(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Larger-than-life watercolor illustrations of colorful, gem-like beetles are framed by poetic text describing their features and behaviors. This exploration of beetle biodiversity showcases their "kaleidoscopic" colors; their range of stature ("A beetle is colossal... / or microscopic"); their lively moves as they dig, run, hop, and swim; the ways they are "helpful... / or harmful" to human endeavors; and more. An eloquent blend of science and art.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Gorgeously designed and illustrated with beautiful, informative watercolors, this book introduces the nests of all kinds of animals, from the tiny bee hummingbird to orangutans. However, because of the broad scope, the text raises more questions than it answers. Flaws (see the inclusion at the back of the organ-pipe mud dauber not mentioned in the text) makes it best for browsing.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Factual information about rocks, rock formations, and minerals, as well as the ways in which humans have used rocks as tools and for art, are characterized with adjectives at times poetic ("A rock is helpful" or "creative") and other times straightforward ("A rock is old"). The colorful but flat artwork fails to capture fine details of the rock and mineral types portrayed.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sylvia Long. A statement, in curlicue type, stating what "a butterfly is" introduces each spread in this poetic picture book. The text that follows explains why a butterfly is "creative" (it engineers its metamorphosis), "helpful" (it pollinates plants), or "protective" (it guards itself with its wings). Nicely detailed, well-labeled illustrations--less anthropomorphized than the text--never forget to highlight butterflies' beauty.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sylvia Long. In this beautifully designed book, each double-page spread uses a human quality ("secretive," "adventurous") to illustrate features of plant seeds and reproduction. The illustrations of botanicals, often up-close paintings filled with relevant details and beautiful colors, are magnificent. While the use of anthropomorphism can help readers interpret seed characteristics, at times the poetic artistry trumps the science.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) PS Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Mama desert animals tell their babies how they'll be taken care of: "I'll trot with care to keep you near, / grunt words of comfort in your ear." At the beginning and the end, a human mother also shares her love. Although the book's theme is overused, realistic renderings of the animals make it a good choice for nature lovers.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) PS Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Five freshly hatched ducklings follow their mother into the pond, but one swims off alone and loses sight of Mama. He searches the pond and meadow for her, and finally the family is reunited. The rhyming tale flows smoothly, and the attractive pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations provide character and inviting details.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Sylvia Long. This brief rhyme describes bedtime for a variety of bugs. "Sneak a neat nap / in an old wooly cap. / Snooze away softly / in a puddle of sap." The alliterative rhyme is pleasant enough to read aloud; however, the smiling bugs in the watercolor illustrations are rather too cute, though their patterned pajamas are amusing and their resting places are carefully painted.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS The watercolor illustrations accompanying Jane Taylor's familiar rhyme tell the story of six animal friends at the end of the day. High on a hill, they watch the first star come out, then return to their homes and families. As the night sky gets darker and more filled with stars, a lamplighter makes his rounds and the youngsters are tucked into bed in this soothing good-night book.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) PS Festive holiday illustrations of a young rabbit and his parents decorating their home, going to church, baking cookies, and opening presents accompany the lyrics to the popular Christmas carol. Although the activities in the pictures do not always correspond exactly to the words of the carol, the characters' joy in their Yuletide celebrations is contagious.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 Well-dressed mice, frogs, rabbits, dogs, and sheep fill the illustrations of this collection of familiar and some less common nursery rhymes. The roomy layout allows each ink-and-watercolor illustration to expand on the stories in the rhymes. Readers will enjoy finding pictorial connections from one page to the next and seeing the motifs that run throughout the illustrations. Ind.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) PS Illustrated by Sylvia Long. In snappy, lilting verse, Facklam lists a variety of creatures that feast on bugs, including bats and bears, toads and trout--and humans. Each double-page spread showcases a beautifully rendered watercolor illustration, with equal attention to realistic detail and artistic composition. A section at the back supplies additional information about each featured eater.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli