(3) PS Illustrated by Christine Davenier. Each of newborn baby Ellen's relatives has a different plan for her future, and each plan echoes what the relative likes to do. But Ellen is content to burble and babble, yawn and yowl--to do what babies do. Spirited watercolor and ink illustrations capture Ellen's enthusiasm as well as her family's.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Because Jamaica longs to keep the kitten a friend offers her, she hides Puffy temporarily in her closet. She discovers, however, that even the slightest contact with the kitten triggers her brother's allergies. Satisfyingly, she realizes what she must do and returns Puffy without being told. The illustrations feature attractive images of Jamaica; some of the other figures are a bit awkward.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Stanislawa Kodman. Kate describes, in verse, the development of an urban community garden and its caretakers. Kate's narration draws readers quickly into the story and paints a vivid picture of the people around her. As in Paul Fleischman's Seedfolks, lyrical prose plays well against the urban setting. Though there are plenty of turns in Kate's journey, there's not much dramatic tension.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Young Parisians Guy and Sarah meet Austrian Willy when they all spend the summer together on Lake Constance in Austria in 1906. They go on to spend many summers together, until World War I separates them. The old-fashioned, episodic tale is well written but not fully developed. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. In this sixth Jamaica book, Jamaica's friend Brianna is disappointed with her dance recital part: she's a flower instead of butterfly queen. Brianna wins the starring role briefly when the queen (Brianna's sister) comes down with strep throat. But Brianna soon falls ill as well, and both sisters have to miss the recital. In a satisfying ending, the girls put on a private recital at home. Occasionally stiff artwork illustrates the text.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Jamaica does her best to impress the substitute teacher, but she realizes she's forgotten to study for the spelling test--and so she copies. When she confesses, the teacher explains that she doesn't have to be perfect to be special. As in the other books about Jamaica, Havill treats the moral dilemmas of childhood with sensitivity and respect. Warmly colored illustrations depict a cheerful, diverse classroom and a sympathetic main character.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1999