(2) K-3 Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Lendler gives depth to a collection of Aesop's fables by incorporating them into the story of their teller's life. Working off what few facts scholars have pieced together from historical legend, Lendler begins the book with a biographical account that introduces Aesop (born "a slave...around 2,500 years ago and somewhere near Greece"), who used his fables as a way of speaking in code, not only with his peers but also around slaveholders, when he was fearful of speaking too forthrightly. Thus, when asked by "his master, Xanthus" if he thought he was worthy to help in Xanthus's business ("You're clever enough to help slaves, but are you clever enough to help me?"), Aesop responded with the story of the lion and the mouse. This brief biographical section, illustrated by Zagarenski in soft, spare watercolors realistically depicting the setting, is followed by a collection of ten of the fables, lavishly illustrated with richly colored acrylics on wood panels. Returning to realistic watercolors, the book then wraps up the biographical account, culminating with Aesop's freedom from slavery, and concludes with a tribute to the lasting impact of the fables. Appended with an afterword and a bibliography.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. A young girl imagines that her new next-door neighbor, Zola, already has a best friend: an elephant. Hesitant to say hello, the narrator finally finds the courage to overcome her shyness and discovers a new friend. Gorgeous, sweeping, dreamlike illustrations fill the pages, conjuring up the story's fantasy elements and providing readers with an enchanting invitation to add their own interpretations.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(1) YA Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Sidman and Zagarenski present "Chants & Charms," "Spells & Invocations," "Laments & Remembrances," and "Praise Songs & Blessings" in a variety of poetic forms. Each poem speaks directly from Sidman's heart to the reader's, addressing subjects of deep importance: forgiveness, friendship, bravery, death, illness, moving. Zagarenski's illustrations beautifully extend the poems with her dreamy style and deft use of white space, symbolism, and images.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. A little scootering girl "who didn't want to go to sleep" asks her parents if everything in the world sleeps. Her parents assure her that dogs and cats, bats and whales, snails and bears and even tigers sleep. Eventually, the little girl mimics the animals and slowly falls asleep. Zagarenski's surreal mixed-media illustrations are as calm and comforting as Logue's understated prose.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Sidman rejoices in the way colors, and how we perceive them, change with seasons. In spring, shy "Green peeks from buds" while "Yellow shouts with light!" In winter, "Green waits / in the hearts of trees." Zagarenski's richly patterned mixed-media spreads add texture and extend the imagery, sustaining the playfulness of the text and its senses of awe, mystery, and beauty.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. This book is a collection of "sorry poems" and responses, ostensibly (but not always believably) written, illustrated, and collected by a sixth-grade class. Though the poems are not as varied in tone or style as could be desired, they provide intimate, often touching glimpses of relationships by which real classes might be inspired.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. This collection written by a Pulitzer Prize–winning poet includes nineteen poems about animals, ranging from pets to wild animals. The quality of the poetry is uneven, from the awful "Mites" with its erratic rhymes ("close" and "glass"?) to the majestic "Alligator." In contrast, the mixed-media illustrations consistently capture the beauty and individuality of each creature.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke