(3) PS Illustrated by Margaret Spengler. When faced with a threatening situation, Little Loon recalls his father's gentle teaching and finally takes his first dive. Little Loon's reluctance to learn a scary skill and his eventual success will provide reassurance to those facing similar circumstances. A palette of blue-green pastels provides a suitable backdrop for the whimsically rendered loons and other wildlife.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Margaret Spengler. The farm animals assume the "awful smell" in the barn must be coming from a little piglet. Then Cat arrives and digs out the liver, onion, and tuna fish sandwich she hid in the barn a few days before. This flourish will score high on kids' gross-out meters, and that the piglet happily eats the sandwich should completely do them in. The illustrations emphasize the animals' noses to comic effect.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004

(3) PS Illustrated by Margaret Spengler. Three of Mama Duck's prim ducklings obediently swim behind her, but each time she summons the fourth, he stonewalls. When he catches sight of an alligator in the distance, however, he adjusts his attitude. Rather than champion conformity, this tale good-naturedly reinforces the importance of sticking close to caregivers. The saturated pastel illustrations are engaging, especially when part of the image offers an underwater view.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Margaret Spengler. A storm is on the way, so all of the animals are herded into the barn. They huddle in fear of this mysterious creature named "Storm" who is presumably coming to get them. Children will giggle over the animals' confusion and enjoy the well-paced buildup of suspense. Inviting pastel illustrations feature round, cartoonlike animals and dramatic use of perspective.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) PS Illustrated by Margaret Spengler. Luminous drawings depict a train full of yaks, acrobats, ducks, elephants, and mice, while a cumulative rhyme describes cumulating chaos. Following the trajectory of many a family car trip, the engineer threatens to turn around and head back if they don't pipe down. The once-noisy passengers sitting with meek, serious expressions are just as amusing as the illustrations of chaos.

Reviewer: Suzy Schmidt