Reviews
“This soothing, rhythmic lullaby from a prolific Israeli author celebrates the beauty, harmony and joy in the natural world as it welcomes a new baby. . . The unassuming and calming melodious text, fluidly translated by Shubow, will certainly encourage serenity and comfort at the View →
Clouds of Terror
“Coping with a plague of grasshoppers on the Minnesota prairie in the 1870s, Helga and her brother are fishing when they become aware of an odd cloud approaching with a strange ‘deep hum’. . .The authentic details here carry a simple narrative that’s sure to… View →
Jodie's Hanukkah Dig
“Topaz’s watercolors delineate a freckle-faced little girl whose agility and curiosity parallel the Maccabeean stamina in the struggle. . . Levine provides an intriguing alternative to conventional retellings of the Hanukkah tale, juxtaposing archeology’s importance… View →
On the Scale, a Weighty Tale
“Gable’s colorful illustrations seethe with motion, as zany cartoon animals (primarily cats) mischievously frolic to illuminate the text. The clear and humorous examples drawn from life enable kids to understand easily and then apply the information. For those just… View →
Camilla, Super Helper
“Helpful friends make mighty superheroes. Offering an introduction to spatial thinking, this story explores cooperation and bee conservation and teaches simple methods for assisting nature’s vital pollinators . . . . The colorful, lively illustrations are appealing; the animal… View →
Red Yellow Blue
“Fans of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld’s Friendshape (2015) or Michael Hall’s Perfect Square (2011) may find this title complementary . . . comes with a potentially useful note to adults on how to use the book to promote self-esteem and forgiveness.… View →
Sewing the Rainbow: A Story about Gilbert Baker
“A colorful tribute to Gilbert Baker . . . creating the rainbow flag after a conversation with Harvey Milk. The art is beautiful and bright, transitioning powerfully from a subdued Kansan landscape to a flamboyant Bay Area. . . . It’s clear this book has a lot of love for the View →
My Cousin, the Alien
“Family ties and Zack’s unusually well-developed sense of responsibility for his troubled cuz form strong thematic elements in this outing, the first of a projected four. Gorman’s frequent black-and-white cartoon scenes of popeyed preteens in various hazardous… View →
Frizzy Haired Zuzu
“The book’s beautiful, sometimes whimsical cartoon illustrations skillfully depict the unsuccessful endeavors to reduce Zuzu’s hair volume and capture her emotions in response. The tale offers an important message—that kids should love and accept themselves wholeheartedly . . .… View →
How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide
“This third in the Math Is CATegorical series measures up quite nicely. . . Rulers in paws, Gable’s large-nosed cast of brightly colored quirky cats, mice and fleas measures objects large and small. His cartoons are entertaining and sure to gain children’s attention. View →
The Clock Struck One: A Time-Telling Tale
“Hartman’s characters are full of personality – the cat is high-and-mighty while the dog is just plain loopy. Her colors reflect the passing of the day, getting increasingly darker as the sun disappears and the characters become sleepier. With its emphasis on the… View →
Stroll and Walk, Babble and Talk: More about Synonyms
“The multicolored synonyms easily stand out from the black text, while the illustrations provide the context clues readers need to discern their meanings. Gable’s cast of cats will capture readers’ attention as they zanily exemplify the synonyms. . . It’s no… View →
Big Brain Book: How It Works and All Its Quirks
“Introducing a complicated and astounding natural computer. The science of the human brain and nervous system, and its myriad connections and functions, is addressed in a visually appealing format along with suggestions for experiments requiring little equipment . . . . Gill’s… View →
Like Ability: The Truth about Popularity
“A reader-friendly guide to breaking down the components of popularity and likability and helping readers achieve their goals. . . . Concise, accessible chapters unpack the phenomenon of popularity and offer exercises and worksheets that lead readers to a greater understanding of… View →
Remembering Ethan
“A family begins healing following a devastating loss . . . the child has real agency; Sarah effects change in the family dynamic that leads to cathartic healing. The delicate illustrations are expressive and effective. Useful psychologist’s tips in the backmatter guide… View →
Senses at the Seashore
“Say what you will about the seashore, it is a stimulating place, a sensual extravaganza. . . Rotner is a partisan fo the seashore and her gorgeous color photographs are transportingly sharp. . . The format is simple and direct: a bright picture, an uncomplicated caption. . . it… View →
It's Spring!
“Glaser and Swan team up once again in this eye-catching and informative ode to nature, the second in a series of seasonal titles (It’s Fall!, 2001, etc.). Speaking through the voice of a narrator, Glaser uses simple language to convey the changes brought by spring: warmer… View →
100 Days of School
“Readers will want to try the more interesting variations on math Harris has devised, e.g., addition and subtraction using clowns, trains, blackberry pie, and centipedes. Harris demonstrates that numbers can be broken down into recognizable units that can be manipulated and… View →
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal
“Nelson’s well-researched biography reads much like a tall tale or frontier legend – as well it should: ‘Outlaws learned that when Marshal Reeves had your warrant, you were as good as got. . . ’ Christie’s bold full-page paintings echo the heroic… View →
Dino-Hockey
“It’s prehistoric pandemonium on ice as the toothy Meat-Eaters (in red jerseys) and the tough Veggiesaurs (in green) face off in a wild championship game. . . There’s many a tale featuring dinosaurs playing, being pets and even dancing, but here’s an activity… View →
Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret
“Banks’s oversized, almost muralistic figures reflect the strength of the Africans’ spirits and their tremendous physicality. The red outlines used throughout evoke both warmth and danger as the characters steal away to their meeting place. Evans handles the issue… View →
“Basing her tale on legend, Greene provides a smooth, suspenseful view into a rarely depicted portion of Jewish history, when Jews led a dual life and managed to maintain their Judaic rituals by blending in or hiding their beliefs and traditions, sometimes in plain sight.… View →
“Jules’s fourth Ziz book continues her versions of Midrash stories featuring the giant bird of Jewish mythology. The Ziz is summoned by the wise King Solomon of Israel for a critical job-keeping the Princess Magda company in her lonely tower. Locked up to protect her… View →