(2) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Nature, as represented by a chestnut tree outside the Secret Annex, serves as a continuing image for this easy reader. The tree's presence throughout Anne's life in hiding not only gives her a sense of peace but also provides readers a respite from her ordeal. Illustrations are somber except those depicting Anne's pre-war life or Annex visits from helpers bringing food and books. Reading list. Website.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(4) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Jacob's mother lovingly tucks him in using a litany of mellow similes to describe the onset of sleep ("Sleep comes quietly. Like a snowfall..."). Scenes of a snowy meadow, a foggy harbor, etc. alternate with framed pictures of the increasingly sleepy boy settling in. The cool palette is effectively soothing, as is the repetitive pacing of the sentimental, quiet text that beckons sleep.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Loner Rose finds a tiny china doll in her attic. Her tears bring the doll to life, and at first the surprise is enchanting. But Princess Regina considers Rose her servant, and it becomes trying to be at Regina's constant beck and call. Magic, independence, and growth are at the heart of this charmingly told story illustrated with black-and-white drawings.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(2) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. While visiting the grandmother she didn't know existed, Zoey discovers a tiny princess doll who miraculously starts talking--and bossing. The story is both a sweet tale about a doll come to life and a bleaker, darker tale of a little girl facing some difficult truths. The direct-address narration adds intimacy and helps insure that the serious undertone doesn't overwhelm the story.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(3) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Three young nocturnal animals imagine playing with a full moon on a starry night. Spare text is set on double-page spreads while pastel and acrylic paintings allow for full views of the animals and the moon moving across the sky. The final image is a shadowy nighttime scene in which a young girl looks out her window at the night sky.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. A dreamy pastel palette of pinks, blues, greens, and yellows illustrates a rosy-cheeked mother and baby afloat in a fantasy world of floral and fairy imagery. The lyrical text is based on the words of an English lullaby; the tune was lost to history, and this book includes original music in a simple melody. All in all, it's a pretty package.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Three little girls each pretends to be an animal, and their playing continues as they prepare for bed: the "whale" swims in the tub, the "bear" puts on fuzzy brown pajamas, and the "dog" pulls a blanket like a sled. Soft, not-too-sweet illustrations accompany this soothing bedtime story in which the girls' playtime continues seamlessly in their dreams.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles & Elizabeth Sayles. Jeoffry the cat first wanders the farm with the dog, then accompanies two nervous trick-or-treaters through the woods. The clever rhyming text aptly describes the way that ordinary things can take on a frightening appearance on Halloween night. Rendered in a muted autumnal palette and softly shaded with few definite lines, the pastel illustrations help create a gloomy, mysterious mood.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Martin's mother won't let him climb to the top of the "giant jungle ladder" at the playground; she fears he'll fall. One night, Martin dreams that he rides his purple truck to the sandbox, where he meets a friendly lion cub, and together they climb the ladder. The fantasy-minded prose verges on preciousness at times, but the tale is absorbing and the muted pastel illustrations nicely evoke the after-dark setting.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. A young boy slowly peers over his covers and begins his morning by greeting all his belongings. As he wakes up, he becomes more energetic--getting out of bed, opening the curtains, and playing in his room until Dad comes by for a hug. Pastel illustrations echo the wake-up process, progressing from dusky blue to sunny yellow to complete this simple, cheery celebration of a new day.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. Stella doesn't want to be limited to one color when the girls in her class dress as tulips for the May parade. But in her rainbow-tulip costume, she discovers that it can be embarrassing to stand out like her Mexican-American mother, who watches the parade alone because she can't speak English. Gauzy sunlit images enhance this quiet tale about the conflicts of assimilation.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. In this small-format counting book, a girl counts falling snowflakes from one to five. The brief rhyming text captures the simple pleasure of cavorting in newly fallen snow, as do the lavender and blue pastel illustrations, which start off as small squares surrounded by white and grow in size as the numbers increase.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne