Reviews
Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
“Dominguez’s illustrations, which are painterly in style, look as if pastels were used to draw the dramatic baseball poses in a variety of perspectives….This accessible story will be enjoyable to a larger audience than just baseball fans.” —School Library… View →
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
“Morse’s energetic illustrations add an old-fashioned charm to the narrative….This entertaining and informative story will delight young sports fans.” —School Library Journal View →
The Pets You Get
“[T]he children and animals shine and take center stage in the big, bold, and colorful illustrations, with backgrounds minimal or nonexistent.” —School Library Journal View →
Cookie, the Walker
“Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound.” —School Library Journal View →
My Crocodile Does Not Bite
“This fun read-aloud will keep listeners and readers chuckling. Kulka’s spirited acrylic artwork gives personality to the characters and adds to the humor.” —School Library Journal View →
Two Shy Pandas
“This sweet story could give a gentle push to shy youngsters.” —School Library Journal View →
Your Pajamas Are Showing!: Book 1
“Oversized panels and exceptionally exaggerated expressions only beef up the already bountiful bons mots. The short, highly episodic exploits are delivered with minimal text and at lightning speed; expect most to devour this in a single short sitting. Just try to read it and not… View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“Cooper’s soft-edged brown, amber and green illustrations lovingly depict the action and emotions called forth in the text. A loving tribute to Satchel Paige, who never looked back in anger.” —starred, Kirkus Reviews View →
Oh! If Only...
“Nearly every page is full of movement as animals fly or scamper away, and bright primary colors highlight focal points. Kids will enjoy the increasing destruction and silliness, while the minimal text and refrain make this a good read-aloud.” —School Library Journal View →
Change of Heart
“[A]n especially good example of how McClintock uses the ever-shifting terrain of high-school loyalties and conflicts as background for suspense….More solid mystery fare from the five-time winner of the Arthur Ellis Best Juvenile Crime Award.” —Booklist View →
The Count's Hanukkah Countdown
“Sesame Street’s famous regulars and Hanukkah meet in a cute story that delivers the holiday combined with numbers up to eight. Grover hosts a latke party for Israeli muppet friends; the Count loves the idea; he includes himself because eight is the perfect Hanukkah number. The… View →
Speak Up, Tommy!
“Tommy’s classmates tease him about his quiet voice and his Israeli accent. He doesn’t like reading to the class, and stays by himself at recess. One day, Officer Sweeney and his police dog, Samson, pay a visit to Tommy’s class. Tommy instantly feels comfortable with Samson, who… View →
My Happy Life
“The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable younger readers to feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling a lengthy chapter book….The difficult subjects are handled gracefully, allowing children to realize that happiness comes and goes, and that… View →
Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
“Kelly provides information about an unusual aspect of the game in a sprightly, entertaining story with a great ‘aha’ moment. Dominguez’s bright, expressive double-page spreads follow the events closely and make them live.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
William and the Lost Spirit
“A sprawling, richly imagined medieval adventure….This epic, detailed journey moves swiftly, punctuated by largely wordless and often glaringly bloody action scenes…. Like many other adventure tales, this examines questions of good and evil, but in William’s… View →
Under Pressure
“Elise’s deteriorating physical and emotional conditions are effectively sketched in this fast-paced, slim novel….Berne’s discerning tale combines vivid sports descriptions with a compelling storyline.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
The Pets You Get
“Taylor’s children have a sweet sibling relationship… while page turns nicely build suspense.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
A Match Made in Heaven: Book 8
“Proving that the power of teen love trumps even Heavenly directives, a budding graphic artist hooks up with an ethereally handsome new classmate….Another fresh and funny outing in a mostly solid satiric series.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Fly Frenzy
“Readers will suck up this quick and gooey adventure like the ‘fly-spit smoothie’ that it is.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Spider Stampede
“A buggy blast; readers will be happy with the clear signs that that the twins’ career as experimental subjects is far from over.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
My Happy Life
“The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable younger readers to feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling a lengthy chapter book….The difficult subjects are handled gracefully, allowing children to realize that happiness comes and goes, and that… View →
The Future We Left Behind
“Lancaster’s science fiction novel is a read as quick and compelling as its predecessor, Human.4.” —Library Media Connection View →
“The book is well presented and fascinating and could be used as part of a geography lesson or to teach about animals’ unusual lifestyles. The large print, simple, straightforward vocabulary, and appealing format make it a good choice for a report or a simple research project View →