(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) PS Illustrated by Jana Christy. After Grandma sleeps over, a (mixed-race) family wakes on their farm to an unexpected snow day. Delightful eight-word, four-line stanzas evoke wintry images, sensations, and activities as Grandma takes the two siblings sledding and they get hot chocolate with Grandpa in town ("Cocoa warms. / Mittens puddle. / Day dawdles. / We cuddle"). Digitized mixed-media illustrations ably depict the children's exuberant play.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. Seven concentrates on Sinatra's formative years in Hoboken--where Frankie's mother, who supported his early passion for singing, lined up gigs for him around town--and concludes with Sinatra's radio and film successes. A well-paced narrative and energetic illustrations with warm color washes convey Sinatra's unique appeal: "Frankie's voice was like a reassuring pat on the back." An author's note includes song suggestions. Bib.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by Jana Christy. "When the wind blows... / Windows rattle. / Doors creeaaak. / Chimes sing. / We peek." A simple rhyming text and lively art tell this blustery-day story. A mother, baby, child, and grandmother enjoy flying a kite, walking on the beach, playing in the park, and finally snuggling up indoors. The mixed-media illustrations aptly capture the wild weather as the storm increases in intensity.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. In Brenner's inviting story, chilly weather, holiday decorations, delicious baked goods, and all the other trappings of Christmas act as guideposts for a brother and sister as they eagerly await Christmas morning. Soft-focus digital illustrations in vibrant hues reflect the season's coziness and industry. Those looking for an accessible book about secular celebration of Christmas will enjoy this warm-hearted offering.

Reviewer: Sara Danver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jana Christy. Still recuperating from her evil-genius little sister's last experiment, eleven-year-old Masha (Sunny Sweet Is So Not Sorry) unknowingly becomes the subject of Sunny's latest, which involves red dye, falling into a grave, and public humiliation. Mann shrouds a lesson about accepting differences in over-the-top humor; fans of the unrelenting absurdity, enlivened in sweet black-and-white drawings, will hanker for the next experiment.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jana Christy. When eleven-year-old Masha wakes up with plastic flowers glued to her head, she knows it's the work of an evil genius: her six-year-old sister, Sunny. This crazy experiment-gone-wrong is followed by a string of unbelievable antics (e.g., a cast for an unbroken arm). Although the sisters' experiences are over the top, readers will enjoy Masha's witty voice; black-and-white illustrations showcase the hijinks.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) PS Illustrated by Jana Christy. A boy and girl live out a year and engage in stereotypical seasonal activities. Simple statements and cheerful warm-toned pictures sum up each month: "time for tricks and treats," "time for the beach," and the like. The book's subtle message--though the weather changes, their friendship does not--is sweet; there's no story here, but it works as a concept book.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. A boy has some Mother's Day advice for readers: "Do NOT give her dead flies...unless she is a spider." "Do NOT give her some mosquitoes...unless she is a bat." Concluding nine don'ts is the book's only "do": a hug and kiss. It's all blandly amusing and features humorous illustrations showing a mom reacting to her misguided almost-gifts.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 1-3 Disney Fairies: The Never Girls series. Illustrated by Jana Christy. After visiting Never Land and Pixie Hollow, friends Lainey, Kate, Mia, and Gabby find a Never Land mouse and flamingo in their world. While trying to catch the flamingo, the girls discover a passage back to the fairies' world and find that Mia's cat, Bingo, is already there. Soft black-and-white illustrations add some magic to this chapter book; its two-dimensional characters do not.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) PS Illustrated by Jana Christy. Thomson's counting story, as stated in the back matter, is a modernized rendition of the poem "Over in the Meadow." This version features animals more commonly found in suburban neighborhoods (crows, ladybugs, cats, dogs) rather than those seen in John Langstaff's classic picture-book adaptation (foxes, beavers, bullfrogs). Christy's soft, colorful digital illustrations complement the soothing tone of the gentle lullaby. Musical notes included.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. As time ticks by from Passover to Hanukkah, Mom, Dad, and a soon-to-be big brother turn a jam-packed sewing room into a nursery. Using odds-and-ends fabric and yarn bequeathed to her over the years, Mom makes diapers, onesies, and blankets for the baby on the way. Vibrant, textured illustrations add a warm-and-fuzzy comfiness to this celebration of family, crafting, and recycling.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. On Tu B'Shevat (a Jewish holiday similar to Arbor Day), the tree in Joni's yard "didn't look like it even knew it was having a birthday." So Joni and her neighbor throw the tree a party, which includes party hats and a soil cupcake. The green-saturated, fuzzy-edged pictures reflect the gentle text's environmentally friendly message. A note about the holiday is appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) PS Illustrated by Jana Christy. This cutesy but entertaining guide to hugs includes judicious bits of advice: don't "hold on too long," be patient with someone who's angry, be prepared for a return hug when you give one, and, climactically, "...open your heart. / Then open your arms." Digitally rendered illustrations flesh out the spare text with smiley animals and children giving each other hugs.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Jana Christy. Rhyming text and soft-focus but dynamic illustrations follow two friends as they vacillate about summer activities, from going to the fair or the zoo to washing the car or napping. Large type, short sentences, and sight words support beginning readers. Two removable sticker sheets are included.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jana Christy. In this heartstring-tugger, a mother who has cancer describes to her daughter everything that will be of comfort during treatment. The direct-address text, while reassuring, resorts to clichés ("...we will look back on this time and remember that love and kindness really are the best medicine"). Pleasant pastel-hued illustrations reflect the narrator's focus on the positive.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) PS Illustrated by Jana Christy. Twelve simple sentences, each on a double-page spread, feature a child overcome by a specific emotion in a particular setting ("Shopping makes me angry!" reflects a grouchy-faced boy sitting in an overflowing grocery cart). Combined with affectionately detailed, color-rich art, the text will speak clearly and reassuringly to the youngest listeners, though what it all adds up to is unclear.

Reviewer: Nell Beram