With the help of her animal friends, a farm maiden begins to cook. The goat lends some butter; the cow, fresh milk; the chicken, a few eggs—all for a pot of rice pudding. Inspired by "The House that Jack Built," Vamos offers a fresh, new twist, playfully introducing Spanish into this cumulative tale. The pot becomes the cazuela; the goat, the cabra; the butter, the matequilla; and so forth, until the text is bursting with bilingual energy. With each repetition, the momentum builds and bubbles until it reaches a boiling frenzy. Vamos then skillfully ties it all together, as each animal's Spanish name and accompanying ingredient is reiterated in a simple phrase—allowing readers to recall their meaning and relationship to the rice pudding. A party ensues, and all return to the cazuela to give thanks and share in their communal creation. López's artwork, with its desert palette punctuated by brilliant primary colors and its graphic, hard edges, suggestive of folk art, is a perfect match. His sophisticated, multilayered textures create depth, give form and work together to create an image that's easily readable, humorous and harmonious. Complete with an arroz con leche recipe and glossary of Spanish words, this thoughtful work will appeal to both Spanish speakers and learners. A wonderful read-aloud, filled with merriment and conviviality. (Picture book. 4-7) 

As she did in Picasso and Minou (2005), Maltbie imagines a cat's buoyant effect upon a famous artist, in this case Mark Twain. Grieving the death of his beloved wife and editor, the author moves to New York City in the fall of 1904. He stops writing and refuses all company except that of Bambino, a black cat given to him by his daughter. When Bambino jumps out a window to chase a squirrel one spring day, an ad with a $5 reward (an average week's salary) is placed in the paper. Hoping to console and catch a glimpse of their favorite author, Twain's admirers stop by with feline replacements. Touched by these well-wishers and Bambino's eventual return, Twain rejoins society and begins donning a white suit year round, which became his trademark. Miyares' digital and mixed-media illustrations use color and shadow to represent Twain's moods, while an author's note provides facts about the author and the real Bambino. A heartfelt introduction to an American icon and his wit.

After his wife's death, Samuel Clemens became reclusive, with pet cat Bambino his only welcome company. Based on a true story, this fictionalized account of Bambino's disappearance (and return) is as much about finding joy after grief as it is about the famous author. The dark colors and sharp angles of the art match the somber tone of the story. Bib.

With the help of her animal friends, a farm maiden begins to cook. The goat lends some butter; the cow, fresh milk; the chicken, a few eggs—all for a pot of rice pudding. Inspired by "The House that Jack Built," Vamos offers a fresh, new twist, playfully introducing Spanish into this cumulative tale. The pot becomes the cazuela; the goat, the cabra; the butter, the matequilla; and so forth, until the text is bursting with bilingual energy. With each repetition, the momentum builds and bubbles until it reaches a boiling frenzy. Vamos then skillfully ties it all together, as each animal's Spanish name and accompanying ingredient is reiterated in a simple phrase—allowing readers to recall their meaning and relationship to the rice pudding. A party ensues, and all return to the cazuela to give thanks and share in their communal creation. López's artwork, with its desert palette punctuated by brilliant primary colors and its graphic, hard edges, suggestive of folk art, is a perfect match. His sophisticated, multilayered textures create depth, give form and work together to create an image that's easily readable, humorous and harmonious. Complete with an arroz con leche recipe and glossary of Spanish words, this thoughtful work will appeal to both Spanish speakers and learners. A wonderful read-aloud, filled with merriment and conviviality. (Picture book. 4-7) 

Gr 2-4 Following the death of his beloved wife, Livy, Mark Twain became something of a recluse in his New York City home. His constant companion was his black cat, Bambino, and together they sadly got on with their lives. Despite his reputation as a witty and wise personality, Twain felt like a sorry old man. On a beautiful spring day when windows were open to air out the house, Bambino took off after a squirrel and disappeared. Twain was heartbroken and put an ad in the paper, complete with a reward of $5. Many people came by to offer him their cats or just to meet the great man himself. When Bambino returned, Twain realized that spending his life in seclusion was not for him. Bambino had proved there were wonderful things outside their windows and he was going to be a part of them all. Back matter reveals that this story was based on Twain's time in New York following his wife's death and that there really was a Bambino. While the palette progresses from gloomy to somewhat brighter colors, Twain himself is depicted throughout as stern and unhappy. Overall, the angular mixed-media and digital art conveys only the gloomier aspects of the story and not the upbeat denouement. This is not a tale that will necessarily resonate with children unfamiliar with the writer or the feeling of growing old. As such, it has limited appeal. Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA