(2) K-3 James lives on an island, which he shares with plenty of other creatures (otters, rabbits, birds, bears) whom he greets from his bike every day. Rounded shapes, soft textures, and warm colors make for a blissful backdrop for the text to punctuate: "Every day was the same. Every day was wonderful." Then one night a storm rolls in, and the mixed-media illustrations take the mood from sunny and serene to dark and threatening in a page-turn. Though James and his cat are safe at home, he worries about his animal neighbors and ultimately goes out to check on them. Art and text work together to amplify the volatility of the weather and James's alarm at finding himself in it alone -- all the animals are gone. The light from his lantern emits a reminder of the safety of home, but when he finally gets back there, some unusual shadows call even that safety into question. All ends well in this compelling island adventure in which everyone truly cares about their neighbors. The illustrations create dramatic moments and endearing characters through deliberate use of shape, color, and line and are full of special details to notice. Endpapers open the story with a single sailboat on a vast sea but close with many boats sailing together, cleverly bookending the story's broader themes.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) PS So much can happen in the span of a week: "On Monday I found a polar bear in the garden." A single-page illustration features a large, round bear with a friendly demeanor whose white fur and black nose contrast starkly with a bright red background. The following double-page spread provides more context and visual details. This bear is so small it fits in the child narrator's hands, and the child is eager to help: "Are you lost, little bear?" By Tuesday, the bear has grown bigger and is now pocket-sized. The child decides on Wednesday to bring the bear (now in a hat) back to its home, and the two set sail on a journey that takes the rest of the week. By Sunday, the bear is too big for the boat, so the child sits on its back as they approach an icy shore where other polar bears are waiting. The colorful, playful paintings with their soft textures exude a sense of calm, and the shifts in visual perspective from far away to close up to high above boost the sense of adventure. After a final day of play, the child must part with the now enormous bear, but with a hopeful closing, "Goodbye, little bear, goodbye. See you again soon." This gentle separation story subtly weaves in concepts of size comparison and days of the week and should resonate even with young toddlers, who likely will not want to say goodbye to this cuddly-looking bear, either.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022