(3) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. The title says it all: friends come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and species. Paired with a direct and friendly text, Rotner's intimate color photographs show a diverse array of children at play and at school; using sign language and wheelchairs; hugging each other and pets; laughing together but also experiencing moments of anger and sadness. The last page invites contemplation: "What kind of friends do you have?"

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. This book emphasizes the importance of a strong family narrative formed through conversations between family members across generational lines. Illustrating the book with Rotner's always-amiable color photographs of families, some with "one parent" and "others [that] have a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle living with them," strengthens this emphasis and showcases the diversity of experiences in contemporary family structures.

Reviewer: Breanna J. MCDaniel

(4) K-3 Photographs by Shelley Rotner. Simple headers ("Lunch is ready!") and captions ("I picked a carrot") are an appropriate match for the clean design and engaging color photos of kids involved in food shopping, gardening, food prep, and eating. Images of children actively playing are paired with the repeated (annoying) phrase, "Good food makes me strong!" and boxed text offers nutritional tips for parents.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(2) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. Simple, conversational text and loads of colorful, engaging photos broadly cover how families are formed through adoption. The authors approach the subject in very general terms, allowing children to impose their own experiences. While most of the book is upbeat, the loss inherent in adoptions is also acknowledged. Children touched by the subject will find the straightforward discussion reassuring and easy to understand.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(3) 4-6 As he waits in the ER with his adoptive parents for news of his sister's condition, T.J. looks through the "life book" that he kept while in foster care. His pictures and drawings trigger memories that slowly reveal his troubled past. Using a spare, poetic narrative voice, Welch perceptively crafts a story of children struggling to understand their mother's neglect.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(3) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. Though it's not the most original concept, this title does a good job of illustrating that, "Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper." Rotner's well-composed photographs of unremittingly cheerful children display a wide gamut of skin tones. For libraries needing a fresh volume on the subject, this fits the bill.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Photographs by Shelley Rotner. "We're happy when we do something well, whatever that might be." Emphasizing that being good at something involves learning, time, and interest, this simple text offers a somewhat trite feel-good-about-yourself message. The many color photographs feature various children learning, playing, and working alone and together. Rotner includes a note to adults about different types of intelligence.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. This book is simple yet appealing with its color photos of diverse grandparents from different age and racial groups. Even when acknowledging health and physical challenges and the reality of nursing homes, the book is upbeat, and, above all, it emphasizes the great love that exists between grandparents (and great-grandparents) and their grandchildren.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Photographs by Shelley Rotner. A note for parents and teachers about attention deficit disorder precedes the text of this book, which, unless accompanied by discussion and explanation by an adult, may be too vague to be helpful: "Sometimes it's hard to keep track of things." Although some are posed-looking, the color photos may help elicit responses from younger readers.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. In this well-designed picture book, a multiethnic group of children is shown taking pleasure in their food, friends, activities, and environment. With short sentences written in first person, the text names things for which children can be grateful--"I'm thankful I have a home and good food to eat," and the color photographs are bright and appealing.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) PS Photographs by Shelley Rotner. This volume on an irresistible subject features engaging color photos of fraternal and identical twins of a variety of ages. A simple text covers basic facts (some twins look alike, some don't) along with what's special about being a twin and what's not. A note to parents is included.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin