(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. In this spectacular volume, child-centered poems and intricately designed collages, incorporating papers from all over the world, introduce religious and secular New Year celebrations. Familiar festivities, such as the ball dropping in Times Square, are celebrated beside the less-familiar (to American readers): Nowruz in Iran (March); Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year (September); and more. Enjoyable for young children, yet all ages will learn much from the excellent supplementary material. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. The authors detail the plight of the prairie dog, whose numbers have been greatly reduced by farming and development. Two independently strong texts--one a modified song lyric, the other in-depth nonfiction--provide details on the biology and ecology of grassland environments. Roth's painstakingly precise mixed-media illustrations are bursting with rich, varied colors. Extensive notes include resources and photographs. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. This gorgeously illustrated history of the endangered Puerto Rican parrot underscores the environmental consequences of human populations on indigenous animal species. With stunning paper-and-fabric artwork, the book is laid out vertically to give a sense of height. Ruffly-feathered parrots, colorfully clothed people, and Puerto Rican landmarks are located within dense, intricate illustrations that capture the lushness of the landscape. Timeline.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. Through the voice of a youngster living in Watts, California (and neighbor to sculptor Simon "Uncle Sam" Rodia), Aston gives a child's-eye view of Rodia's construction of the Watts Towers and the realization of a personal dream. Roth's exquisite collages provide a fitting backdrop for the inspiring narrative. A note about Rodia and the towers and instructions for a craft project are appended.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. "We are the children of Korphe." This picture book version of the adult book Three Cups of Tea tells how Mortenson, an American, built a school in a small Pakistani village. The collage art is welcoming, with figures set against bright backgrounds. An artist's note and "A Korphe Scrapbook" add to the educational appeal. Bib.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. Walt Whitman's free verse poem "Miracles," which first appeared in the collection Leaves of Grass, is an appreciation of daily life and nature. A large portion of the poem is excerpted here and illustrated with simple, colorful collages featuring a family of active, bright-eyed cats. The childlike appeal of the pictures may help young listeners access the poem, but they also diminish its strong emotional content.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. Laufer tells the story of Paracho, a small village of guitar makers in the mountains of Michoacán. Showing many faces of Mexico ("There's more than mariachi music in Mexico"), Roth's astonishing collages--wood shavings, pictures, cloth, and paper--bring a wide variety of textures and colors to this superbly designed book. Also available in Spanish. Glos.

Reviewer: Elena Abos Alvarez-Buiza

(3) K-3 Translated by Víctor Reyes. Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. Laufer tells the story of Paracho, a small village of guitar makers in the mountains of Michoacán. Showing many faces of Mexico ("There's more than mariachi music in Mexico"), Roth's astonishing collages--wood shavings, pictures, cloth, and paper--bring a wide variety of textures and colors to this superbly designed book. The text is written in clear prose and well translated into Spanish. Also available in English.

Reviewer: Elena Abos Alvarez-Buiza