(3) K-3 Illustrated by August Hall. Lyon leads readers through the four seasons, using the forest as both lens and backdrop for the changes that come with each phase of the year. The gentle, poetic text draws in readers and encourages them to inhabit and observe the forest, while Hall's textured, glowing digital art echoes the sense of wonder at entering serene woods.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by August Hall. This companion guide to Barron's Merlin books covers the stories' various realms and details the characters and places found in each. Within every entry, bold text indicates terms that have their own subentries. As a stand-alone book it lacks context, but it's a useful resource if you've read the series. Illustrations and maps break up the pages.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by August Hall. Ten-year-old Keeper "borrows" a boat to search for her (possibly) mermaid mama. Appelt's haunting, wistful novel alternates between Keeper's travails on the boat and flashbacks that tease out her past. Folkloric elements and magic realism are beautifully integrated into this tale of a girl slowly learning the truth about herself. Hall's shadowy, atmospheric mixed-media illustrations leave room for readers' imaginations to flow.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(2) K-3 Illustrated by August Hall. Seven-year-old Bulu lives in an orphanage in India. When feral children Amala and Kamala arrive, Bulu tries to help. After Amala dies, Bulu overcomes her growing frustration to comfort Kamala. Hall's luminous acrylic illustrations are varied in tone, from deep browns to vibrant purples and greens. Touches of humor prevent the book from becoming overly heavy. An author's note is included. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by August Hall. Antonio and a group of friends put on an outdoor play in hopes of luring their reclusive neighbor, a former actor, to see the show. The scenes in which the kids develop and perform their play are delightful. The novel's latter half is somewhat darker in tone, though no less entertaining.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta