Imaginative, socially-conscious, educational picture books and informative, lively nonfiction.
Patricia Manning wrote a review of Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl, which appears in the June 2008 issue of School Library Journal:
“Hiscock’s realistic, detailed watercolors perfectly match his prose in this inviting “biography” of a typical Snowy during a cycle when lemmings, the birds’ choice prey, are few. ... Elegant and informative.”
The Puzzle of the Platypus is reviewed in the June 2008 issue of School Library Journal:
“This collection of 11 articles originally appeared in Highlights magazine during the 1990s and early 2000s. Each article tells how a scientist was able to unravel a mystery about some kind of animal. ... This is a good choice for children who can read chapter books, and who enjoy nonfiction.”
Kirkus Reviews takes a look at Caroline Hatton's The Night Olympic Team in the May 1, 2008 issue:
“Hatton does a creditable job of explaining the chemical alphabet-soup jargon of drugs and drug-testing, abetted by a design that features short chapters and fact boxes that both flesh out the story's details and offer supplementary facts about doping. Along the way, she makes a strong case for the importance to both health and integrity for the stringent treatment of offenders. Readers will certainly understand one of the more complicated subtexts of the upcoming Olympics much better after spending some time with this slim, readable offering.”
Laurence Pringle's Imagine a Dragon was reviewed in the April/May 2008 issue of Library Media Connection:
"The book is interesting with lots of materials without being overwhelming. It provides a good introduction to dragon myths in world literature. The pictures, done in acrylic, are strong and powerful. Most are a full page with rich colors and bold action. The book will be a great addition to any collection whose users are into the current dragon stories. Recommended."
Reviewer Betsy Ruffin takes a look at Carole Crowe's Turtle Girl in the April/May 2008 issue of Library Media Connection:
"The story conveys both the special relationship between grandmother and grandchild and death. The child's grief is realistic, and the new life, seen in the hatching of the baby sea turtles, acts as an encouragement. Acrylic pictures are nicely done and work well with the varying tones of the story. Pair this title with nonfiction items on sea turtles for an animal unit or have it available for children facing the death of a grandparent."
The April/May 2008 issue of Library Media Connection features a review of Ellen Slusky Weinstein's Everwhere the Cow Says "Moo!":
"Ellen Slusky Weinstein has taken the traditional "animal sounds" book and turned it into a fun beginning reader-foreign language lesson by using repetitive, easy-to-read text. ... Kenneth Andersson's simple digital pictures not only illustrate the animals and symbols from each country, but are sure to delight young readers as well. ... [T]his funny, entertaining picture book is sure to educate and delight readers."
Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl receives a positive review in the April/May issue of Library Media Connection:
"This educational and delightful nonfiction picture book chronicles the journey of a snowy owl during its first year of life. ... An informative introduction with a map showing Ookpik's journey helps to clarify the story for younger readers and the Author's Note allows teachers and older readers to learn more about snowy owls and their habits. Hiscock's extensive research, along with his own travels and observation allow him to create a beautifully flowing, engaging story. ... This charming picture book is sure to find its way into the hands of many readers."
