(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. A Korean American big brother tells of the events leading up to his baby sister's tol (first birthday party). At the party, Sara Mee picks the paintbrush from among the symbolic objects placed before her, foretelling her future career as an artist. The warm ink and watercolor illustrations are filled with cultural details. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Squabbling siblings Ali and Shirin come to an accord during the course of the month-long Muslim holiday. Though the story's overly instructive tone can be irritating, libraries wanting to widen their picture book holdings about Muslim holidays may welcome this title. The illustrations show a multi-generational American family's celebration of this important festival.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Because Jamaica longs to keep the kitten a friend offers her, she hides Puffy temporarily in her closet. She discovers, however, that even the slightest contact with the kitten triggers her brother's allergies. Satisfyingly, she realizes what she must do and returns Puffy without being told. The illustrations feature attractive images of Jamaica; some of the other figures are a bit awkward.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. A mother-son team profiles sixteen activists or resistance groups and social movements, from Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh to Muhammad Ali to 2003's worldwide Iraq war protest. The book begins with Gandhi, and a common thread is commitment to the credo of nonviolence. Sections include context-setting background information and shadowy black-and-white drawings. A significant and timely offering. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. In this sixth Jamaica book, Jamaica's friend Brianna is disappointed with her dance recital part: she's a flower instead of butterfly queen. Brianna wins the starring role briefly when the queen (Brianna's sister) comes down with strep throat. But Brianna soon falls ill as well, and both sisters have to miss the recital. In a satisfying ending, the girls put on a private recital at home. Occasionally stiff artwork illustrates the text.

Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Jamaica does her best to impress the substitute teacher, but she realizes she's forgotten to study for the spelling test--and so she copies. When she confesses, the teacher explains that she doesn't have to be perfect to be special. As in the other books about Jamaica, Havill treats the moral dilemmas of childhood with sensitivity and respect. Warmly colored illustrations depict a cheerful, diverse classroom and a sympathetic main character.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1999