Published by NorthSouth Books

Summary:  Dad thinks it’s a great day for watching futbol, but his daughter has another idea, to take a hike up the mountain.  They fill backpacks with snacks, water, and a camera and head out.  At first, she’s the energetic one, scrambling up rocks, swinging from a vine, and encouraging her father, but as the day goes on, their roles are reversed.  As they approach the summit, she climbs onto his back, and finally they make it to the top, where an amazing vista awaits them.  The last page shows them both swinging from a vine, watched by a group of animals that the reader is invited to go back and find in the illustrations.  32 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  The team that brought you The Field has produced another winning story about a fun day in what I am guessing is St. Lucia, the setting for The Field.  The brief text is all dialog between the girl and her dad, sprinkled with Creole words.  The brilliant illustrations that capture the flora and fauna of the hike should be considered for some sort of award recognition.

Cons:  There was no back matter explaining the setting of the story, and, although the words were translated in the text, a Creole glossary would have been nice.

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Summary:  A series of animal parents and offspring observe humans from a distance.  “Mama, what’s that?” asks a young elephant.  “Don’t get too close,” a frog warns.  “Why not?” asks the smaller frog.  “Because people are wild.”  They’re loud, messy, smelly, and nosy.  But, the younger animals point out, people are also funny, cuddly, and cute.  When the young elephant begs to keep a human, the parent says no.  “People are wild.  And all wild creatures should be free.”  Includes facts about each animal shown, a map showing where they live, and each one’s endangered status.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Kids will get a kick out of hearing animals describe humans in the same way people often talk about animals, and in the process may also absorb an important lesson about wild creatures.  Everyone will be drawn in by the beautiful illustrations.

Cons:  Wouldn’t a young frog be a tadpole?

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Every Friday there’s an assembly in the cafeteria: announcements, sometimes a guest, and then one student performs.  It’s called “Sharing Gifts.”  On this particular Friday, John is signed up to dance.  He’s quiet at breakfast, and everyone knows why: he’s nervous.  John changes into his ballet clothes during announcements.  The music begins, the kids quiet down, and John starts dancing, tentatively at first but then with more confidence.  He spins, leaps, and finishes with a bow.  There’s a moment of silence, and then the whole school applauds wildly.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  This simple story really captures John’s courage and the joy he feels when his performance is done.  It’s a perfect little slice-of-life tale of school, and the illustrations beautifully portray John’s dance moves.

Cons: We never find out who’s narrating the story

Published by Clarion Books

Summary:  “Today, I am at my gramma’s house, high on the hill, amongst the blueberry bushes.  And also…I am remembering camping with Mama.”  The author tells and shows how she, her mother, and her grandmother are all remembering past days even while they are enjoying the present one.  The past is shown with purple hues, while the illustrations of the present have a more colorful palette.  The narrator concludes with a picture of her as an adult writing at her desk, while she remembers her childhood days.  These illustrations have swaths of color going through the purple pictures of the past.  Includes a recipe for blueberry ink.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  This meditation on the past and present would make a nice prompt for writing about a memory.  The illustrations help distinguish the past from the present and the variation in the colors show how alive people and places can be in our memories.

Cons:  The switch between past and present may be confusing to some kids.