Age 00-04. 4 Stars. In this pleasant sequel to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle introduces a spider who, carried by the wind, lands on a fence post and begins to spin her web… The spider’s example of steady, goal-oriented and satisfying work is a good model for children who need to grow up into productive adults.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. Brian Floca brings a new view of the workings of an airport by focusing on five trucks that play a role in preparing a passenger plane for takeoff.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. Virginia Lee Burton, who brought us Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, brings us a cautionary tale about a little engine who runs away from her job of pulling coaches.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. Glen Rounds summarizes, simply and clearly, how the sod house on the Great Plains came to be.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. Another of the Reys’ gleeful books of monkey business… appropriate for preschool through elementary school ages.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. On Saturday morning, young Francisco waits with his abuelo (grandfather) with other day laborers, hoping for a day’s work… This is a serious story, and even illustrated with Himler’s wonderful paintings it retains a somber mood that might not draw readers in as easily as more lighthearted books. But it provides a vital, sympathetic glimpse into the world of immigrant day laborers while demonstrating the moral importance of honesty. It’s a beautifully moving book which will help cultivate compassion for others.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. Richard Scarry had a tremendous gift for telling stories that, while simple in plot, are rich in visual detail so that, having been read aloud once, they provide hours of entertainment for prereaders to enjoy at their leisure… In this book, Scarry introduces individual citizens of Busytown, then tells short stories about specific projects they are involved in… Each story demonstrates the value of work, both for the individuals who perform it and those who enjoy its effects. It’s a wonderfully orienting book, helping even very young children understand the interworkings of their society.

Age 00-04. Byron Barton’s deceptively simple cartoon-like drawings and streamlined text may seem unimpressive at first glance… It’s an excellent early lesson in architecture for any child, but particularly those young children who show an interest in how objects in their environment work.

Age 08-12. 5 Stars. Jerry and Rachel Pye make a companionable team, from their cheerful “Boombernickles” word game and outdoor explorations, to their acquisition of their family’s new puppy, Ginger… Ginger Pye combines a warmly written, empathetic, and often funny portrayal of a loving family with an engaging mystery to be solved, and concludes with a quite satisfying resolution.

Age 08-12. 5 Stars. Louis, a trumpeter swan, was hatched without a voice and so is unable to win a mate, even though with the help of his human friend Sam, he has learned to read and write… The reader will finish the book not only having had a good time, but appreciating the value of love and music, work and family, as well as knowing a little more about the habits of trumpeter swans. It’s an outstanding choice for a read-aloud.