(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. This excellent picture-book biography covers Yankees catcher Yogi Berra as both baseball player and cultural icon known for his "Yogi-isms." Rosenstock captures young Berra's love of sports (and aversion to school); his struggles making it into the major leagues; his reactions to hurtful comments about his homely appearance; and his passion for the game. Widener's illustrations in vibrant, appropriately brawny acrylics ably capture Berra's short stature and big personality. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Illustrated with handsome acrylic paintings, this is an affecting story of a mixed-race enslaved boy (explicitly revealed as Thomas Jefferson's son at story's end) who wonders how his father can also be his master. Winter's excellent, detailed author's note states this first-person picture book is "historical fiction" based on research and limited primary-source documentation; it also delves into contradictions in Jefferson's legacy and American history.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. In 1941, with "war spreading like a fever through Europe," the heroics of Joe DiMaggio offered a summertime respite as he began a hitting streak that would beat all previous records and has yet to be surpassed. Widener is a master at capturing the larger-than-life spirit of baseball through his perfectly attuned acrylic illustrations, and the text matches the art in its exuberance. Bib.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Based on historical documents, O'Neill lyrically recounts determined young Homan Walsh's triumph of constructing and flying a kite across the Niagara River from Canada to New York. His success aided engineers in building the first bridge connecting the countries. Lush full-page acrylic paintings capture the drama of the event. The author's note provides additional information. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. This companion to You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!, lenticular cover and all, focuses on African American baseball great Willie Mays. Readers may well feel they're at the ballpark, witnessing Mays's signature basket catches, his famous over-the-head catch in center field, and his electrifying base stealing, all captured in Widener's dynamic acrylic illustrations. A solid, informative, and entertaining sports picture book.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(3) PS Illustrated by Terry Widener. Yarrow continues his foray into Raffi territory with lyrics to twelve songs for the youngest singers. His choices include some usual suspects, but for each "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" there's a "Lavender Blue." The chords and history of the songs are included, along with a CD of Yarrow singing them. Widener's acrylics are as thoughtful as ever.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Terry Widener. Peter, Paul, and Mary's Peter Yarrow follows his anthologies of lullabies and folk songs with this collection of kid-friendly tunes to be sung in groups ("Down by the Riverside," "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt," etc.). Widener's acrylics distill the various moods summoned by the songs' lyrics. Guitar chords and brief histories of the selections, plus a CD of Yarrow singing them, are included.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Terry Widener. The Peter, Paul, and Mary member offers two well-compiled song anthologies, each of which contains a dozen child-friendly classics ("Puff, the Magic Dragon," "Ole Blue," "Kumbaya"). Widener's sumptuous acrylics will speak both to kids and to adults hip to the songs' oft-political subtexts. Each book includes lyrics, chords, and song histories, and comes with a CD of Yarrow singing the tunes. Review covers these titles: The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Favorite Folk Songs and The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Sleepytime Songs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Terry Widener. The Peter, Paul, and Mary member offers two well-compiled song anthologies, each of which contains a dozen child-friendly classics ("Puff, the Magic Dragon," "Ole Blue," "Kumbaya"). Widener's sumptuous acrylics will speak both to kids and to adults hip to the songs' oft-political subtexts. Each book includes lyrics, chords, and song histories, and comes with a CD of Yarrow singing the tunes. Review covers these titles: The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Favorite Folk Songs and The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Sleepytime Songs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. In a nostalgic paean to community and family, the imminent arrival of a new baby threatens a young girl's idyllic life in her Manhattan apartment building--a virtual United Nations. The residents' preparations for the annual roof party and the girl's grudging acceptance of change are shown in richly colored, WPA-inflected paintings and described in a poetic text.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Widener's strong acrylics of man and machine meld with Winter's fluid prose as a day in the life of the steel mill creates a microcosm of industrialization in America. In this unique bedtime story, Winter's words have sounds, gentle ones at the beginning of the day, strong ones in the factory, and softness at night.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2008

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. This readable, thorough picture book biography follows the iconoclastic African American pitcher from his childhood through his unprecedented success in the Negro Leagues to his determination to make it into major-league baseball--until 1947, open only to whites. Adler ably conveys Paige's larger-than-life personality, aided by Widener's bold and appropriately exaggerated acrylic illustrations. A timeline and brief source note are included.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Lyons calls this a "souped-up version" of a Zora Neale Hurston story about a master auto mechanic who sells his flying motorcar to God--the streamlined, skewed illustrations suit both the outrageous tale and the 1930s snappy modernism. But in expanding the story, Lyons muddles the story line. The spirit, if not the story, is intact.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2005

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. The firefighters at Station 1 begin Thanksgiving with a trip to the grocery store. Fire alarms interrupt their cooking so many times that by the end of the day their turkey is still raw, but appreciative neighbors bring them a dinner. In a style reminiscent of the WPA artists, the acrylic images depict powerful scenes of danger and an array of firefighting equipment.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. "Nonna's porch is very still, / Except for the sound of..." is the refrain that begins each spread and exposes anything but stillness. Birds "cheer cheer," chipmunks "chip," and running feet "pitta-pat" as the quiet builds to a crescendo at a family feast, then simmers down to the "creak" of the rocker. Rich acrylics and an elegantly simple text keep eyes and ears happily occupied.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. This picture book is "inspired by" the life of pioneering female baseball player Alta Weiss, who in 1907 pitched for the Vermilion Independents, a semipro team. Hopkinson tells her story with practiced skill--vivid details, lively language, varied pacing. The illustrations convey much emotion and narrative content. With a concise, informative author's note, a timeline, and a black-and-white photo of Weiss on the back cover.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2003

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. This tribute to game-filled summer evenings describes such events as buying drumsticks and push-ups from the "Ice Cream Man," playing a long twilight baseball game, and catching fireflies. The illustrations slowly darken as the evening passes, and they clearly present the action of the four children involved. Evocative but lacking a story, the book will probably appeal most to nostalgic adults.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Tired of hand-me-downs, Mexican-American Rigo receives a pair of "fancy" loafers for his ninth birthday. After a bully ridicules them, Rigo banishes them to his closet. He tries to wear them months later, but they no longer fit; then Rigo notices that his uncle is smaller than he is and that his clothes are shabby. This subtle story is infused with an upbeat mood and nimble humor. The artwork is as inviting and unpretentious as Soto's prose. Glos.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2002

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. In this tender holiday tale, a German-American cobbler and his family lose almost everything in a fire, and the cobbler must sell their heirloom ornaments to obtain new tools for his trade. But the man's kindheartedness inspires help from an unexpected corner, and on Christmas Day, their tree is adorned with beautiful decorations after all. Emphasizing simple geometric shapes, the artwork gives the book a homey feel.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Adler's engaging narration smoothly incorporates important episodes in Ederle's life (e.g., the 1924 Olympics and her record-breaking English Channel swim), some background against which to view them, and enough amplification to make them memorable. Widener's painterly acrylics depict a sturdy heroine alone in her quests yet cheered by thousands in her victories. An afterword adds background.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2000