(3) K-3 Illustrated by Brittany Jackson. Preschooler Parker visits the National Portrait Gallery and is entranced by Amy Sherald's painting of First Lady Michelle Obama. The brief text (co-written by Parker and her mother) and cartoony but personality-rich illustrations capture the girl's exuberance while exploring the gallery and then her awe of the portrait. "'She is a queen,' Parker whispered." A joyous and empowering picture book, based on a viral 2018 photograph.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans series. Using short, simple sentences and engaging photos, this early-reader biography introduces the Chinese American figure skater. Key moments in Kwan's professional life are covered briefly and chronologically, accompanied by a cumulative timeline. Ample white space around the text and large pictures make for an attractive and supportive layout for new readers. This series fills a gap for children's biographies about Asian Americans. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Former White House photographer Lucidon has compiled this eye-catching pictorial record of Michelle Obama's time there. Stunning photographs document both the first lady's ceremonial duties and the initiatives she championed, such as fitness, girls' education, and the arts. Enhanced by Lucidon's accessible commentary and relevant quotes from Mrs. Obama, this is an excellent photographic tribute to an influential first lady.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Zoom In on First Ladies series. These starter biographies have fact-driven texts illustrated with uncaptioned photos (or historical art in Washington). The choppy writing is easy to read, but the volumes provide little in the way of substantive background about these First Ladies. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on First Ladies titles: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, and Nancy Reagan.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Women in Sports series. These books offer brief introductions to female leaders in professional basketball (Parker), golf (Wie), and soccer (Wambach). A timeline footer carries readers through the pages as large color photographs illustrate the athletes in action. While the brief, large-font texts are designed with early readers in mind, fans will find them skimpy in content. Common Core critical thinking questions appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Pebble Plus: Women in Sports titles: Candace Parker, Michelle Wie, and Abby Wambach.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(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) 4-6 Extraordinary Women series. Each of these books profiles a highly prominent woman, covering her current role and accomplishments, past achievements, education, and early years. Lots of photographs, captions, and text boxes help to break up the accessible text but contribute to a busy look. "Then and Now" boxes consider how each has contributed to changing views on women in public life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extraordinary Women titles: Michelle Obama and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Gourley's discussion of Michelle Obama's creation of a vegetable garden on the White House lawn is framed by a brief history of other gardens at the White House. Loose-handed watercolor illustrations depict a place that's full of life. A foreword by chef Alice Waters and a series of recipes are included. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) YA Xtreme Athletes series. These volumes detail the athletic achievements of the title champions of golf (Wie), speed skating (Ohno), and mixed martial arts (Lesnar and Ortiz); the texts also mention their personal and professional challenges and how they overcame them. Quotes and sidebars enhance the accessible volumes. Clear photographs depict sporting victories and special events in the subjects' lives. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Xtreme Athletes titles: Apolo Ohno, Brock Lesnar, Tito Ortiz, and Michelle Wie.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett. Weatherford (Obama: Only in America) here chronicles the First Lady's childhood and pre–Barack accomplishments, pointedly downplaying her White House days: "What Michelle vows is that she is a mother first and a First Lady second." It's a point well taken, but the text can be a little overdramatic. Barrett's sepia-heavy oils are disarmingly intimate, almost like personal photographs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Gateway Biography series. In this adulatory biography, readers learn about the First Lady's childhood, work ethic, courtship with the "guy with the funny name" (first date: a Spike Lee movie), and support of her husband's political career. A variety of photographs illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 "Barack's rock" is given an evenhanded treatment in this accessible biography of the First Lady. The text highlights Michelle's close-knit, working-class family; her staunch work ethic; and her unwavering dedication to her husband and daughters. Readers will come away with an appreciation of the woman herself above and beyond her official role.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Following an account of Michelle Obama's great-great-grandfather, a slave, Colbert describes her childhood, Ivy League education, relationship with her husband, and support of his political career, always emphasizing her commitment to hard work. This is a readable and informative biography of the first African American First Lady. A color photo insert is included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by AG Ford. This competent companion to Jonah Winter's picture book biography Barack shows how Michelle Robinson transcended her modest Chicago upbringing to become a professional success long before becoming the U.S.'s first African American First Lady. Kid-pleasing details, such as the subject's favorite childhood TV show (The Brady Bunch), abound. The photorealistic paintings include some awkwardly proportioned representations of Michelle and her family.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Political Profiles series. These profiles focus on their subjects' childhoods, backgrounds, and the forces that shaped them into today's leaders. Though largely laudatory, both books also touch on foibles and scandals (e.g., Chappaquiddick). Some of the information is already out of date. Obama gives little insight into Michelle's life before Barack. Photographs help break up the texts, which will be useful for basic information. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Political Profiles titles: Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) YA Asian Americans of Achievement series. Fans of ice skaters Yamaguchi and Kwan will find an abundance of details about their training and interim competitions as they worked toward the Olympics, and some information about their post-Olympic careers. Each book includes dynamic action photographs and sidebars of additional information. Yamaguchi also presents an informative history of Japanese Americans. Kwan has a glossary. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Asian Americans of Achievement titles: Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) YA Modern World Leaders series. With the same foreword in each book, this series challenges readers to consider the concept of leadership by placing the featured individual in a historical context. Each title includes childhood experiences, rise to power, significant historical events, international relationships, and political ideology. Captioned photographs provide additional perspectives and break up the dense texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Leaders titles: Thabo Mbeki, Hu Jintao, Angela Merkel, Ali Khamenei, and Michelle Bachelet.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Sports Reports series. Clear prose traces the careers of basketball player Hardaway, four time World figure-skating champ Kwan, and Olympic gold medal-winner Lipinski. The emphasis of the books in this series is on professional accomplishments rather than personal information, but sports fans will appreciate the detailed summaries of key competitions. The black-and-white photos are unexceptional. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Sports Reports titles: Tim Hardaway, Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Women Who Win series. Each book in this generally adulatory series on female sports stars traces an athlete's career from childhood to the present. The texts touch on the stars' backgrounds and struggles to overcome setbacks but focus mainly on descriptions of important competitions. As a whole, the series provides some insight into what it takes to succeed in professional sports. Color action photos, statistics, and a chronology in each book will please fans. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) 4-6 Figure skater Michelle Kwan shares her commonsense philosophy on goal-setting, discipline, and dedication, explaining how it relates to everything from sports to making friends and getting along with family. Although the advice is solid and helpful, the earnest text is only occasionally relieved by anecdotes from Kwan's life, making the general tone more preachy than personal. Color plates illustrate the volume.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta