(2) PS In this inquisitive and celebratory story, Raschka explores the enigmatic nature of fledgling friendships, reflecting on how friends find each other. In separate spaces in a bustling city, two girls--one with brown skin, one with white--crane their necks to look up at the sky, marveling at pigeons soaring in the air. The birds land, and the girls, now sitting on opposite ends of the same park bench, observe them. In three pigeon-centric spreads, the children see the birds as the distinct creatures they are ("Now we see them one for one"), noticing in particular their varied coloring, and the girls forge a friendship on the spot. The vivid text--the birds fly in "tumbling flocks," live in "airy houses," and have "rainbow-tinted flecks" of color flashing on their necks--is primarily presented in lively rhyming couplets. "How do two friends find each other? / Why choose this one, not another?" Raschka pauses occasionally to riff on pigeon sounds with their own couplets: "loo loo, loo loo / coo coo, coo coo." The brightly colored palette is splendid, with delicate yellow, blue, and green washes in the sky, and Raschka captures the birds' movement with eloquence. A joyful tribute to city life, the art of noticing, and the thrill of budding friendships.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(3) K-3 In this visually sublime, thoroughly researched picture book, Floca selects details to transform science into relatable experience. Throughout, Floca engages readers with his spare lyricism and with the artistry of his watercolor and ink illustrations. He uses the format to perfection, with large pictures to communicate size, power, and perspective; sequenced panels to show steps unfolding; and vignettes to catch particular moments. This edition has been expanded for the fiftieth anniversary of the first moon landing. Timeline.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009

(2) PS Illustrated by Mick Wiggins. This companion to Trucks Roll! (and others) introduces trains' characteristics and typical journeys. Rhythmic, rhyming text smoothly incorporates terminology and technical details, while an energetic refrain--"Steam engine, / gas engine, / electric engine too. / Chooka-chooka! Vroom zoom! / Hssss! Whoo-oo-whoo!"--provides kid-pleasing opportunities for participation. Wiggins's posterlike digital illustrations of city scenes, dramatic natural landscapes, and in-station vignettes reward close observation with a few fantastical surprises.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(2) K-3 In five vignettes that take place over the course of a day, Bob and Tom--a pair of not-too-bright, old-codger turkeys living on a small farm--encounter, discuss, and solve a series of ridiculous problems. What is the secret to buoyancy in the pond? "Suits that swim," of course: "Why do you think they're called swimming suits?" A fine addition to the literature of nitwittery.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) K-3 Snail and Slug bond over their complementary cooking and reading skills, the danger of salt, and the luxury of Snail's improbably roomy shell. Cartoonishly expressive mixed-media illustrations depict the endearingly domestic duo's burgeoning friendship, rendering them wide-eyed and lumpy against bright backgrounds that effectively contrast indoor and outdoor settings. A threatening banana slug introduces last-minute tension, only to be (somewhat gruesomely) defeated by salt.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Floca. Aging wolf Nashoba struggles to find fresh game for his pack; thirteen-year-old Casey, who plays a video game incessantly, receives a bow and arrow set. These two stories come in direct contact. Avi switches perspective between Nashoba and Casey, building the tension and raising a multitude of questions in this thought-provoking allegory. Naturalistic pencil illustrations enhance the classic-feeling tale.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(4) K-3 Luke's parents are so preoccupied with the imminent arrival of his new sibling that he wishes two new parents into existence. While the Newbies give Luke their undivided attention, he finds that he misses his true parents. It's a fresh take on the expecting-a-baby-sibling story, but the hazy, shadow-drenched watercolors, which give characters overdramatized facial expressions, aren't a great fit.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Illustrated by Mick Wiggins. This companion to Trucks Roll! and Planes Fly! introduces children to tugboats, sailboats, canoes, steamboats, and more. The buoyant rhymes are factually informative--packed as they are with maritime terminology--and giddily unpredictable. Some lines play up poetic imagery; others are child-pleasingly jocular or mind-expanding. The digital, sun-bathed illustrations have the look of vintage European travel posters.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(2) 4-6 In 1911 St. Louis, eleven-year-old orphan Julia and her sister are sent to the nuns' House of Mercy, while their brother is taken to Father Dunne's boys' home. Desperately wanting control over her life and her family reunited, Julia lashes out at authority figures and tries to escape at every turn. The characters' distinctive voices carry this fine work of historical fiction.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(2) 1-3 In four chapters for new independent readers, Monkey (Monkey & Robot) continues to make a mess, and Robot helps him fix things, at the beach, in the front yard, on Halloween, and while telling time. Catalanotto has created two distinct and likable characters--unlikely pals who understand each other. Black-and-white pencil illustrations provide helpful visual cues for the easy-to-decode text.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(2) PS "Five drivers for five trucks" begins this concept book, as five workers head out across a tarmac to prepare an airplane for take-off. At close inspection, there's more to see--a boy, his dad, and an overstuffed, rainbow-colored plaid suitcase pop up in various illustrations. The book's simplicity is engaging and age appropriate--even those who are vague about airport operations will catch on quickly.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: April, 1999

(3) K-3 Illustrated by August Hall. Lyon leads readers through the four seasons, using the forest as both lens and backdrop for the changes that come with each phase of the year. The gentle, poetic text draws in readers and encourages them to inhabit and observe the forest, while Hall's textured, glowing digital art echoes the sense of wonder at entering serene woods.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. When Shoe Dog is adopted, the only thing he wants to chew is shoes--heels, sneakers, old, new, whatever. Until "She, Herself" brings home slippers shaped like cats: "Shoe Dog did not would not could not ever chew this new shoe!" The text's energetic pup-perspective language is charming; crayon and charcoal illustrations ultimately show loosely sketched Shoe Dog snuggling peacefully with Shoe Cat.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) K-3 A farmer harvesting his apples is accosted first by a little man named Take, then by Give. Following their advice, the farmer takes all of a neighbor's pumpkins in trade (resulting in an unpalatable pumpkin soup), then gives away apples (and unsolicited advice). When the antagonists fight, the farmer wisely thinks for himself. Brisk text and exuberant illustrations support each turn of this multi-leveled fable.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Brian Floca. A bouncy verse introduces young reindeer Octavia's seven uncles, from Uncle Uno, who wears one hat and one vest, to Uncle Sven, who has written seven books and seven plays. The surprise conclusion reveals that Octavia's uncles join their niece every year to pull Santa's sleigh. This original Christmas counting book is illustrated with energetic art set against snowy backdrops.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(2) 1-3 Four illustrated short chapters relate Monkey and Robot's tales of misunderstanding, cooperation, and friendship. Robot, though mechanical, is always up for an adventure; Monkey has a lot to learn; both buddies are equally likable. Readers looking for funny friendship tales but who think that Frog and Toad and other early readers are a tad too easy will find this duo just right.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(2) YA With the death of El Patrón at the end of The House of the Scorpion, fourteen-year-old Matt has been declared the Lord of the drug state Opium. Matt must consolidate his power to deal with challenges from the United Nations, rival drug lords, and his own subjects. Farmer introduces vivid new characters, enlarges the scope of her world-building, and provides nuanced mystery and intrigue.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(1) K-3 Striking cinematic front endpapers describe the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad. Then, in a sort of historical-fiction-meets-travelogue narrative, Floca zeroes in on one family's journey from Omaha to San Francisco. Floca excels at juxtaposing sweeping panoramas with intimate, slice-of-life moments. Varied font sizes and styles on the large pages beautifully capture the feel of the Old West. An author's note is included. Bib.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(2) PS Catalanotto creates an intrepid caped crusader for whom no question is too daunting or trivial to ask. Question Boy bests one everyday hero after another with question after question. Parents will identify with the plight of Garbage Man, Police Woman, Mechanic Man, etc. The scenarios build to an absurdist height until, finally, QB meets a worthy opponent who has all the answers and then some.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Greg Ruth. In 1893 New York City, thirteen-year-old Maks hawks newspapers for eight cents a day. A street gang is roughing up the newsies; Maks's sister has been arrested for theft; and his father is about to lose his job. Avi's fast-paced, muscular prose, along with his Dickensian cast of characters and a mystery of comfortable complexity, make this a gratifying adventure.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011