(2) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. When her mother discovers spiders living in the family's Christmas tree, Katrusya insists the tree remain indoors to keep the creatures from freezing. The spiders reward Katrusya's kindness by turning their webs to silver. Kimmel incorporates Ukrainian words and phrases into the text for better appreciation of the folktale and culture. Krenina's oil paintings, in lush, warm tones, are quietly festive.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. "Two brothers once lived in the land of Israel." Eben is wealthy but selfish; Ezra, poor but generous. When patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob return to earth, in disguise, for Sukkot, the harvest festival, they visit the brothers and reward each one according to his welcome. The gracefully told tale is illustrated with glowing acrylics.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. Kimmel and Krenina set this artful retelling of a Latvian folktale in Ukraine. The simpleton youngest son inherits the farm, only to give it to his older brothers so he can join his cat bride in her enchanted castle. Exquisite mixed-media illustrations enhance the sense that all is not what it seems.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. This story moves adroitly through its plot: Haskel the tailor wants to make a cloak to keep his beloved Moon warm but lacks appropriate material. Searching for fabric, he finds a wedding gown made of beams of moonlight, mends it for its royal owner, and is rewarded with enough thread to begin his own project. Richly colored gouache pictures illustrate this retelling of a story by Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. After greedy Old Tar Pockets steals a glob of tar and puts it in his pocket, he finds a hairy toe and pockets that as well. The monstrous owner of the toe comes after him that night (chanting the title phrase), but the hairy toe is too stuck in tar to return. The autumn-toned gouache illustrations darken threateningly as night falls, but the text isn't as effective.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. A young boy accompanies his father for the first time to catch the fish that will be made into gefilte fish for the Sabbath meal. Sunrise, sunset, and candles provide different kinds of light in the illustrations of early morning fishing and festive family meals. The boy's pleasure and excitement and the strong family feeling add up to a Shabbos treat. A recipe is appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. Villagers shelter golden birds in their homes during a bitter winter and are rewarded with pysanky--gorgeously decorated eggs--on Easter Sunday. Exquisitely detailed illustrations complete this engaging tale: pale yellow backgrounds reflect the birds' golden feathers, borders echo the designs on the eggs, and the Ukrainian costumes are lovingly rendered.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. When Emelya the simpleton catches a pike in his water bucket, the fish promises to grant all his wishes in exchange for its freedom. By the time Emelya stops wishing, he has won the love of the Tsar's daughter and acquired a palace of his own. The illustrations create a snowy Russian setting and add to the humor of Emelya's escapades. An author's note includes a brief note on both the source and the adaptation.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Brill offers a quick, interesting survey of folklore--including the tooth mouse and the tooth fairy--about lost teeth from ancient times to the present day. The gouache illustrations feature rich colors and some pleasing compositions, but the occasional odd exaggeration is distracting, and the writing could be smoother. Source note included.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Katya Krenina. On a long ago Halloween, three children dress as ghosts and visit the house of Boo Scoggins. Illustrated with spooky artwork that emphasizes shades of black and gray, the children encounter bats, a phantom, and a freshly dug grave as they make their way up the hill to Boo's house. The poem's rhyme occasionally falters, and a typo in the explanation of the rhyme scheme on the last page will confuse readers.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta