(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamiel Law. In this picture-book biography, Meadows's expressive free verse beautifully contributes to an engaging narrative about Baldwin's (1924–1987) literary prowess and staunch activism, making his story accessible to young readers. She traces the future author's childhood in Harlem and the solace he found in writing; his time as a young preacher; and his decision to leave preaching and pursue writing "to capture / the voice of his ancestors, stand up for oppressed people, / and push the world to change." Following a devastating rejection of his first attempt at a novel, Baldwin (who was Black and gay) moves to Paris to escape the discrimination so prevalent in America, falls in love with Swiss painter Lucien Happersberger, and finishes his novel Go Tell It on the Mountain. Meadows emphasizes Baldwin's persistence and also relates how he became active in the civil rights movement, lending his eloquent voice to the struggle, championing justice and equality for Black people back home. Law's digitally created illustrations in striking double-page spreads powerfully evoke the subject. An author's note, a list of Baldwin's oeuvre, a timeline, and selected sources are appended.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(3) PS Illustrated by Bill Mayer. The simple, catchy rhymes ("Fast and fit, super strong. / Helping insects all day long") introduce very young listeners to cape-wearing "Super Bugs" who serve as the protectors of multiple insect species in this fraught insect world. Full-bleed gouache "miniature paintings," enlarged digitally, invite wonder and offer much to explore visually. Endpapers include nineteen bug facts.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) PS Illustrated by Ard Hoyt. "Piggies in pajamas, / jumping in the air, / tossing up the pillows, / popcorn in their hair." The Piggies are back, this time shirking sleep while Mama yaks on the phone. The book is a blast; parents who consider bedtime serious business should pass. Hoyt captures the energy of the pajama party, then concludes with a cozy, gentler spread.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Matthew Cordell. A little mouse exploring a human-scale house is thrilled--until he realizes that he's lost; breathless rhymes walk the reader through the drama ("Yikes! I'm moving! / What is that? / This pillow is a sleeping cat!"). Generous white backgrounds make the pen-and-ink with watercolor pictures stand out; the delicacy of Cordell's line gets across the sympathetic mouse's vulnerability.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Dan Andreasen. The creators of Pilot Pups reunite for another pairing: police puppies and motorcycles. Two canine motorcycle cops zoom around busting rule-breaking animal drivers: "Red-light runner / on the loose. / Captain Dog says, / 'CATCH THAT GOOSE!'" Andreasen's friendly oils are well suited to depict the book's (stuffed) animal cast.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ard Hoyt. Five pig children take advantage of Mama's absence to cook up a messy surprise for her birthday. The rhymes, including sound effects ("Swish, swish, oink, oink"), are bouncy: "Squeeze out sticks of butter, / flour in the bowl. / Carton takes a tumble, / eggs begin to roll." Spirited pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations add to the story's all-around exuberance.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. As fall settles over the forest, the animals climb aboard the hibernation train. But no one can settle down: someone is uncomfortable; a snoring roommate is too loud; others need snacks. Finally they all fall asleep, and the train chugs into winter. The detailed illustrations accompanying the pleasing rhyme show pajama-clad animals and an ever-more-wintry landscape.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Dan Andreasen. Three animate canine toys have aerial adventures, zipping around the kitchen in a plane and a helicopter. Muted oil illustrations depict the intrepid trio as they dodge the towering dishes, navigate the foggy steam from the teakettle, and rescue a toy train conductor. Though the rhyming text is singsongy, young fliers will enjoy the air-traffic references ("Double-check the / radar screen").

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) PS Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger & Rosanne Litzinger. While a young girl plays, a storm starts with the "pitter, pitter / Plam, plam" of raindrops on the window, building to "rolling, rolling / Bam, bam." The worried child takes refuge in her bed until Mom's reassuring arms calm her. The story is slight, but soft hues of watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil make a soothing home environment while thunder crashes outside.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen