(3) K-3 Right-facing pages show photos of baby zoo animals; in the accompanying text, the animals introduce themselves and one of their identifying features (stripes for a baby tapir; stumpy horns for a rhino). Turn the page to see how that baby grows and changes when they get “BIG.” Like other ZooBorns books, this one has a clean layout, suitably adorable photos, and friendly text; closing pages provide additional information about each of the animals and their species’ conservation status.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) 4-6 Last Chance Academy series. Twelve-year-old Megumi lands in boarding school after her grades fall following her mother’s death. Determined to survive (or be homeschooled by her crotchety aunt), loner Meg surprises herself by making friends while caught up in a mysterious treasure hunt. The author handles the subject of grief well, and the cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for the next series entry.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) K-3 The poems in this picture book–length collection introduce animals and other elements of farms. Florian’s facility with rhyme and meter lends itself to read-alouds (“The mother goose is called a goose. / The father is a gander. / And baby geese are goslings, but / one started to meander”), and poems with surprise endings pack particular punch. Illustrations made with watercolor, colored pencil, rubber stamps, and collage may encourage are invitingly reminiscent of children’s drawings.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Tiny Habitats series. This informative picture book describes how a bison’s “steamy poo pile” becomes an important part of a prairie ecosystem. Over the course of a year, insects eat and lay eggs inside it; toads, turtles, and birds come to eat the bugs; flowers and grasses grow in the enriched soil. In the spring, a poo pile from a baby bison begins the cycle anew. Mixed-media illustrations depict the variety of life on the prairie; speech bubbles add personality (“Mmm, these roots are tangy!” muses a munching prairie dog). More background, a bibliography, and further reading are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ken Daley. On a Saturday morning, a young Black boy’s mother drops him off at the barbershop. Eager for the outing, the boy narrates the lively rituals of the Black men and neighborhood sons who gather there. Amid laughter, music, games, peddling, and storytelling, the barbershop serves as a hub for community, entertainment, oral tradition, and wisdom. Prismatic digital illustrations capture the barbershop's dynamic, multi-purpose nature, making this ode to Black barbershop culture truly shine.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Levi Hastings. In clear language, Lukoff explains that “not too long ago” it was illegal to be gay in the United States, and queer people used the innocuous-sounding titular question to find one another. While some laws have changed for the better, the text lays out how LGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination. Fittingly, Hasting uses muted colors for those who sought to oppress gay people and bold, bright colors for scenes that show queer people happy and at ease. A solid and entertaining introduction to an important part of history.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lenny Wen. A child, nervous about the first day at a new school, chooses to wear sneakers instead of a favorite pair of red shoes: “I want to fit in, not stand out.” The child’s mother, a Korean immigrant, wears a plain shirt instead of her usual sparkly top. At school and at the store she runs, people see an “Outside Mom” who’s “so serious” and “doesn’t ask questions.” But the child knows the real “Inside Mom”: chatty, playful, and full of stories. Soon, feeling shy in class, the protagonist also becomes a quiet “Outside Me.” Later, at a family picnic, the child finds comfort in wearing the favorite red shoes and finally seeing “Inside Mom” come to life outdoors: laughing and wearing her sparkly top. This story explores themes of identity, perception, and the immigrant experience, showing how people often present different sides of themselves depending on the context through code-switching. Wen uses a softer, muted color palette to convey the more reserved “outside” moments, while warmer, more vibrant tones reflect the lively, expressive nature of the “inside” versions of the characters. This visual shift deepens the emotional resonance, highlighting the tension between what others see and what lies beneath. While particularly relatable for children of immigrant families, the story will resonate with any child navigating the complexities of fitting in while staying true to oneself.

Reviewer: Weileen Wang | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Selina Alko. In 1966, a "trusted keeper [of stories]" (identified in the back matter as the library at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City) suffered a terrible fire, which destroyed thousands of books and other items, many not found elsewhere -- including books and ritual objects that had been rescued from the Nazis. Books that didn't burn were waterlogged and becoming more damaged by the minute. But through the help and persistence of the surrounding community, all was not lost. Idea after idea was proposed, but the ultimate solution was a simple yet elegant one that saved 170,000 volumes: layering paper towels between the pages of each sodden book. This story focuses equally on the effort that brought a community together, on the importance of libraries as repositories of stories, and on the books themselves as representatives of history and culture. Evocative illustrations combine painting and collage, including words in multiple languages, with occasional references to specific titles and others to language and content more generally. The narrative ends with the resonant refrain "our stories were not consumed." Back matter includes information about the Jewish Theological Seminary Library, a brief bibliography, and period photographs of the fire and its aftermath. An author's note provides additional historical context and draws contemporary connections between the fire, the importance of books, and the divisiveness of our current society.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(3) 4-6 In this middle-grade adaptation of her memoir In the Form of a Question, [c2]Jeopardy champion and transgender woman Amy Schneider describes her childhood, television experience, and life as a “Famous Celebrity Trans Person.” Each chapter centers on a theme such as “What Is Your Name?” and “What Did You Win on Jeopardy?” Amy’s funny anecdotes; friendly, self-effacing style; and prominent message of self-acceptance make this an approachable and enjoyable book even for readers who are unfamiliar with the reasons for her fame.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) YA In the near future, the Crown Royale virus is wreaking havoc on the world. One in every twenty-five people who contract it will die from it, but those who recover experience a blissful, euphoric state. This has advantages and disadvantages, both for individuals and for society. These fertile conditions allow Shusterman to leverage his prodigious imaginative and storytelling skills, as well as the inherent moral ambiguity of the premise, to tell the tales of three young adults. Mariel Mudroch and her mother, perpetually down on their luck, treat themselves to a luxury rental in San Francisco for one night. They are ushered into it by Rón Escobedo, sixteen-year-old son of the third richest man in the world, who owns the property. Meanwhile, in London, Morgan Willmon-Wu, nineteen, has been handpicked by elderly curmudgeon Dame Havilland for her resourcefulness. Morgan will inherit a considerable estate and the charge to eradicate the virus from the Earth. Gradually, their stories begin to converge -- and before the expansive plot reaches its denouement, there will be twists and turns, surprises and revelations, intriguing characters and far-flung settings, and plenty of food for thought.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(1) PS Illustrated by Robert Neubecker. This spirited look at a range of mass transportation vehicles showcases some of the vital but less visible jobs involved in making them move. "Who makes buses rev and go / through detours, gridlock, storms, and snow? / Block by block, who smooths the journey -- / potholed, hilly, twisty, turn-y? / IT'S NOT JUST THE DRIVER!" The book goes on to celebrate the role of the mechanic who proactively inspects the bus for safety and keeps it running. Continuing in this pattern, the text and art feature the subway's signal maintainer as well as the operator, the train's ticket agent along with the engineer, the plane's air traffic controller in addition to the pilot, and more. Full of small, amusing details to notice, the bright digital illustrations clarify how a team of people works together to get a complex job done. The engaging pages are packed with vehicles, transportation workers, and passengers. The whirlwind of activity flows visually to demonstrate the efficacy of the busy system running smoothly. This distinctive transportation book with its chirpy, rhyming text appeals to a young vehicle-loving audience while capturing the complicated and often overlooked aspects involved in keeping systems moving. An author's note provides more for readers to consider, including several questions: e.g., "Would you like to work on a team that makes transportation go? Which important job would you choose?"

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) PS There's a lot happening in this clever picture book with an all-dialogue text that introduces the nonsense words used when we can't remember the proper name for something. An adult elephant "can't find the...I forget the word...the...thing-a-ma-jig," so their little one confidently dashes off with a magnifying glass to track it down. Forgetfulness is in the air: a small yellow bird is missing its "hoo-zee-wots-it that makes thunder" and offers to help search. As they investigate, more animals (and stand-in words) join them, including a slug that can't find its "hoo-pull-dee-pewp. It kept the sun off my back" and a squirrel on the hunt for "the shis-moo I was using to carry things from here to there." Is there "a thief in the neighborhood"? Alexander's (You Rule!, rev. 7/23) deceptively simple illustrations, rendered in collaged photographs and hand-cut rubber stamps, are composed of bold primary and secondary colors that pop against ample white space. The expressive animal characters add humor and bring this who(didn't)dunit to life. Three double-page spreads provide a visual hint to what's really happening: the thing-a-ma-jig, hoo-zee-wots-it, shis-moo, etc., are all the same blue bottle cap, which began its journey through the neighborhood when the elephant left it on a tree stump. Spoiler alert: The cap is returned to its bottle, and together the group finds "something for everyone" to replace the multipurpose item, a process that will have young listeners turning back to the beginning to spot subtly placed details in the illustrations. A final spread provides the language of origin for the nonsense words employed in the text.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Mendoza. Front-matter illustrations introduce Granny Dee, a cat-eye-glasses-wearing Black "glamma" from Harlem, who visits her granddaughter for fun weekend routines: lounging, pampering themselves, napping, and exploring the city. Narrating in Caribbean English, the girl shares her grandmother’s zest for life. When Granny Dee falls ill, the girl takes on her roles, keeping her legacy alive. The warm, effervescent illustrations reflect joy, intergenerational bonds, and the importance of celebrating life amidst mortality.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. This fictional account relates the joyful moment when, in 2019, a nonverbal ("which means he usually doesn't speak much" per an appended note) nine-year-old named Ronan Mattin declared "wow!" after hearing a Mozart composition at Boston's Symphony Hall. With economical language, Boss emphasizes Ronan's silence: "'Shall we go to the beach?' Ronan is quiet...'Shall we go to the park?' Ronan is quiet." Suddenly, Grandfather bursts in, wearing classy attire, and invites Ronan to the symphony. Mother and Father seem concerned but agree, and Grandfather, Ronan, and Ronan's little dog drive to the noisy city for the show. Kheiriyeh employs warm colors, with an emphasis on reds, in her inviting mixed-media illustrations. The musicians and audience members are humorously exaggerated, with dramatic hairstyles and old-fashioned clothes. Visually, the book soars when the music (identified in the author's note as Mozart's Masonic Funeral Music) begins. The illustrations show Ronan's inner response; he and his dog appear floating through space, transported by the music's many moods. Ronan's "wow!" causes the audience and musicians to laugh and cheer, and the moment feels earned after these dynamic spreads. Boss's use of sound effects ("Zimmity Zimmity Zum") make this a pleasing read-aloud. The book ends on an emotionally satisfying note, with Ronan dreaming about his cosmic musical experience.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) 4-6 When contemporary twelve-year-olds Henry, Frances, and Lukas dig up an old radio in one of their backyards, they find themselves speaking with children of the same age, and at the same location, in 1944. Alice, Lawrence, and Artie do not know the outcome of World War II, and they certainly do not understand the consequences of interfering with a timeline. Soon enough, small, seemingly heroic actions, such as stopping a fire at a beloved candy shop, start to mess with history in very serious ways. The U.S., in 2023, changes overnight to a nightmarish new reality in which the Nazis won WWII and now control the country, renamed Westfallen. The kids from the present and the past must team up to undo the colossal damage that has been done, stopping a spy and thus righting their mistakes, before Westfallen becomes a permanent reality. But that escapade is only the beginning of an adventure that will challenge readers to consider the past, the future, and the nature of history itself. Fascinating time-travel theories collide with historical fiction to set the scene for a story that is suspenseful, complex, and at times humorous. Rapid shifts between past and present might be confusing at first, but as the plot picks up, the details coalesce to form one seamless narrative. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for the next installment in a projected series.

Reviewer: Sarah Berman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Much like superheroes, some animal species have remarkable abilities. The ten featured species with "superpowers" have notable adaptations that help them to survive. These creatures are indeed impressive, and the book's format enhances the drama: after each animal is introduced, a page-turn reveals the superpower and how it benefits that animal. Examples include Turritopsis jellyfish, which possess "immortality" (they can reset their life cycle in response to injury); mountain-dwelling ibex, which survive by "defying gravity" in their ability to scale sheer cliffs; snapping shrimp, which can produce a bubble that, when popped, resonates at a decibel level that can kill their prey; and dogs, with their "super sniffers" that can help rescue humans and detect dangerous chemicals. Preston-Gannon's colorful illustrations capture the essential details of each species and their environments. The end notes proclaim that "action is your superpower!" and show the impact humans have on each of the featured species.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by James E. Ransome. The prolific author-illustrator couple (most recently The Story of the Saxophone, rev. 1/23) teams up again to offer this inspiring picture-book biography of the late human rights and civil rights icon. Cline-Ransome's reverent narrative gracefully captures Lewis's (1940–2020) humility and perseverance. Growing up in a farming family in Alabama, young John learned about love from the Bible at an early age. He felt its presence everywhere he went -- except when he encountered the discriminatory realities of Jim Crow laws. "Election day meant Whites Only could pick the laws, mayors, and presidents. John hated that colored folks had to stick to picking cotton." Inspired by a radio sermon delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis left home at seventeen to attend the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville. As he learned about practices of nonviolent resistance, his commitment to end segregation through nonviolent protest was unwavering. Beaten and arrested, yet undeterred, he led prolonged sit-ins; rode buses as a Freedom Rider; spoke at the March on Washington calling for jobs and freedom; and led the march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, that ended in state police violence. Ransome's distinctive illustrations, created with a combination of found, printed, and purchased paper with pencil drawings, perfectly match Cline-Ransome's telling and dramatically radiate the magnitude of Lewis's influence. An author's note, a timeline, sources for quotations, and a selected bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pablo Pino. A legend about a “fearsome, ferocious, frightening creature” in a campsite lake and a warning not to feed the ducks go unheeded in this picture book. A young boy feeds the birds, unleashing the Quacken, a gigantic duck whose “wings were so wide they blocked out the sun.” The beast eventually picks up the boy and gives him a big lick, leading to the realization that “children taste terrible.” Pino's digital illustrations emphasize absurdity of an enormous menacing duck and include some minor gross-out humor, while Colón’s funny text makes for a good summer vacation read aloud.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(2) K-3 Ready to Read: Monster Og series. Illustrated by Elio. In their entertaining second outing (Og Meets Mog!, rev. 3/24), Og (a gentle turquoise monster) and sidekick Mog (a large, round, catlike creature) are using a tool to "make something cool." Feeling left out, Dog snatches the last cog and drops it into a bog. "Og yells once. Og yells again." In some books, the repetition of sounds can become tedious, but Dyckman's agile deployment comes off as charming and allows children who are just beginning to decode print the opportunity to practice and build confidence in service of a cheerful, relatable story. The strong lines and bold, vaguely retro hues in Elio's images add to the appeal. Characters pop off pages that alternate between double-page spreads and spot illustrations, which controls the pace and gives this straightforward, low-stakes friendship story a feeling of movement and drama. The character design rides the line between cute and weird in a way that will encourage young readers to pick the book off the shelf. In the end, Og executes a plan to get the cog out of the bog, Dog makes amends, and then Og, Mog, and Dog create their "something cool" together. Three cheers for this unique and enjoyable story and friendship team.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) K-3 Ready to Read: Monster Og series. Illustrated by Elio. Picture book author Dyckman (Wolfie the Bunny, rev. 3/15; How Dinosaurs Went Extinct, rev. 3/23) steps into the beginning reader market with this book for the earliest readers. Og is a turquoise monster with puffy hair, blunt horns, and one tooth -- not even a little frightening. The book uses simple words, short sentences, and a lot of repetition ("This is Og. Og is nice") to ease children just starting to sound out words into this story about the day some sort of creature appears stuck in a block of ice. Og is scared but also determined to get the creature out. Og tries bonking the ice with a log, and when that doesn't work, it's time for a new strategy: "Og can think and make a plan!" For its simplicity, the text has a gentle rhyme scheme and pleasing sense of rhythm that reward the work of decoding. Elio's cartoon-style illustrations are bright, cheerful, expressive, and clearly composed, creating a path for readers who may be struggling with early phonics skills to follow the story. Once Og finally releases the creature from the ice, a new friendship is formed, and readers get a setup for future adventures with this duo.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024