(4) PS Illustrated by Shelley Ann Jackson & Jeff Crosby. Count down from ten babies and back up again as the little cowpokes experience all things Texan: pecans, horned frogs, a longhorn bull, the Alamo, and on. The regional humor and vernacular make it no surprise Davis is a fifth-generation Texan. While the rhymes' cadence falters sometimes, they're generally upbeat and pleasing, and the chubby-cheeked tykes in the humorous, sandy-hued illustrations are irresistible.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Crosby & Shelley Ann Jackson. Basing his text on historical accounts, Castrovilla weaves a daring tale of espionage during the Revolutionary War. Relying on the Culper Spy Ring's information, General Washington outsmarts the British, thwarting their plan to attack the French who are secretly gathering at Newport to assist the Americans. Muted acrylic illustrations, some stiffly composed, add authenticity to the well-researched, though wordy, text. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Shelley Jackson. An African American girl takes pride in her chicken-chasing skills, but one chicken eludes her. It's refreshing to see a picture book with a female main character so gleefully naughty, but Harrington never crosses the line into cruelty. Jackson's expansive collages display the same zest and energy. This funny story will have city kids longing for the chance to chase chickens.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Shelley Jackson. Ben and his family escape from slavery and head south through the Okefenokee Swamp to join the Seminole nation. When the United States buys Florida and starts a war against the Seminole, Ben's father fights and his family hides. History and drama blend seamlessly in this advanced chapter book, illustrated with attractive black-and-white pencil sketches. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 1-3 Road to Reading series. Illustrated by Shelley Jackson. Ben and his family escape from slavery on Mister Tom's plantation and head south through the Okefenokee Swamp to join the Seminole nation. When the United States buys Florida and starts a war against the Seminole, Ben's father fights and his family hides. History and drama blend seamlessly in this advanced chapter book, illustrated with attractive black-and-white pencil sketches. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam