(3) K-3 Illustrated by Huynh Kim Liên & Phùng Nguyên Quang. Composed mostly of questions, this picture-book biography traces Jeremy Lin's uphill battle as the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Moving from his youth to his breakout 2012 game with the New York Knicks, the book shows how faith, diligence, and tenacity helped Lin weather taunts, setbacks, privation, and an agonizing NBA draft wait. The digital illustrations employ spot art to depict Lin's off-court life, while full bleeds portray on-court action and the media craze ("linsanity") surrounding his meteoric rise from obscurity. Ho prompts children to reflect on their own experiences contending with naysayers, find role models who look like them, embrace who they are, and defy stereotypes. Back matter fleshes out Lin's life story and includes an author's note and bibliography.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Brian Floca. "In Michigan country on a two-rut road along a stream called the upper South Branch of the Au Sable River," a young boy sits on his father's lap in a red Jeep, two sets of hands on the steering wheel, as they head out on a camping trip. Set in the early 1950s and rooted in Jackson's own boyhood memories, this homage to a moment in time is beautifully rendered and made specific in poetic text and brilliant illustrations of fly fishing, catching brown trout, cooking on an open fire, and trying to spot an owl. But that was last summer, and now winter has come to their Michigan town, a gray-blue world of snow-covered houses with yellow lights; the boy is on his mother's lap, thinking of "Dad now as he drives another Jeep in a far-away war." Floca's stunning yet gentle illustrations in pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache were completed after Jackson's death in 2019 and capture the varied greens of a summer day in the country, the shimmering light on a trout half in and half out of the water, and the eerie moon in a nighttime sky. The effective interplay of text and art makes this slender tale of reminiscence unforgettable.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Green. Sydney Taylor (1904–1978), born Sarah Brenner, was the author of the All-of-a-Kind Family novels, known as the first Jewish children's books to be popular with a mainstream audience. Here, Michelson (a recipient of Taylor's eponymous award for As Good as Anybody and The Language of Angels) tells a portion of her story in a lighthearted picture-book biography. Much of the book focuses on the Lower East Side childhood on which Taylor's novels were based; it also touches on her socialist activism, her work as a dancer, and her marriage to Ralph Taylor. An emphasis throughout on her interest in books and writing culminates in the "happily ever after ending" of her first book's publication. The third-person present-tense narration focuses tightly on Taylor's internal life and, along with occasional dialogue, lends an immediate feel; an appended note acknowledges that much of that dialogue is invented, "but the thoughts, if not the exact words, are all taken from Syd's writings or [her daughter] Jo's recollections." Green's cool-hued digital gouache illustrations alternate straightforward scenes and spreads filled with vignettes highlighting aspects of Taylor's life. This introduction, mostly cheerful in focus and tone, provides useful context for her novels (Cummins and Dunietz's adult biography From Sarah to Sydney, rev. 7/21, paints a more complete picture). Back matter gives brief additional information about Taylor and her husband and daughter as well as a bibliography.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) 4-6 Maurer shines a deserved spotlight on Margaret Hamilton, whose computer code for the Apollo program was integral to the success of the 1969 moonshot. Readers meet her as a child in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where she was brought up to be "curious, diligent, fearless, and a bit of a rebel"; her path eventually led to her joining the Instrumentation Lab at MIT. It was there that Hamilton helped write the code for the onboard ­computer, the Apollo ­Guidance Computer, that would ­control the astronauts' flight through space. ­Maurer draws on numerous ­personal interviews with Hamilton to reveal her character; she comes across as determined, brilliant, and confident yet self-effacing. Maurer mirrors her methodical ­competence, weaving into his account contextualizing information about early computer science and the technological innovations that made the Apollo program possible. He details the f­unctioning--and malfunctioning--of the AGC drive, the excitement of the test flights, and then Apollo 11 itself. Archival illustrations further enliven the narrative; a 1969 publicity photo of Hamilton steadying a tower of printed-out code is as effective now as it was then. A timeline, thorough source notes, an extensive bibliography, photo credits, and an index (unseen) round out this valuable addition to books about the space program.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) PS So much can happen in the span of a week: "On Monday I found a polar bear in the garden." A single-page illustration features a large, round bear with a friendly demeanor whose white fur and black nose contrast starkly with a bright red background. The following double-page spread provides more context and visual details. This bear is so small it fits in the child narrator's hands, and the child is eager to help: "Are you lost, little bear?" By Tuesday, the bear has grown bigger and is now pocket-sized. The child decides on Wednesday to bring the bear (now in a hat) back to its home, and the two set sail on a journey that takes the rest of the week. By Sunday, the bear is too big for the boat, so the child sits on its back as they approach an icy shore where other polar bears are waiting. The colorful, playful paintings with their soft textures exude a sense of calm, and the shifts in visual perspective from far away to close up to high above boost the sense of adventure. After a final day of play, the child must part with the now enormous bear, but with a hopeful closing, "Goodbye, little bear, goodbye. See you again soon." This gentle separation story subtly weaves in concepts of size comparison and days of the week and should resonate even with young toddlers, who likely will not want to say goodbye to this cuddly-looking bear, either.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) PS Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. It's "the FULL story" of the classic tale of the three billy goats and the menacing troll, or what late author Jackson calls "the story, like all stories, of Who Wants What...and Do They Get It?" Jackson changes nothing about the plot; we still meet three goats who, in order to graze on grass on the other side of a bridge, outwit a troll, but he gives it new life in this spirited text. The tone is chummy ("SO...here are the Brothers Gruff," it begins) in a text that directly addresses readers: "Just look at him," Jackson writes when we first meet Troll. The story is filled with entertaining asides ("Here's the famous part," we read before Big Billy head-butts Troll); rhythmic language that uses repetition to great effect (the usual "trip-trap," but Jackson throws in some "mutt-muttering" from Troll and some "please and kindly" phrasing to remind readers that politeness goes a long way); and lots of alliteration ("Our biggest brother, Big Billy...is a meal-worthy mouthful compared to middling me"). Changes in font size animate the pages, and the book's vocabulary will delight readers with words such as gnarly, modicum, and ferocious. Tillotson's remarkably textured illustrations match the energy of the tale, and she brings playful perspectives (from both under and atop the rickety bridge). An immensely entertaining retelling, trip-trap!

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Paula Franco. HGTV meets the early-chapter-book set in this series starter featuring sisters Twig and Turtle. The girls' parents decide to move from their large home in Boston to Happy Trails, Colorado, and purchase a "tiny house" that will allow them to, in third grader Twig's words, save "money and...the earth at the same time." Their living conditions impose some limits: the girls must respect personal space; give others privacy; and reduce clothing to three pairs of pants, three shirts, and two pairs of shoes. But the biggest issue is that there is no room for Bo, a Great Dane whom Twig loves with all her heart but who had to be left with the girls' grandmother, creating a situation that forms the story's arc and demands some straightforward problem-solving. The solution is a creative but believable one, arrived at through Twig's resolve and the help of her classmates. Twig's adjustment to a new school rings true; half-page illustrations appear every five pages or so to nicely break up the reading; the language is natural; and Jacobson's repeated use of bulleted lists helps group multiple ideas. Twig's engaging narration introduces characters many newly independent readers will want to know better.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Paula Franco. Even though the titular sisters first seen in Twig and Turtle: Big Move to a Tiny House (rev. 7/20) have now settled into their home in Happy Trails, Colorado, they still have a couple of crises to solve. The owner of a new toy store initiates the story's action by announcing a naming contest. Twig is at first reluctant to reduce her chances of winning by telling her friends about the competition. Although the situation resolves itself, the idea of tension between what she wants to do and what she should do is born. Later, when Twig accepts a doll from a friend and thus breaks their household's five-toy rule, she lets a "big old mountain of want" dictate her actions. Jacobson again shows her strength in creating problems seemingly specific to one setting but experienced by many children; without a hint of didacticism, she allows Twig to reach a creative ­solution to the problem. Short chapters, generous use of dialogue, and text-­supporting spot art scaffold the reading for newly independent chapter book readers. This series ­reaffirms the old adage that good things come in small packages.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Katherine Roy. An informative and surprisingly tender portrayal of NASA's most recent Mars rover. Poetic and personified text labels the rover as "curious," "thirsty," and even "lonely." Painterly illustrations are both scientifically accurate and emotive, often framing Curiosity as if for a portrait and subtly conveying human-like gestures. The narrator's reveal is a sweet surprise, enhancing this unusual space book's appeal. A detailed diagram of Curiosity, Mars facts, and additional information about Curiosity are appended. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(2) PS Illustrated by Chris Raschka. A puddle worries that she'll become a pond if it keeps raining. Visits from a seagull, a basketball, a child's sneaker, and a poodle (and its "piddle") don't improve her mood. As the sun comes out, a girl reaches out to the now rainbow-colored puddle in wonder, helping Puddle let go of her bad experiences. Lively, poetic text and humor-filled, appropriately watery paintings help children grasp the ideas of empathy and perspective.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(2) PS Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. This boisterous adventure is about discovery and friendships forged when least expected--all in the form of a wild log-ride. A river "didn’t know it was a river" until...Bear shows up. Bear doesn't know he's on an adventure until...a frog leaps onto his head. And so it goes until...the animals plummet over a waterfall in an exhilarating vertical spread. Pham's illustrations have a 1980s-cartoon feel yet remain fresh.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) K-3 When some sticks of color chalk return to the spot where they had drawn flowers, they find the blooms gone. They draw replacement flowers that even a (chalk) fence can't protect from the poacher. Who keeps "stealing" their drawings? (Answer: An eraser.) The book's concept is ingeniously executed--e.g., multicolored squiggles on black pages show how "the chalks chased the robber."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Rhyming text (sometimes awkwardly) tells of a rocket that shoots into space once a year to deliver a "Happy Birthday World" banner. The immersive, retro-style illustrations use bright colors contrasted against dark expanses of outer space; a final gatefold depicts fireworks surrounding Earth on one side and the solar system on the flip side. An author's note contributes more information about the age of our planet.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) PS Illustrated by E. B. Goodale. While Lula and her dad rake leaves, Daddy playfully claims he sees Lula's imaginary friend, Akaraka. Lula maintains that because Aka is made-up, she can't help them rake, but that she might like to join them for some chocolate pudding at lunch. The spirited story of an imagination supported pairs nicely with Goodale's vibrant illustrations in acrylic ink and watercolor.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(2) PS Illustrated by Julie Downing. This cheerful adventure reveals the nightlife of buoyant baby Tessa, who grows a pair of small but efficient wings and levitates out of her crib. She spins and tumbles around her room; come dawn, she's back in bed, fooling the grownups and saying her favorite word: "Up." The watercolor illustrations in baby-friendly colors are an energetic celebration of curves--fat dimpled knees, button nose, and pudgy fingers.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ryan Andrews. After the shooting death of his best friend, eleven-year-old aspiring cartooonist Lowen Grover ("his" comics are interspersed) convinces his family to move to Milltown. Hoping for revitalization, the down-on-its-luck town is giving away homes for one dollar, which proves too good to be true. Facing myriad financial and social challenges, the Grovers persevere in this emotionally resonant family drama featuring a diverse cast of likable characters.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA In the wake of a bridge collapse in Boston, five teenagers from different backgrounds find themselves in a hospital waiting room. Through flashbacks, overlapping perspectives, a vividly described setting, and an effective use of dramatic irony, Lawson carefully develops each character's story and their accidental relationships with one another. Regardless of its neat ending, this debut novel is a worthwhile study of tragedy's wake.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Feronia Parker Thomas. In this warm story by a Romani storyteller, based on true events, a coal-mining pony escapes the drudgery and joins a family of British Travelers. Polonius saves the day when the family's truck breaks down and he helps to bring a load of handmade wooden stools to the dock to be shipped to the U.S. Mixed-media illustrations show the various types of caravans, both motorized and traditional horse-drawn ones. Includes a note on Traveling culture.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nina Crews. This collection of haiku by celebrated African American author Richard Wright is a superb introduction to his work for younger audiences. Crews's delightful photo collages featuring African American boys bring the haiku to life, touching on Wright's youthful interactions with nature as a boy in Mississippi. Her brief biography of Wright gives deeper context about the haiku and their author. Reading list.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) PS Elphie the elephant is tired of being last in line just because he is the littlest. He enlists readers' help to cleverly trick the bigger elephants and move up to the front of the line: "Now can you make a loud hissing noise?" This fourth-wall-breaking story is an easy crowd pleaser, and Bryne's bright, cartoony illustrations are inviting.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear