Reviews
Hanukkah Moon
“. . .an unusual and inviting glimpse of Mexican-flavored Hanukkah festivities as well as of Rosh Hodesh, or new moon, the first day of the month in the Jewish calendar.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Pirate Passover
“Press’s premise is whimsical, while round-headed, bright-eyed characters from Gulliver appear thoroughly earnest, impressing upon readers how observance and tradition persist no matter the circumstances.”―Publishers Weekly View →
Papa, Daddy, and Riley
“Crayon and wash textures feature in Holzwarth’s warm illustrations, in which moody shadows and backgrounds convey underlying emotions . . . . [T]he message—that what makes a family is love—is sound.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Menorah Under the Sea
“The vibrant color photography and surprising thematic juxtaposition – readers will learn as much about urchins as about the holiday – makes this a memorable selection, even for readers who don’t celebrate Hanukkah. —Publishers Weekly View →
The Clock Struck One: A Time-Telling Tale
“Part of the Math Is Fun! series, this intro to telling time has a familiar beginning (‘Hickory dickory dock,/ a mouse ran up the clock’), but things soon take a dramatic turn.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem
“Tiny ink detailing (every room of the house is distinctively patterned) lends a miniaturist charm, and the humor in Chico’s industrious solution (delineated into step-by-step panels) warrants repeat readings.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You
“Smoothly translated. . . the account of Jeanne’s survival is remarkable and inspiring, as she indeed proves herself a fighter in many ways. . . The heroine’s story ends on a welcome note of hope.” —Publishers Weekly, starred… View →
Millie's Marvellous Hat
“Whimsy drives both the text and airy watercolor art of Kitamura’s (The Young Inferno) story of a girl with a creative and colorful imagination. . . A cheerful tribute to a determined and optimistic imagination.” —Publishers… View →
How Are You, Verity?
“Verity must navigate the titular question’s multiple social meanings in this personal-feeling story, which draws on the author’s experiences. . . . Barron’s flattened, unlined renderings stylishly play with shape, pattern, and, aptly, perspective.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Elmer's Special Day
“McKee illustrates in a loose, folk-art style. Elmer visually clashes with the foliage and his friends, and the whole enterprise exudes cheery, unassuming goodwill. The elephants’ nonexclusive event provides a model for any peaceable kingdom.” … View →
Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog
“Ross’s watercolor cartooning displays its customary energy and wry wit, and these frequent collaborators deserve praise for being able to walk the fine line between comedy and cruelty in their portrayal of the consequences of obesity.”… View →
Lucy in the City: A Story about Developing Spatial Thinking Skills
“First-time author Dillemuth’s encouraging tone and Wood’s easygoing cartoons emphasize Lucy’s capability and independence, even in a frightening situation, and appended materials and activities invite readers to consider their own neighborhood… View →
Boker Tov!: Good Morning!
“Brown’s cheery paintings, which chronicle a boy’s morning at home and school, are distinguished by exuberant colors and have just enough naïf charm to be endearing without cloying. . . A suitably buoyant way to begin the day.” —Publishers… View →
The Perfect Shot
“Alphin (Picture Perfect) scores big with this novel. . . the author’s portrayal of Brian’s slow awakening to a sense of personal integrity and responsibility – even at great personal cost – is convincing, and may well get readers thinking.” … View →
The Hugging Tree: A Story about Resilience
“Wong’s delicate artwork touchingly conveys the tree’s lonesome and perilous circumstances . . . . Organized into verselike passages . . . with rhyme schemes emerging then being abandoned, but the tree’s strength and transformation should have emotional impact for View →
Many Ways: How Families Practice Their Beliefs and Religions
“. . .serves as a simple introduction to how families practice their different religions, promoting tolerance and respect. The clear, spare text and large photographs serve as eye-opening catalogue as well as a jumping-off point for discussion.” … View →
Rebecca's Journey Home
“The joyous tone of how adoption helps a family grow in love and in faith gives this title its appeal. Shapiro’s gently stylized watercolors, sometimes suggesting the work of Giselle Potter, bring warmth and heart to the proceedings.” —… View →
Mallory on the Move
“Spinning a spry variation on a familiar theme, Friedman launches a series starring a spunky eight-year-old who is not happy about her family’s impending move. Readers will find her [Mallory] and Joey likable characters, worth revisiting.” … View →
What DO Teachers Do (after YOU Leave School)?
“The secret life of teachers comes to the fore in What DO Teachers Do (after YOU Leave School)? . . . Mayhem bursts from the spreads as Gott depicts teachers overtaking the playground, eating leftovers and tossing the rest in a ‘colossal . View →
Why the Crab Has No Head
“The beautifully written text is matched with striking black-and-white illustrations that suggest stark woodcuts. This African tale is artful, using ancient elements to portray a still relevant message: to lie to oneself will surely lead to dishonesty with others.” View →
Jacob's Room to Choose
“The students set out to create new, inclusive bathroom signs: ‘I have to pee, so let me be!’ one reads. Ms. Reeves just might be the real star in the story, as she models how limiting traditional views of gender can be.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry
“Full of puns and silly jokes, Cleary here does for poetry what his Words Are Categorical series does for grammar. . . the verses are clever and comical, and youngsters who may be intimidated by poetry may well warm up to its playful presentation here.” … View →
Stand Up!: Be an Upstander and Make a Difference
“This guidebook tackles how to be an ’Upstander’—a ‘positive bystander’ who ‘stand[s] up for themselves and others’—through explaining positive self-talk, self-regulation, judicious intervention, realistic goals, teamwork, and persistence . . . deploys View →
“McNish (the Doomspell Trilogy) once again explores the idea of children pulled from safety to fight an apocalyptic battle, and the result is this strange and intriguing luanch title in the Silver Sequence. The images hang together in a tantalizing, avante-garde way.”… View →