(3) K-3 Illustrated by François Thisdale. Arranged by season, acrostic poems accompany vivid nature illustrations (both digital and traditionally drawn and -painted) in an earthy palette. Sometimes using only one word per line, the spare, lyrical poems emphasize the cycles of nature. Thisdale's landscapes are replete with plants, seeds, and small creatures, both above and under the ground.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Illustrated by François Thisdale. After Uncle scares cousins Tom and Will with the story of the Windigo (known to Anishinaabe peoples as the night spirit of winter), they follow what they think are its tracks; instead they find a young moose trapped in the snow and help to free it. Subdued-color art with hidden animal tracks evokes the dark, north-country winter setting in this not-too-scary Anishinaabe tale of respect for nature.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by François Thisdale. After Jay's accidental death, Joe hangs on to his best friend's bicycle. He's initially unwilling to make a new friend but finds that the bicycle is the bridge he needs. Beck gives voice to the powerful emotions of loss, friendship, and fear in this quiet story for older kids. Thisdale's at-times surreal mixed-media illustrations use a palette of blue, gray, and black to express sadness.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by François Thisdale. Ten loosely linked stories give voice to largely silent biblical women including Eve, Naamah, Sarah, Rachel, and Leah. Some are youthful and hopeful, others are aged and resigned, but all explore and expand thought-provoking questions about love and faith. Thisdale's digitally rendered art simultaneously emphasizes the traditional settings and examines the continuing resonance of the women.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac