(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. Librarian Clara Breed was a hero to the Japanese American children in San Diego who were banished to internment camps during WWII: she sent books, postcards, soap, and other supplies to cheer them up. Hirao's colored-pencil illustrations and archival black-and-white photographs on the endpapers help contextualize Grady's moving story, which includes excerpts from the children's actual letters. Reading list, timelines. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. This slight story stars Katie Casey, a cat who "was baseball mad. / She had the fever and she had it bad." When her team needs a boost, Katie begins the iconic song. Brightly colored illustrations of animal players and spectators fill the pages. A CD of three Carly Simon songs is included; an appended note tells about her family's connection to Jackie Robinson.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. Every day, Abby dresses up in a different costume--pirate, detective, and cowgirl, among other guises--before finally settling on being herself on Sunday. Mama finds a positive way to channel Abby's creative talents (e.g., asking the detective Abby to search for missing socks in the laundry). Cut-paper collage illustrations depict anthropomorphic canines going about their day in this warm-hearted tale.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. Inspired by "Casey at the Bat," rhyming text describes how Tulip the tutu-wearing hippo wins the World Series for the New York Pets, thus disappointing Boston Beasts fans. Hirao's busy, energetic illustrations capture the excitement of the action. Lewis's dense and tongue-twisting text, arrhythmic at times, relies on lingo and references only seasoned baseball fans will appreciate.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. A little girl's train trip to visit her grandparents is presented through the eyes of Mr. Barnes, her dapper stuffed bunny/traveling companion. The rhythmic, lyrical text and detailed and imaginative collage illustrations in warmly saturated colors capture the excitement and wonder of the journey, combining the fantasy and reality of rail travel in one satisfying package.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Amiko Hirao. In this original fairy tale, a fisherman spins out two stories to save his life when his net brings in an angry genie. The genie, bitter over his three-thousand-year confinement in a bottle, has sworn to kill whoever releases him. The substantial text of the compound stories is well suited to the older picture book audience. Brash, bright colors and swooping curves conjure the magic world and its original yet familiar inhabitants.

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