(2) K-3 A chaotic household tries to reset by heading out for a forest hike. It's hard to enjoy the serenity of nature, though, when no one will help Mom, Grandpa keeps telling old "worn-out" stories, toddler Willa won't stop fussing, and dog Oni is all worked up. Least cooperative of all is older sibling Smudge, who stubbornly responds to Mom's request for good behavior, "Absolutely I will NOT!" Smudge continues to complain while wandering off -- only to get the entire family lost. Pray depicts the group's less-united moments with empathy instead of judgment and gives Smudge the opportunity to make amends for earlier transgressions by using memories of the day's rocky start ("And here! The berries I threw!") as landmarks to guide them out of the woods. "Maybe being lost together makes us sort of found, too," muses Smudge. Pray uses watercolor inks and colored pencils to contrast the family members' frazzled disconnect from one another with the beauty of the outdoors; the jewel-tone foliage becomes more vibrant and defined as the family grows closer. An ultimately cozy portrayal of a day that begins as memorable for the wrong reasons, only to end with Smudge's loved ones learning to find their way -- together.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Leanne Hatch. "Not-so-good" thoughts flutter and flap around a child's head at bedtime: "What if there are spiders in the house? What if I have a scary dream when I fall asleep?" Mom senses these worries and offers a soothing concept: "'Thoughts are like birds,' she says. 'Some fly away quickly...but others build nests in our heads.'" Smith (known for her adult poetry and memoir) thoughtfully uses this comparison to encourage readers not to simply ignore their negative emotions but rather to counter them with happy memories that these birds can use to "build nests." The specific, affection-infused memories on which the narrator and Mom reflect -- catching fish in a creek, eating banana bread still warm from the oven -- acknowledge the joy and peace that readers of all ages can find in simple, everyday occurrences. Hatch's use of hand-painted textures in the digital art enriches the book's comforting atmosphere, letting warm colors increasingly brighten the at-first gray birds that represent the narrator's worried thoughts. This book serves as an accessible and empathetic look at the impact that anxiety has on children, while celebrating the loving bond between a mother and child as they choose to face their fears together.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) PS Illustrated by A. N. Kang. Christmas trees get all the ­attention -- why shouldn’t cacti get their own tinsel? Ferry inspires empathy for protagonist Tiny Cactus through a mutually adoring relationship between the plant and her young owner. Amid Tiny Cactus’s holiday wishes for her own trimmings, the text’s simple, vivid descriptors evoke the infectious bustle of holiday traditions: “Shimmering things. Sparkling things. Twinkling, tinseling, transforming things.” Kang further personifies the cactus with blushing cheeks and a determined, eager smile. Shown on creamy, off-white pages, the reds and greens of Christmas decor within this family’s pink-hued household increase the coziness.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) 4-6 Middle schooler Joseph, who has ADD, forms an uneasy friendship with brash new girl Heather when they join the track team, and they come to count on each other as they race for their personal best. The natural-sounding narrative has a good amount of humor, especially surrounding Joseph's quirky family. Readers will root for the friends--especially when Joseph learns how and when to throw a hip check.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(2) 4-6 Alan conceals many things about himself from many people, especially the fact that he is gay. His bullying older brother Nathan threatens to out Alan unless he competes with Nathan in a rigged set of tasks. The Labors of Hercules for the middle-school set (complete with underwear jokes), this debut novel is also a compelling examination of homophobic families and generational patterns of abuse.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dave Pressler. How should Bigfoot shop for shoes? That's just one of his big back-to-school worries, not all of which are because of his size ("What if I can't stand still for class pictures? AGAIN!"). A major part of this humorous book's appeal is Pressler's larger-than-life illustrations. A relatable story to reassure young readers that school isn't that scary (and neither is Bigfoot).

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(2) 4-6 Ten-year-old Lester (who has autism) is home-schooled until his astronaut father dies and his mother takes a full-time job. Lester finds a friend in public school classmate Abby--that is, until a new student steals Abby away. In this story of friendship, bullying, and community, Lester's literal perceptions are often different from what the adults (and readers) understand, providing insight into his character.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(2) YA When high-school valedictorian Lance takes a road trip in his 1993 Buick, the car breaks down and he finds himself stuck in a seedy motel room in middle-of-nowhere Washington State. He meets Dakota--an intriguing young woman artist with a very different perspective--and begins to reevaluate his life. The sense of place is palpable and the dialogue often sparkles in Geiger's debut novel.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Serge Bloch. In this comic-hybrid fictional memoir, Toby regularly aggravates his parents and other adults with his literal responses to questions and comments. While the frenetic narrative, with meandering introductions to the people in Toby's life, is mostly a vehicle for clever wordplay and smart-alecky jokes, second and third graders will eat this up. Bloch's childlike cartoons further the book's appeal.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(3) 1-3 Translated by Cathy Hirano. Illustrated by Jun Takabatake. In this Japanese import, bored Giraffe sees an ad from a pelican advertising his mail-delivery service; he eagerly writes a letter for delivery to the first animal past the horizon. So begins the letters, speculations, and bloopers of Giraffe and Penguin's friendship. Takabatake's simple line drawings add humor and depth to a wonderfully fresh take on how we make friends and correct mistaken impressions.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(4) K-3 Tree dragon Sloppy learns that sprite Dewdrop's hugs are earned by doing nice things, not by moping or bribery. When they eventually embrace, readers may wonder why assertive, no-nonsense Dewdrop hadn't just told Sloppy "why she didn't want a hug in the first place" (Sloppy's a licker). Still, Julian's playful illustrations will have kids laughing, and the final spread is a sloppy crowd-pleaser.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(2) 4-6 Translated by Sarah Death. Illustrated by Lisen Adbåge. Zany characters and a world with just a tinge of normality define the madcap meanderings of Mazarin, his father Soda Pop, and his grandfather Dartanyong. Fans of the wackier reaches of Jack Gantos and Polly Horvath will love this book's (first published in Sweden in 1970) random ramblings that make up in emotional sense what they lack in conventional storytelling.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann. Percy's dog-park romp with his friends is interrupted by a face-off with a squirrel. Young readers will recognize and enjoy these familiar dog antics, though they may be puzzled by the title, which matches the text's tone but has little connection to the story line. Mann's illustrations, heavy on white space, are the perfect complement to the spare but effective text.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(2) 4-6 Sensing that he is growing apart from his best friend, eleven-year-old Ren attempts to adapt by joining the cross-country team. Then Ren meets new neighbor Sutton and becomes curious about her and the Birmingham Roller pigeons she is training. Readers will delight in Sutton's fierce honesty as well as Ren's geeky self-discoveries (guess what? He really hates running) and natural growth.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin. Charlie's widower father returns from Afghanistan with a brain injury and is sent to a specialist in Virginia, while Charlie and siblings travel with mysterious new family friend Ludmila from California. Traveling is hard for Charlie, who seems to have OCD and autism, but at least he can watch for birds on his and Dad's "Someday" list. Pla captures a three-dimensional family through Charlie's unique voice.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(4) 1-3 Nine-year-old King Edwin is a good king who tosses chocolate to his subjects on Fridays. When he fails to do so one Friday, the peasants revolt and evil Emperor Nurbison takes over the kingdom. Filled with jokes (some much better than others), itchy butts, and clueless adults, this book will appeal to many young readers. Halftone illustrations add a splash of whimsy.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(2) 4-6 Stanly spots a finger bone in his family's garden, and the bone grows a skeleton. His younger sister Miren's illness worsens, and Stanly is convinced the skeleton, "Princy," is to blame. Ventrella's three-dimensional characters, with their complicated emotions, are what make this story work so well. The exploration of family tragedy and death is likely to evoke discussion.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) PS Translated by Linda Burgess. Fans of Richard Scarry, to whom the book is dedicated, may enjoy this collection of scenes ("At Work," "The Farm") and topics ("Vegetables," "Clothes"), all featuring a cast of cartoony dogs. With help, youngsters may even get an idea of what some dogs (a.k.a. humans) do all day, though some sections (e.g., "Insects") seem especially random. Fortunately, the silly art is independently delightful.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(3) YA With Sharon M. Draper. In Draper's adaptation of the adult book, The Pact, three childhood friends tell the inspiring story of how they avoided drugs, gangs, and violence in their Newark, New Jersey, neighborhoods By supporting each other, they grow up to become medical doctors. Never didactic or preachy, the book is frank, personal, and frequently riveting.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(4) 4-6 American Moments series. Each book in this series offers a brief, general introduction to a chapter in U.S. history. The writing is clear but lacks style. The books offer overviews of their subjects, giving report writers basic information but little insight. Drawings, maps, photographs, and sidebars enhance the text. There are eighteen other spring 2005 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Moments titles: The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, The Kent State Tragedy, The Pilgrims, The Industrial Revolution, The Jamestown Colony, and The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer