(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Colombet. Singer looks at hair and fur on different mammals, starting with a human baby. The book explores the main functions of hair and fur--including camouflage, warmth, and attracting a mate--and more specific functions of hair such as eyebrows and whiskers. With interesting facts, engaging writing, cartoon bubbles, and plenty of photographs, this will be enthusiastically received by young scientists. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. A diverse set of children take turns detailing their growth milestones in this collection of rhyming verse, a few of which are--very effectively--written in two voices. The colorful digital drawings depict each child learning to ride a bike, attend a birthday party, go onstage, etc. The final poignant poem about a girl and her new sibling circles neatly back to the title.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Daviz. Twenty-one animals, including humans, are profiled with an emphasis on what makes each "weird"; inevitably, it is a body part or behavior that allows the animal to survive. With its large, dazzlingly colored illustrations, this book is good for casual browsing or as an introduction to adaptation. The entry on humans emphasizes using our brains to conserve the amazing animals around the world. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Those interested in our first ladies will be amused and marginally enlightened by Singer's predominantly lighthearted, rhyming verses. As the women varied enormously, so do the poems; while she's always respectful, Singer clearly respects some more than others. Carpenter's ink and watercolor illustrations wonderfully illuminate both history and character and add details to the poetic portraits. Brief biographical notes are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. On an ice-skating outing with new friend Kacie, Tallulah is convinced her ballet training will make her an instant "Super Skater"; to her chagrin, that's far from the case. But, happily, Tallulah decides to take it slow, practice hard, and (most importantly) have fun with her friend. A light-handed, sweetly illustrated lesson about letting go of unrealistic expectations and enjoying yourself even when you're not "super" at something.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan L. Roth. In this spectacular volume, child-centered poems and intricately designed collages, incorporating papers from all over the world, introduce religious and secular New Year celebrations. Familiar festivities, such as the ball dropping in Times Square, are celebrated beside the less-familiar (to American readers): Nowruz in Iran (March); Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year (September); and more. Enjoyable for young children, yet all ages will learn much from the excellent supplementary material. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kristi Valiant. Singer's poems take readers from the cha-cha to hip-hop to the samba. Each verse attempts, though not always successfully, to reflect the energetic rhythm of the dance through its meter. Vibrant Photoshop-created illustrations add to the merrymaking. Notes about each dance are appended. CD included.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Josée Masse. As in Mirror Mirror and Follow Follow, two sides of fourteen familiar Greek myths are presented in Singer's inspired, accessible reverso-poem pairs: the lines of the second are the same but in reversed order, with punctuation changes affecting meaning and perspective. Summaries of the myths appear in footers. Drenched in Mediterranean turquoise and golds, the rich acrylic illustrations "echo" the symmetry.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. Using rhyme and wordplay, two children, a dog, and a cat highlight different things you can do with the titular fruit in each book. While many of the descriptions are clever and creative, others are peculiar and force the rhyme (e.g., "You can snuggle it [an apple], or juggle it, or put it in a pile"). Still, the inventiveness and cartoonlike illustrations should engage young children. Review covers these titles: What's a Banana? and What's an Apple?

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. Using rhyme and wordplay, two children, a dog, and a cat highlight different things you can do with the titular fruit in each book. While many of the descriptions are clever and creative, others are peculiar and force the rhyme (e.g., "You can snuggle it [an apple], or juggle it, or put it in a pile"). Still, the inventiveness and cartoonlike illustrations should engage young children. Review covers these titles: What's a Banana? and What's an Apple?

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Litchfield. Singer elaborates on the nursery rhyme, concocting a theatrical piece--including script, stage directions, chorus lyrics, satire, subplots, patter songs, and stock characters--all illustrated in an energetically lurid mixed-media style. There are moments of wit (Miss Muffet and Bo-Peep are virtuoso fiddlers) and some dandy outlandish rhymes, but what might work on the stage is chaotic on the page, lacking focus and narrative logic.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. "Ballet girl" Tallulah loves dance camp...except for tap class, where she's frustrated and self-conscious about being "the worst student." Then fellow camper Kacie--whose tap skills Tallulah envies--admits her similar struggles in ballet class. Soft watercolor illustrations ably capture the woodland setting, the various dance movements, and both girls' heightened emotions in this relatable tale of learning new things.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynne Avril. To Sadie a family camping trip requires the basic supplies: patent leather shoes, sparkly suitcase, ruffled pants, tutu, satin cape, etc. All that finery doesn't stop her from climbing, exploring, swimming, hunting for Big Foot, and having a great time. The feisty rhyming text and spirited mixed-media illustrations feature a girly-girl who's not afraid to get her white gloves dirty.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. "Tallulah knew she'd never be a ballerina until she got a pair of pink satin toe shoes." Despite warnings that she is too young, Tallulah takes home a pair she finds in the trash at ballet school. Elegant watercolors reflect Tallulah's dreams of en pointe grandeur (and the pain of swollen toes). Few picture books deal this well with delayed gratification.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. Dancing in The Nutcracker is not what Tallulah expected: rehearsals are boring, and her mouse costume isn't "elegant." Worst of all, on the big night, she inadvertently causes a pile-up of mice and toy soldiers. Backstage, others remind her of what being a dancer is all about. Gentle text and warm illustrations together offer an un-sugar-coated but humorous portrayal of theater life.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2013

(2) K-3 Illustrated by John Hendrix. Forty-three presidents receive thirty-nine poems, touching on subjects such as political ideology, foreign policy, and domestic programs. A quote from George Washington in a bold hand-lettered font opens the book; in some cases, the richly colored art overwhelms the text. Brief biographical notes of each president give pertinent, but abbreviated, background information; sources are included.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Josée Masse. As in Mirror Mirror, poems subvert traditional tales by offering two points of view on a story: what goes down on the left-hand of the page goes up on the right, with line breaks and punctuation revised for strategic effect. The twelve referenced tales include "Puss in Boots," "The Little Mermaid," and "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," and acrylic illustrations mirror the poems' structures.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Miki Sakamoto. Peppy verses take readers through a dog's year as Fuzz enjoys "Cat-Chasing Day," "Summer Vacation," and of course "Hole-Digging Day"; "Visit to the Vet" and "First Flea Day," not so much. The tone of the thirty poems varies little, but they reflect the enthusiastic mutt's personality; full-page illustrations in bright primary colors are generic but amusing.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. A collection of lighthearted poems reveals a "B-list" of superheroes. Jones's colorful cartoons play up the comedy of the underemployed superheroes, from The Bulk--the Hulk's big and green but incredibly sappy cousin--to brawny but clumsily mismatched conjoined twins Herk and Uleez. While at times the poems strain to scan, overall this is an entertaining package.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(2) K-3 Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Eighteen poems celebrate the old-fashioned kind of play, where the only equipment you need is a ball or a piece of chalk. Singer uses different styles of poetry and moves the poems from morning to dusk. Pham's illustrations match the retro feel of the games and feature a multicultural group of children, with wide eyes and wide smiles, enjoying the exciting play.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012