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
40 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| August, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-0348-1$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-0349-8
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Colorful and often beautiful illustrations, in vibrant orange and pink, accompany occasionally awkward rhyming text that strives to capture the wonder of a trek down the Grand Canyon. Several birds are identified but not much other wildlife. The fragmented narrative, told by a little girl, is more impressionistic than informative.
32 pp.
| Dial
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3756-3$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
On Christmas Eve, Spanish-speaking family members cook a holiday meal, complete with "tamales, nachos y tostadas," and decorate their tree with "adornos navideños." The next morning they discover that Pancho Claus has visited, bringing plenty of joy and "regalitos." Inspired by Latino Christmas traditions, Orozco's "The Night Before Christmas" adaptation begs to be read aloud. Wolff's warm gouache and pastel illustrations emphasize family. Glos.
Reviewer: Susan Graham
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2012
32 pp.
| Tricycle
| March, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58246-316-2$15.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Bouncy, rhyming verse suggests compost items in alphabetical order: "Mulch removed from garden beds / Nutshells / Oatmeal / Paper shreds." Though purists will balk at the illustration of metal staples on teabags being tossed into the stew, especially when the back matter decrees "not a shred of metal" should be added, the gouache and collage art is otherwise cheerful and inviting.
(4)
PS
Translated by Aurora Hernandez.
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Mothers, both human and animal, give milk to their offspring in this celebration of breastfeeding. The Spanish translation is actually stronger than the original English; Hernandez has created lyrical poetry in rhyming Spanish that scans well for reading aloud. The gouache illustrations are sentimental but adequate. Brief additional facts are included in an appended spread.
32 pp.
| Tricycle
| October, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58246-153-3$14.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Wolff's illustrations, which resemble woodcuts rendered in warm gold, blue, and earth shades, capture the flavor and tone of this cumulative rhyme that describes the wool-making process. From the spring sheep-shearing to carding, spinning, dyeing, and weaving a warm blanket for baby, the verse and the pictures convey a bygone era. An author's note about wool making is included.
32 pp.
| Tricycle
| April, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58246-181-6$12.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Eighteen mammals (including humans) are shown nursing their young. The rhymed couplets range from comforting ("Fill your tummy while mama snores. / Dine in peace in the dusky outdoors") to awkward ("Mama's going to nurse you high up in a tree. / Mama's going to nurse you down low by her knees"). Wolff's gouache portraits depict contented-looking mothers and suckling babies.
32 pp.
| Little
| October, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-82323-4$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
This Southwest take on the Christmas carol substitutes a piñata and kachina dancers for the pear tree and drummers drumming. Though the text occasionally struggles to maintain the song's scansion (music included), the melding of traditions is effective. Wolff's illustrations show bizcochito cookie preparation (recipe appended) in a panel on the left; a boisterous celebration fills the rest of each spread.
40 pp.
| Dutton
| March, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-525-47084-0$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Once again Miss Bindergarten, a Border collie, takes charge of her twenty-six rambunctious kindergartners. This time she deals with one crisis after another, and in alphabetical order, no less: from Adam (an alligator) knocking down a mobile to Zach (a zebra) freeing some butterflies. The playful, occasionally forced rhymes and action-filled illustrations make this an entertaining read-aloud.
32 pp.
| Little/Tingley
| June, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-316-82256-6$$15.95
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
In this adaptation of the classic folksong, a bevy of southwestern animals from the town of Reederville prepare a feast for the arrival of a guest--that is, when they're not taking a break to read a book. The galloping lilt of the text is made fresh with clever wordplay and references to Mexican cuisine and music. Librarians will be especially delighted once the guest's identity is revealed.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23596-5$$16.99
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
As project director in her woodshop, old Ms. Mac draws plans, distributes tools, and shows her animal workforce how to use them. The hammer makes a "tap tap here and a tap tap there"; the drill "a rurr rurr here and a rurr rurr there." And so it goes, inspiring a cacophonic chorus that will emphasize the loud in read-aloud.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2002
40 pp.
| Dutton
| July, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46884-6$$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Miss Bindergarten, a dog, and her menagerie of a kindergarten class are at it again. This time, the twenty-six students, each named for a different letter of the alphabet, help their teacher plan a circus. The colorful, cartoony illustrations feature lots of engaging details, and the rhyming text will prove fun to read aloud. A short, gratuitous lesson in identifying colors is tacked on.
40 pp.
| Harcourt/Gulliver
| May, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-15-202561-8$$16.00
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
"Little Bear School," which could be a preschool or daycare center, is full of animal children waiting to be picked up. As each parent arrives, the text presents a question and provides the child's answer (e.g., "Whose feet have / perfect little toes? / Mine do. / Mine do. / Mine!"). Although the rhyming text is somewhat flat, the colorful art fills the spreads with the tireless activity of toddlers.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
This is a small board book edition of a Nativity story in which various barn animals anticipate the arrival of special guests by cleaning their surroundings. The simple rhyming text conveys the animals' sense of anticipation--a familiar emotion for kids during the Christmas season. The clear, heavily outlined art suffers little from the reduction in size.
40 pp.
| Dutton
| July, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46710-6$$16.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
In this alphabet book where each student's name introduces a new letter, Miss Bindergarten's kindergarten class of animals takes a field trip to the bakery, firehouse, library, and park. The book is successful as both an introduction to the alphabet and a celebration of field trips. Vibrant illustrations convey the characters' enthusiasm.
32 pp.
| Little/Tingley
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-316-82016-4$$14.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Using the familiar chant as a starter, this rhyme, which lacks the strong rhythm of the original, asks who took the cookies, then blames various animals. Bright watercolor illustrations set in the Southwest show Skunk following clues from one animal to the next, until at last he discovers the ants with the cookies. Music for the song and directions for playing the game are included.
32 pp.
| Harcourt/Gulliver
| April, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-15-201898-0$$16.00
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
At first this simple text seems cautionary, warning readers to "watch out for" spiders and snakes, but then it urges them to "take care of" worms, snails, ants, and sea turtles as equally important elements of nature, and pleads ultimately to "let them be." The shifting characters and ecosystems depicted in the earth-toned gouache illustrations, showing seashore, everglade, desert, and woodland habitats, may confuse some readers.
48 pp.
| Dutton
| August, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46396-8$$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
In this third book about the canine kindergarten teacher, poor Miss B. is home in bed with a nasty cold, while Mr. Tusky the elephant substitutes for her. The children carry on in their alphabetical, rhyming way, with three of them succumbing to the flu as well. While the rhymes are occasionally forced, the colorfully detailed illustrations filled with typical kindergarten activities are sure to please.
(3)
K-3
My First I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
In this beginning easy reader, a fish in a tub cheerfully makes room for a slew of animal friends. Unexpectedly, the final tiny visitor does not break up the party as in most cumulative stories of this kind, but instead happily joins in. Clear and pleasant drawings accompany the simple rhyming text.
(3)
PS
Harper Growing Tree series.
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Pairs of related images, such as "Peace with dove / Home with love" and "Mountains with high / Birds with fly," are sweetly depicted in Wolff's sturdy, old-fashioned-looking illustrations. The cozy atmosphere is further reinforced by the repetition of how well "you" goes with "me" (and vice versa), accompanied by loving portraits of adults and children together.
(3)
K-3
In these humorous, well-told, and gently moral tales, Doctor Bird, a clever, "upfull" (optimistic) hummingbird in top hat and flowing tails, convinces Mongoose to stop stealing (for a while); helps Mouse find food and shelter after a storm; and teaches Owl to make peace with being Owl. Wolff's lively illustrations give all the animals lots of personality.