(2) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Herma Starreveld. In this Dutch import, a community of birds comes to terms with the death of one of their own. In the wordless opening spread, a lifeless bird lies face up on the ground. A long-beaked bird looks on disconsolately and then states: "Bird is dead." More gather and experience both denial and shock: "Are you sure he's not sleeping?" and "What? He was still alive yesterday!" Some of the creatures cry; some argue over who will bury him; some mourn the loss; and one even shares, "I thought he was a pest." They bury Bird and say goodbye, absorbing the hard reality of doing so forever and that this means "for always," although one acknowledges that he will live in their heads "forever." This decidedly unsentimental look at death is set on a rolling terrain that could be anywhere; the birds traverse it as if on a stage. Grim humor punctuates the narrative, including at the burial: one bird sings "tra-la-la" and responds, after being chastised, that Bird was always "chirpy" and would probably like to hear it at his funeral. Starreveld renders the avian bodies in patchwork colors and patterns and anthropomorphizes them: at the book's close, they share tea, worms, and cake under lanterns they've hung from the leafless branches of trees. This plainspoken and candid lens on death is a conversation-starter. See also Brown and Robinson's The Dead Bird (rev. 5/16) and Yumoto and Sakai's The Bear and the Wildcat (rev. 3/23) for similar approaches to children's natural curiosity about the subject of death.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Elsa Klever. "This is the story of a long journey, but I'll keep it as short as I can because it has such a lovely ending." This fascinating, very beautiful picture book describes the journey, in the nineteenth century, of one canary, part of a group of 189, transported by a bird trader via foot, train, and steamship from the silver mines of the Harz Mountains in Germany to New York, where it is purchased as a pet. The storytelling style uses the present tense to pull the reader directly into a faraway time and place. Böge's narration is full of sensory details ("With every step, the rack sways left, then right. The cages rub against each other, and the thin wooden bars creak quietly") that are particularly appropriate for a story about a bird prized for its voice. Klever's mixed-media illustrations, with a muted color palette, have the flat perspective of folk art. The canary is the brightest object on most pages, and Klever expresses the richness of its song with imagery of the things whose sounds influence it, including trees, wind, rain, waves, trains, and other animals. An extensive, highly illustrated afterword includes a history of canaries and their use in mining and as pets.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(3) 4-6 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Wendy Panders. This deep dive begins by discussing the difference between naturally driven climate events in Earth's past and the exponentially damaging effects of industrialization and a growing human population. The book also examines current and long-term consequences of a hotter climate on the environment, wildlife, and human society; measures to combat the threat; and resistance from climate change deniers. The mostly sober text includes some lighter touches: a breakup letter to fossil fuels ("You in particular, Oil") and the doodle-like limited-palette illustrations add humor and visual interest. Metric-only measurements may be problematic for US readers. A climate bingo game and an index are appended.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) 4-6 Translated by Laura Watkinson. A raging storm hits town on the one day Lampie forgets to buy matches for the lighthouse, and a ship hits the rocks as a result. Lampie's father, an alcoholic widower, is blamed for the disaster, and Lampie is removed from his care and sent to work as a live-in maid at the creepy and foreboding Black House just outside town. Rumors that a monster lives there prove to be more than fiction: Lampie soon encounters a creature who is half-human-boy, half-mermaid—Edward, the son of the admiral who owns the house. The self-loathing Edward vacillates between striving for human dignity and relishing the monstrous behavior that has all the servants terrified. Lampie befriends Edward, despite his initial obstinacy; he teaches her to read, and she concocts a plan to help him find his place in the outside world. The outside world is not always hospitable, though, and the children must decide whom they can trust in their attempts to save each other from treachery and disappointment. This is a beautifully told (and smoothly translated) story about family, bravery, love, identity, and forgiveness, enhanced with atmosphere-rich crosshatched illustrations. The timeless setting and archetypal ­characters make the story both intriguing and familiar. An imaginative, heartfelt, and plucky tale, with adventure aplenty (including pirates, it turns out) and ­admirable young heroes.

Reviewer: Sarah Berman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) 4-6 Translated by Laura Watkinson. In a village in the Netherlands, in the winter of 1944–45, teen Michiel van Beusekom becomes involved in anti-Nazi resistance activities--hiding and feeding a wounded British airman, smuggling two Jewish men out of the area--all the while knowing that someone in the village is betraying the cause. The pace is fast; the action is riveting; the mystery of the traitor's identity is compelling. But this is no "adventure novel": it's about war and fear and deprivation, told from personal experience (the book is based on the author's own boyhood). As such, it has a strong anti-war message: "Don't be fooled, Michiel, by the romance of war, heroism, sacrifice, excitement, adventure. War means injuries, grief, torture, imprisonment, hunger, hardship, injustice. There's nothing romantic about it." First published in 1973, this Dutch classic has been in print in Holland continuously since its publication--and deservedly so.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) PS Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Hanneke Siemensma. "Far away, on the other side of the mountains, there lived a little wolf," begins this enticing tale. This wolf spends so much time reading books that he is known to the other animals as "Little Wise Wolf." Selfish with his time and knowledge, however, Little Wise Wolf turns away those who ask for help. Then, he is summoned to the castle to heal the ailing king. His arduous journey over the mountains is captured in textured illustrations of an enchanting landscape that becomes increasingly difficult to navigate. Crossing steep mountains, he must abandon his bicycle, he loses a boot (his bright red footwear stands out against the shadowy muted colors of the pictures), and it begins to rain. "I'm cold. My stomach's rumbling. My feet hurt. And I'm lost. Maybe I'm not as wise as everyone says." Little Wise Wolf's pride and confidence finally give way to exhaustion, and he gratefully accepts the other animals' offers of help, marking a turning point in his understanding of wisdom and its virtues as well as in his treatment of others. This thought-provoking book's warm, comforting tone conjures up that of a gifted storyteller and pairs effortlessly with the rich, absorbing art.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(3) 4-6 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Wendy Panders. In this overview of concepts from the many scientific disciplines within the earth sciences, topics are organized into chapters on geology, planetary science, weather, water, and geography. Though a large number of ideas are covered, they are clearly explained and organized to present comprehensive coverage of the field. Plentiful if small illustrations throughout include helpful diagrams.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Philip Hopman. In this Dutch import, after two friends--dog William and panda Bobby--have an argument, the former says, "Just get on your bike and leave!" Leave Bobby does: he rides around the animal-populated city, blowing off steam until he feels contrite. Like bicycling Bobby, the story meanders, but readers will enjoy the seek-and-find aspect as Bobby is practically Waldo-like in the bustling oversize spreads.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen. Through first-person-plural narration translated from the Dutch, two siblings discuss the death of their dog, Scout, and field their younger brother's questions about what comes next for their deceased pet ("Can she run across the clouds?"). The children largely go unseen--the text is printed on Scout's silhouette, which is set against different solid-color backgrounds--limiting an otherwise affecting meditation.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni. This book of original prayers, translated from the German, guides discussion with God. Referring to specific Old and New Testament texts, each prayer focuses on a different emotion: fear, sorrow, guilt, amazement, etc. The spare, colorful illustrations mostly refer to biblical times but occasionally show contemporary children. While the book's appropriate audience is somewhat older than its title and picture-book format suggest, it's useful for Christian religious studies and homes. References included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Marco Somà. In this Italian import, a human couple adopts Boris, the baby with gills like a fish they find by a swamp. Boris is content with them until the day the wind brings an evocative salty smell. Boris tries swamp life but ultimately wonders, "Maybe our family is simply the ones we love?" It's a sweetly peculiar adoption story made all the more so by the nonchalantly surreal illustrations.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Klaus Ensikat. In this lengthy, complex picture-book biography, theology professor Martin Luther's importance in the Protestant Reformation of the Christian church in the 1500s is clearly delineated in strong text organized by time period. Selections from his famous Ninety-Five Theses of 1517 are also referenced and explained. Appended source notes provide historical context about details in the intricate color illustrations throughout.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(2) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. The characters from Roger Is Reading a Book are bicycling to a day of fishing. In successive spreads, the trio passes pedestrians and Emily snags something from each: "ROGER! ROGER! I've got a bite..." They all make chase, and eventually everyone ends up in the river. The combination of careful composition and slapstick hilarity lets readers enjoy the outing as much as the characters (at least Emily and Bob) do.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) YA Translated by Laura Watkinson. Dutch fifteen-year-old Emilia de Wit, humiliated by a scandal involving her father and needing to reestablish control over her own life, makes a statement by running away to NYC. But plans fall through, and Emilia finds herself relying on the kindness of strangers as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the city. An unrealistic premise is balanced by action and a likable heroine.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. In this thoughtful Belgian import, the narrator innocuously points out her classmate's blushing cheeks, but the ensuing wordless spread captures Tommy's humiliation at being singled out. The situation snowballs with a tormenter and his giggling sycophants; eventually our protagonist finds the courage to speak up. The mixed-media illustrations' varying shades of red are used to great emotional effect, paired with child-friendly comparisons.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(2) YA Translated by Laura Watkinson. In this 1962 Dutch classic, young squire Tiuri abandons his vigil on the eve of being knighted to aid a wounded knight by secretly delivering a letter to the distant king of Unauwen. Orderly prose describes a journey of refreshing unpredictability and unusual wisdom. The unhurried style and sustained narrative perspective give the tale a lucidity enhanced by author-illustrator Dragt's occasional black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(4) YA Translated by Laura Watkinson. Schwartz's graphic memoir chronicles his parents' upbringing in East Germany, their growing discomfort with the oppression there, and--after his birth--their struggle to leave. It's an honest family portrait, with poignant details about his father's strained relationship with his parents, staunch communists. Schwartz jumps back and forth in time, sometimes confusingly, but his grim palette of black, white, and gray is fitting.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Schwartz fictionalizes North Pole explorer Henson's life in this graphic novel. The visual storytelling--in shades of steely blue and grays--is striking and resonant. Schwartz goes to great lengths to illuminate the many ways in which African American Henson was discriminated against during his lifetime; the lack of nuance in his portrayal of the Inuits who held Henson in high esteem is unfortunate.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom

(2) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. "Quiet. Roger is reading." A disturbing "BOING BOING" emanates from the other side of his cozy apartment's wall as next-door-neighbor-girl Emily bounces her ball. Roger retaliates, banging on the wall; noise amps up while neighborliness dissipates. Ultimately Roger gives Emily her own book. Showcased on white or off-white backgrounds, the illustrations feature bursts of patchy color and abstract linework that artistically depict sound.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2015

(3) K-3 Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Simona Mulazzani. This entertaining Italian import describes a supermarket with "only natural foods," where all the animals--from snails to elephants--come to buy their favorite provisions. "A three-for-two sale on crumbs? The birds twitter and the ants form a long line. What a bargain!" Imaginative, humorous touches draw the reader in: e.g., a mongoose steals eggs by hiding them under his ball cap.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert