(3) K-3 Fifteen wisdom sayings from around the African continent are paired with brilliant illustrations from global artists in this informative book. Each aphorism is labeled by country and includes an explanation of its meaning. The book's art is noteworthy for how the many illustrators (identified in the appendix) interpret the sayings in their own unique styles. A great way to explore wisdom traditions and figurative language.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) 4-6 From redwoods to baobabs, Filippucci presents brief overviews of the natural history and cultural meanings of twelve different tree species around the world. Each spread offers a literary quote and a large illustration that reflect that tree's significance. While the text offers some unexpected nuggets of information, Filippucci's gorgeous, intricate watercolor and ink art is the book's real highlight. Bib.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(3) K-3 Stunning art--photographs of paper dioramas in which two children and a caregiver sail through and frolic beside luminous seascapes--adds a narrative element to this collection of weather lore. Historical weather-prediction sayings in rhyme are each based on observations in nature: "Ring around the moon, rain will come soon. / Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning!"  Back matter explains each bit of "Weather Wisdom." Bib.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) 4-6 Photographs by Thai Neave. Alexander turns motivational speaker in this collection organized like a basketball game, with four quarters and rules. Alexander's narrative of his early life in sports weaves its way through a lively display of colorful graphics, black-and-white photographs, short poems, and inspirational quotations by famous people. The uplifting volume reads like a locker-room pep talk by a coach with stories to tell and advice to give.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Fred Harper. As in George Washington's Rules to Live By, Kostyal pitches fifty iconic and inspirational adages from Franklin's writings to today's youth. Categories include tranquility, industry, order, humility, and more. Each quotation is followed by Kostyal's explanation and brief historical information. Harper's caricature illustrations add a touch of humor to the otherwise preachy vibe. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Neil Packer. This is a quirky history of the codex (with a brief glimpse at ebooks), narrated in an alternately whimsical and lyrical style by the personified Book. Packer's illustrations, many of which resemble woodcuts, punctuate the brief narratives, as do quotes about the joys of books, reading, and libraries, from Lao Tzu to Bill Gates. More a bibliophile's love letter than a reference work.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Words of wisdom from luminaries such as Picasso, Einstein, and Plato are explicated by cool cat Pete, whose huge expressive eyes add to the humor of the textured pen-and-ink, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations. Pete's thought bubbles provide "groovy" (if simplistic) translations of quotations: e.g., alongside Eleanor Roosevelt's "You must do the things you think you cannot do," Pete thinks, "Nothing is impossible!"

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Pete the Cat series. Musings on love from a wide range of subjects--Lucille Ball to Marcel Proust to Confucius--are offered by cool cat Pete, whose huge expressive eyes add humor to the textured pen-and-ink, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations. Pete's thought bubbles provide "groovy" (if unilluminating) interpretations of quotations: e.g., alongside Virgil's "Love conquers all," Pete thinks atop a mountain peak "Love makes anything possible!"

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 With quotations from children and adults (some famous, some not), this is less a book that children will pick up on their own than one adults could use to spark discussion with them. Attractive photos of children from eighteen countries reinforce the idea of wisdom as a global resource.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 The pages of this inviting volume contain colorful comic illustrations and brief quotes from real kids offering advice--some practical, some wise, some funny, and some nonsensical. A few of the offerings are wordy, while others are familiar ("Life's too short, eat dessert first"), or don't qualify as advice at all ("Pull my finger"). The prime audience may be adults who enjoy "Kids Say the Darndest Things" humor.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Bender's idea of a perfect world is "if when you grew up, you could have as much fun as when you were a kid," but the quotes he has assembled from real kids show that children's lives aren't always carefree. Ranging from wistful to funny to inventive, the answers suffer from being lumped together in no discernible order, and the humor is probably clearer to adults, but the pages are engagingly framed by Bender's whimsical illustrations.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(3) YA Photographs by John Whalen. This artfully executed book pairs over two dozen color photos of current American culture with quotes from early explorers and missionaries describing "primitive" cultures. Because the pairings are so deft (Marco Polo's comment about thirteenth-century astrologers faces a photo of tabloid "predictions"), the quotes' ironic relevance will inspire amusement and awe rather than cynicism.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Bennett has collected writings of such historical luminaries as Abigail Adams, George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson that illustrate virtues Bennett extols for young people today. Bennett comments heavily on the selections, which range from an essay on patriotism by Thomas Paine to Benjamin Franklin's "Plan For Moral Perfection." Adults hoping to inspire teens with traditional values will find plenty of material. A time line and other historical material are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Peter Malone. A thoughtfully selected collection of quotes elucidates words chosen to represent each letter of the alphabet, from animal for A to zoo for Z. The words of Thomas Jefferson, Gary Soto, and Edna St. Vincent Millay, among others, grace the pages; quotations from the Book of Genesis and the Inuit and Ute Indians also appear. Gouache paintings blend realistic and mystical elements, effectively evoking the poetry of the words.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Published spring 1998. Tudor brings together a collection of quotations from various authors, including Shakespeare, Thoreau, and Emerson, expressing their thoughts about joy. Each provides a showplace for Tudor's delightful, old-fashioned watercolors of children, animals, and nature. Although many of the quotations may be somewhat sophisticated for young children, Tudor fans will be pleased with the reissue.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley