(2) K-3 Illustrated by Pat Cummings. Giving Cummings's lushly detailed paintings center stage, Lee simplifies the tale and puts it into Beauty's first-person voice. While the retelling retains the story's original details, the pictures portray all of the characters as black, in settings inspired by West Africa. The retelling is crisp, the drafting is skillful, and the compositions are dramatic. Princess-lovers of any color should enjoy it.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Pat Cummings. Middle-child Daisy's big, noisy family has lots to say about her. But whenever Daisy tries to speak for herself, no one listens. Despite what her older sister says, Daisy knows she's ready for a sleepover, so Daisy and her friend make plans that finally get everyone's attention. The bold illustrations of the bustling African-American family match the text's warm, breezy tone.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2005

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pat Cummings. From A to Z, rhythm and alliteration effectively describe the joys of a city. The rhyming text is accompanied by highly detailed illustrations in glowing neon colors, depicting a pristine New York City. Additional items that start with the featured letter fill each page, and these are carefully listed at the back of the book. Both the text and the art create a finding game in this cleverly conceived book.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Pat Cummings. When their grandmother suggests celebrating her birthday by reprising one of their summer outings, Laurie and J. Matthew have trouble choosing just the right destination. They've simply been stalling, though, and soon the extended family arrives for a surprise party. The story has little dramatic tension but plenty of warmth, which is mirrored in the illustrations, with their rounded shapes and cheery palette.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Little Girl harvests the biggest peas from her garden only to have pesky Mr. Rabbit follow in her footsteps "eating up all the peas she'd left behind." Though she captures him in one fell swoop, the rabbit escapes in a not-so-believable act of trickery that renders Little Girl more gullible than her character suggests. Savvy illustrations give this story (an elaboration on a tale published in 1897) a contemporary beat.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.