(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor. Separated into five sections by ocean layer, the large square volume showcases a variety of unusual creatures and organisms in "one of the least understood places on the planet." Each life form's spread provides brief facts (including Latin name and size), a paragraph of interesting information, and a larger-than-life mixed-media illustration that zooms in to show intricate designs and focus on the unusual. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) YA Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor. Set amid the gritty northern England of Almond's own childhood, eight short stories elegantly dance along the line between reality and fantasy, featuring monsters, mermaids, angels, ghosts, and God. Taylor's illustrations help add depth, as do the interstitial author's notes offering glimpses into each story's autobiographical roots and other inspirations. Likely to appeal to aspiring writers and fans of The Tightrope Walkers.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor. King Big Daddy of Great Gorilla Villa summons his kin via mouse messenger. The rhymes introducing each of his ten relatives, who employ diverse modes of transportation (including pogo stick), have the clickety-clack precision of a train. Meanwhile, the cheeky art ups the humor quotient: look for brand-new-baby gorilla Priscilla--the reason for Big Daddy's summons--in her propeller-driven highchair-throne.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor. "There's a chicken in the kitchen, / and she's pokin' like the dickens / at the oven and the bread box. / Just a peckin' and a pickin'." In this bouncy rhyme, a good choice for reading aloud, the chicken causes "pure-dee havoc"; eventually, the narrator realizes she's seeking a place to nest. Cheery illustrations portray the growing disorder in humorous detail.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor. When a cheerful, singularly unobservant grandfather bear takes his two rambunctious grandchildren on a picnic, he's oblivious to the fact that the youngsters have left the gate open for a large bull. Luckily, the bull isn't nearly as dangerous as he looks. The text gives Grandpa's version of the outing, while the comical illustrations show what's really happening.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor. "Tick-tock" goes the clock, "drip-drop, went the tap." Rabbit is bothered by nighttime sounds, so Mole kindly takes care of each troublesome noise. Finally, Rabbit is able to fall asleep. But now Rabbit's "snore, snore" keeps Mole awake. The illustrations in this quietly humorous bedtime story show cozy household scenes as well as the woodland setting.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty