Reviews
Between the Dragon and the Eagle
“The backbone of this engaging and informative first novel . . . is the journey, 2000 years ago, of a single bolt of blue silk from China to Rome. . . this is history brought to joyful life.” —Pointer, Kirkus Reviews View →
Home for a While
“Ultimately, the book is as much a model for foster parents as it is a story to provide validation of foster children’s experiences . . . . Gentle and wise—especially as a read for foster parents.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
A Feel Better Book for Little Sports
“Brochmann and Bowen’s rhyming, singsong stanzas first introduce the physical benefits of sports before moving to emotional aspects like empathy, sportsmanship, and losing with grace. . . . A comprehensive and successful child’s introduction to competitive sports.”—Kirkus View →
Pablo Picasso
“. . .valuable addition to the On My Own Biography series. . . renders an intriguing and lucid portrait. . . In pleasing textures of oil on canvas and warm hues, Porter’s accompanying illustrations quite nicely echo the art of its subject.” … View →
Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad
“Brill does a good job of incorporating basics about the Underground Railroad into her narrative and bringing it out in suspense. . . The art, in a sturdy style rendered in muted pastels, quietly accentuates the drama. A solid contribution.” — Kirkus View →
It's Winter!
“. . . The descriptions of the natural world are enhanced by the use of multi-layered, hand-painted, cut-paper collages. Adding visual depth to each page, they invite readers to come in for a closer look. . .” —Kirkus Review View →
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 →