(1) YA Illustrated by L. Fury & Nate Powell. The story begun in the March graphic memoirs (rev. 1/14, 5/15, and 9/16)--events of the civil rights movement as seen through the eyes of young activist (and later longtime Congress member) John Lewis--continues in this first volume of a projected new series. It picks up after the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as Lewis questions his own effectiveness as SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) chairperson. But Lewis's personal story is mostly a springboard to larger events. Depictions of efforts by segregationists to close or move polling stations; the unpunished 1966 murder of young Black man Samuel Younge Jr.; and the prevention of Julian Bond's being seated in the Georgia General Assembly show how white supremacists and segregationists were emboldened to maintain existing power structures. Taking over most art duties from March illustrator Powell (who illustrates the pages leading up to the title page), Fury renders emotionally devastating, often violent events and quieter moments with equal finesse. Her grayscale art is reminiscent of Powell's, but with cleaner-lined, less stylized figures. Extensive back matter includes biographical information on dozens of individuals, meticulous source notes, and additional background on both the civil rights movement and the book's creation. Most of the finished pages were completed before Lewis's death in 2020; plans are in progress for the series to continue with additional material he and Aydin worked on together. As informative and essential an addition to the nonfiction comic canon as its much-lauded predecessors.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(3) PS Illustrated by Tina Macnaughton. When his only friend, the moon, disappears in an approaching storm, Mouse goes looking for her and encounters Duck, Squirrel, and Rabbit, each of whom has different ideas about where the moon lives. Together the animals survive the storm, rediscover the moon, and become friends. Large, close-up illustrations with dark blue skies lend atmosphere to the entertaining story.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Mouse waits alongside the riverbank for her "Special Friends." Rabbit, Frog, and Turtle join Mouse in her carefree wait, spending the day having fun together only to find that they are, indeed, Mouse's "Special Friends." Chapman's cheery art adequately reflects the sweet, sentimental story.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by Alison Edgson. "Just one more!" repeats Little Brown Bunny after every bedtime story. Determined to make storytime last all night, he consults friends and writes his own "super-long one." Rest finally comes to the excited bunny as he falls asleep before the first word is read. Illustrations employ warm, inviting colors and irresistible fuzzy critters in this gentle story that might inspire budding authors.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Mouse Monty dislikes how his younger sister Milli takes over his playtime. Tensions flare when Milli's ineffectual "help" ruins Monty's new magic act, so the magician-in-training tries to make her disappear--for good. The ending is a little too cutesy, but it's a mostly realistic tale of sibling squabbles; Warnes's illustrations contribute additional wit and humor to the package.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) PS Illustrated by Caroline Pedler. Dog Dudley has many talents, and his daredevil antics are cheered on by his best dog friend, Bonzo. When Bonzo's musical ability attracts attention, Dudley plans a spectacular one-dog show--with disastrous results. Luckily, Bonzo saves the day and finds a way for them to share the spotlight. Brightly colored illustrations lend a festive air to this predictable tale.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Hannah George. When Goose goes away, Duck is left in charge of the pond. Immediately he begins issuing orders: no racing, fishing, or diving. Soon all the animals leave for a friendlier meadow. Alone in the empty pond, Duck predictably realizes his bossy ways and apologizes. Bright, cheerful illustrations depict the animals' quirky personalities and add amusing touches to the story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) PS Illustrated by Sean Julian. In the rhymed story, a little bear wants to be just like his dad when he gets big. “Some dads join you when you jump in a puddle,” and other adventures such as swimming and camping are highlights. Burping and tooting are part of the experience, too. Cheerful illustrations depict father and cub engaged in activities from morning till bedtime.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jane Chapman. The horrible Snorklum monster is on his way home, late, as evening falls. He can't resist stopping to catch every animal he meets, to eat later for dinner. Energetic illustrations grow darker as time passes--but the animals grow bolder since they've heard that after sunset the Snorklum shrivels. With a satisfying "Pooffft!" the story ends and the animals escape.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Tina Macnaughton. Little Hedgehog worries that his home isn't "Christmas-y" enough. He receives help from his animal friends and gets into a holiday mood while learning that the true gift of Christmas is in giving and sharing with friends. Though the familiar lesson isn't new, the friendly text and glitter-enhanced illustrations speak directly to the target audience.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Caroline Pedler. Four hungry little bunnies take turns searching for carrots, but each returns empty-handed. The last--and littlest--bunny won't be deterred by the "Big Bad Bully Bunny." Soft pastel-hued illustrations portraying a peaceful garden where the little bunnies gather carrots (and teach the bullying bunny a lesson) soften the blow of the BBBB's nasty words ("You're really, really ugly!").

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) PS Illustrated by Alison Edgson. Little Bear wants desperately to see snow, though he knows bears must hibernate all winter. He's also worried that his friends Squirrel and Mole will forget about him while they're having seasonal fun. He does finally sleep, and in springtime the pals have a happy reunion. Edgson's soft, cuddly-looking animals are a natural fit with White's simple, relatable text.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tina Macnaughton. Little Bear, Small Fox, and Fluff Bunny build a snowman. As its smile begins to fade, the friends figure out ways to please their snowy pal, conveying the message that friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places and amongst the most unlikely of characters. Cheerful illustrations outlined with glitter add to the story's cutesiness.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jane Chapman. A little owl who lives alone finds comfort in telling himself imaginative stories. When his daydreams spur him to travel the world, he encounters a group of snooty owls and quickly figures out how to win them over. Lack of conflict makes for an underwhelming read. The accompanying illustrations are enlivened by vivid hues and Owl's emotive, eager facial expressions.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Gail Yerrill. As each new silver-foil star appears in the sky, a different animal makes his or her Christmas wish. Their wishes--for snow, many presents, warm pie--are presented in pleasant, if uninspired, verse and accompanied by jubilant illustrations of the smiling woodland creatures playing together. The final star is for the reader to wish on.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Lyrics to the title Christmas carol are tweaked in this picture book that speaks to love between parent and child (bears, in this case) and appreciation of nature. The illustrations are warm and inviting, though it's difficult to read the silvery text against dark-blue backgrounds. Readers will want to sing along with the song, but the meter is slightly off.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(3) PS Illustrated by Sarah Arnold. Drowsy Little Rabbit doesn't think he can sleep without the moon watching over him. But when will it rise? A flower, a lake, and others offer discouraging estimates that all seem "like an awfully long time." Softly textured illustrations--even the leaves have velvety edges--create a peaceful setting for the sleepy-time tale.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lee Wildish. Five bored Vikings, seeking a bold new adventure, hunt for a dragon to turn into stew. They encounter an enormous--and enormously polite--creature whose patience is tested after being repeatedly poked. A little flame to the Vikings' backsides brings the hunt to a close. Wildish's silly illustrations include such details as burning bums and odoriferous socks. Smallman's text, though humorous, lacks fluidity.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Caroline Pedler. Noodle the mouse claims a castoff ball of purple yarn and fulfills her dream of learning to knit. She skips through a series of bland adventures, knitting a very long scarf that is used as a nest shared with three friends. Raised flocking on the pages allows readers to feel the fruits of Noodle's labor.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by P. Buckley Moss. In his fourth gentle adventure, Reuben, a young Amish boy, is fascinated by the flight of hot-air balloons over his family's farm. When a balloon lands near his property, Reuben and two of his friends get to take a thrilling ride. The story is slight but pleasingly illustrated with unfussy paintings of rural farm life.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo