(2) K-3 Dad is on his computer, Mom is on the phone, and a little girl stands scowling in a doorway, wearing a coat and hat and a backpack with a rolled-up mat. Leaving an envelope on a cabinet, she slips out the door: "Sometimes I feel invisible to the world, so I go to my favorite place..." She walks over a hill, uses steppingstones to cross a stream, and enters a forest. She catches a glimpse of a fox, who disappears as the shadows get longer. "Everything looks different in the dark," she says, unrolling her mat and taking out a sleeping bag, "but I have come prepared." Each of Levi's delicate pencil and watercolor illustrations is set on a white page inside a rectangle with rounded edges, giving the pictures a cozy, safe feel. The fox emerges after the child falls asleep, and in the morning when she awakes she finds it curled up at the foot of her sleeping bag, "shy yet curious, just like me. Perhaps I am not invisible after all?" Continuing to the sea, on a high cliff, she shows the fox a snapshot of her "favorite people"--her parents--who then appear over the hill to bring the child safely home. Keen-eyed viewers may have spotted the girl's drawing taped to the cabinet at the beginning, making them wonder, Is there really a fox, or is she pretending? The highly relatable feeling of being invisible, the little girl's independence, and the loving conclusion all add up to a satisfying picture book.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(2) K-3 Translated by David Henry Wilson. Illustrated by Johanna Ries. "Three snow-white birds," Ade, Emem, and Nuru, sit atop an elephant. "There were never any quarrels on the elephant's back"--until one day a bright speckled feather floats across the savanna. It is plucked out of the air by Ade, who tucks the feather into his own plumage and proclaims, "I'm the most beautiful bird in the whole savanna!" Of course, arguments, intrigue, and treachery ensue. Emem and Nuru plot to join forces to get the feather, though Emem secretly wants it all to himself. The three birds become so loud and annoying that the elephant finally roars, "ENOUGH!" and dumps the freeloading birds off his back. Real excitement follows as a shadow lurks in the grass, yellow eyes glowing as it stalks the birds. Suddenly, the wild dog attacks, only to be thumped by "a large, gray, powerful something" and sent on its way. The birds are saved, and a friendship is restored. This theme of bickering companions who discover the value and need of friendship is common in fables, but it is given a fresh and inventive spin here, with plenty of lively dialogue perfect for classroom readers' theater performances and gorgeous amber-hued illustrations that play beautifully with perspective and exude the heat and feel of an African savanna. A well-paced and visually attractive picture-book debut.

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

(2) K-3 Translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Illustrated by Ewa Poklewska-Koziełło. In thirty-nine sections consisting of a few pages each, plus a glossary, readers are provided with a wealth of information about religious and secular Christmas (and some New Year) traditions celebrated around the world. Some occur in just one country (the Christmas lottery in Spain), while others (the festival of Saint Nicholas's Day) are more widespread, so ­Utnik-Strugała organizes the book by topic rather than by geography; a table of contents makes it easier to browse. The text, lengthy but conversational, is full of illuminating facts about decorations, foods, festivals, and more. ­Poklewska-Koziełło's highly colorful and detailed illustrations depict a cast of people from the enthically diverse cultures described.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) K-3 Translated by David Henry Wilson. Illustrated by Maja Kastelic. On a carriage ride to Copenhagen with her mother, a young girl strikes up a conversation with a kindly older gentleman. They exchange pleasantries; he reveals that he is a writer, particularly of fairy tales. She's interested, so he volunteers to tell her a magical story. It's a tale of a poor youngster who eventually becomes a famous writer. "He sometimes felt as if he'd got himself a kingdom--the kingdom of letters." The tone is gentle, the language often poetic. "It's you, isn't it?" asks the child, and the gentleman--Hans Christian Andersen--confirms her suspicion. Throughout, the illustrations not only pace the story, with panels, half- and full-page art, and double-page spreads, but also indicate shifts in time and content. For example, the carriage ride is depicted in browns, blue, and hints of pink, while sepia-toned sequences recall the events Andersen is retelling. Detailed, multi-hued pastels accompany descriptions of several of Andersen's stories, which he explains as either coming from his own experiences (once small and helpless like "Thumbelina," for example) or the observable foibles of others ("The Emperor's New Clothes"). Many readers will notice visual references to folktales and nursery rhymes within the illustrations of his stories. This biography-based picture book concludes in fantasy as the travelers leave the ground and fly to Copenhagen, just like the boy in "The Flying Trunk." Appended with an author's note.

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

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Simon Röthlisberger. Young Ida, who lives in a treehouse, often wonders what's "beyond the sun, the moon, and the stars." She can stop wondering after a flying whale arrives and invites her "on a journey beyond the stars." So begins an eye-pleasing tour of visual marvels--an upside-down land, a flying boat, etc. Alas, the tour doesn't include a story line.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by John Parra. Spanish-language edition translated by F. Isabel Campoy. In this lovely biographical portrait of the legendary Mexican painter, feminist icon, and artistic genius, Brown introduces and connects each of Kahlo's many pets (who comforted her and served as subjects for her paintings) with the artist. Brown uses the comparison to illuminate Kahlo's illness-and-accident-compromised life. Parra's illustrations support the upbeat tone of Brown's accessible text with exquisitely neat compositions in a muted palette. Also available in Spanish.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(4) K-3 Translated by David Henry Wilson. Illustrated by Pei-Yu Chang. In this picture book based on a WWII mystery, the philosopher Mr. (Walter) Benjamin flees his city for "dangerous" ideas. Mrs. Fittko (a real Austrian Resistance fighter) is unable to get Benjamin safely across a border. The book then speculates on the contents of his suitcase--an odd theme for children with little background knowledge, but brief notes offer limited context. Unique mixed-media compositions illustrate the story.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. With inspiring quotes integrated throughout, this dense picture-book biography, which spans JFK's life but centers on civil rights progress, urges young readers to speak out against injustice. Corey acknowledges Kennedy's imperfect handling of complex issues; Christie's stylized paintings include striking scenes of contemporaneous unrest. An author's note and bios (with portraits) of other icons from the era are appended. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sebastian Meschenmoser. Meschenmoser's illustrations--copious spot vignettes in watercolor and occasional lush full-page and double-page-spread oil paintings--convey both the humorous high jinks and the warmth of Grahame's classic animal fantasy. There's no shortage of illustrated editions of The Wind in the Willows, but this weighty volume is a fine one.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Retold by Felix Hoffmann. Illustrated by Felix Hoffmann. Afterword by Martin Salisbury. Swiss illustrator, printmaker, and artist Hoffmann's retold tales, originally published as seven picture books in Germany from 1949 to 1975, are gathered together in a handsome volume that will encourage appreciation for Hoffmann's many styles and techniques. Originally created for his own children, there are occasional changes from the Grimms' versions of "Rapunzel" and "Hans in Luck," described in the editorial note.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Tree dragon Sloppy learns that sprite Dewdrop's hugs are earned by doing nice things, not by moping or bribery. When they eventually embrace, readers may wonder why assertive, no-nonsense Dewdrop hadn't just told Sloppy "why she didn't want a hug in the first place" (Sloppy's a licker). Still, Julian's playful illustrations will have kids laughing, and the final spread is a sloppy crowd-pleaser.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maral Sassouni. An elephant with an umbrella is confronted by a hedgehog: "You have my boat"; a lyrical spread shows the hedgehog in an inverted umbrella floating on the ocean. After the elephant shelters the hedgehog, they meet several more animals each claiming the umbrella ("You have my tent," etc.). It's an old-fashioned friendship tale with charming art and a ripe message about sharing the wealth.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Translated by David Henry Wilson. Illustrated by Stefanie Dahle. In this German import, Brayden Bunny is jealous when his rabbit friend Lena plays with his two sisters instead of him. The girls take a walk, but an approaching storm reminds Brayden of his sisters' fear of thunder so he searches for them. Despite a too-quick change of heart, the mercurial sibling dynamic rings true, and the story is enhanced by soft-hued illustrations of the animals and their woodland home.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Translated by Tara Chace. In the series' fourth outing, getting-on-in-years farmer Pettson and his talking cat, Findus, intend to pitch their tent in the woods, but the hens sabotage their plan. As always, Nordqvist's detailed art is a thoughtful homage to the master-pet bond and to country life's languorous pleasures. This is also reflected in the somewhat sluggish storytelling, which rewards those who hang in there.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Rashin. Little Tiger's temper, illustrated as a red flame-like entity, sticks close to Tiger, yelling and stomping right along with him during tantrums. When Mama says, "you had better hold your temper," Tiger wonders what that means. The wordplay (which goes unexplained) may be obtuse for preschoolers, but they should relate to stubborn Tiger's feelings of frustration. Dominated by red, Rashin's childlike art suits the story.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) K-3 Translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford. Dormouse Gus sleeps through Santa's visits; this year, he begs a squirrel to wake him when Santa arrives. Large, softly colored illustrations capture the forest animals' excitement as they watch Santa appear. Generously filling the large pages, the pictures are warm with autumn's preparations and hushed under the chill of winter. Originally titled Wake Up, Dormouse, Santa Claus Is Here.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 1990

(4) 4-6 Translated by David Henry Wilson. Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. With notes and afterword by Mathias Jeschke. Janisch's retellings of thirty-two well-chosen stories from the Bible (twelve Old Testament, twenty New Testament) offer readers an overview of its contents. However, modernizing the narratives (presented in an unattractive paragraph layout) and the characters in Zwerger's painterly illustrations diminishes the timelessness of the tales. Jeschke contributes helpful notes in-between stories and an afterword that offers further illumination.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bernadette Watts. In this retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale, a widow and her lazy daughter make the other "beautiful and good" daughter do all the housework. Each daughter spends time in magical Mother Holly's world and is rewarded for her behavior accordingly. Watts's version offers a happier ending, redeeming the lazy daughter, while the book's pastel-colored palette reflects the overall gentle tone of the story.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Miyares. "SURF'S UP, BRO!" calls a surfer-dude frog. "Not yet, Dude," responds his bookworm buddy. While Dude and Bro (still with nose in book) make their way to the beach, Bro reveals tantalizing Moby-Dick plot points that pique Dude's interest. Miyares's highly pigmented illustrations and Alexander's snappy, spare text (all in dialogue) create a high-energy tribute to the power of a good book.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Silke Leffler. In this Swiss import, Peter, Wendy, Tink, Hook, and the crew have the appearance of somewhat sketchlike paper dolls; the "Redskins," including Tiger Lily (with feathered headdress and rosy cheeks), are all smiles throughout. Individually, the images have some appeal, but as a whole they're a little cutesy for the novel's darker themes.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz