(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Illustrator Muth gives this variant of Batman's origin story the full noir treatment in an unusually somber picture book. Young Bruce Wayne and his parents are on their way home one night when the boy hears two loud bangs and is swiftly orphaned (off-camera). Young fans will appreciate the respect given to their uber-brooding hero's childhood. The final page reveals the grown Batman, positively Byronic.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Kennedy's hefty, eclectic collection of over one hundred poems and excerpts includes such favorites as Thayer's "Casey at the Bat," Silverstein's "Sick," and part of Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass. The selections range from classic to modern and vary in length and tone. Muth's watercolor paintings express the poems' emotions simply and help make even the sophisticated selections approachable. Ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Muth offers thought-provoking illustrations for this famous song and the questions it poses about life, though its child appeal is doubtful. He suggests that the "answer blowin' in the wind" is written on paper airplanes gliding through the paintings (but readers aren't privy to what's inscribed). An informative essay provides historical context and explains the song's relevance today. A CD is included.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. The dog and frog of the title become friends over the course of three seasons, but when the dog returns in winter, the frog is not to be found. This story of a friendship cut short by mortality is economically told and bittersweet; its atmosphere is matched by Muth's paintings of the two at play in a glorious country landscape.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. A stonecutter transforms himself into a merchant, the sun, wind, etc., to increase his power. Finally he becomes a stone ("stronger than any force, as old as time") but learns that a stonecutter can overpower rock. The spare, deftly told parable from Japan is illustrated with Muth's striking black figures and the white of the page. Handsome book design enhances this sophisticated offering.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Santa, casually dressed in short blue pants, a gray-and-white striped shirt, a brown coverall apron, and bunny slippers, begins preparations for the big event. He calls the reindeer, polishes his sled, and consults his book. Thompson's quiet text captures the story's breath-held hush of anticipation leading to "the Christmas magic." Muth's tranquil watercolor and pastel illustrations display the snowy, remote setting.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Young narrator Harry enjoys spending time with his one-hundred-year-old neighbor, a drummer named George Baker. The unlikely friends have little in common except for the fact that they are both learning to read and they take the same bus to school. The watercolors capture the slow, graceful elegance of the elderly black man, and if the story isn't entirely believable, it is tender and lovely.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Using language too sophisticated for a seven-year-old, Iris describes the day when she and her Bronx-based family, neighbors, and dog nearly didn't get to enjoy a day at the lake because of a no-dogs sign. The plot is a red herring: the book's main pleasure is its depiction of a joyful Puerto Rican community. Muth's busy watercolors somehow keep up with the frantic cast.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. After a "truth" breaks in two on its fall to earth, people find one of the broken pieces, which reads "You are loved" and which they fight over. Finally, a little girl meets with Old Turtle, who gives her the other half of the truth: "and so are they." Fans of the original Old Turtle will find this book, featuring handsome, expressive watercolor and ink illustrations, equally moving; others may find it overlong and self-conscious.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. After their mother takes off, again, siblings BeeBee and Johnson go live with their aunt Gracie. As time passes, they come to care for and love their aunt--and when their mother reappears, they are able to trust her when she says, "Gracie's going to take good care of you until I can again." Muth's soft watercolor illustrations add a sense of calm to this well-written, quiet story about a difficult subject.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. The narrator of this cleverly self-referential book lists her daily schedule from morning to night in order to explain why she can't read the very book the reader has in his or her hands. The text evades potential tedium with visual humor: the fate of the book (left dripping after the shower; forgotten in the fridge at breakfast) is at issue in many of the irreverent color illustrations, each of which contains a clock of some kind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. With characteristic confidence, Kimmel retells the story of Gershon, "not always the best person he could be." A "wonder rabbi" intercedes to grant the childless Gershon and his good wife twins--but with a future caution; their fate will be caught up with their father's pride and selfishness. Muth's washes of color create a range of moods in this quietly moralistic Hasidic tale.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2000

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Hesse explores the anticipation and joy of a summer storm following weeks without rain in an urban neighborhood. In their bathing suits, four friends stand outside as the rain descends, and their infectious joy quickly spreads to their mothers, who come out and dance with their daughters. Beautifully drafted watercolor paintings illustrate the lyrical text, creating a wonderful sense of atmosphere.

Reviewer: Leo Landry | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 1999

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jon J Muth. Cora Lee's contrary Uncle Frank tells her a fish story about a grebe ("It's a bird... but it's more like a fish") named Putnam, who dives too deep and is trapped in a waterlocked cave. The adventure forms the bulk of the book, with Cora's comments and Frank's rejoinders as humorous commentary. Muth's pen drawings contribute nicely to this carefully crafted and engagingly offbeat depiction of a prickly, affectionate pair.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2000