As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
(4)
K-3
Everyday Feelings series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Young Diego is always there to help others face their fears (public speaking, thunder and lightning, dogs), but he must talk himself down the night he becomes convinced that there are monsters under his bed. Barnham's mission to enlighten readers bogs down the writing, but Gordon's illustrations are emotionally rich despite being cartoonish. A note for adults concludes the book. Reading list.
32 pp.
| Simon Spotlight
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-3643-5$15.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4424-3642-8$3.99
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Early elementary students will easily relate to these story lines--the weirdness of seeing your teacher outside of the school setting and the in-class excitement of observing caterpillars as they slowly transform into butterflies. Both the sweet illustrations and straightforward dialogue hit just the right note in capturing the curiosity of young school-age children learning about their world. Review cover these Read-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: Butterfly Garden and Summer Treasure.
32 pp.
| Simon Spotlight
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-3649-7$15.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4424-3648-0$3.99
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Katie gets Andrew's name for Secret Santa but chooses not to bring him a gift because he teased her about her Christmas sweater. When Katie changes her mind at the last minute, her clever teacher helps her make Andrew the perfect gift. The sweet illustrations, sincere tone, and happy resolution of this easy-to-read tale will resonate with young readers.
32 pp.
| Simon Spotlight
| May, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-3646-6$15.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4424-3645-9$3.99
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Early elementary students will easily relate to these story lines--the weirdness of seeing your teacher outside of the school setting and the in-class excitement of observing caterpillars as they slowly transform into butterflies. Both the sweet illustrations and straightforward dialogue hit just the right note in capturing the curiosity of young school-age children learning about their world. Review cover these Read-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: Butterfly Garden and Summer Treasure.
32 pp.
| Simon Spotlight
| June, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-3611-4$15.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4169-9173-1$3.99
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Emma is not happy about having to wear an eye patch on class picture day. Her confidence is boosted after her dad and teacher surprise everyone by having two pictures taken: one with just Emma in the eye patch, the other with everyone wearing one. Gordon's dependable illustrations add humor and kid-appeal to McNamara's insightful story.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Nia loves snow--throwing snowballs, sledding, and cozying up with hot chocolate afterward--and she's disappointed that she hasn't yet had a snow day. When a spring snowstorm causes school closings for several days, however, she realizes that she misses Robin Hill. Like the previous books in the series, this one features a simple, age-appropriate story and cheery illustrations.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Two more enjoyable visits with Mrs. Connor's first-grade class find the students preparing for St. Patrick's Day by learning the differences between shamrocks and four-leaf clovers (Irish) and enjoying Parents Week, where Ayanna worries about her artist dad's nontraditional job until he wows her classmates (School). As always, the stories are age-appropriate and warmly illustrated. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: Dad Goes to School and The Luck of the Irish.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
While learning about Martin Luther King Jr., Mrs. Connor's first graders illustrate their own dreams to make the world a better place: no more fighting, a clean planet, everyone having fun. This is a very simple and age-appropriate introduction to Martin Luther King Jr. Day (though no substantial details about MLK are provided). Gordon's warm cartoons show the kids' great aspirations.
32 pp.
| Simon/Aladdin
| April, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4169-1542-3$13.89
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4169-1541-6$3.99
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Two more enjoyable visits with Mrs. Connor's first-grade class find the students preparing for St. Patrick's Day by learning the differences between shamrocks and four-leaf clovers (Irish) and enjoying Parents Week, where Ayanna worries about her artist dad's nontraditional job until he wows her classmates (School). As always, the stories are age-appropriate and warmly illustrated. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: Dad Goes to School and The Luck of the Irish.
32 pp.
| Gibbs Smith
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4236-0219-4$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon
&
Carl Gordon.
A boy and his six thousand rats tour a big city, causing chaos wherever they go. The thin story is an excuse for teaching conjunctions; every page turn completes the previous page's sentence, with each until, but, and since printed in bold type. Readers will giggle at the exaggerated cartoon-style illustrations--especially the looks on peoples' faces as the rats come marching.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Enjoying the fall foliage, Mrs. Connor's first-graders gather leaves for Mr. Soto's students (who live in a state that doesn't experience autumn changes). After collecting and sorting leaves of all colors and types, the first-graders send a boxful. Colorful art complements the simple story in a way that would appeal to readers experiencing either type of autumn.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
When Mrs. Connor's class gets a bunny, all of the kids are excited to help except Reza, who is afraid of rabbits. He watches everyone feed, pet, and take care of Sparky and worries about his upcoming turn. But Mrs. Connor has the perfect job for Reza. Engaging art illustrates a topic many can relate to in this approachable story.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Here are two visits with Mrs. Connor's first-grade class. New student Becky teaches the class about character and realistic promises on class election day. And Jamie accidentally manages to catch up on the lost tooth chart just in time for picture day. Simple, warm stories and appealing illustrations make these engaging choices for emerging readers. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: Election Day and A Tooth Story.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Here are two visits with Mrs. Connor's first-grade class. New student Becky teaches the class about character and realistic promises on class election day. And Jamie accidentally manages to catch up on the lost tooth chart just in time for picture day. Simple, warm stories and appealing illustrations make these engaging choices for emerging readers. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: Election Day and A Tooth Story.
32 pp.
| Simon/Aladdin
| April, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 0-689-85877-9$$11.89
|
PaperISBN 0-689-85876-0$$3.99
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
After some male classmates refuse to let Emma play soccer, she gets mad, then gets busy organizing an all-girl team, although fear not: the tale doesn't end with the predictable boys-versus-girls face-off. The story is so solid that one forgets one is reading an early reader book, and although the images are cartoony, Gordon manages to imbue each kid with personality.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| January, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-2804-1$$17.90
(3)
K-3
Silly Millies series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
A young boy encourages construction vehicles to do their work by shouting at each one in turn: "What are you waiting for?" Readers can guess what the truck will do; a turn of the page reveals the truck in its entirety and the boy commanding: "Dump it!" "Drill away!" "Mix it!" Comical, sketchy illustrations help tell this brief story about the building of a playground.
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Thanks to their ingenuity, Mrs. Connor's first-grade students discover how to quickly count to ten in Counting. In Pumpkin, the class goes to a pumpkin patch where Katie's search for the perfect pumpkin leaves her unsure of her choice--until her dad saves the day. Cartoonlike drawings add a touch of whimsy to texts that feature word repetition, simple sentences, and familiar words and phrases. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: The Counting Race and The Pumpkin Patch.]
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
Thanks to their ingenuity, Mrs. Connor's first-grade students discover how to quickly count to ten in Counting. In Pumpkin, the class goes to a pumpkin patch where Katie's search for the perfect pumpkin leaves her unsure of her choice--until her dad saves the day. Cartoonlike drawings add a touch of whimsy to texts that feature word repetition, simple sentences, and familiar words and phrases. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School titles: The Counting Race and The Pumpkin Patch.]
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
In One Hundred, a cold forces Hannah to miss the one-hundredth-day-of-school party, so she helps her class celebrate the one hundred and first day. In Valentines, Neil claims he doesn't want any frilly, pink valentines but then feels conflicted when his class can talk of nothing else. Animation-type drawings add a touch of whimsy to texts that feature repetition, simple sentences, and familiar words and phrases. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: One Hundred Days (Plus One) and Too Many Valentines.]
(3)
K-3
Ready-to-Read: Robin Hill School series.
Illustrated by
Mike Gordon.
In One Hundred, a cold forces Hannah to miss the one-hundredth-day-of-school party, so she helps her class celebrate the one hundred and first day. In Valentines, Neil claims he doesn't want any frilly, pink valentines but then feels conflicted when his class can talk of nothing else. Animation-type drawings add a touch of whimsy to texts that feature repetition, simple sentences, and familiar words and phrases. [Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: One Hundred Days (Plus One) and Too Many Valentines.]