Reviews
Boker Tov!: Good Morning!
“Brown’s deeply colored acrylic paintings offer secular scenes of a multicultural and multiracial neighborhood full of cookie-cutter, round-faced, wide-grinned children all expressing carefree anticipation of the new day’s wonderful possibilities.”… View →
Menorah Under the Sea
“Clear, colorful photographs accompany the direct narrative that incorporates research with David’s special way of remembering the significance of Hanukkah by paralleling the survival of the sea urchins with the Jewish people’s own strength and determination.”… View →
The Art of Freedom: How Artists See America
“Paintings, sculpture and photographs depicting American scenes and people and representing artists and styles from the 18th century to the present are the focus of Raczka’s latest lesson in exposing young minds to viewing and understanding art.”… View →
Jacob's Room to Choose
“Their teacher’s lesson shows that there are more than two ways to dress — not all boys wear short hair, and not all girls wear long hair or dresses. Even their own classroom represents a spectrum of expressions.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
My Wandering Dreaming Mind
“The positive scaffold provides a hopeful launch pad for progress. . . . This fills a needed bibliotherapy niche for families, therapists, and school counselors. . . . A positive spin for all those who struggle with executive function and those who love them.”—Kirkus… View →
Pooka and Bunni
“Two siblings discover they can accomplish amazing things together. . . . Zivoin is never preachy, allowing young readers to absorb the gentle lesson about sibling love, acceptance, and just getting along. . . . No sibling rivalry in this tender and loving tale.”—Kirkus… View →
Goodbye, School
“Lippert’s languid prose and tender child’s-eye point of view evoke the emotions of a young person’s struggle with transitions, especially changing schools. . . . Perfect for children going through transitions and the adults who guide them.”—Kirkus… View →
A Feel Better Book for Little Tears
“A useful picture book for encouraging social-emotional health. . .®eaders may also find value in its potential to foster empathy or to pre-emptively address sadness as one of many emotions we all experience. Validating and soothing.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Rescue on the Outer Banks
“This exciting and fast-paced tale will inspire its young readers and the large typeface and illustrations make the story easy to follow. The watercolors are detailed enough to show the characters’ emotions and reflect the tale’s drama perfectly.” … View →
Circle the Truth
“This rhapsody on faith, acceptance, patience and the relationship between ‘truth’ and ‘reality’ is an unusual and valuable addition to the pantheon of literature for youth, particularly since faith is so seldom addressed with such neutrality in books for… View →
Sarah Laughs
“Mellifluous full-page spreads in tones of green and blue pastel/crayon media depict the lyrically told story of this Jewish matriarch who believed her childbearing years had passed. An accessible rendition of the ancient biblical text for young religiously oriented… View →
Giraffe Asks for Help
“Gary Giraffe learns to ask for help even when he feels the task is something he should be able to do alone . . . explains how important it is that children acquire the skill of asking for help and how parents can help accomplish this.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Mallory vs. Max
“Punctuated by pointed family discussions on attitude correction and the importance of team play, this unsubtle sibling-tiff tale should please fans of Junie B. Jones and similar whiny fair. Mallory’s diatribe should draw, if not excite, fledgling chapter-book… View →
Coriander the Contrary Hen
“A hardheaded hen plumps down in the middle of the road and brings traffic to a screeching halt in this rhythmic rural ruckus. . . Chaconas’ text is paired to hilarious views of a small hen with a big red comb and an even bigger attitude.”… View →
Doug's Dung
“A budding artist searches for his strength . . . . The large-eyed insects composed of simple shapes appear friendly while the earth-toned dung beetles cheerfully complement the brights of the garden—and thus Doug’s art as well. Encouraging and… View →
My Story Friend
“The illustrations are haunting, a surprising combination of line drawings and painterly backgrounds. They look like chalk pictures, if chalk could draw on the water or the night sky. . . . With the right listener, every story feels urgent. This book makes every reader a… View →
Everybody Brings Noodles
“Dooley’s work is a combination of a celebration of the diversity that makes America unique, and a recipe book. Thornton’s illustrations are filled with color and life, and feature the people and places found in his own hometown. Add it to the menu.” … View →
Hanukkah Moon
“Mosz’s whimsical Chagall-style paintings of elongated figures with large expressive almond-shaped eyes in combinations of purple and gold hues add a Latino flavor to this gentle and warmhearted story offering a new perspective on an age-old Jewish holiday.” … View →
“His information is logically organized and supplemented with clear and easy-to-read maps and charts and well-reproduced photographs. With an attractive and functional design, this is appealing enough for the casual browser but also useful for serious middle-school research.” View →
Late for School!
“Yoshikawa’s bright, action-packed illustrations add zest to this fast-paced pleaser and include a clock on each page so kids can watch the minutes tick away. This silly, light snack of a tale shows that even teachers can learn a new lesson.” … View →
Dad and Daddy's Big Big Family
“Harper, who has brown skin and long dark brown hair, is off to a family reunion for the first time with their two fathers . . . . The story is sweet and soothing with warm, cartoon art . . . extended family is diverse in terms of race and ability . . . .… View →
Quiet as Mud
“A gently paced ode to the silent and soft-spoken. . . . Yolen has crafted an idyllic safe space for daydreamers, shrinking violets, and selectively mute little ones and a sweetly surreal alternative point of view for everyone else. . . . Mild-mannered mindfulness that leads by… View →