Reviews
Swing around the Sun
“Almost all of the short poems rhyme, but the varied and sophisticated rhyme schemes show the range of the poet’s extraordinary talent.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
“Judicious use of color, various perspectives and basic shapes give the book a distinctive look. Effervescent, in an entirely understated sort of way.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Out of the Fires: A Journal of Resilience and Recovery after Disaster
“The aftermath of a natural disaster becomes an educational narrative. . . . [T]he child’s emotional journey will reassure both young people and adults.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Story of a Dolphin
“A charming account, illustrated with stylized, decorative paintings that beautifully evoke the luminous colors of the Caribbean and the joy of this unusual friendship.” — Kirkus Reviews View →
Wilma Rudolph
“Colorful illustrations are used throughout. . . The short sentences and plentiful illustrations will help make this biography accessible. . . readers will find this an inspiring story.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
The Perfect Shot
“With basketball action, a murder mystery, a compelling story from history, adolescent angst, racial and parental tension, Alphin offers something to please most young readers.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Emergency!
“Children will practically hear the sirens wail as a succession of emergencies brings out appropriate rescue vehicles. . . this sends a message at once exciting and reassuring.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Harper Becomes a Big Sister
“Dreamy illustrations. . . . A sweet and useful tool to help introduce new siblings. . . . A new-baby story that will serve as a welcome mirror for queer families.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
The Heart of Mi Familia
“A child explores what being bicultural means to them in ways that feel familiar to young readers. . . . Bicultural kids will feel seen in this sweet family story.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
I Know an Old Teacher
“Gammell’s gleefully messy illustrations give children an original view of teachers’ private lives. His characters are full of personality, and textures seem to leap off the pages.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Evelyn Hooker and the Fairy Project
“A true story of true allyship . . . this offers helpful materials for young researchers and audiences curious about LGBTQ+ history. . . . Offers interesting information on a lesser-known hero.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What Is an Adverb?
“Cleary has clearly got the formula down for effectively explaining a potentially boring subject through a bouncy rhyming text filled with puns and jokes that will appeal to kids.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Raven Quest
“It is a credit to Stewart’s storytelling that the ending of a story about ravens and wolves can be as exciting, poignant, and tearful as any realistic novel.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Mousetraps
“Rick and Maxie’s thought-provoking story, juxtaposed against Hauser’s renderings of Maxie’s cartoons, is unexpectedly, richly dark, with no easy answers. Both chilling and sweet.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem
“Monroe’s imaginative illustrations play with composition as well as perspective, offering detail-minded readers endless surprises. The goofball text unfolds with tongue firmly in cheek. . . A winner.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Apple Cider Making Days
“Friar’s drawings perfectly fit the topic. Details are rich and the colors are just right for autrum apple-picking days. . . A great new addition to an overstuffed field.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Nachshon, Who Was Afraid to Swim: A Passover Story
“Jago’s stylized art supplies his characters with Egyptian profiles atop slender bodies; the predominant oranges, yellows and browns, then blues and greens, befit the desert and watery settings, respectively.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Hector's Favorite Place
“Rooks treats her subject with a light touch and age-appropriate language, and her anthropomorphized animals, created with what appear to be watercolors, are delightful. Gentle, reassuring, and persuasive.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Lobe Your Brain: What Matters about Your Grey Matter
“An overview of the brain and nervous system. . . . Kid-friendly examples abound as they trace the brain’s various parts. . . . A matter-of-fact introduction to typical brains.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
The Daring Escape of Ellen Craft
“New readers will appreciate the fast-paced adventure, simple language, large typeface with plenty of space for detailed illustrations, and a relatively obscure story set in a familiar historical time.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
"Told in a style as rollicking and rowdy as the opening sequence to Monday Night Football, this entry into the tall-tale tradition will leave readers breathless and happily exhausted." —Kirkus Reviews View →
Nature's Paintbox: A Seasonal Gallery of Art and Verse
“There is a strikingly rare synergy between the poetry and the illustrations in this truly remarkable addition to the pantheon of books on the four seasons for school-aged children.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
How Can I Wait When There's a Treat on My Plate?
“Pete and Dell are sweet-toothed brothers who learn strategies to help them delay gratification in this rhyming picture book. . . . A solid conversation started on topics of self-control.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Benjamin and the Silver Goblet
“Well paced and well told, this familiar story makes itself fresh with a folkloric feel and a satisfying ending. Ugliano’s heavily textured, colorful pastel illustrations ably support and extend the text.” —Kirkus Reviews View →