Reviews
Hanukkah Moon
“With a golden palette and a soft tone, this lovely story highlights a tradition overlooked in most Hanukkah literature. . . Soothing watercolor and crayon illustrations in shades of gold and purple beautifully convey the affectionate relationship that develops between the child… View →
“This gentle tale is both comforting and effective as an explanation of the mezuzah. Noah’s emotional arc rings true, and information is smoothly woven into the narrative. The art is warm, welcoming, and interesting with its combination of watercolor, collage, pen and ink,… View →
Eight Wild Nights: A Family Hanukkah Tale
“The amusing rhythmic text carries the action along from one crazy night to the next, supported by a busy cast of characters whose antics are illustrated on crowded spreads rich in color.” —School Library Journal View →
Dinosaur on Passover
“The friendly, oversize creature from Dinosaur on Hanukkah returns to celebrate Passover with a boy and his family. In silly, rhyming text, the reptile tries to help perform the holiday rituals. . .The illustrations are bright and sophisticated, complementing the cheery mood of… View →
“The cheerful watercolor illustrations enhance the text and add to its gentle sweetness. . . Readers who have a relative of a different religion will especially appreciate how this book reflects and validates their own families, but all youngsters will gain an understanding of… View →
Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best-Friend Must Do in Europe
“The author cleverly entwines the embarrassments of adolescence with travel episodes. The cover illustration provides a tantalizing invitation to this laugh-out-loud summer read. . . Just the right size for the beach, this book is flippant and fun.” … View →
Robins: Songbirds of Spring
“Cheerful, realistic, color illustrations accompany a simple rhyming text that describes the life cycle of the American robin. . . this bright little book will appeal to readers and fit tidily into the curriculum.” —School Library Journal View →
Mallory vs. Max
“Schmitz’s expressive cartoon illustrations and the large typeface make the book appealing to beginning chapter-book readers. For fans of Barbara Park’s ‘Junie B. Jones’ series (Random) and Megan McDonald’s ‘Judy Moody’ books… View →
Late for School!
“Rhythm and rhyme follow a tardy Mr. Bungles as he races to be on time. From end pages that trace his route to brightly colored angles of each page, this book shouts MOTION and encourages listeners to fill in the rhyme with each turn of the… View →
Sammy Spider's First Shabbat
“This sweet story, told in very simple language, accurately portrays this Jewish ritual. . . Large, bright, mixed-media cut-paper illustrations enhance the childlike mood. . . A gentle story for any collection.” —School Library Journal View →
What DO Teachers Do (after YOU Leave School)?
“Gott’s computer-generated cartoon illustrations are energetic and colorful with lots of whooshy movement and splashy action, supporting the atmosphere of mayhem and fun.” —School Library Journal View →
In Business with Mallory
“The illustrations are dark and bold, and interesting to look at. From the characterizations to the visuals, this chapter book is a winner.” —School Library Journal View →
Heart to Heart with Mallory
“Friedman finds a true voice for her likable but somewhat self-centered character. . . Fans of Megan McDonald’s ‘Judy Moody’ books (Candlewick) and Marissa Moss’s ‘Amelia’ notebooks (S & S) will enjoy Mallory.” … View →
Finding Day's Bottom
“After the death of her father in a sawmill accident, Jane-Ery, 11 passes through levels of grief so poignantly revealed that her voice sets a ragged emotional tone throughout. . . it both uplifts and uncovers the family’s raw and slowly healing spirits. A novel full of… View →
Christmas Is Coming
“Conversational prose complements spreads that feature impressionistic pastel colors. Some pages also include vignettes, and all elements combine successfully to present an older sister’s perspective and love-filled explanations.” —School… View →
Packed with Poison!: Deadly Animal Defenses
“. . .interesting reading for newly emergent readers or for small-group sharing. High-interest content makes these titles perfect for reading practice.” —School Library Journal View →
Sam Collier and the Founding of Jamestown
“Colorful paintings help readers visualize the historical setting.” —School Library Journal View →
Shipwreck Search: Discovery of the H. L. Hunley
“. . .interesting reading for newly emergent readers or for small-group sharing. High-interest content makes these titles perfect for reading practice.” —School Library Journal View →
A Style All Her Own
“Watts splashes the pages with predominately pink watercolor-and-ink cartoon sketches that are reminiscent of the 1960s to show Isabelle’s flare for fashion to a tee. A fun bit of fluff for fashion-focused girls.” —School Library… View →
Santa's Secrets Revealed: All Your Questions Answered about Santa's Super Sleigh, His Flying Reindeer, and Other Wonders
“Kids who have grown out of warm-and-fuzzy Christmas books will enjoy this wise-cracking approach to the holiday. The cartoon artwork is loaded with funny, if not hugely imaginative, details.” —School Library Journal View →
Robert Smalls Sails to Freedom
“Brown makes this an exciting, well-told story that may spark readers to search for more information.” —The Horn Book Guide View →
I and You and Don't Forget Who: What Is a Pronoun?
“Using a fast-moving, quick-witted rhyming text. . . Comically crazy cats are drawn in a childlike style, adding to the book’s giddy factor and making the subject matter appealing to students. Ruth Heller covered pronouns in Mine, All Mine: A Book of Pronouns (Puffin,… View →
Willie McLean and the Civil War Surrender
“These beginning readers offer basic historical overviews in story format. Both books have clear, unencumbered texts complemented by serviceable period art in color and an author’s note. These books offer perfunctory descriptions and interpretations for readers just… View →
Saving the Liberty Bell
“The easy-reader format will bring history alive for young readers, and the dramatic paintings, some full page, reflect the action and the characters’ emotions.” —School Library Journal View →