(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Beginning with John Adams's childhood, this narrative explores his transformation from simple farm boy to respected statesman. Along the way, Abigail Smith becomes his wife and lifelong partner, supporting his endeavors. Young readers interested in early American history will enjoy the story of this famous couple, gracefully depicted in Himler's soft illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. For nine-year-old Abby, summer is all about taking care of her very first, very own horse. She isn't entirely prepared for the amount of work and responsibility involved, nor for the puzzling and disappointing reaction her best friend has when she meets the animal. Though the dialogue doesn't always ring true, the story line is convincing. Sketchlike illustrations enliven the tale.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. The story opens with Washington, D.C., burning and Dolley Madison heroically rescuing valuable treasures from the Executive Mansion. The text loses some momentum as it goes back to summarize James's and Dolley's biographies individually, then their meeting and marriage. Information about Madison's presidency and the War of 1812 is also included. Sketchlike illustrations complete the offering. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In Friend, on the first day of school, Jim watches silently for a time, then joins in, and discovers a shared interest with a classmate. In Valentine, George cries in the cloakroom after receiving fewer cards than other children--but his friends rally to comfort him. Both books are newly illustrated with Himler's soft, gentle watercolor and pencil drawings. Review covers these titles: Bee My Valentine and Will I Have a Friend?

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: October, 1967

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In Friend, on the first day of school, Jim watches silently for a time, then joins in, and discovers a shared interest with a classmate. In Valentine, George cries in the cloakroom after receiving fewer cards than other children--but his friends rally to comfort him. Both books are newly illustrated with Himler's soft, gentle watercolor and pencil drawings. Review covers these titles: Bee My Valentine and Will I Have a Friend?

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: June, 1978

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In Tough, Jim's first-grade class plans a costume party. Jim dresses as a strongman and stands up to a bully (albeit unintentionally). In Muffins, the class rallies around Jim as he mourns the death of his beloved dog. Cohen deals sensitively with children's emotions, and both books, newly illustrated with Himler's soft, gentle watercolor and pencil drawings, nicely stand the test of time. Review covers these titles: Jim's Dog, Muffins and Tough Jim.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In Tough, Jim's first-grade class plans a costume party. Jim dresses as a strongman and stands up to a bully (albeit unintentionally). In Muffins, the class rallies around Jim as he mourns the death of his beloved dog. Cohen deals sensitively with children's emotions, and both books, newly illustrated with Himler's soft, gentle watercolor and pencil drawings, nicely stand the test of time. Review covers these titles: Jim's Dog, Muffins and Tough Jim.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: August, 1984

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Orphaned and seriously injured during the Vietnam War, four-year-old Kim spends five years in an orphanage where she's sustained by the directors, her friend Vinh, and her dying mother's words: "Don't be afraid. I will always be with you." In this book based on real events, the eloquent illustrations and sensitive text temper Kim's suffering with her courageous spirit and caregivers' love.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. This straightforward narrative tells of Hancock's childhood and influential adulthood, including his contributions to the American Revolution and political service during the early years of the United States. Emergent readers interested in American history will be able to easily access the basic facts presented in this text. The illustrations impart a sense of historical importance. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Everyone in Anna's class want to be on the "Tomb Team," to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Cole touches on themes of family, history, and overcoming adversity. Though the story builds to a big reveal--Anna's blind--it would have been more effective without all the preceding ambiguity. Himler's illustrations are delicate and expressive.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. When the first graders have to take a standardized test, many of them are confused by the multiple-choice questions. The children feel stupid, but their teacher points out that they know many important things, especially how to be kind. The author deals sensitively with the small insecurities of young children. Himler's new illustrations in watercolor and pencil are soft and gentle.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. This understated story is narrated by a former slave who decides to "walk to New Orleans and put [his] X on the line" to enlist as a buffalo soldier. Through the fictional cavalryman's eyes, Garland chronicles the hardships and heroics of an all-black regiment. Himler's illustrations quietly convey both setting and mood. An author's note provides background facts. Bib.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. After her mother's death, Elvirey suggests pairing up with Widow Aiken for harvesting. Elvirey doesn't anticipate her own jealousy of the woman, but, luckily, their mutual love of books unites them. Readers may be stumped by the dialect ("On the morrow, Bub couldn't hobble to the privy his knee had got so swole") in this story of an 1833 frontier family.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. It's a snowy Christmas in 1880, and the narrator's mother, a doctor, is called away by their neighbors to deliver a baby. The narrator is disappointed to miss Christmas morning but witnesses the importance of her mother's work and helps create Christmas for the prairie community. This sentimental tale is appropriately illustrated with soft, shadowy pencil and watercolor art.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In measured prose, the Adlers recount Adams's life, particularly his contributions to the American Revolution, from an early involvement in politics through organizing groups such as the Sons of Liberty, the Stamp Act Congress, the Boston Tea Party, and the Second Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Art in subdued tones illustrates the text. Source notes, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. A young boy adores his older brother and misses him when the brother leaves to join the military. The young narrator tries to follow his big brother's example and take his place in the family. This quiet book conveys strong emotions through Cohen's simple short sentences and Himler's loose, realistic illustrations.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. A white girl describes her pleasure whenever Miss Ett, who is black, comes to wash clothes in a big pot in her yard while the woman's grandson provides friendship. Set during the Great Depression, the nostalgic account isn't taut but nevertheless holds us with its convincing narration, and Himler's impressionistically colored, realistically proportioned images say something about race and class that Cole doesn't have to.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. From the point of view of both fictional and historical figures, sixteen vignettes sketch the history of the Alamo from the 1500s to modern times, with much focus on the famous battle. Some of the first-person prose-poems sparkle, but story-line gaps require readers to refer to the author's lengthy historical note. Realistic paintings accompany the text. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. This early chapter book about a six-year-old boy's reluctance to start school uses a distinctive setting (the early nineteenth-century Indiana frontier) to explore a universal theme: change is scary. Though modern readers are unlikely to fret over panthers crossing their paths, they'll identify with gentle Beansie's fears and cheer his final triumph. Soft black-and-white drawings accompany the text. Glos.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. Victor's cat dies, and, when he gets a new kitten, he has to get used to the differences between his first beloved cat and this new, but equally wonderful, kitten. The story of mourning is simply and directly told. Himler's watercolor and pencil illustrations create the right quiet mood for the story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth