(3) PS Illustrated by Joan Rankin. In this humorous read-aloud with a "House That Jack Built" cadence, African animals--including an elephant, kudu, monkey, jackal, zebra, and lion--are scared out of their wits by cascading actions that start with thecheep of a guinea fowl chick. Finally, a wise owl explains the cause of the havoc. Energetic, excitement-packed illustrations in watercolor and ink invite repeated viewings. Simultaneously published in South Africa.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. Despite its generalized approach to Africa, this is still an enchanting read-aloud with enticing rhymes inspired by the many sounds created by flora and fauna and the diverse peoples of the continent. Drawings with soft watercolor washes display both human hands making music and the animals that inspire it: "We are the herds that gallop and run. / We 'rumble' and 'boo-oom' in the African drum."

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. From the "Strawberry Queen" of spring through the "Cocoa Cabana" of winter, this poetry collection provides a fresh perspective on the tastes of each season. Envision a healthy "Gingerbread House Makeover" with a "grove of broccoli trees, / the teeny-weeny doorknobs made / of bright green peas." Whimsical watercolor washes extend the silliness--ant families boating in "Watermelon Lake," for instance--of the capable rhymes.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. This collection blends the natural world's beauty with imaginative silliness; for every lovely whistling robin, there's an insulted turkey. Ruddell makes the musings of daydreaming opossums and self-admiring raccoons pleasant to the ear with capable rhyme and meter. Rankin's light-filled, forest-hued watercolor illustrations evoke the experience of a carefree stroll through the woods.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. In alphabetical order, twenty-three first-grade students; their teacher, Mrs. Miller; bus driver, Xavier; and Mr. Zimmerman, the principal, prepare for first grade. A variety of morning experiences are described: Ben's mother calls him "Mr. Handsome First Grader," Claire poses for a picture to mark the big day, and Ignacio practices his English. Soft, comforting watercolors reflect the reassuring tone.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. This book presents twenty-two rhymes about birds, some apt portraits and some apt nonsense. Ruddell's rhymes are neat, her scansion impeccable. Rankin's airy, light-filled watercolors pull it all together; with equal aplomb, she depicts an ordinary kingfisher, an anthropomorphic puffin, and a surreal clothesline laden with objects as red as a cardinal--"a ruby, a wagon, / a flame from a dragon."

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(4) PS Illustrated by Joan Rankin. In rollicking rhymed verse, a greedy frog gobbles fleas, snails, and other creatures, only to let them escape through his mouth when he screams upon realizing that he is perched on an alligator. The tautly told tale, dramatic surprise, and appropriate comeuppance for the protagonist will delight young listeners. Unfortunately, the watercolors are hazy and muddled, failing to capture key details.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Rankin. Affable cartoon images of alphabetically named cats (and one dog) parade piecemeal through this rhyming tale about a woman who opens her heart and home to a grand total of twenty-six pets, twenty-five of which show up on her doorstep. The muted watercolor illustrations delightfully accomplish the difficult feat of imparting a distinct personality to each feline.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann