman and high heels). Although the ending is unnecessarily bowdlerized, repetition and humor make this a good storytelling choice.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen