(2) K-3 Illustrated by Julianna Swaney. Presented by American Ballet Theatre. A Clement C. Moore–inspired text and lively illustrations offer a tantalizing look at the before, during, and after of "tomorrow's opening night" for four young dancers. From auditions to learning the steps, from "rehearsals...with the pros" to backstage jitters, before finally: "Tchaikovsky's music sets a mood of jolly jubilation." The seven ensuing double-page spreads provide front-row seats to the performance, including a glimpse behind the scenes during intermission. A story synopsis and original costume illustrations from the ABT's 2010 world premiere of the ballet end this engaging look at the seasonal staple.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby. Barnett is openly admiring of Brown's legacy in this picture-book biography. In forty-two pages (because Brown lived forty-two years), he weaves facts about her life with information on how her books were received, in particular by notable librarian Anne Carroll Moore. Barnett conveys the sense that Brown's stories felt as strange and wondrous as life itself can be. Jacoby's mixed-media illustrations are appropriately impressionistic and playful. Bib.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joseph Cowman. On The Nutcracker's opening night, chaos spreads backstage in a litany of costume, set, and prop problems. It looks as though the show will be canceled--but then St. Nicholas and the (actual) Sugar-Plum Fairy come to the rescue. This ballet-centric parody capably follows the cadence and rhyme scheme of "The Night Before Christmas." Humor and holiday wonder infuse the text and dynamic illustrations.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 SportsZone: Playmakers series. Each athlete profile written for newly independent readers begins with a short action anecdote. After some brief family and childhood background, the bulk of each adulatory biography deals with the development of the athlete from rookie to seasoned professional; charitable and community-building behaviors are briefly mentioned. Color photos help to personalize the rather bland narratives. Facts and quotes are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Playmakers titles: Michelle Wie, Maya Moore, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Rory McIlroy.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Manders. On Christmas Eve, a lone sailor at watch witnesses the arrival of Master Chief Claus and his squadron of helpers as they deliver presents to the slumbering fleet at sea. The loose illustrations are caricaturish, but the rhymes are fairly precise. This treatment of Moore's classic poem may be best appreciated by military families.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Palacios. Peppered with Spanish words, this reimagining of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" relates the Christmas Eve celebrations of a Latino family. Thong's humorous verse follows Moore's strong rhythm without faltering--despite the metrical challenges of working in two languages at once. Palacios's warm, earth-toned illustrations invite readers into the festivities, whether these tradiciones are familiar or new to them. Glos.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(4) YA Youth advocate and army veteran Moore recounts the childhood character-building lessons that paved his way to success as an adult. The selected anecdotes call much-needed attention to the insidious ways small, immature mistakes made by underprivileged children can have dire consequences. Storytelling is strong throughout, but Moore's distinctly adult voice and perspective gives this otherwise engaging memoir a didactic feel.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Shroades. Clement C. Moore's poem is the inspiration for this dino-themed adaptation: "'Twas the night before Christmas in dinosaur land. / Tyrannoclaus hurried, his helpers at hand." Somewhat garish cartoon-style illustrations show Tyrannoclaus and his assistants busily preparing for Christmas in a sleeping volcano called the North Pole. Dinosaur fans will be pleased with the text's rhymes: "On Raptor! On Rexy! On Mimus and Saurus!"

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Delana Bettoli. Seabrooke hypothesizes that a Christmas Eve day errand gave Moore inspiration for "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Delicately lined paintings in pastel but Christmassy shades are pretty, especially those of Clement's twilight journey through the almost pastoral Manhattan streets; a wintry map is the book's highlight. There are no source notes (a problem, as the poem's authorship is still disputed).

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008

(4) K-3 Life and Work Of series. In these marginally revised editions, two-page chapters cover each artist's life and art. The left-hand pages give brief biographical facts, with illustrations of the artists at work and their families, travels, and sources of inspiration. The right-hand pages feature reproductions of the artist's work with comments about style, subjects, or materials. There are five other spring 2006 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Life and Work of titles: Claude Monet, Henry Moore, Paul Klee, Mary Cassatt, and Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges