(1) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. The huge expanse of space and its mind-blowing wonders are crystalized by Walker (Earth Verse, rev. 1/18) into seventeen precise syllables making up each of thirty-two haiku. She begins with the most familiar of constellations: "three stars in a row / Orion fastens his belt / ready for the hunt." The haiku are divided into sections such as "Constellations and Astronomers," "The Universe Begins," "The Sun," and so on, with an extensive author's note at the end using the same categories to explain more of the science behind each poem. The text blends scientific theory with a sense of awe, as in this entry in the "Stars" section: "distant candles flare / light glimmers through time and space / past becomes present." Walker's spare and eloquent phrases are paired with Trueman's (If You Take Away the Otter, rev. 5/20) spectacular mixed-media illustrations, completely filling each page with swirls, dots, colors, and darkness. When portraying earthly advancements, such as the Hubble telescope, he uses a more realistic technique; when trying to convey the Big Bang ("one minuscule speck"), he shows a white dot encircled by light against shades of gray and black, and "gaudy Milky Way" appears in pastel yellows, blues, and pinks in a swirl. The blend of artistry and accurate, up-to-date scientific information (including an appended glossary, further reading section, and online resources) makes this collection a must-have.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. In the blue-green depths of a Pacific Ocean kelp forest, a vast array of plants and animals live in harmonious balance. Seaweed, snails, shrimp, fish, eagles, and the "kings of these forests"--sea otters--make up this ecosystem's food web. Facts about each species wind through the illustrations, which portray adorable (somewhat anthropomorphized) otters in a peaceful ocean environment. But, as Buhrman-Deever warns, this wasn't always the case. In the early twentieth century, fur traders devastated the sea otter population, which led to an overgrowth of sea urchins, who ate the kelp and destroyed the forests. This disequilibrium is portrayed dramatically in Trueman's gauzy underwater illustrations. Over a few page-turns, the forest is taken over by spiky purple urchins that raze the kelp and drive away the animals that depended on it for food and shelter. When laws are passed to protect the otters, balance is restored. In today's kelp forests, "there is just enough seaweed, enough seaweed eaters, and enough meat eaters to help the forests thrive." Back matter provides additional details about the effect of unchecked hunting in the region as well as an update of current sea otter numbers in the wild; a selected bibliography is also appended.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. This collection of imaginative, clever poems about ancient animals (all but one extinct) moves chronologically from trilobites in the Cambrian era to woolly mammoths from our current geologic time period, with good representation across species. The poems are knowing, humorous, and filled with scientific details. Dynamic, creatively composed mixed-media illustrations plunge readers into past environments using awesome, sometimes-scary perspectives. Timeline.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. In fresh, interesting descriptions, London emphasizes just how dangerous these massive animals can be--a sequence of hippopotamuses in fights involves their gross-out poop-flinging skills--and contrasts this aggression with the care shown by hippo mothers as they raise their babies. Trueman effectively captures the animal's essence: every part of the hippo bodies, from their giant teeth to their sturdy legs, is massive. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Young immigrant Simon travels to America aboard a ship that sinks on Hanukkah. He gives another passenger his lifeboat spot and camps out on an iceberg. Sharing latkes with a polar bear pays off in body heat and fish; his Hanukkah candles catch the attention of a passing ship. Illustrations with frequent images of light in darkness evoke the Hanukkah spirit.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Tony and his team of dough tossers attend Italy's World Pizza Championships (an actual event), where their spectacular tricks and distinctive routine earn them the gold medal. Angular illustrations, though frenetic, convey a sense of this unique sport's energy. Photos of the real-life pizzamen, pizza trivia, a dough recipe, and a tossing tutorial are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. This straightforward biography begins with Darwin's childhood fascination with collecting specimens (especially beetles); covers his attempts to find a meaningful career and his years on the Beagle; and concludes with the publication of The Origin of Species. Trueman's mixed-media illustrations create a humorous tone. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. With boundless enthusiasm, Kimmel imagines the boyhood of Marc Chagall in his late-nineteenth-century Russian village. Kimmel's Marc is at once unperceptive and sophisticated, sometimes sounding foolish and other times dispensing wisdom. Trueman's black-and-white line illustrations pay homage to Chagall's work while maintaining their own buoyant childlike quality. Newly independent readers will find a kindred spirit in the imaginative Marc. Reading list.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. According to this playful tale, Noah's ark was warm and steamy inside, so when the sheep jostled together in stormy weather, their wool turned into felt--a marvelous new material, excellent, Noah finds, for creating warm clothing. Distinctive mixed-media illustrations match the story's humorous tone. An endnote about felt is included. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Silverman adapts a tale by Sholom Aleichem, best known for his Tevye the Milkman stories. A young boy explains the custom of making Kapores--waving a chicken over one's head to get rid of one's sins--and recalls the year the chickens went on strike. Trueman's comically angry chickens aptly reflect the humor of the tale. The rich, dark colors of his mixed-media paintings evoke the Old World setting.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2003