(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. A young boy visits a man-made turtle pond inside a public garden during the four seasons of the year, observing the red-eared sliders and speculating about their behavior and activities. The graphite-pencil and watercolor illustrations bring readers up-close to the turtles in this unique habitat alongside humans. An author's note adds context to the picture book's spare, lyrical text.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. Each letter of the alphabet introduces readers to an animal or feature of British Columbia's Pacific Rim region on Vancouver Island's west coast. Lush, detailed full-bleed paintings show familiar (e.g., bears, cougars) and less-well-known (e.g., Xiphister, or prickleback fish) creatures in their habitats (ocean, shore, ancient rainforest). Brief text accompanies each entry. An author's note provides more information. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. Written in loosely rhyming verse, this story follows a pair of common loons as they first incubate two eggs then help their hatchlings find food and avoid predators. Solid information about loons (e.g., migration, maturity, conservation details) is included in the backmatter. Handsome acrylic paintings showcase the birds' plumage. Reading list.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. After Miss Wilkinson's beloved cat sickens and dies, the elderly lady feels lonely and sad. But a nighttime visit from the ghost of her pet and the sudden blooming of the rose bush she planted on his grave give her comfort. The flabby narrative overuses adjectives, but the story will resonate with readers who have lost an animal friend. Realistic paintings capture the cat's movements and Miss Wilkinson's affection.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. Tracking over four billion years of history in sixty-four pages necessarily results in a rather rushed survey. The information is presented through a series of spreads featuring a sometimes static color illustration and a paragraph or two of text. Accessibly written, the volume begins with the formation of Earth and traces the origins of life from microorganisms through dinosaurs to the first hominids.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 A loon at dawn, an eagle at noon, a wolf at night--an Ojibway grandfather and grandson encounter these animals in this smoothly written story about a modern-day Native family's wilderness outing. Realistic illustrations capture the closeness of the intergenerational relationship and the quiet beauty of nature. Intricate renderings of traditional Ojibway beadwork complement the text.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.