(3) PS Cat is a little too honest with friends, resulting in some hurt feelings, until gentle feedback and practice with a friend gets him to consider his words more carefully. The message is clear in this heartfelt story, and cheerful illustrations of a host of animal pals add to its humor.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Coauthor Leffler (the adult daughter of Cocca-Leffler), who was born with cerebral palsy, describes how she loved attending public school. Sadly, "it hadn't always been that way" for kids with disabilities. In 1971, seven kids (each named in a tidily illustrated vignette portrait) were denied schooling until their families' outcries led to Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, which secured the right to public education for children with disabilities. The text describes events and facts gently while making a strong case for the ruling; the illustrations showcase people with disabilities on every spread. A wealth of appended contextual material, including a timeline and selected sources, enriches the historical account.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Pig Luca's family decides to make gifts for Christmas instead of buying them. Dad, Mom, and sister Rosie get right to work, but Luca has trouble with ideas--he can't knit a hat and eats all the honey intended for his granola. Luckily, inspiration strikes at the last minute. Bright, homey illustrations with eye-pleasing patterns and white space complement a cozy story.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) PS It's Mood Monday in class, but Theo can't articulate how he's feeling. Other students try to help by sharing their moods: happy (a new bike), mad (brother ripped a book), etc. Finally, Theo expresses his many mixed feelings about becoming a new big brother. The text is light and insightful; the vibrant illustrations are fittingly emotive.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Violet packs her pup Pooch a special bag for his stay with Grandpa. On vacation in Florida, Violet plays, makes a new friend, eats exciting food and--oh no!--realizes she has Pooch's bag instead of her own. In a satisfying twist, Violet learns Pooch is having a similarly pleasant getaway regardless. Gouache and fabric-collage illustrations colorfully depict the pair's parallel trips.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) PS In a story that will ring true with preschoolers and their caregivers, a young child finds it hard to make transitions--but someone has taught him how to find comfort and closure. Simple watercolor vignettes picture the engaged toddler naming playthings and saying farewell to them each time he has to leave a place or activity: the park, Grandma's, playtime, the bath, and bedtime reading.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) PS Whenever someone complains, Nate finds a bright side. This book may serve as a gift for difficult times. It would work better, though, if all the examples fit its theme; some just show that Nate is, well, nice. The illustrations use line well to convey Nate’s simple contentment.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 At school Kim learns about the importance of honesty. Determined not to lie, she says what she really thinks about her father's pancakes ("sort of rubbery") and--gasp--her teacher's newborn: "That is the ugliest baby I have ever seen!" Kim then learns about soothing hurt feelings. The story, with its lighthearted illustrations, provides good examples of the if-you-can't-say-something-nice principle.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) K-3 Wanting the kids at school to like her, new-girl Kim claims she's a princess. As her celebrity and popularity grow, so does the lie; soon everyone's demanding to meet her grandmother the queen. The story's resolution is satisfying: Kim must simply face the crowd, tell the truth, and be herself. Cocca-Leffler's purple-outlined illustrations capture Kim's emotional highs and lows.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(2) K-3 Miss Lucinda introduces herself to Jack's class with her name and talent: "I am good at gardening." Likewise, the children introduce themselves, and Cocca-Leffler's joyful paintings show them engaged in their favorite activities. Jack can't think of what he's good at, but the book's ending provides a believable solution. Children will find piquant details in the pictures.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2007

(3) K-3 The popular principal's exuberant ties and personality keep the energy level high in this third visit with Mr. T., which finds the Lynnhurst School enjoying Career Day. Children are janitors, principal, music, gym, and science specialists for the day. Unfortunately, a surprise national school award tour is happening simultaneously. Fans of previous books are sure to enjoy this lighthearted romp.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Mr. Tanen and his collection of wacky ties are back in their second book. When the proposed school playground is in jeopardy due to budget issues, Principal Tanen auctions off his precious tie collection to raise the funds. An appreciative town makes sure his tie-less condition doesn't last for long. This amusingly illustrated story doesn't overplay its lesson: "the more you give, the more you get."

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Big Bear offers fearful Carlin the raccoon some of his Bravery Soup in return for collecting a secret ingredient for it. Carlin, of course, overcomes his fears while retrieving the ingredient--and is rewarded with Bear's soup, served only "to the brave." While the moral is a bit heavy-handed, Cocca-Leffler's paintings are amusing and her storytelling style draws the reader along.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Smart about Art series. Beginning and ending with notes from a fictional teacher, the artist studies in this series are presented as school reports written by "students." Each report incorporates biographical information, descriptions of favorite subjects, and artistic techniques with well-chosen art reproductions, cartoons, and comments from the student researcher. The tone is lively and informal; the format works well as a model for class projects. [Review covers these Smart about Art titles: Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet.]

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 On Saturdays the young narrator and her family often make a special trip into Boston to check out the sales at a crowded department store or buy groceries in the Italian markets. But the best part is riding the bus and sharing their last cannoli with their favorite driver. The quiet story of enjoying simple family routines is accompanied by warm acrylic paintings of bustling city life.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) PS "Through the trees, / oh, so dark! / Over the hills / to Jungle Park. / Jungle Prizes / Jungle Prancing / Jungle Music / Jungle Dancing." Accompanied by bright illustrations of a fanciful jungle, this jaunty rhyme follows a group of animals (some jungle dwellers, some not) as they celebrate Halloween. The jovial animals make decorations, don funny costumes, go trick-or-treating, and enjoy a party.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Mr. Tanen, the principal of Lynnhurst Elementary School, is beloved by the students because of his crazy tie collection. When his boss forces him to wear "proper" blue ties only, the kids find a way to reunite Mr. Tanen with his prized neckwear. With illustrations as jaunty and colorful as Mr. Tanen's ties, this comic tale, based on a real principal, provides light fun.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Janine's excitement at being chosen to take home Coco, the classroom stuffed bunny, for the weekend turns to anguish when she loses Coco at the mall. That Coco finds his way into a hospital toy drive, where he is given to a girl whom the class feels needs him more, seems an unbelievable coincidence. But the colorful illustrations have appeal.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.