(2) K-3 This well-organized introduction to houseplants provides beginning indoor growers with the basics, including a review of plants' basic growing requirements, a survey of the equipment needed to get started, and directions on how to maintain plant health and propagate plants. Plentiful, detailed watercolor-and-pencil illustrations work together with the book's step-by-step instruction to inspire confidence in even the most timid indoor gardener. Ind.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 1999

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ted Rand. McNulty explores the probable evolution of modern whales from large land-dwelling animals that lived during the time of dinosaurs, carefully delineating likely changes that occurred over many millions of years. Readers will easily follow the almost poetic explanation of how modern whales came to be. Rand's illustrations, executed in acrylic, watercolor, and chalk, are appropriately watery.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(2) PS Illustrated by Barbara Firth. Big Bear is always nearby to share self-reliant Little Bear's toddler-like exuberance as he explores the forest and to catch him when Little Bear slips off a stone into the stream. Firth's warm pencil and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the bears' playful and loving relationship. Fans of the earlier books about Little Bear will rejoice to see another installment in this paean to familial love and security.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(4) YA Brooks's editorial voice betrays him in the overly intrusive introductions he has written for these selections, which include work by T. H. White, Randall Jarrell, and Carlos Fuentes. Because many of the pieces will be new to readers and are not placed in context, teachers may find this idiosyncratic collection ideal for classroom use. Without some adult intervention, most will find this of limited appeal.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader

(2) PS Highly realistic illustrations in vibrant colored pencil on charcoal paper provide instruction on signing the numbers one through twenty (plus twenty-five, fifty, seventy-five, and one hundred). Easily recognizable objects accumulate on the pages and are identified in the back of the book. A valuable and attractive contribution to the literature that introduces American Sign Language.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1998

(4) K-3 In this book, which explores the shape of leaves from thirteen deciduous trees and explains why leaves change color, spare, simple double-page spreads are enhanced by brilliantly colored life-size photographs. This introduction is containing little information but handsomely presented.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader