(2) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Rothman. Since the 1992 publication of The Stinky Cheese Man (rev. 11/92), Scieszka has been upending conventions in children's literature. Here, he's back at it, with a Dadaist interpretation of Blanche Fisher Wright's classic The Real Mother Goose. Scieszka focuses on four Mother Goose rhymes plus "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," modifying each entry multiple times and creating absurdist variations. For example, he rewrites "Jack Be Nimble" backwards, in pig Latin, and in Esperanto; as Mad Libs–like fill-ins; as a multiple-choice quiz; and as a child's book report. Language-play abounds, including translations into Morse code; verbal and nominal substitutions; spoonerisms; and "Jabberwocky" ("Old Mother Jabbber went to the clabber, / to get her frum jub a gove"). Encouraging youngsters to create their own riffs on literature, Scieszka includes explanations of many of these linguistic conventions. Rothman illustrates each poem by altering Wright's original illustrations--superimposing her own mixed-media collages on some, clipping others and rearranging the parts, adding geese to populate many pages. Clever, inventive fun.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Rothman. A young stick-limbed brick travels the globe to "find her place in the world." While she loves the brick buildings she sees (Moscow's Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Great Wall of China, etc., each elaborated on in the back matter), she ultimately realizes that her destiny lies (literally) underfoot. It's an edifying parable, and Rothman creates an impressive architectural wonderland with her limited black, gray, and red palette.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Rothman. While this book is about food, it's definitely not a cookbook. Kids will appreciate the humorous wordplay ("If I toss a salad, can I throw a salad?... Dough you can throw, though") and might be inspired to think up their own quips. Ink and gouache illustrations highlight foods close up and against high-contrast backgrounds.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Rothman. A food critic and a food artist team up for a random exploration of what to eat and what to leave alone ("a potato?...tomato?...tornado?!"); where foods come from ("Do eggs grow on eggplants?"); and some ethnic foods, such as Japanese sea urchin (uni). White pages contrast with bright close-ups of foods. A final page of spot art asks readers to identify edibles.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Julia Rothman. The Spinellis dispense advice on topics including homework, siblings, and the environment. Each entry begins with a quote from a children's book followed by a paragraph of advice and a "promise" readers can make about the subject at hand. It's a tad condescending, but receptive readers will find many tidbits for reflection in this compendium of common sense and wisdom.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute