(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Georgia teacher Moina Belle Michael, instrumental in supporting the troops during WWI, helped make the red poppy the national symbol of their sacrifice; she developed a fundraising program making and selling artificial red poppy flowers. Her legacy is retold in this slightly verbose narrative picture-book biography illustrated with realistic, luminous double-page-spread oil paintings. Appended notes provide more detailed historical background. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. A band of wild horses is abandoned on Sable Island off Nova Scotia. At first the animals thrive, but then they face a harsh winter and an even harsher storm. Thanks to a stallion, they find shelter near a dune. Markle's descriptive text is accompanied by oil-on-canvas illustrations, which, though impassioned, can favor melodrama. An author's note is appended. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. This book presents, in alphabetical sequence, a standard narrative of the events leading to and the players involved in the Declaration and its aftermath. Osornio embeds definitions of terms--a few are a bit of a stretch (yearly, zeal)--while paragraphs inspired by each letter give sufficiently detailed historical accounts. Deeply colored paintings intensify the colonial spirit of the book.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Santa returns from his Christmas deliveries with a lost kitten named Cookie tucked inside his coat. Sneezy Santa's allergies prevent him from keeping the kitty; a last-minute special request sends Santa out to deliver Cookie to her perfect new home. Rich-hued oil paintings with lots of expression (some poses seem unintentionally menacing) are well suited to this old-fashioned, somewhat sentimental holiday story.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Spradlin describes, day by day, the first eleven-day run of the Pony Express, starting on April 3, 1860. The enterprise required planning, stamina, bravery, and multiple skills, all of which the detailed oil illustrations show in darkish hues. After a brief introduction, the text uses present tense to describe the daily challenges of the riders. Endpapers feature a map and timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. When Pythias speaks out against the ruler of Syracuse, he is sentenced to death. He asks for a temporary reprieve to visit his parents; in a test of their friendship, Damon takes his place in prison until Pythias's return. This tale about friendship's true meaning is well told but for the schmaltzy ending. The softly lit illustrations, though stiff, convey emotion.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Readers may be surprised to learn that George Washington was a dedicated farmer with a fervor for agricultural experimentation. This book uses speculative third-person narration ("George's thoughts were never far from home") and includes excerpts from Washington's letters to help elucidate his enthusiasm. Rich-hued oil paintings (some of which are stiff) and back matter help extend and clarify the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. One year after her grandpa's death, rabbit Daysha tries to cheer up Grandma. Daysha collects things that remind her of happy times outdoors with her grandfather: e.g., leaves and a snakeskin. Overly sentimental oil paintings illustrate this quiet tale set in the gold- and purple-toned desert.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Twenty-two poems by contemporary writers (Mary Ann Hoberman, Grace Nichols, Lee Bennett Hopkins) celebrate the companionship and memories grandparents bring to families. The poems depict grandparents in primarily traditional roles, but the realistic paintings feature different ethnicities. Adults will be this collection's most enthusiastic audience. Ind.

Reviewer: Aishah Abdul-Musawwir

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Chad is worried that Ben, his developmentally disabled little brother, will ruin his family's first camping trip. Although the trip has its ups and downs, including Ben's being teased by two boys, Chad keeps it all in perspective. Illustrated with textured watercolors that are occasionally stiff, the text honestly portrays both the humor and the frustration of living with a developmentally disabled sibling, a subject discussed in more detail in the author's note.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Layne Johnson. Brian's older brother, Kevin, is a pest, but when Brian's pet parakeet flies away, a brotherly collaboration leads to his return. Admirably, the book's focus isn't Brian's blindness but rather his relationship with Kevin, who doesn't treat him differently because of his handicap. Brian's sightless navigation of his world is handled well; the dialogue and illustrations are less nuanced.

Reviewer: Nell Beram