(2) K-3 Daisy, a discontented cow who longs to see the world, wanders away and attracts a television crew. Shortly thereafter, she's starring in Hollywood cowboy-and-Indian movies and being feted at banquets with caviar...but the homesick cow longs for grass, buttercups, and her own field. Wildsmith's use of half pages bound in with full pages creates varied and animated illustrations; dazzling colors and designs are offset by large white spaces.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: August, 1984

(3) K-3 A brown bear happens upon an empty hot-air-balloon basket and takes a nap; he wakes up having landed in a big city full of adventures. Soon (through a series of humorous accidents) he becomes the toast of the town before returning to his home via the same balloon. Wildsmith's illustrations, with his trademark riotous colors and energy, capture the day's commotion and the bear's bewilderment.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 In a spare main text against static collage art, a stick becomes a flyswatter for an elephant, a spoon for a chimpanzee, bait for an alligator, etc.; additional information about each animal's behavior appears in italics (and is also appended). Finally, human children use the stick to play, draw, dig, and support a sapling they plant...which grows into a tree, bringing things full circle.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) PS Back matter situates this simply presented, graphically crisp, and straightforward concept book in the Art Deco District of Miami Beach. Skillful close-up photographs of architectural elements introduce numbers from one to ten, shapes (including more complex ones such as octagons and zigzags), and colors, culminating in an open-ended identification game. Reminiscent of Tana Hoban's work, the book feels both vintage and timeless.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Michele Coxon. In a sentimental but informative story that honors intergenerational relationships, Janet and her "slowpoke" grandmother take a leisurely walk in the woods, making frequent stops for Grandma to observe cardinals, ants, and other woodland animals. The tables turn when Janet wants to wait to see the elusive muskrat. Detailed illustrations imbue the lush greenery and active animals with more life than the static human characters.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) PS Small Talk Books series. Illustrated by Estelle Corke. Grandma models complex vocabulary for her very young grandson as she explains the ingredients and steps for baking a treat (Cake); Grandpa uses words such as enormous and difficult as he and little Rosa put laundry away and use their imaginations (Rosa). A purposeful series modeling ways adults can help develop children's language skills; both books have sunny illustrations that reflect warm and nurturing relationships. Review covers the following Small Talk Books titles: Cake Day and Rosa's Very Big Job.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) PS Small Talk Books series. Illustrated by Sarah Vonthron-Laver. Grandma models complex vocabulary for her very young grandson as she explains the ingredients and steps for baking a treat (Cake); Grandpa uses words such as enormous and difficult as he and little Rosa put laundry away and use their imaginations (Rosa). A purposeful series modeling ways adults can help develop children's language skills; both books have sunny illustrations that reflect warm and nurturing relationships. Review covers the following Small Talk Books titles: Cake Day and Rosa's Very Big Job.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 In easy-to-understand language, a girl named Sydney describes her life with cerebral palsy. The text is accompanied by candid color photos set on bright-hued backgrounds; these images show Sydney cheerfully engaged with others, often while using a wheelchair or walker. Basic information about cerebral palsy is conveyed with clarity, as is the upbeat message about accepting others as they are. Websites.

Reviewer: Debora Pearson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Estelle Corke. Children of various ages and ethnicities describe the ways their absent mothers remain with them ("she's the face of the moon"; "in the beating of my heart"). The rhymes are a bit forced, and the images lean toward clichéd, but many adults will find this a useful, reassuring introduction to concepts of loss due to death, divorce, or incarceration.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Simone Shin. The lighthearted story celebrates the unexpected rewards of small favors. A young boy infatuated with a mariachi band trades objects with many thankful animals before he finally makes a trade for his own guitarra. Spanish words and phrases are interspersed throughout the book, which contains a glossary, pronunciation guide, and list of mariachi instruments. Pastel-colored illustrations bring a quaint village to life.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tomek Bogacki. Mole and friends Squirrel, Frog, and Bird try to bring the sky to her underground home. The four animals decide "there must be no way to catch the sky," before figuring out "a way for it to visit" (a window). The story isn't particularly exciting, but it does have some clever moments; the critters are oddly proportioned in Bogacki's warm, fuzzy-textured illustrations.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) K-3 A koala family is descended on by a panda family, then a polar bear family, etc. With each introduction, Father and Mother Koala kvetch ("I don't like their ears"), but their children see the positive ("But we love their food"). Thompson wisely resists spelling out his message about accepting difference; his scenes of young bears joyfully intermingling say it beautifully.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright. Tired of always helping with meal preparation and clean-up, Zachary spends a week eating dinner at his friends' multi-ethnic homes. He discovers how helping with dinner makes him a part of his family rather than a guest. Expressive watercolor art pairs nicely with this story of appreciating other cultures--and one's own family.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ian P. Benfold Haywood. One hot day at the beach, Tim sets off by boat for the North Pole to find an iceberg to surprise his grandfather. He's just successful enough in his mission to make their day together even better. The narration, though heartfelt, is wordy and not always authentically childlike. The art, featuring soft outlines and a cool palette, recalls John Burningham's work.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright. Benedict and Aggie are two tough eggs that are about as "hardboiled" and "rotten" as they come. The pair wreaks havoc on their refrigerator neighbors, until Chip the cookie unwittingly--and literally--cracks down on their antics. Action-packed panel illustrations and dialogue bubbles chock-full of eggy puns and other food-based wordplay will have readers giggling as these two bad eggs get their comeuppance.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by André Letria. Village wise man Nasreddin Hoca (a real figure from thirteenth-century Turkey) helps poor Mustafo maintain his family's pride--while avoiding the Mongolian tyrant's wrath--by purportedly teaching Mustafo's donkey to read. The story's clever trickery and triumph-over-wickedness elements are satisfying. The vivid illustrations have a playful irreverence--including a very personable donkey. The last page provides some historical context for Nasreddin.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In Friend, on the first day of school, Jim watches silently for a time, then joins in, and discovers a shared interest with a classmate. In Valentine, George cries in the cloakroom after receiving fewer cards than other children--but his friends rally to comfort him. Both books are newly illustrated with Himler's soft, gentle watercolor and pencil drawings. Review covers these titles: Bee My Valentine and Will I Have a Friend?

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: October, 1967

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. In Friend, on the first day of school, Jim watches silently for a time, then joins in, and discovers a shared interest with a classmate. In Valentine, George cries in the cloakroom after receiving fewer cards than other children--but his friends rally to comfort him. Both books are newly illustrated with Himler's soft, gentle watercolor and pencil drawings. Review covers these titles: Bee My Valentine and Will I Have a Friend?

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: June, 1978

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright. "You could slide upside down a fireman's pole, / And land head first in a goldfish bowl." Hyperactive rhymes answer the titular question posed to Lyle, who, with his friends, is goofily depicted contorting, juggling, and so on, acting out the guesses. The over-the-top slapstick humor draws to a close with a final groan-inducing answer: "Just say...cheese!!!"

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Vivid photographs invite children to look closely at a variety of city buildings to find a column adorned with a dog's face, a bronze frieze featuring flying geese, etc. On each double-page spread, left-hand pages show wide views while right-hand pages zoom in on the highlighted animal. The child-friendly topic and approach and the small trim size make this a winning introduction to architecture. Glos.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano