(3) K-3 Illustrated by Petra Brown. Rags, a scruffy mutt rescued from a Paris alley by Private James Donovan, becomes the mascot for the U.S. Army's First Division in WWI. Rags endures loud and frightening explosions, poison gas attacks, and injury but loyally relays crucial messages from the rear to the front lines. Endearing illustrations accompany this heartwarming narrative based on a true story from the Great War.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. This story about the Hill sisters, teachers during the late nineteenth century, culminates in their composition of "Happy Birthday to You." Though the telling is sentimental, the warmth of family life comes through. Realistic watercolors portray faces aglow with sunlight from improbable angles. Appended information gives more facts about the disputed history of the song.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. "What scares the head is best done with the heart." Granny Judith speaks these words to twelve-year-old Christmas John to prepare him for a dangerous mission--rowing fellow slaves across the river to freedom. Lewis cloaks the escapees in dark hues to emphasize the danger in this story of hope inspired by the WPA's Slave Narrative Collection.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. In explaining to her granddaughter how the art of sweetgrass basket making has been handed down, a grandmother also lyrically recounts her people's history, through slavery to tourist attraction, in the Sea Islands. Lewis's evocative illustrations enhance this story where art, memory, and history intersect. The book includes notes on sweetgrass basket making. Bib.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson