(2) K-3 Illustrated by Craig Orback. From Schulz's kindergarten teacher predicting he'd be an artist to his sketch of childhood dog Spike (Snoopy's inspiration) being published in the newspaper, Wadsworth uses biographical moments to emphasize Schulz's lifelong love of drawing and comics, leading up to the creation of Peanuts. Orback's acrylic and gouache art pays tribute to Schulz's love of comics, using thick-black-lined frames and sometimes incorporating panels to mimic a comic-strip layout. Back matter includes additional biographical information, character list, and places to visit. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Craig Orback. This slim volume memorializes the three civil rights workers who were murdered in the South in 1964. The plot imagines the emotions experienced by the young men on their last day alive while being pursued by the local police; an epilogue reveals the real-life outcome. Content doesn't always pair well with the colorful, action-flick-type illustrations.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 History Speaks: Picture Books Plus Reader's Theater series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. This series informs readers about specific events in American history through vignettes starring made-up or real characters. The texts, though easy to follow, include unconvincing invented dialogue. Illustrations of varying quality accompany the stories. Appended "Reader's Theater" sections provide room for further research, elaboration, and performance. The series could be useful in classrooms to engage reluctant historians. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos. Review covers these History Speaks titles: Annie Shapiro and the Clothing Workers' Strike, John Greenwood's Journey to Bunker Hill, and Lizzie Newton and the San Francisco Earthquake.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Craig Orback. Saving up for a skateboard, Tim returns cans for their deposits. It becomes increasingly apparent that he's in competition with a homeless man (who's remarkably sympathetic to Tim's efforts). When Tim realizes how much the "Can Man" needs the money, he relinquishes his earnings and learns a lesson about generosity. Orback's oil paintings enhance this text-heavy morality tale.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 On My Own History series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. In 1844–45, seventeen-year-old Moses Schallenberger heads west to California with a wagon train but ends up spending a long, brutal winter alone in the mountains. Independent readers will find this simply told story of survival riveting. An afterword provides more information about Moses's life after his rescue. Orback's serviceable illustrations help break up the sections of text. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 On My Own History series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. During the American Revolution, James Forten, a free black teenager, was a powder boy on the Royal Louis until the British captured his ship. Though vague on details, this historical account (with invented dialogue) is simple enough for early readers to tackle independently. The author's note and afterword provide essential context. The realistic illustrations give life to Forten's tale. Bib.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Craig Orback. Thomas's verses about the four seasons are both spare and lyrical, avoiding the trap of sing-song while still featuring rhythm and some rhyme. They cue the artist ("Nature sketches WINTER...in pen and ink"), who responds in a different medium for each season: spring pastels, summer watercolors, and fall oils. Keen observation and uncondescending wordplay ("indigogoldgreen") evoke strong sensory images.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 On My Own Folklore series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. These entertaining books adapt for young readers the oft-told tales of larger-than-life North American folk heroes. The titles' humor, richly colored (although sometimes muddy) illustrations, and accessible text sprinkled with colloquialisms combine for an enjoyable read. A general discussion of folklore introduces each title, providing examples and definitions; Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill include age-appropriate further reading and websites. Review covers these On My Own Folklore titles: Calamity Jane, John Henry, Paul Bunyan, and Pecos Bill.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Stories of Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. Covering Adams's major contributions to U.S. history, including his stirring speech in favor of independence, ambassadorship to France, vice-presidency, and presidency, this book reflects the difficulties of writing complicated material for early readers. Its sentences are somewhat truncated and it emphasizes excitement, such as a dangerous voyage, instead of Adams's more nuanced statesmanship. Soft-edged illustrations accompany the text. Timeline.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 On My Own History series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. The story of the youngest Pony Express rider, known as Bronco Charlie, is taken from his own reminiscences and Pony Express Museum records. The lively story is sure to inspire beginning readers to learn more about this chapter of American history. Oil paintings adequately represent the drama.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Craig Orback. When a Dutch rabbi is sent to a concentration camp, he helps a boy have a Bar Mitzvah and entrusts a tiny Torah scroll to him. The boy survives to tell the story--and to send the Torah into space with the first Israeli astronaut, who perished in the 2003 Columbia explosion. Muted color illustrations combine well with the somber text for a moving story of survival.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. Considering vocabulary and sentence limitations, these authors adequately present the lives of their subjects: Banneker pioneered as a black farmer, surveyor, and almanac writer; Coleman as a black woman pilot; and Nightingale as a wealthy Englishwoman who founded a nursing school and corps. The biographies' illustrations are colorful if somewhat static. Afterword, timeline. [Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Benjamin Banneker, Bessie Coleman, and Florence Nightingale.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. Hale, accompanied by oil illustrations, focuses on the patriot who was hung for spying on British troops in New York. Keller, illustrated with soft color art, is yet another biography on this inspirational woman. Neither provides detailed information about their subjects, but both easy-to-read books are adequate introductions. An afterword and timeline are appended. [Review covers these On My Own titles: Helen Keller and Nathan Hale.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman