(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. Sixteen concise poems provide snapshots of full-moon celebrations around the world, from Canada to the Caribbean, Haifa to Hong Kong, and the International Space Station. Each verse reveals the full moon's powerful pull on the natural world and its inhabitants. The volume concludes with additional information about the places; a map appears on the endpapers. Atmospheric watercolor illustrations reflect the different scenes. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. Adika invites many friends to share his family's small supper of pancakes. His mother is sure they will not have enough food, but each guest brings something to add to the meal. The colorful, delicate illustrations include many details of village life and convey the warmth of the story. Facts about Kenya, native animals, and a recipe are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. Poems about parents, grandparents, siblings, love, loss, and feelings fill this collection featuring poems by Arnold Adoff, Grace Nichols, and Judith Viorst, among others. While some offerings are lighthearted, other poems offer serious perspectives, such as "Always Remembering Eloise," a girl's remembrance of her "might have been" baby sister. Bright illustrations of families frame and expand the poems.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. "We all went on safari, / when the day had just begun. / We spied a lonely leopard. / Arusha counted one. moja." Ten Maasai children take turns counting wildlife on the African plain; the Swahili number follows. Well thought out, with visually striking watercolor images, the book ends with appendices on Tanzania's animals, the Maasai, Swahili names, Tanzania, and Swahili counting.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. This Ghanaian folktale reveals the mythic origins of kente cloth: two Ashanti weavers find a spider who teaches them a weaving dance on her exquisite web. Inspired, they rush home and set up their looms to make similar designs. Illustrated with paintings in rainforest greens, browns, and reds, the book concludes with a note about kente cloth and a pronunciation guide.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. More than fifty nursery rhymes, intended to present African themes and images from rural life, range from energetic counting rhymes to gentle lullabies. In the illustrations, brightly garbed silhouetted figures move with joyous abandon through the African landscape. Some of the rhymes are better than others, but in general, the book is attractive and engaging. Glos.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith