(4) K-3 Illustrated by London Ladd. Halfmann tells young readers the little-known story of Lilly Ann Granderson, a slave who secretly learned to read and write alongside her master's children. As an adult, Granderson risked her life to educate other slaves. Earth-toned, realistic acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations are sometimes flat yet add emotion to the narrative. Back matter includes a contextual afterword and quotation sources. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Michele Coxon. In a sentimental but informative story that honors intergenerational relationships, Janet and her "slowpoke" grandmother take a leisurely walk in the woods, making frequent stops for Grandma to observe cardinals, ants, and other woodland animals. The tables turn when Janet wants to wait to see the elusive muskrat. Detailed illustrations imbue the lush greenery and active animals with more life than the static human characters.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katy Hudson. Animal parents teach their young what food to eat, how to swim, and how to defend themselves. Questions on each spread gently challenge young (human) children to relate the animal information to themselves: "Who gave you your first swimming lessons?" "How do you make yourself heard?" Softly rendered paintings portray baby animals learning and growing with their parents' help. More animal facts are appended.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) PS Illustrated by Betsy Thompson. Each spread in this nature counting book features a short bit of text--curved in egg shape around a large numeral--that hints at an egg and animal's identity. Readers lift the flap to reveal the parent and babies. Unusual egg-layer examples, such as fireflies and platypuses, are included. Eye-catching, textured collage art provides additional clues to the animals' identity.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Paley. Simple, elegant text allows readers to follow a female ochre sea star as she comes ashore during high tide, finds and eats mussels, and is herself seized by a gull, escaping with only one ray lost. Accurate information is nicely embedded in the lyrical narration, while rich-hued watercolor collages, appropriate for the evening setting, give both large-scale and close-up views. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Duane Smith. Smalls, a slave who worked as a ship's wheelman, executed a plot to maneuver his ship into Union waters, rescuing himself, his family, and other slaves. The saga is exciting, and Smith's paintings capture the story vividly, with strongly defined brush strokes, rich colors, and intense facial expressions. An afterword fills in Smalls's story (he went on to become a congressman). Bib.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(4) 4-6 Bugs series. The books contain basic information on the biology of these two insects--including body construction, reproduction, and eating habits--and touch on intriguing topics such as the feuding that can occur between ant colonies. Illustrated with color photographs that purposely (and distractingly) bleed onto the white page, the texts are sometimes repetitious and, despite their brevity, feel padded with extraneous material. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta