(2) PS I Like to Read series. Two friends sitting outside on a summer's day have very different opinions about insects. The girl, armed with a magnifying glass and a field guide and gazing admiringly at a butterfly, ladybugs, ants, and a damselfly (among others), declares that she loves insects. The boy, having been chased away from his sandwich by houseflies, says he hates insects. As this simple and clever book unfolds, each child offers facts supporting their viewpoint. Some insects hurt plants, while others eat the insects that do so; some insects are "so ugly," others pretty; some make unpleasant sounds, others nice ones. At book's end, twilight has descended, the fireflies have come out, and...has the boy come around to his friend's point of view? The book's text is entirely composed of dialogue. But even though no quotation marks are used, because of the strength of each child's opinions, there is never any doubt who is speaking--except on the final, ambiguous spread. Vocabulary in this beginning-reader picture book is controlled but feels very natural. Illustrations in colored pencil, gouache, and watercolor capture the flora and fauna of a garden while keeping viewers connected to the human characters. A final double-page spread identifies each insect pictured in the book. Love it!

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS A community comes together to craft a quilt in this joyful story of intergenerational friendship, creativity, and hope. On Fridays, a diverse group of children and adults gathers at the community center. "Together in pairs," each child and their older and experienced quilter friend work side-by-side through the quilt-making process. They trace, cut, arrange, and stitch their individual patchwork squares, while "Nakia works on one blue square," a peace sign that becomes the quilt's centerpiece. A handprint border is designed, and then for "many, many Fridays" (because "it takes a long time to quilt the quilt") they sit together sharing stories as they stitch everything together. Scans of fabric are interwoven into Rockwell's warm watercolor and ink illustrations, adding texture and veracity. Basic quilting tools and steps are seamlessly interspersed throughout the narrative, contributing information without overshadowing or disrupting the story’s natural rhythm. Readers will be delighted to see the illustrations come to life in the appended author's note with photographs of the real-life club and quilt that inspired the book. Like pieces of a patchwork quilt, story and fact come together, reflecting the joy of a journey and the beauty of community friendship.

Reviewer: Emmie Stuart | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(3) K-3 As a family observes different animals, the kids wonder if each one is a mammal. A conversational question-and-answer text, illustrated with clear ink and watercolor pictures, eliminates animal characteristics (e.g., animals without bones) one by one from mammal classification. This is a straightforward introduction even the youngest learners can understand. Back matter includes additional facts and a chart showing how different kinds of life are classified. Reading list.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 With a spare, rhythmic text that sometimes rhymes, this book notes that while all birds have certain features--beaks, wings, and capability of hatching from eggs--their unique feature is feathers. Detailed, captioned illustrations in gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil support and extend the text by showing selected birds from around the world, though their provenance isn't included.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 "Fruits hang from the tomato plant. / Pumpkins, peppers, and eggplants are fruits too." A young boy describes the different parts of plants he eats, such as leaves of spinach, stems of asparagus, bulbs of onions, flowers of broccoli, and fruit of tomato and walnuts. Straightforward text and clear, well-labeled, pleasing illustrations make this a useful introduction to botany.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 This picture book begins as an upbeat paean to fitness but quickly launches into comprehensive explanations of the human body's structure (skeleton and muscles) and systems (nervous, respiratory, digestive), complete with detailed diagrams. The cheerful illustrations of active children are appealing, but the information may be over the heads of the intended audience.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 The pleasures of eating are discussed and lead to brief explanations of the importance of food and nutrition. Types and benefits of nutrients, foods containing them, the digestive process, and the food pyramid are covered. A few kid-friendly recipes are included at the back. A group of children provide dialogue-balloon observations in the clear, colorful illustrations.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 A young boy narrates a straightforward account of the final weeks of his mother's pregnancy and the first days with his newborn sister. The text covers the basics, from fetal growth to breast-feeding to baby bathing and dressing, while managing to convey the boy's excitement. Although the spindly typeface is a strain on the eyes, the rounded, cheery illustrations create a warm atmosphere.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann