The Birdwatchers

Simon James's (Dear Mr. Blueberry, Leon and Bob, etc.) dry comic timing is simply flawless in this warm, thoroughly appealing picture book. Expressive ink and watercolor illustrations capture the gentle balance between make-believe and real, most poignantly when we see a couple of penguins unobtrusively waddling after Jess and her granddad as they make their way home. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter