(2) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Some junior rock collectors are budding geologists, interested in the origins and classification of rocks. Some have that completist gene and are hot on the quest for the perfect geode. Others just want to arrange their rocks into families, or learn to skip them, or use them for crafts. Author and illustrator of this joyful book give equal respect to every kind of rockhound, following a jaunty blue-haired girl with a sidelong grin who collects, sorts, paints, makes mosaics, pitches, and contemplates. Some of the similes are a bit clichéd ("People are like rocks. Some sparkle right away, while others seem ordinary at first, but have treasure deep inside"), but the energetic illustrations, with their mini-subplots (see the startled fish and grumpy raccoon), keep it all grounded and child centered. Gorgeous colorful endpapers introduce us to such delicious rock words as feldspar, banded gneiss, and actinolite. Up-to-date suggestions for further reading include both fiction and nonfiction. This offering joins such titles as Reid's Picture a Tree (rev. 5/13) and Tamaki's They Say Blue (rev. 7/18) in the category of appreciative musings about the natural world.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Although our two protagonists spend little of the book together, they are connected throughout by their hard work and achievement. This family of two starts the day in a groggy daze as the sun rises over the breakfast table. Tate's text is concise, with many pages featuring only a brief list. "Cereal. Bananas. Milk" describes the daughter's breakfast, while mom takes "Orange juice. Toast. Coffee." In the car, the daughter anxiously taps her fingers on the backseat while mom does the same on the steering wheel. "Nervous?" the mother asks. "A little. You?" the daughter replies. Over the next several pages we watch the day unfold in side-by-side illustrations, often displayed in multiple panels. While the daughter tackles baseball tryouts, the mom starts a new bricklaying job. What's touched on in the text is made specific in Kath's watercolor and pastel illustrations. Daughter's successful base hit is shown opposite two panels of mom's construction project ("Butter. Scrape. Smooth"). We feel mom's pride in her handiwork and see it reflected in her smile across the spread from her daughter's own satisfied stance on the pitching mound ("Catch. Toss. Grin"). After their eventful day, each sleeps soundly, ready to give it their all again the next time. Details such as the umpire's bubblegum bubble as our ballplayer prepares her pitch, and Mom's colorful arm tattoo, add comfort and, for many, familiarity to this welcome and unconventional family story.

Reviewer: Hill Saxton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Sophie (Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer) obtains two new chickens plus a clutch of (unusual) eggs. Meanwhile, biracial Sophie has a somewhat uneasy start in middle school, but at least her beloved cousin comes to stay with the family while attending college. This sequel's epistolary format blends the outlandish premise with Sophie's realistic concerns about her family, peers, and flock. Humorous, loose line drawings are a good match for the plucky heroine's story.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Mom and Max (Weekends with Max and His Dad) road-trip from Michigan to Pennsylvania for a family event. Third grader Max's excitement conflicts with his urge to be fair to both his divorced parents. Lively black-and-white illustrations highlight Max and his mother's special weekend together. Like all families, Max's has challenges, but the warmth, heart, and respect among its members affirms that these difficulties are surmountable.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(4) 4-6 Nora Notebooks series. Illustrated by Katie Kath. When her fourth-grade teacher encourages the class to try something new, budding scientist Nora learns about poetry, new pets, gardening, and friendship. Chapters conclude with scientific observations from Nora's notebooks. With realistic character development and classroom dynamics, this third story's charm is slightly marred when Nora's friend touts her new "Arabian Nights look," a device to cover a bad haircut with a turban.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Replacing worn-out shoes can be hard when every tear, stain, and scratch brings up a cherished memory. This story about a shopping trip for new sneakers is full of bouncy rhythms, dance moves, and--eventually--fantasies about the possible adventures to be had in a new pair of yellow kicks. Ink and watercolor art captures an energetic African American boy bouncing around vibrantly rendered cityscapes.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. During Noah's visits to his grandparents' house, Grandpa is ready with a song for every occasion. But then, to Noah's dismay, Grandpa starts having episodes of forgetfulness and confusion, which are portrayed in the evocative illustrations as a gray wash stealing color from the cheerful scene. The poignant story balances sadness with courage, as Grandma helps them both make the best of the situation.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Nora Notebooks series. Illustrated by Katie Kath. Science-loving Nora and her fourth-grade science-lab partner, pink-obsessed Emma, can't agree on a science fair project. Meanwhile, Nora records observations of her sister's new baby; doing so alerts Nora to all the gendered expectations around her. Realistic school and family relationships are at the heart of this sweet second book. The easy-flowing third-person narrative is supplemented with occasional grayscale spot illustrations.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Third grader Max's parents are newly divorced, and his dad is settling into a new apartment. Though children of difficult divorce might find it overly sunny, most will find the story (which takes place over three weekends) comforting and familiar. With likable characters, cheerful black-and-white illustrations, and a story just right for budding chapter-book readers, this projected trilogy is off to a good start.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Dayenu. This picture book interprets the word, traditionally used in the Passover seder, as being "grateful for the blessings in each moment"; a sibling pair repeats it as they joyfully prepare for and celebrate the holiday. Warm watercolors complement the text's message of appreciation and mindfulness. A note on Passover and sheet music for the song "Dayenu" are included. Glos.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Hoping to enliven her family's new farm, Sophie responds to a flier advertising the titular fowl. She receives a chicken-raising correspondence course; meanwhile, decidedly unusual chickens begin arriving. Sophie becomes devoted to her flock--but so does neighbor Ms. Greigson. Sophie's unique way of figuring life out on her own makes her easy to root for. Black-and-white illustrations match this epistolary novel's light text.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(2) 4-6 Nora Notebooks series. Illustrated by Katie Kath. A budding myrmecologist, smart and earnest ten-year-old Nora approaches life with curiosity and logic, whether studying her ant farm or her classmates. She focuses her passion on a secret project--becoming the youngest person to have a research paper published in a respected science journal. Each chapter ends with one of Nora's ant facts that cleverly connects to the chapter's human drama.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015