This cheery but misguided attempt at a social-studies lesson tries to show kids how they can make a little money while helping others and making their own neighborhood a better place to live. The introductory page indicates the kids are earning money, but there is no further discussion of their chores as employment or indication of payment. Each spread introduces a different child or pair of children doing their own special job, such as gardening, childcare, dog walking or helping with trash or recycling duties. The minimal text offers just a couple of sentences about each child, indicating that each is talented at that particular job, as well as mentioning the neighbor who is helped by the work. The illustrations are done in a folk-art style with a flattened perspective, but their detached quality and the dark, moody palette fail to engage readers. Two final spreads show the community at a block sale and a barbecue, but the murky hues and small scale make it hard to see what is happening in those illustrations. Too bad. (Picture book. 5-8)

K-Gr 4 A multicultural group of intensely helpful children (including one in a wheelchair) lives on Weber Street. The kids assist their adult neighbors with gardening, pet and child care, the computer, cleanup, and more. The day ends with the kids pitching in at a group garage sale and enjoying the reward of a neighborhood barbecue. Newhouse has used oil on canvas to create detailed scenes of the neighborhood. The houses and apartment buildings look unique enough to populate a real place. Less convincing (or perhaps just less interesting) is the do-gooder attitude of the toiling youngsters. "Neatnik Nicky washes windows with vinegar, water, and lots of elbow grease.... Ava's our computer whiz. She helps Mrs. Cline keep up with all her friends online." It's all rather preachy, and more likely to appeal to adults seeking literary role models for their charges than to inspire kids into volunteerism. Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL