(4) K-3 Illustrated by Damien Jones. Hanging out with a bunch of pirates sounds like more fun than doing chores to prepare for Rosh Hashanah, so Avital boards Uncle Captain Brownbeard’s ship. Aptly for the self improvement–focused Jewish New Year, she helps the crew find alternate activities to stealing and fighting, including games, shofar-blowing, and singing Rosh Hashanah songs. The story is didactic, but the pirate element and the cartoonish pencil-and-digital illustrations make for a welcome silly tale about the holiday. Brief back matter includes a glossary, author’s note, and pirate facts.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones. Finally, the secret's out: librarians can be loud! Penelope is thrilled when she is selected to be her school's ­student-­librarian of the week. She's been preparing for this moment all year by alphabetizing her home pantry and stickering any book she can find. There's only one problem: Penelope can't quite harness her "library voice." Books fly off the shelves and computer screens shatter as Penelope innocently shouts curious questions at her classmates. After one great big bellow leaves students ducking for cover and the library in shambles, Penelope starts to question whether she's meant to be a librarian after all. Her disappointment is short-lived, as she soon discovers storytime, where both her enthusiasm and her volume are of great benefit. Jones's mixed-media and collage illustrations are playful and eye-catching, with a three-dimensional feel. Penelope's shouts e=xplode across the page in giant speech bubbles reverberating all the way to outer space (the astronauts know her by name). Brown-skinned Penelope sports a rainbow skirt with ­red-and-white striped socks--a style as loud as her booming voice. Although she may want to steer clear of a research library, Penelope's eager attitude lands her the perfect gig. This one is sure to be a ­storytime favorite--especially for librarians.

Reviewer: Hill Saxton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones . When Yoshi, a real-life loggerhead turtle, hatches, she immediately crawls to the Indian Ocean and begins swimming out to sea. After five nomadic years, she becomes entangled in a fishing net (a sequence of events Jones depicts as a timeline of circles, each spotlighting her increasing distress). Unable to breathe, she begins an arduous journey to the surface, dramatically illustrated in a full-bleed, double-page watercolor spread showing Yoshi alone in the sea hauling a mass of fishing net behind her. A fisherman rescues her, eventually taking her to Cape Town's Two Oceans Aquarium, where she lives for twenty years. When Yoshi reaches sexual maturity, the aquarists initiate a program of reintroducing her into the wild; they finally do so, equipping her with a satellite tracker. To the scientists' surprise, she swims up the western coast of Africa, turns around, heads south, and returns to her heretofore unknown native beach in Australia, where she mates and deposits her eggs on the very shore where she originally hatched--a 22,998-mile journey. There's much to discuss about the interplay of instinct, perseverance, and luck in this fine book. An author's note describes Cox's inspiration--"I am intrigued by Yoshi's story because I too am a long-distance swimmer. I was the first person to swim around the rough waters surrounding the Cape of Good Hope, Africa" --and separates fact from supposition; a suggested website documents Yoshi's release.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. While searching for food in the snow, a white fox is rescued by a kindly bearded man. Though the man's identity as Santa Claus isn't revealed until the end, perceptive readers will notice text and illustration clues throughout (e.g., "Stuck? Now that's a problem I understand!"; the red-and-white suit hanging by the fireplace). Faber's quiet narrative recounts the animal's year watching its host create toys he matches with letters from children. Any remaining mystery is cleared up once eight reindeer arrive to fly Santa's sleigh full of toys. Jones's textured mixed-media illustrations beautifully contrast the bold hues of cold winter nights and the pastel warmth inside the fox's new North Pole home.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Richard Jones. In free-verse poems in sections named for the four elements, former U.S. Poet ­Laureate Kooser and fellow poet Wanek use realities in their speakers' surroundings as springboards to creative observations, from imagined personalities (a fire "is never full, never satisfied") and histories (a boat has "been waiting / all summer, and maybe for thousands of years") to simple appreciation ("People who live in cities / never get to ­accidentally step / in a cow pie"). The language is both evocative and playful: a speaker on a hot day is "boiled and salted / like a peanut...the meat / in a heat sandwich, the dog in a hot." Jones's full-bleed illustrations, rendered in paint and edited digitally, are striking even in their muted colors. In an afterword, Kooser and Wanek encourage readers to pay attention to their ­imaginations--making this a perfect mentor text for students writing their own poems.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(3) K-3 Imagine This! series. Illustrated by Nic Jones. A tree in a boreal forest offers food and shelter for animals, nutrients for the soil, and more during its lifetime. When fire, pests, storms, or disease kill a tree, Bissonette explains, the tree continues to be a valuable resource in the forest. "The tree, now in its second life, hums with activity--animals nesting and looking for food." As the tree decomposes further, it enriches the soil and supports new growth. Jones's lush forest scenes are detailed but not cluttered; the informative main text is enhanced by related information in smaller type on many pages. Bissonette talks about her personal connection to trees in an author's note. Things to consider when "Exploring Snags and Fallen Logs" and suggested reading are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Yuko Jones. Michalak and Florence dish up a sumptuous celebration of chef Niki Nakayama. Born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents, Nakayama grew up in two cultures. "Outside of Niki's house was Los Angeles. Inside of her house was Japan." But Niki's mother combined the two cultures for family meals, cooking American food with Japanese influences--meatloaf with soy sauce, rice instead of potatoes, and Thanksgiving turkey with teriyaki sauce. Niki wanted to do things her way, too. When young, she would experiment with food, creating such treats as wonton-wrapper pizzas. On a trip to Japan after high school, she learned about kaiseki, a meal of many courses, a "storytelling feast," which begot the passion on display at her current Los Angeles restaurant, n/naka. In an effective matching of book design and content, Nakayama's story is dished up like a kaiseki meal: thirteen bites, from her early years in "Bite 1" to a gorgeous dish resembling an abstract painting viewed from above in "Bite 13." A palette of rich, vivid colors; playful shifts in perspective; and a text emphasizing active verbs highlight the artfulness of Nakayama's meals and the spirit behind them. Not just about food, but also the importance of gathering, love and laughter, and the can-do spirit of a girl finding her path in life. Back matter includes "Ingredients" (timeline), "Kuyashii" (an explanation of the "Yes I Can" spirit), more information about kaiseki, and the recipe for wonton pizzas.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by Richard Jones. An inviting voice employing the conditional "if you were" guides readers through a book that gives them a glimpse into life as an elephant (here, according to a note in the back matter, the African bush elephant). Readers learn about an elephant's habitat, social networks, diet, self-care (including mud baths), communication (elephants "drum out a warning," sending messages through the very ground, depicted in the illustrations as quilt-like patterns), and more. The text includes pleasing alliteration ("You'd guzzle gallons and gallons"), an ­exuberant tone ("You'd be a fountain spraying rainbows around!"), and satisfying and rhythmic verbs ("You'd slide and you'd roll and throw dirt all over"). Using a palette dominated by an earth-toned ­copper and incorporating subtle ­patterned textures throughout, Jones depicts the elephants in simple, rounded shapes with dots for eyes. Elephants are shown protecting, nurturing, and even soothing one another, images young readers will find comforting. (In one such illustration, observant readers will see two birds hugging atop an elephant's back.) An opening moment of humor is ­delightful: if you were an elephant, you'd "turn the next page with your trunk, not your hand." Either way, readers will want to keep turning the pages of this ­engaging and informative picture book.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by Richard Jones. A chilly wind blows into the den where Small Bear and Mama live. It's time to hibernate. Small Bear requests stories before slumber, but Mama tells her that there's work to be done--with "no dilly, no dally." Small Bear gathers spruce sprigs for a "soft, warm" sleep spot; takes a bath in the stream; and collects acorns. But, much like human children, and despite an admirable determination, Small Bear cannot resist tantalizing distractions. "The forest was full of food and adventure," and Small Bear is eager to experience it all. McGinty tells the story with a pleasing rhythm and economy: "Sun was setting, wind was biting, winter knocking, and she had to save time for stories." The repetition of particular phrases, including the satisfying "no dilly, no dally" refrain, will hook young listeners. The smudgy, soft-focus illustrations bring to life this forest in autumn, with walnut and copper hues dominating. And Jones depicts an endearing protagonist in curious Small Bear, who leaps through the forest, exploring in wonder. Readers turn the book for one dynamic vertically oriented spread, in which Small Bear climbs a tall tree. "Ahh! She could climb forever." The snug ending, which makes this one a fitting bedtime book, reveals that Small Bear succeeded in leaving time for stories: as Mama and cub cuddle, snow falling, Mama recounts the events of Small Bear's day.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. The thirty-three poems in this anthology range from the whimsical (Monica Shannon's "How to Tell Goblins from Elves") to the practical (April Halprin Wayland's "How to Ride a New Bike"). Each is genuine poetry and not a didactic lesson, with rhythm, expression, and evocative phrases. Digitally edited paintings capture the tone and feeling of each piece while still being unified overall with color choices, soft edges, and keen observations of nature.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones. "We've worked really hard to turn things people hate about us into things we love about ourselves--even the word queer!" Sicardi proudly writes in an inspiring introduction. The LGBTQ heroes presented range from teen gun activist Emma González to trans moviemakers Lana and Lilly Wachowski to Oscar Wilde. Sans organization but with lively portraits and design embellishments, the scrapbook-like volume is best for browsing. Glos.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. "There's no escaping growing up; it's something we all do. / Each stage of life is different--exciting, fresh, and new..." The subsequent rhyming couplets describe these stages, from newborn to childhood to adulthood to old age. The reflective, metaphor-laden text is unlikely to appeal to children, but the sweeping naturescapes and diverse cast of people in the watercolor-like illustrations beautifully depict each phase.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. After Caro and her mom move to a new home, the lonely girl finds an indoor playmate in the Snow Lion. When they spot some kids out the window, the lion encourages Caro to make human friends. In this subtle book's deftest touch, the white lion is barely visible against Caro's home's white walls--a gentle intimation of his being imaginary.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. Wednesday is a whale who lives in a big fishbowl "smack in the middle" of a city, but she's drawn to a distant patch of blue. She first learns the word sea from a compassionate young visitor named Piper; a giant leap (portrayed on a vertical gatefold) finds the whale finally home. A lovely story, gorgeously illustrated in grays and muted blues, of discovering where you belong.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(1) PS First Science Storybook series. Illustrated by Richard Jones. Jenkins deftly weaves natural and physical science into this tale concerning birds' life cycles; inside that narrative he unobtrusively introduces the concept of force with examples of pulling and pushing, heavy and light, and gravity. In their stylized beauty, Jones's striking, collage-like mixed-media illustrations depict the most basic elements of the natural world and highlight the text's focus on science. Ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(2) PS First Science Storybook series. Illustrated by Richard Jones. A pair of personality-filled squirrels and other residents of their pond-side community interact through four distinct seasons. Perfectly crafted sentences--simple, yet packed with clues to the underlying science--emphasize patterns and the relationships among seasons, weather, and nature. Mixed-media illustrations echo the scientific sophistication of the text, using a muted palette that still captures each season's distinct landscapes, trees, and animal behaviors. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(4) PS Illustrated by Richard Jones. Walden's rhyming couplets introduce ten emotions, sometimes more successfully than others (jealous, described as "an emerald mist": "Your vision blurs--your mind is fixed on things you do not own, / and as green steam begins to rise, you give an envious moan"). Die-cuts place a hat-and-parka-clad boy in a different scene for each spread, a clever-ish way to illustrate how a feeling can change one's internal landscape.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 1-3 Dragon Masters series. Illustrated by Damien Jones. In Thunder, a former dragon master attacks during the king's wedding and breaks up the Dragon Master group, ending with a cliffhanger. In Rainbow, the team must psychically connect a new dragon and master to the Rainbow Dragon, who needs help. The high-interest fantasy story lines are commonplace and formulaic, but quick chapters and abundant illustrations make these good for newly independent readers. Review covers these Dragon Masters titles: Roar of the Thunder Dragon and Waking the Rainbow Dragon.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 4-6 Tales from the Haunted Mansion series. Illustrated by Kelley Jones. In this second series entry, mysterious librarian Amicus Arcane (The Fearsome Foursome) is back to share more paranormal tales. This time, a young man named William listens in return for a chance to see the medium, Madame Leota, who can help him speak to his deceased sister. The four loosely connected stories-within-the-story are ominous but not too scary, while eerie line drawings reinforce the pseudo-creepy vibe.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. As winter approaches, a fox wonders what to do. Advice from other animals gives young listeners an overview of creatures in a woodland habitat as, for example, a squirrel scurries to gather nuts, a turtle buries itself in mud, and a snowshoe hare camouflages itself with a white coat. Illustrations reflect a gentle narrative and uncluttered setting as the fox learns its surprising seasonal role.

Reviewer: Betty Carter