(2) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. This picture book biography covers the basics of computer programmer Lovelace's (1815–52) life: the conflict between her practical mother (a mathematician) and romantic father (poet Lord Byron); her pioneering work with Charles Babbage; etc. The book's layout mirrors Lovelace's own analytical and imaginative sides, with a clean Helvetica type carrying the straightforward text and Priceman's warmly curved gouache and ink illustrations creating colorful flights of fancy. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Hired by Prince Ferdinando de Medici to restore and build musical instruments in Florence, Bartolomeo Cristofori dreams of creating a new instrument. "If only Cristofori's keyboard instruments could so fully express the music of life!" In 1700, he creates the first pianoforte, a precursor to today's piano. Rusch's evocative text is underscored by Priceman's breezy but detailed gouache-and-ink illustrations and the book's dynamic design. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. When the Christmas Eve roast won't fit in their tiny oven, José suggests they use a pizza oven; he and Papi head to Regular Ray's Pizzeria. Nearly everyone is curmudgeonly along the way until the roast's aroma knocks some holiday cheer into them. A cheerful Christmas story notable for its nonchalantly multiethnic cast and vibrant urban setting, brought to life in bright, swirling illustrations.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Doctor Elizabeth Blackwell's early life is outlined in trim conversational prose in this lively picture-book treatment. A choice handful of biographical elements are arranged artfully to develop Blackwell's character within the expectations and challenges of her time. Priceman's gouache illustrations lend a perfect framework of energy and pacing to the text and draw upon its provocative and often humorous tone. Bib.

Reviewer: Nina Lindsay | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Arranged by month, this collection of poems and song lyrics focuses on seasonal themes and holiday traditions throughout the year. Comic verse from the likes of Ogden Nash, Jack Prelutsky, and Dr. Seuss effectively balances with more contemplative pieces from poets such as Walt Whitman, Billy Collins, and Langston Hughes. Priceman's vibrant gouache paintings buzz with celebratory energy.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. The residents of Toby Mills experience bitterly cold temperatures while enjoying sledding, cooking, and other pursuits, including hunkering down to stay warm. Lively narrative pacing paired with Priceman's cheerful illustrations offer plenty of action while grounding the time frame with the lengthening icicle that forms on the town's General Toby statue from the tip of his prominent nose to the ground.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Blues-reminiscent rhymes tell the story of the dance and civil rights icon Josephine Baker's climb from penurious St. Louis childhood to Jazz Age–era fame in France. Winter finds the right way to introduce an unconventional, groundbreaking artist to a young readership; Priceman's gouache and ink illustrations energetically dance on the page. An author's note further details Baker's accomplishments.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Griffin describes how in 1775 a sixteen-year-old North Carolina horsewoman took the ride of her life to warn of the Redcoats' approach. Priceman's expressively angular, bold-hued gouache and ink paintings accentuate the urgency of Betsy's mission. An author's note tells more about the folkloric figure: "It cannot be proved that Betsy Dowdy really existed, but her legend lives on."

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. An off-stage narrator accompanies Gertrude Stein's talented friends throughout their day, leading to one of Stein's famous Saturday evening soirées. Swirling illustrations in gouache and ink capture the joie de vivre and energy of the Paris environs. Back matter presents biographical information about Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Max Jacob, Guillaume Apollinaire, and Pablo Picasso. Beautifully done, but with questionable child-appeal.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. "Monday's the day we give babies away / with a half a pound of tea." Gershator describes a week during which a multitude of babies are adopted by happy mothers, riding away on horseback and sailing off in ships. Priceman's swirling, cheerful watercolors play up the warm, joyful nature of Gershator's folk song interpretation. Music is included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Priceman's whimsical, swooping illustrations perfectly suit the nonsense stories in this new picture book edition of Avi's first book. The nine silly tales include one about a black crayon who tells a little girl how to use him more in her drawings, a story about a melting ice-cream cone, and a story about children accidentally digging a tunnel to the top of the Empire State Building.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Grandma forgives Serefina for telling her little brother about his surprise party. Serefina claims she had to snap him out of an ant-bite-inspired tantrum, a dangerous effect of which, says Serefina, is "balloon lips." A spelling and geography error mar the text (Serefina's teacher says that "Bismark" is the capital of South Dakota), but the zany gouache illustrations and unsentimentalized relationship between two generations of storytellers are to be cheered.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. While the family prepares chicken and dumplings for dinner, Grandma turns on the radio, and everyone begins to dance. Written originally as a song, the text often has a strong rhythm, reflective of the beat of the music. Some lines, however, don't quite fit the rhythm. Priceman's vigorous illustrations burst with energy as they bring the family's dance to life.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley