(2) K-3 Translated by Annette Appel. Illustrated by Avi Ofer. A teddy bear on display in Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust museum, narrates this picture book based on a true story from the Holocaust. The stuffed bear recalls his journey with young owner Fred from their home in Delft, Holland, to Fred's grandfather's house in Amsterdam--the family has been warned that "people would come and force us to leave"--and eventually to a stranger's home for the duration of the war. Short lines of text are surrounded by plenty of white space. The loose-lined, digital illustrations are similarly spare, though the light brown of the visibly well-loved Bear and the yellow of the stars sewn onto Jewish characters' clothing stand out. That the events are seen through innocent eyes allows for the posing of basic questions: "Why did we have to hide?" and "Why couldn't [Fred] tell anyone who he was? Did he do something bad?" A historical note at the front provides more specific information about the Holocaust, making the book useful as a discussion starter for those new to this part of history. Back matter includes an author's note and a letter from "Fred's Bear" (complete with photo), establishing both title characters as real figures.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(4) PS Translated by Annette Appel. While out exploring one day, tiny silver fish Flash discovers a lost baby whale. Flash and his big family reunite the whale with her parents. The slight story of brief separation and helping others is effectively complemented by spare illustrations of ocean dwellers viewed from varied perspectives. Foil-stamped Flash in particular provides dramatic contrast with the deep blue ocean backgrounds and massive black whales.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) K-3 Translated by Annette Appel. Illustrated by Orit Bergman. Noah and his family care for and feed all the ark's passengers. But the chameleons refuse everything--until a worm infestation is discovered. Bergman subtly infuses a touch of racial justice (Noah has brown skin; his sons and wife vary in color) in her illustrations. With a happy ending about everyone finding what they need, this resplendent book celebrates the miracle of nature.

Reviewer: Sarah Hannah Gomez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(4) K-3 Translated by Annette Appel. Illustrated by Aya Gordon-Noy. A girl begins a drawing but can't stay in the lines; her scribbles evolve from a piano keyboard to a horse to an airplane and so on in the childlike mixed-media illustrations. At last, the young artist transforms the drawing into a satisfying self-portrait. The rhyming text (translated from the Hebrew) is ungainly, but it's a sweet-enough tale of frustration, creativity, and persistence.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) PS Translated by Annette Appel. Illustrated by Raaya Karas. This clever book tells two stories, one about a preschooler named Naomi, the other about a little chick. Left-hand pages describe Naomi's day, with tidy spot art at the bottom of the pages illustrating the activities. Meanwhile, on right-hand pages, Little Chick's day on the farm unfolds in expansive, comical illustrations. Several visual elements gracefully unite these two worlds of play.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014