(2) K-3 Caldecott winner Floca (Locomotive, rev. 9/13) presents a love letter to New York City and its essential workers during COVID-19. "We are here at home now, watching the world through our windows. Outside, we see the city we know, but not as we've seen it before." As children peer out from their apartment windows, the streets are quiet, but not empty. There are food deliverers on bikes, sanitation workers, mail carriers, first responders, and more; an ambulance pulls into a hospital driveway, and we enter the building to see the medical professionals and support team, "everyone working through long days and worry to help patients heal." As evening falls, we're back to the neighborhood, where at seven o'clock people open their windows, clap their hands, bang pots and pans, shout, and cheer their thanks. (The appended author's note provides further context.) Floca's watercolor, ink, acrylic, and gouache art, in his beautifully realistic style, features delicate lines, light-catching hues, and pore-over-able details, much like an actual city scene. Motion-filled vignettes alternate with expansive spreads to help pace the narrative and hold readers' attention; so, too, do many of the figures' gazes, looking directly out at viewers. The text is true to events but un-alarmist, with restrained lyricism that underscores unity: "We hear the city say to us--and we say back to the city--that we are still here, and we are here together."

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(2) PS Three, a small three-legged dog, sees the world through a unique lens. Three roams the city, identifying its ­inhabitants in terms of the number of legs each possesses. There are the six legs (ants) and the eight legs (spiders); and those with too many legs to count (centipedes). But Three wants none of those multiples, nor does he wish for four legs, for in his experience these are often chairs that the two legs (guess who?) sit on all day long. Although content with his physical self, Three would like a loving home, perhaps with his new friend Fern, who talks with him and plays with him. She introduces Three to all sorts of creatures, including a one leg (Mom in yoga pose) and a twelve leg (the pretend throne Fern's brother creates by pushing three chairs together); best of all, together the three humans and Three make "a perfect four." The book's perspective calls for readers to use their inference skills (what is a "winged two leg that lays eggs"?) while following Three's thought processes. King's uncluttered and cheerful pencil and watercolor illustrations allow readers to confirm the identities of the animals under discussion. Expect lots of interaction--­counting, adding, and even tracing Three's routes on two map-like spreads--when reading this aloud. One engaging story + three legs + six legs = a perfect 10.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by Ryan Ehrenberg. Pearl (a dog) and Squirrel (self-­explanatory) live "inside a box beside the old corner store." After hot-dog vendor Stan tells them about Thanksgiving, they note things they're thankful for (playing fetch, a cuddly nap spot), and then are not-so-thankful for a storm--but it all ends with a generous act that gives them a big reason to be thankful. This sweet story, with inviting cartoon illustrations in an autumnal palette, can serve as a seasonally appropriate discussion starter about giving thanks and helping others.

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

(2) PS The titular blue table in Raschka's (Mama Baby, rev. 3/20) latest offering is akin to a stage, with props appearing to represent characters named in the text but initially unseen in the art. Throughout, watercolor and collage illustrations match the text's simplicity, with loose, gestural lines lending a comforting roundness. "A child" is the first character mentioned, represented by a glass of milk on the blue table. Nearby is a vase with a cheery yellow flower that first appeared on the opening wordless page, both objects invoking those who placed them there. Next, a cup and saucer, a mug, a newspaper, and a book introduce "a parent," and "another parent." Someone also places a plate of pastries on the table, and the child's setting grows to include paper and crayons. Then, all objects disappear on a page reading "get going." The blue table is empty--but not for long. "Good things from the garden, the store, and the farm" arrive. But perhaps the most pleasing arrival is anticipated by wordless pages in which the table is extended to accommodate "one more family." Now Raschka provides glimpses of people holding hands around the table in thanksgiving. Readers may regard this scene as the Thanksgiving holiday, but it could evoke any occasion of togetherness, perhaps providing comfort and hope for a return to such times in a post-pandemic world.

Reviewer: Megan Dowd Lambert | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lorraine Rocha. When her grandmother gifts her with not a computer but a lemon tree, the disappointed birthday girl decides to make lemonade. This how-to (recipe included) features the girl's bossy-spunky narration (when juicing lemons: "Come on--squeeze, squeeze, squeeze-a-roo!") and summer-kissed art that portrays the whole community pitching in to support the lemonade stand. The girl's profits go toward something surprising for the whole block.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by April Harrison. In this story of giving, James Otis marvels that Mama is contributing to the church's "love box" for a family in need when they have so little themselves. But hearing "what is given from the heart reaches the heart" helps James Otis start thinking differently about what he does have. Detailed, highly textured, strikingly patterned collage illustrations invite readers to linger over the pages and add depth to the characters.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) YA Australian teen Marlowe is crushed to learn that the family of the organ donor who gave her a new heart has refused contact. After Facebook sleuthing, Marlowe finds and befriends the sister of the boy she suspects is her donor. Marlowe's colorful family members and a prank war with a cute guy add comic relief to an otherwise weighty novel about loss, guilt, and gratitude.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ruth Jeyaveeran. In Kathmandu during the Festival of Lights--called Swanti, Tihar, or Deepawali in Nepal (Diwali in India)--two brothers look for a kukur (stray dog) to honor during the celebration. Coauthor Amish Karanjit, Engle's son-in-law, lived through the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal, when rescue dogs played an important role in finding survivors. The interesting holiday story is illustrated with cultural specificity. Suggested activities are appended. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ziyue Chen. After acting selfishly, Mela gets lost in the jungle near her northern Thai village. She requests help from different animals, offering her possessions as rewards. Ultimately, only a kindly elephant helps her, and for nothing in return. Mela learns a valuable lesson about generosity and gratitude in this original fable with a folkloric, repetitive cadence and verdant digital illustrations. Includes a note on Thailand.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Thank yous have many purposes in this book, wherein animals and people find opportunities to express gratitude. The poetic text conveys a heartwarming message, despite occasionally awkward phrasing. Lushly colored and delicately rendered illustrations show kindness, inclusion, and happiness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Stunning photographs accompany the poetic but precise text in this picture book encouraging gratitude for our beautiful and intricate planet and everything thereon--from tiny ladybugs to towering trees. Sayre also highlights "all shapes that repeat" and "rays and radials," which may send readers out to look for patterns and shapes in nature. Back matter explores eco-issues and encourages kids to get involved.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Frané Lessac. An extended family engages with activities and traditions that express gratitude and carry on Cherokee history and culture. Simultaneously, the book incorporates modernity and challenges dated images of Indigenous people. Cheerful, richly detailed gouache illustrations in bright, saturated colors cycle through the seasons. The text includes several Cherokee words (their English and Cherokee spellings, phonetic pronunciation, and definition); a complete Cherokee syllabary concludes this attractive and informative book. Glos.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Vivienne To. Always on the go, Amy's family does everything in a hurry. When Amy brings home a sloth, he slows down the family, and they learn to appreciate one another and life around them--to Amy's relief. This story about the drawbacks of today's rapid-fire life and the benefits of taking time out will resonate with both jet-propelled readers and those who move more purposefully.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) PS Mr. Panda (Please, Mr. Panda) distributes less-than-perfect gifts to his friends. Lemur advises "it's the thought that counts." Mr. Panda repeats that advice when giving Lemur too-big underpants. This gratitude lesson is muddled: everyone looks disappointed; and it's a mystery why Elephant, who "opens it later," gets doughnuts (seen on the back endpapers). Fans of Mr. Panda's deadpan delivery will appreciate the thought.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Mama and Grace each give thanks before eating dinner. Mama thanks rain, soil, and sunshine; Grace's thanks (alpaca, road workers...) require explanations: alpacas gave wool for the scarf uncle Fred wore while catching the fish, road workers fixed the bike path to the produce stand, and so on. Balla's cheerful cartoonlike illustrations and realistic conversational text provide a cozy picture of this small family.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Forsythe. A fable with an unexpected ending. In the spring, a gold leaf appears in the forest. One animal after another snatches the leaf for itself, resulting in its destruction. When the next spring brings another gold leaf, the animals are delighted one has returned and allow it to just be. Lovely stylized illustrations with gold-leaf accents softly depict the forest wildlife and the changing seasons.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. A young woman's thank-you letter reflects on the wisdom and patience her second-grade teacher demonstrated during a difficult, and important, year in her childhood. Pen-and-ink and digital illustrations use color and contrast to draw attention to the endlessly curious girl, whose impulsive and occasionally "exasperating" behavior dominates the classroom. It's a loving and realistic portrayal of a student-teacher relationship.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Feeling bored, Romy wishes she could visit the fantastical Princessland. She joins her pet, "the Lady Cat," on a conversational stroll around their diverse neighborhood; the pair imagines what happens in Princessland (e.g., everyone lives in castles with "tall towers") before ultimately discovering the everyday magic right outside their door. Warm, detailed illustrations add to this pleasant story of imagination and appreciating what's around you.

Reviewer: Janet Daniels

(1) PS Now is an affirmation of the present: a girl, eyes closed and arms raised toward the sky, declares, "This is my favorite breeze"; she continues with a string of celebratory declarations. Vibrant colors brighten each page and expressive ink adds energy to the illustrations. The girl is not celebrating the things themselves, but the experience of them; the focus is on being mindful of and appreciating the moment.

Reviewer: Minh Lê | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) PS "Sun gives us light. / Thank you, sun." This appreciation is repeated as a child observes and enjoys bees, sheep, clouds, trees, dirt, and Earth. Yuly's colorful collage illustrations set against white backgrounds are reminiscent of Eric Carle's. The simple text and pictures will appeal to preschoolers, and the message of gratitude for nature is appropriate for many storytime themes.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson