(3) PS Illustrated by Simone Shin. A young child likes playing loudly but learns to enjoy quieter activities, too. Poetic text oscillates between the capitalized onomatopoeia of raucous play-imaginings and soothing, rhythmic rhymes of quiet-time ("A book's pages make a breeze, / a quiet shuffle across quiet knees"). In a palette of hushed blues, browns, and reds, the expressive acrylic and digital-media pictures depict "the quiet" coming and going as a weaving dust-like trail.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) PS Illustrated by Simone Shin. Two smiling, barefoot siblings pick berries, make a pie, and get ready for bed in this rhythmic picture book. Simple, declarative sentences celebrate the noises and sensations of the day with onomatopoetic flair--berries fall "bumpety-bump" and feel "plumpety-plump"--as the family cheerfully moves through the day's activities. A playful slice-of-life story with read-aloud appeal and textured illustrations in muted colors.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Simone Shin. No one understands Niko's abstract drawings, even though he tries very hard to capture feelings: the excitement of the ice cream truck, the determination of a bird building a nest, the sadness of being misunderstood. But when Iris moves in next door, she immediately feels what Niko is trying to express. A lovely tribute to creativity and the artistic spirit with (of course) emotive illustrations.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Simone Shin. Using a decked-out cardboard-box car, a young boy takes his mom on a "ride" through their house and yard that includes stops at "the library" (a bookcase), "Charlie's Diner" (the kitchen), etc. It's a (very) long ride, and the narrator doesn't sound childlike, but young readers will go for the winning concept, play-focused art, and onomatopoeic bursts ("REV REV VROOM").

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 No More Bullies series. Illustrated by Simone Shin. In this didactic but useful bibliotherapy series, facts and advice pepper fictional stories aimed to demonstrate types of bullying and how to handle them. In both stories, an animal character is bullied by insensitive/cruel contemporaries but improves the situation by enlisting adult help or finding an ally. The targets' misery is clearly articulated in text and in expressive, muted-palette illustrations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following No More Bullies titles: Sometimes Jokes Aren't Funny and Teasing Isn't Funny.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 No More Bullies series. Illustrated by Simone Shin. In this didactic but useful bibliotherapy series, facts and advice pepper fictional stories aimed to demonstrate types of bullying and how to handle them. In both stories, an animal character is bullied by insensitive/cruel contemporaries but improves the situation by enlisting adult help or finding an ally. The targets' misery is clearly articulated in text and in expressive, muted-palette illustrations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following No More Bullies titles: Sometimes Jokes Aren't Funny and Teasing Isn't Funny.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 CitizenKid series. Illustrated by Simone Shin. North American youth Leo donates his bicycle to an organization that provides bikes to Africans. First, young Alisetta uses it to improve her family's life. Eventually, Big Red is repurposed as a bicycle ambulance. Straightforward, specific prose and upbeat illustrations give readers a sense of how bicycles can be life-changing in other parts of the world; back matter offers a detailed list of ways to help.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Simone Shin. The lighthearted story celebrates the unexpected rewards of small favors. A young boy infatuated with a mariachi band trades objects with many thankful animals before he finally makes a trade for his own guitarra. Spanish words and phrases are interspersed throughout the book, which contains a glossary, pronunciation guide, and list of mariachi instruments. Pastel-colored illustrations bring a quaint village to life.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey