(4) K-3 Illustrated by Carme Lemniscates. Inspired by HeatherAsh Amara's adult self-help title Warrior Goddess Training, this book uses simple sentences to encourage readers, in particular girls, to be both "fierce" (e.g., "I train my body for battle") and "loving" ("I fill my heart with kindness"). While the youngest readers may miss the empowerment message, the friendly illustrations of a girl being kind to people, animals, and the earth should draw them in.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mindy Dwyer. When Granddaughter rushes and spills blueberries, Grandmother explains how trickster raven Chulyen's nose became bent because he hurried. After Chulyen loses his beak, an old woman uses it as a tool; Chulyen steals his nose back, but without noticing it's now worn and crooked. Sprightly comic-style art and the inclusion of Dena'ina words make this an engaging retelling from southern Alaska. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) PS Berger's appealing collage art shows a boy trying to fly a kite and a girl trying to cross a stream "When the winds are wild / And the path unclear." Though some young readers may want more of a story about the two kids, the book's ultimate message about the power of love, community, and togetherness is nevertheless admirable and timely.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Chambers. If Yoga Frog is "not feeling his happy, froggy self," he does some yoga to feel better. Each brightly colored spread features the pose name in English and Sanskrit, a simple description of what to do, and amusing art of the goggle-eyed, spindly-legged amphibian in the pose. A note to parents and foldout of the frog in the poses ends this child-friendly introduction.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tom Disbury. Each day, Sylvia Samantha Wright collects what seems like junk: empty paint cans, tangled rope, half-rotten bananas, and so on. But when a water tower leak washes away the playground, knocks out the town's power, and lets zoo animals escape, she re-purposes the items to fix the problems. Amusing cartoons illustrate this well-built tall tale of giving trash a second life.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS When a stray dog follows a little girl and mom to the park, the pup notices they have left the girl's teddy bear behind after they go back home. The pup brings the toy to the girl's house, where both teddy and Good Dog are welcomed. The effectively succinct text ("Scared dog. / Lonely dog. / Hungry dog.") is much extended by the expressive (and heartstrings-tugging) digital illustrations.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ziyue Chen. Each spread of this book features a person, pair, or group that became known for their change-making actions, which are briefly described in a line of text (e.g., "Colin took a knee") and ably represented in a large illustration. While the protestors will be familiar to most adult readers, younger readers may benefit from the additional biographical information found at book's end.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS Illustrated by Feronia Parker Thomas. What might otherwise be a ho-hum reminder that good manners make life more pleasant becomes amusing with Thomas's humorous illustrations showing a menagerie of animals exhibiting common breaches of etiquette. A ball-hog fox, a barging elephant, a grabby panda, and a cat showering neighbors with a sneeze, among others, all reform their ways in this rhyming manners lesson.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Shawn Harris. "A citizen's not what you are--a citizen is what you do. / A citizen cannot forget the world is more than you." Harris's mixed-media illustrations roughly shape Eggers's rhyming text into a story about a diverse group of children working together to build an elaborate treehouse. Though the book may not solidify a reader's understanding of citizenship, it should spark discussion about it.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Violet Kim. For the next generation of activists, this picture book is a how-to for kids going to their first protest march. Providing practical tips ("pack snacks and water") and straightforward details on what to expect (e.g., regarding speeches: "it's possible this part will get boring"), the easygoing text is paired with lively illustrations of smiling protestors. Freeman's afterword emphasizes that protesting is our right--"our responsibility, too."

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Using the contents of an average student backpack--e.g., gym clothes, lunch, homework, cellphone--this book examines each item's "ingredients," how they are manufactured, and how the items can be recycled. Thought-provoking charts, such as one evaluating the ecological footprint of e-readers versus paper books, as well as humorous cartoon art illustrate the approachable text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Using brief rhyming text, this book introduces flowers typical of cold-climate North America in seasonal blooming order, beginning with the early-arriving snowdrop and crocus and ending with autumn's chrysanthemums. Though the illustrations of animals lack warmth, the digital-collage depictions of flowers are eye-catching and appropriately vibrant. Further information about the flowers is appended.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder. Well-known yogis, Miriam and Rolf Gates collaborate on this book, which focuses on poses done by partners. Friendly illustrations complement the very simple rhyming descriptions, and additional text at book's end shows pairs how to segue from one position to the next (e.g., from "heart" to "double warrior"). Young yoga-averse readers may appreciate the book's excuse to team up and socialize.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS Illustrated by Annie Wilkinson. Visited by a mysterious, swirling wind that disperses seeds, a barren town is transformed overnight into a lush ecosystem with growing plants and busy woodland creatures. Ghigna's smooth, rhyming verse is effectively complemented by Wilkinson's illustrations, which show the town first gray, then deep purple in the night, and finally in glorious, multicolored bloom come morning.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS In this simple picture book, each spread shows one or more ingredients of a color named in the very spare text: "yellow" (corn and onion) / "orange" (carrots) / "white" (salt and garlic cloves); then it's "chop / drop / bubble / yum." Preschoolers may enjoy identifying each ingredient in the pleasing digital illustrations that mimic cut-paper art. The full recipe for "Every Color Soup" is appended.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS Illustrated by E. B. Goodale. While Lula and her dad rake leaves, Daddy playfully claims he sees Lula's imaginary friend, Akaraka. Lula maintains that because Aka is made-up, she can't help them rake, but that she might like to join them for some chocolate pudding at lunch. The spirited story of an imagination supported pairs nicely with Goodale's vibrant illustrations in acrylic ink and watercolor.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Wanting to raise money for needy children with autism, well-off seventh grader Lauren (whose older brother is autistic) begins selling items--even stealing them to do so--and eventually drags her new friend, foster kid Sierra, into the scheme. Readers who can overlook Lauren's contrived descent into lawlessness should enjoy the honest alternating narratives (Lauren's is prose, Sierra's is in verse) about the boundaries of friendship.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Joe Morse. Inspired by K'naan's song "Take a Minute," this text, written as a rap song, sometimes sacrifices content in striving for rhyme. Nevertheless, the right audience will appreciate Indigenous politician/singer Kinew's spotlight on real American and Canadian Indigenous people. The bold art gives context to the fourteen featured men and women, about whom more detailed biographical information is included at book's end.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: Native Americans series. These books give brief overviews of Native American nations, discussing their past and present territory, daily life, art and handicrafts, and spiritual beliefs. A section on each group "Today" and a quote from a member of the nation (either past or current) are included at book's end. Choppy texts paired with contemporary and historical photos provide adequate introductory information. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Book: Native Americans titles: Comanche, Cree, Crow, Dakota, Mohawk, Ojibwe, Pawnee, and Ute.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: Native Americans series. These books give brief overviews of Native American nations, discussing their past and present territory, daily life, art and handicrafts, and spiritual beliefs. A section on each group "Today" and a quote from a member of the nation (either past or current) are included at book's end. Choppy texts paired with contemporary and historical photos provide adequate introductory information. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Book: Native Americans titles: Comanche, Cree, Crow, Dakota, Mohawk, Ojibwe, Pawnee, and Ute.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey