(4) K-3 Illustrated by R. G. Roth. A boy explains how when he's sad, Blues Guy comes and commiserates through song; then they go comfort others ("scary bullies, beauty queens, / little old ladies from New Orleans"), smoothly making the author's point that nobody is immune to sorrow. The art, which employs collage elements, recalls that of Ezra Jack Keats, albeit without his gallant color scheme.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by R. G. Roth. Brewster, who is African American, shares his experience starting first grade at a white school. The book's shortcomings (e.g., the story's setting--1970s, during forced busing--isn't initially clear) are secondary to its virtues, which include a subplot about how children develop racist attitudes and dashing illustrations reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats's work.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by R. G. Roth. Ehrhardt riffs on "This Old Man," composing a new verse for each of nine jazz musicians including Louis Armstrong and Charles Mingus ("This jazz man, he plays nine, / He plucks strings that sound divine"). Lively verbs and onomatopoeia contribute to the jazz rhythm, and the pastel mixed-media collage illustrations suit the subject. An afterword gives additional information about each player.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by R. G. Roth. In this retelling, a tanuki, a badgerlike "raccoon-dog," brings the gift of gold and the even more valuable gift of friendship to a lonely Buddhist priest. Myers provides an excellent author's note about the background of the story and the rationale for his retelling. Collage elements, watercolor, gouache, oil pastel, and ink create a subtle, dreamy set of illustrations with a traditional feeling.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt