(3) PS Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Children enjoying a good splash--whether leaping from the ocean like a dolphin, floating on a pond's surface like a water strider, or fishing like a heron--learn about animals that enjoy the water as much as they do. Sound-effect text ("Splash!" "Slurp!" "Whoosh!") and lively art depict happy children and cheery animals. Information about eleven creatures is appended.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Daisy (Daisy's Perfect World; Daisy's Defining Day) needs a special talent for the Student Showcase. Inspired by neighbor Mrs. Bookman's poetry party and her own love of words, Daisy creates a Word Café where guests can order poems. This third sweet story features approachable language and simple black-and-white illustrations. Daisy's passion for words may prove infectious for young readers. Vocabulary lists are appended.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. In this sequel to Daisy's Perfect Word, the delightful Daisy puts her love of words to work to replace her nickname ("Lazy Daisy") with a positive alliterative one. Simple sentences and organic inclusion of words and their definitions will help young readers develop their literacy skills. Pencil spot illustrations complement the good-natured text, and helpful word lists from the story are appended.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Word-aficionado Daisy loves collecting words and organizing them into lists. When her favorite teacher announces she's moving, Daisy realizes the best going-away present would be the perfect word "chosen specially for her." Buoyant in tone, the quick, readable chapters share Daisy's enthusiasm with classmates, teacher, and readers alike. The frequent black-and-white drawings are friendly and inviting.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) PS Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Sadler's rhymed text celebrates a baby's extended family circle of love. From Mama and Daddy to sibling, grandparents, great-grandmother, cousins, Auntie, Uncle, and a puppy, everyone "is reaching" for Baby, until Baby, now old enough, starts reaching for "everything new." Watercolors bolster the slight story, conveying the playful affection for Baby across the generations as everyone shares cuddles, books, and a picnic.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. An old woman grumbles and complains about housework--and fairies appear to do it for her. At first it's wonderful, but as soon as they finish a chore, they undo it and start afresh--over and over. At last the village wise woman provides a solution, and the old woman never complains again. Understated and humorous watercolor illustrations accompany this amusing retelling.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. "When it's only my aba and me..." Parents and children from various cultures pursue seasonally appropriate activities together. Each right-hand page unfolds twice to display a panoramic scene. The illustrations, printed on sturdy stock, are colorful but stripped of much detail, which vitiates the books' multiculturalism. The original pictures featured animals instead of human characters. Review covers these titles: My Dad and Me and My Mom and Me.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) PS Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. "When it's only my aba and me..." Parents and children from various cultures pursue seasonally appropriate activities together. Each right-hand page unfolds twice to display a panoramic scene. The illustrations, printed on sturdy stock, are colorful but stripped of much detail, which vitiates the books' multiculturalism. The original pictures featured animals instead of human characters. Review covers these titles: My Dad and Me and My Mom and Me.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. With Martha Nesbit. After introductory cooking and measuring tips, TV chef Deen presents dozens of kid-friendly recipes. Each chapter has a theme (e.g., "Morning Muffins," "Pool Party"); most include lively introductions and "cooking lessons" with hints about techniques or preparation suggestions. Friendly acrylic illustrations of ingredients and utensils accompany clear step-by-step directions. A generous layout, bordered pages, and spiral binding are inviting. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Beginning at age three and moving to age six, the narrator muses about stages of development. Meanwhile, grownup friends and relatives talk about pumpkin babies, cabbage babies, and stork babies; the story culminates in the birth of the little girl's baby brother. Simple, repetitive text reassures siblings-to-be that their seeds of doubt are normal. Doll-like illustrations create a cheery sense of make-believe.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. With Martha Nesbit. With its clean layout, spiral binding, and abundant friendly drawings of ingredients, utensils, and procedures, this cookbook tempts budding chefs into the world of simple food preparation. The recipes are easily followed with some adult guidance for beginners, and the Food Network star's writing is sprightly and entertaining. The last chapter, featuring non-edible crafts, stresses the fun of kitchen play. Ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo