(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anna Rich. A young enslaved African American boy, the son of a blacksmith, listens to the rhythms his father hammers out and learns them for himself; when his father falls ill, he pounds out the rhythms himself--an important job since, as this picture book (dubiously) speculates, it's to help runaway slaves on their journey to freedom. Dark oil paintings add emotion and suspense.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anna Rich. A mother wakes her son late at night after returning from work so he can witness, with her and with their neighbors, one of nature's great miracles--the aurora borealis. Warmth and wonder permeate the tale, though didacticism does creep in ("When you get older, you and I might disagree about some things..."). Rich jewel tones characterize the painterly illustrations.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Victoria watches as her mother and aunts try to get the recipe for Big Mama's oxtail stew just right in time for Big Mama's birthday celebration. Everyone argues about what they believe the secret ingredient must be, but only Victoria and her grandmother know what it really is. The oil paintings are inconsistent and do not always match the text, but they convey the humor of the family bickering.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.