(3) 1-3 Simply Sarah series. Illustrated by Marcy Ramsey. Sarah Simpson returns and, as always, she wants to stand out from the crowd. When Mrs. Gold announces that the class will be working on country reports, Sarah tries to choose a place she thinks is interesting enough. Sarah is a feisty Everygirl whose humor and tenacity will resonate with young readers. Lighthearted ink and wash drawings accompany her exploits.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(3) 1-3 Simply Sarah series. Illustrated by Marcy Ramsey. Sarah is the "Idea Girl," out to solve everyone's problems. But what to do about her friend's wish for a dog when his grandma says no? Though the plot is more conventional than in the other Sarah books, this installment still maintains a lighthearted sense of humor and warm, relatable characters. Ink and wash illustrations support the story.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) 1-3 Simply Sarah series. Illustrated by Marcy Ramsey. In this enjoyable book, Sarah Simpson longs to be unique. After she tries eating squid and wearing jingle bells to school, Sarah still feels ordinary. But together with her friend Peter, Sarah becomes empowered when she helps draw in much needed customers to another friend's family restaurant. Black-and-white illustrations accompany the text.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marcy Ramsey. Both the daily and the momentous events in family members' lives (e.g., raking leaves, the birth of a baby, a wedding) are celebrated in this group of poems about a backyard with a bountiful garden. Taken separately, some poems are trite, but as a whole, they are whimsical and comforting. Conventional, mildly comic watercolor illustrations accompany the verse.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire