Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Hans Christian Anderson’s story tells of a swan hatched into a family of ducks, who lives his life trying to fit into a situation where he doesn’t belong… Jerry Pinkney’s adaptation brings the story into a visual splendor, with lushly detailed watercolor paintings full of drama and life.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. Semi trucks, with their noise and power, hold an unspeakable attraction for young children, especially boys.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Fred Marcellino’s artistic interpretation of Puss in Boots, narrated by a spare translation of Perrault’s original story, is nothing short of impressive.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Stephen Johnson has captured alphabet shapes in ordinary places around a bustling city… These are reproduced in paintings that are so realistic that at first glance they might be taken for photographs.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. This is a faithful interpretation of the biblical story, rendered in breathtaking watercolor paintings which earned the book a Caldecott Honor in 2003. If I were forced to choose one version of this story, I would probably choose Peter Spier’s, but this one gives an original, memorable perspective

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. The Great Depression in America was a time of uncertainty and difficulty for many Americans, but its trials also provided opportunities for courage and hope… Lydia Grace’s courage and love overflow in her care of plants and flowers, which bring beauty to her uncle’s life. With its emphasis on family, beauty, courage and hope, this story is a wonderful way to introduce the Great Depression to young readers.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Of all the easy-reader books in print, this series may be the best in writing quality, complexity, character development, and humor.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. De Angeli captures a little of the flavor of Pennsylvania Dutch language along with many details of everyday life. Her characters are appealing, the family is warmly loving, and the story itself is full of excitement and danger. It will appeal to both boys and girls, but especially boys. It contains more prose than most picture books and is a perfect fit for children who are just transitioning into chapter books.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. This tale is derived from European folktales and slave stories of the American South. In it, the industrious but unscrupulous Hare is pitted against the profoundly lazy Bear… There aren’t many funny books for children about the dangers of laziness, and this one is a keeper.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. On the first day of school in a small village, a young boy is found hidden beneath the schoolhouse floor. The boy comes to be called “Chibi” for his small stature, and is ostracized by his classmates…. Yashima’s evocative drawings complement his spare text beautifully, and while the story’s emphasis is on relational dynamics among the children, there is a vivid sense of the outdoors as well as an experience of the cultural environment in this small village. The book is pleasing on many levels and should appeal to younger and older readers.