(3) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Beth Peck. Cook focuses on a boy in the south of France who dreams of following in his chef father's footsteps. Year is about an Irish girl whose family members are nomadic Travelers. Whelan aptly describes the children's attitudes toward their unusual lives. Both books' illustrations are eye-pleasing and highlight unique aspects of each culture. Glos. Review covers these Tales of the World titles: The Boy Who Wanted to Cook and Megan's Year.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Beth Peck. Nine-year-old Lionel, who lives in New York in the early 1900s, loves drawing. His teacher notices his skill and treats him to an afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The telling is a bit wordy; Baker's author's note explains that it's based on her grandfather's life. The accompanying oil paintings, though occasionally muddy, exude emotion and atmosphere.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Beth Peck. Abbie loves to read but she hates needlework, yet learning to stitch a sampler is an important part of a girl's education in the early 1800s. How Abbie solves her dilemma makes for a simple yet satisfying story based on the author's research. The warm paintings add texture to the story, although the muddy faces feature frequently distorted expressions.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Beth Peck. When Grandmama was young, she could hit, run, and catch just like her idol, Negro League baseball player Josh Gibson, but she wasn't allowed to play on the boys' team. With thoughtful, understated text, Johnson captures a little girl's eventual triumph while inviting readers to consider the cost of exclusion based on race or gender. The atmospheric pastel illustrations bring the 1940s to life.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Beth Peck. It's 1893, and Lillie is intrigued with her new neighbor, fifty-year-old Frances Willard--the real-life educator, women's suffragist, labor-rights advocate, and would-be bicyclist. Kurtz packs a surprising amount of history and drama into this agreeable, easily read story. Author's notes explain that "nearly every word Frances Willard speaks in this book is based on something she really did say or write."

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2003

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Beth Peck. After her mother and grandmother are invited by an American relative to attend the 1939 World's Fair, Sara uncovers one of her Polish family's closely guarded secrets. The writing is melodramatic and features some clumsy dialogue obviously meant to convey information to the reader, but the intimate look at a privileged Jewish girl's life in Vilna, Poland, is a treat enhanced by Peck's gauzy black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Beth Peck. In this satisfying chapter book, Jason would rather play music than sports. Granddad provides him with a drum and music lessons after Jason begs to listen to more bands at the Memorial Day parade instead of watching his brother's baseball game. In his sports-crazy family, Jason's individuality shines through. Black-and-white drawings accompany this realistic family story.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt