(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sherry Meidell. Dr. Welch, a nineteenth-century dentist, created non-alcoholic grape drink that could be served as a communion wine even to alcoholics. The fictionalized account of the inventor of grape juice is told through exaggerated prose and is illustrated with expressive watercolors. The book lacks any source notes or bibliography.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sherry Meidell. When a traveling photographer pulls his horse-drawn wagon into the farmyard, Emily's large and rambunctious family gathers for a family photo; unfortunately, the pets--dogs, cat, and goat--refuse to sit pretty and instead cause a ruckus. Set in the mountains of Georgia, this picture book tries too hard to be humorous: although the illustrations are appropriately comic, the text describes the slapstick action in unnecessary detail.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sherry Meidell. The unscheduled arrival of a steam train sets a small Georgia town abuzz, particularly a boy who dreams of being an engineer. Somewhat stereotyped language and characters flatly evoke a bygone era in the South. Detailed illustrations effectively capture the southern landscape and the dramatic, powerful train.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sherry Meidell. Although Emma Jo loves to sing, she has trouble carrying a tune. At a family reunion, her brother teases her and announces that Emma Jo will sing a solo. Instead of giving up, she tries to sing, and in support, her siblings join her, and even their dog sings along. Distinctive watercolors accompany this story of family loyalty set decades ago in the rural South.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley