(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. This cacophonous counting tale features the "preeps," "ribbits," and "gree-deeps" of a multitude of frogs ("One big frog...blew out a song: Ka-blu-urp"). Their voices join in a rising symphony then decrescendo until the evening is still. Lively mixed-media illustrations in shades of blue and green flow across the pages, providing an apt landscape for these personality-rich froggies.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 MathStart series. Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. In Mighty, a little girl compares the weights of her toys as she tidies. In Tally, siblings play a competitive counting game to kill time on a long drive. In Treasure, a map leads the Elm Street Kids' Club to a time capsule. The appeal of this popular series lies in its blend of unforced humor, real-kid scenarios, and the cheerful picture book format. Review covers these MathStart titles: Mighty Maddie, Tally O'Malley, and Treasure Map.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 MathStart series. Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. At a school picnic, kids dish up eight different kinds of sundaes. To their dismay, the possible combinations dwindle when the sprinkles, caramel sauce, and chocolate ice cream sequentially disappear. The images of the wide-eyed kids and their sundae fixings are inviting, and clear diagrams help reinforce the concept of combinations. Complementary activities are suggested at book's end. Reading list.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. "What do we get for driving far? A crusty, dusty, dirty car." Two kids and an adult drive their car through a "scrubbly-bubbly CAR WASH!" From "soapy thunderstorm" to steamy rinse and dry, the passengers have a blast. Even those indifferent to cars will enjoy the book's taut rhymes and inspired images, which feature a hip car-wash attendant and a business whose entrance looks like a wide-open mouth.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. Two onomatopoeic, rhyming poems evoke a day of bustle and a quieter evening: "Bus honks and bells, / Dishes and shoes, / Whirring of tires and / Crackle of news...", "Curtain flutter, / Insect whir, / Distant dog bark, / Kitten purr." The lively illustrations link and imaginatively extend the poems' words by depicting a busy family and the arrival of a new baby. This book is an especially nice read-aloud for children with their own new baby siblings.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 MathStart series. Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. This addition to the series traces the elapsed time as the Huskies prepare for and play in their soccer championship game. Relationships between units of time are neatly woven into the text, and the Huskies' canine mascot helps with thought bubbles that point out unit equivalents (1/2 hour = 30 minutes). Stylized, childlike paintings show the girls ready for soccer action. Related activities are suggested. Bib.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Bright, rounded watercolor and scratchboard illustrations give a cheerful feel to this adaptation of an old street rhyme about a boy who frequently stops to play while running errands for his mother. Young children can find reassurance in the fact that Mom does not scold her son for tarrying, but welcomes him home with a hug, supper, and a story.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 MathStart series. Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. As pig-tailed, rosy-cheeked Zoe shows off her gymnastic talent, she introduces young readers to pairs of opposites. "I swing way up, and down below. My feet are near. Out far they go." Accompanying the rhyming text are energetic acrylic illustrations, which capture Zoe's exuberance and provide important visual clues. Suggestions for related activities and further reading are appended.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger