(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. African American servant cook Molly Williams became the first known woman firefighter; this biographical snippet starts slowly but gains some momentum as she helps extinguish a fire in her New York City neighborhood. Action-packed text and energetic but muddled-looking watercolors depict the rigors of early-nineteenth-century firefighting. More so than the story does, an author's note and FAQs highlight Williams's accomplishments. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Lela Nargi

(3) 4-6 Inside series. Illustrated by Joel Ito & Kathleen Kemly. Factual information about basic body systems, senses, and cells is presented in double-page spreads. The main text is accompanied by sketchlike illustrations of children--both the outsides and insides of their bodies--and text boxes that highlight additional brief facts. Many of the pages fold out or up. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. While Shannon is practicing step dancing, the heel of her shoe breaks off. Knowing her parents can't afford new shoes, she tries counting backward in Gaelic, and a (tall) leprechaun appears, ready to grant wishes. But he doesn't just give them out; he makes Shannon work for them, as shown in the lively illustrations. Though the story is scattered, readers will root for Shannon.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. Ever since childhood, when she built a roller coaster in her yard, the incorrigible young woman's stated intentions are met with the discouraging refrain, "You can't do that, Amelia!" Undaunted, she proves herself by flying solo across the Atlantic (where the story ends). The book succeeds as an empowerment tract and Earhart introduction. The varied illustrations showcase Earhart as a bright-eyed dreamer. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. The Stark brothers' nursery samples new varieties of apples each year, searching for types worth developing. In 1914 a farmer sends them a yellow apple, which the brothers successfully market as Golden Delicious. Smucker's breathless tone can be wearing, but the information is solid; an author's note tells more about the real Stark brothers. Cartoony golden-hued illustrations are pleasant but otherwise unremarkable.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. With hopes of fish for dinner, two children set off for the stream with bobbers, buckets, rods, and nets in tow. They don't catch any fish, but when an unexpected breeze drops apples into the water, their craving for fish happily subsides in favor of apple pie. Warmly textured double-page spread illustrations accompany the playful, rhythmic text.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale