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40 pp.
| Holiday/Porter
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-82344-282-9$18.99
(2)
K-3
Roth (Parrots over Puerto Rico) compares her collage work to the colorful displays constructed by male bowerbirds of Australia and New Guinea to attract mates. "As with all artists...we both hope that our finished works are much greater than the sum of their parts." As the book progresses, we see that Roth is depicting herself making the very illustrations we're looking at. Additional details about bowerbirds and Roth's collage technique are appended. Bib.
Reviewer: Lolly Robinson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2019
450 pp.
| HarperCollins/Tegen
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-242695-6$21.99
(3)
YA
With Cyra's father, tyrant Lazmet Noavek, back in power, Cyra and Akos flee their planet on the brink of war. Cyra and Akos seek allies, hoping to prevent more bloodshed, but the lovers are still confronted with their inevitable fates. With additional narrative voices, including that of Akos's sister, Cisi, this strong sequel to Carve the Mark expands to new worlds, new revelations, and new emotional depths.
(2)
K-3
Environmental scientist Carson's (1907–1964) childhood was primarily spent outdoors, and Sisson emphasizes her subject's love of animals, keen observation skills, and enthusiasm for the natural world before turning to Carson's adult work. The illustrations' warm, sunny earth tones and varying compositions--which include the use of panels, circles, and small insets--fill the pages with detail. Further notes about Carson's life round out this informative biography. Bib.
Reviewer: Julie Danielson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2018
32 pp.
| North-South
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4274-8$17.95
(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.
(3)
YA
Though Akos and Cyra come from opposite sides of a planet-wide civil tension, both are among the few, privileged "fated" who possess definite futures and unique talents. Others seek to use their "currentgifts" for their own means, leading to Akos's kidnapping and Cyra's exploitation as a living weapon. Strong characters and engrossing new worlds combine for superb science-fiction storytelling.
48 pp.
| Eerdmans
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8028-5495-7$18.00
(3)
K-3
Translated by Laura Watkinson.
Illustrated by
Klaus Ensikat.
In this lengthy, complex picture-book biography, theology professor Martin Luther's importance in the Protestant Reformation of the Christian church in the 1500s is clearly delineated in strong text organized by time period. Selections from his famous Ninety-Five Theses of 1517 are also referenced and explained. Appended source notes provide historical context about details in the intricate color illustrations throughout.
40 pp.
| Lee
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62014-245-5$18.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Susan L. Roth.
The authors detail the plight of the prairie dog, whose numbers have been greatly reduced by farming and development. Two independently strong texts--one a modified song lyric, the other in-depth nonfiction--provide details on the biology and ecology of grassland environments. Roth's painstakingly precise mixed-media illustrations are bursting with rich, varied colors. Extensive notes include resources and photographs. Glos.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2016
32 pp.
| North-South
| August, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4132-1$17.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Sean Julian.
Waddling off to school for the first time, the ducklings from Five Little Ducklings Go to Bed are predictably sad about being away from Mama. The monotonously rhyming text trots out typical preschool activities--playing with new friends, painting, storytime--which inevitably ensure the ducklings are eager for day two. Cheery illustrations support this first-day-of-school story.
580 pp.
| HarperCollins/Tegen
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-239498-9$19.99 New ed. (2013)
(4)
YA
This special edition of the final installment of Roth's mega-hit series appends forty-four pages of additional material, including "Natalie's Journals," a deleted scene, "Favorite Quotes from Allegiant Illustrated by Initiates," and discussion questions. For hard-core Divergent fans only.
32 pp.
| North-South
| January, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4128-4$17.95
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Sean Julian.
A rambunctious pillow fight at bedtime has Mama duck upset with her ducklings' behavior. Though her reprimands result in duckling tears, she reassures them: "There's nothing you could ever do / That would make me stop loving you." Cheery, full-spread paintings of cute ducklings and flying feathers, with the message of unconditional love, soften Mama's harsh tone.
32 pp.
| Peter Pauper
| February, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4413-1415-4$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tracy Bishop.
A little girl tries and gives up on biking, ballet, and karate. After sage advice from Mom, she has a change of heart: "and with my newly-opened mind, / decided that I'm never... / ...going to be the quitting kind." Though the message-y story isn't particularly exciting, humorous illustrated scenes and (so-so) rhymes with words such as potty and heinie provide amusing moments.
(1)
K-3
As curious young Carl grows, his general inquisitiveness settles into an adult craving to know more about stars and solar systems. His boyhood interjection of "Wowie!" exuberantly captures that continuing wonder. A vertical foldout depicts Carl studying in a library; as the page opens (and Carl's knowledge increases), the universe above him expands. The narrative's pace accelerates with Carl's intellectual journey. Bib.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2015
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Valeri Gorbachev.
Little Bunny, an only child, decides to avoid loneliness by spending the night with a friend. Unfortunately, all his friends keep him awake: Bear snores, Skunk sprays by mistake, and so on. Little Bunny goes home and--not surprisingly--finds his own bed much more satisfactory. Gorbachev uses watercolors and a fine black line to create engaging characters for this humorous if over-familiar story.
314 pp.
| Viking
| February, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01440-8$16.99
(4)
4-6
Sara has a passion for all things cat and a remote widowed father who has forbidden her to have one. Can the kitten that shows up on their doorstep work its way into his heart? And can it help them become a family again? This is a sweet-but-not-saccharine novel in (rather amateur) verse about the challenges--and joys--of loving again after loss.
48 pp.
| Lee
| September, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62014-004-8$19.95
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Susan L. Roth.
This gorgeously illustrated history of the endangered Puerto Rican parrot underscores the environmental consequences of human populations on indigenous animal species. With stunning paper-and-fabric artwork, the book is laid out vertically to give a sense of height. Ruffly-feathered parrots, colorfully clothed people, and Puerto Rican landmarks are located within dense, intricate illustrations that capture the lushness of the landscape. Timeline.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2014
531 pp.
| HarperCollins/Tegen
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-202406-0$19.99
(3)
YA
In the final installment of Roth's Divergent series, the factions are dismantled and the city is in upheaval. Tris and Tobias set out with a group of rebels to seek answers about the world beyond the fence. Amidst all the deception and betrayal, Roth provides meditations on love, loss, and sacrifice that ponder the complexities of free will versus genetic destiny.
32 pp.
| North-South
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4032-4$16.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Sean Julian.
When Little Kitty awakens from her nap, her mother has disappeared. "Where’s my mommy?" Little Kitty asks the other baby barnyard animals--calf, piglet, duckling, and foal. She eventually learns that calling "Meow, Meow, Meow" brings Mommy running. Illustrations of cute, smiling animals are as gentle as the rhythm established by the nearly repetitive refrain in this slight story.
32 pp.
| Hyperion
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-4190-7$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Pascal Lemaitre.
A boy tames ferocious dragons with hot chocolate, warm blankets, and snuggles in this cozy bedtime tale. The soft and whimsical illustrations pair nicely with the sleepy feel of the text, but the plot seems a bit disjointed, and it isn't quite clear if the dragons are symbolic. Still, preschoolers will find the soothing tone of the story appealing.
40 pp.
| North Atlantic
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58394-354-0$16.95
(4)
K-3
In That's Why We Don't Eat Animals, Roth simply presented ethical, health-conscious, and environmental reasons to eliminate animal products from one's diet. Here she explores other aspects of (i.e., clothing, shopping, entertainment choices) and additional arguments for the vegan lifestyle. Though certainly well intentioned, the text tends toward the sentimental. The otherwise friendly illustrations include some of suffering animals that may--as intended--disturb some readers.
40 pp.
| Dial
| August, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3747-1$16.99
(3)
K-3
When Egyptians began protesting and calling for Mubarak’s resignation in 2011, people feared for the safety of the beautiful Bibliotheca Alexandrina--the library built in 2002 near the ancient site of the Great Library of Alexandria. In this lovely tribute to the spirit of cooperation, Roth’s trademark collages exuberantly illustrate the human chain that surrounded the library to save it.