(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

(2) 4-6 Patrick and his brother are adjusting to their mother's death. Their father has a new "friend," who has a seven-year-old daughter, and things are getting rocky. Young readers will feel that they, too, are experiencing Patrick's emotional ride: the pure joy of playing with his best friend; stargazing walks with his father; and the awkward dance that is a blended family.

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

(4) K-3 Born into a band of wild horses, Brown Foal learns to run and escape predators. After twisting her leg in a stream, she's targeted by a cougar, until Gray Colt, an exiled bachelor stallion, appears (from nowhere) to drive the cougar off. The text can be melodramatic, and a few of the horse drawings look awkward, but there's some light excitement to the tale.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dennis J. Weber. In poetic bilingual text (English and Michif), Bouchard celebrates the heritage of the Métis people. Though the writing is lyrical, the events are difficult to follow without prior knowledge; appended text about "People, Places and Events" is somewhat helpful. Some of the paintings are striking; others are stiffly posed. A CD of the story accompanied by a Métis fiddler is included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Alan Daniel & Lea Daniel. This collection presents nine pieces that were read over the air by Maitland, a longtime Canadian broadcaster whose voice is featured on the accompanying CD. Included are stories, poems, and a recipe by authors such as Margaret Atwood, O. Henry, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Handsome oil and acrylic paintings accentuate the mood of each selection, from poignant to cynical to humorous.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jim Poitras. In this story, Cree dancers come together to participate in the round dance. While the art makes good use of color, the text (printed in English and Cree) lacks a cohesive thread and the narrator is not distinctive enough. However, those studying Native language or music will appreciate the included bilingual CD of the story accompanied by Northern Cree, a pow-wow group.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey