(2) PS Illustrated by Ariel Landy . Six familiar and quite large dinosaurs or prehistoric reptiles are paired with structurally or behaviorally similar -- but tinier -- species (readers can refer to helpful insets for illustrations showing to-scale size comparisons). The "meat-eating" Tyrannosauru has a smaller relative, Compsognathus, also a carnivore, but with a diet of insects. The "dome-headed" Pachycephalosaurus is matched with the aptly named owner of the longest dinosaur species name: Micropachycephalosaurus. Simple sentences, repeated across the pages, emphasize structure-function relationships. The cartoonlike illustrations of the dinosaurs engaged in hunting, swimming, eating, and flying use soft features and expressive eyes to keep the mood friendly -- even through the meteor strike that killed off the large dinosaurs and left the smaller, birdlike dinosaurs alive. An appended glossary gives the Greek origins of each species name.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ariel Landy. Jillian already has two grandmothers, and though she's happy with her new stepdad, the new bubbe who joins the family along with him takes some getting used to. Bubbe smothers her in lipstick kisses, uses Yiddish terms Jillian doesn't understand, and claims her matzo ball soup is "the best soup in the universe"--and therein lies the real problem. Welcoming Bubbe in feels like disloyalty to Noni (and her meatball soup) and Gram (and her gazpacho). The lively third-person narration ("She had no choice. In the name of grandmas, it was time for a protest!") sticks closely with Jillian and her strong but evolving feelings, with details in the cartoonish illustrations adding humor (keep an eye on the pets). The conclusion is, unsurprisingly, delicious, with plenty of family warmth and a hint of a new member to come. Back matter includes three soup recipes as well as resources for adults on blended and interfaith families.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022