(4) K-3 In this appreciation of John Muir, advocate of wilderness preservation and founder of the Sierra Club, a brief text touches on biographical highlights and serves to caption Locker's lush romantic landscape paintings. Each double-page spread includes a quotation from Muir; additional excerpts from his writings are appended on the final page. This is a thin but adequate introduction to Muir's contributions to nature conservation.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 A mood poem describing a trek through the wilderness by Thoreau and the appreciation he felt for nature is accompanied by Locker's signature lush landscapes. The book concludes with a page of quotations by Thoreau. This elegantly designed volume will probably appeal mostly to contemplative adults; for children, D. B. Johnson's Henry Hikes to Fitchburg may serve as a better introduction to Thoreau.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shawn Shea. Each year the Pucci family sallies forth, searching for the most important ingredient for their pies. They try several varieties: all are good but not super. Finally they find the best, right in their own back yard. The caricatured illustrations match the exaggerated superlatives describing the perfect pumpkin. Pumpkin facts and a pie recipe are included.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 With an environmentalist angle, this book profiles eleven large sea creatures or groups, including the barracuda, manatee, octopus, and ray, providing general information about physical features, behavior, and life cycle. Each profile (one per double-page spread) features several color photos that are not captioned, leaving readers guessing as to their content. Glos.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Translated by Antonio Hernandez Madrigal. Illustrated by Craig McFarland Brown. In this counting-book, well-translated into Spanish, groups of insects pitch in to help move a cucumber--then celebrate by eating some cucumber soup (recipe appended). Paragraphs of information about each insect are longer than--and distract from--the actual story. Illustrations that vary the bug's-eye view add drama. Also available in English.

Reviewer:

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Craig McFarland Brown. In this counting book, groups of insects pitch in to help move a cucumber--and later celebrate by eating some cucumber soup (recipe appended). Paragraphs of information about each insect are longer than--and distract from--the actual story. Illustrations that vary the bug's-eye perspective add drama. Also available in Spanish.

Reviewer:

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ashley Bryan. Featuring strong repetition, lively dialogue, and morals pithily wrought, these six Liberian animal tales will be a boon for story hour. Audiences will enjoy the humor (try "Why Spider Has a Big Butt"), and storytellers will appreciate the good notes and illuminating glossary. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton