Ziefert, Harriet 1941-
ZIEFERT, Harriet 1941-
Personal
Born July 7, 1941, in New Jersey. Education: Smith College, B.A.; New York University, M.A. (education).
Addresses
Office— Blue Apple Books, 515 South Valley St., Maple-wood, NJ 07040.
Career
Writer and book packager, 1983—. Elementary school teacher; Scholastic publishers, New York, NY, school materials developer.
Awards, Honors
New Jersey Institute of Technology Award, 1987, for Sarah's Questions and The Small Potatoes' Busy Beach Day, 1988, for Good Night, Jessie!, Hurry up, Jessie!, I Won't Go to Bed, Max and Diana and the Beach Day, Max and Diana and the Snowy Day, A New Coat for Anna, Pet Day, So Hungry!, Trip Day, Where's the Cat?, Where's the Dog?, Where's the Guinea Pig, and Worm Day, and 1990, for Where Babies Come From: Stories to Help Parents Answer Preschoolers' Questions about Sex; Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children, National Science Teachers Association/Children's Book Council, 1990, for Let's Get a Pet.
Writings
FOR CHILDREN
The Bath Book, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1981.
The Bed Book, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1981.
Clappity Clap!, photographs by Rudi Tesa, Viking (New York, NY), 1984.
Diggity Dig!, photographs by Rudi Tesa, Viking (New York, NY), 1984.
Zippety Zip!, photographs by Rudi Tesa, Viking (New York, NY), 1984.
Munchety Munch!, photographs by Rudi Tesa, Viking (New York, NY), 1984.
Baby Ben's Bow-Wow Book, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Random House (New York, NY), 1984.
Baby Ben's Busy Book, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Random House (New York, NY), 1984.
Baby Ben's Noisy Book, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Random House (New York, NY), 1984.
Flip the Switch!, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Push the Button, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Turn the Dial, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Turn the Key, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Baby Ben Gets Dressed, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Random House (New York, NY), 1985.
Keeping Daddy Awake on the Way Home from the Beach, illustrated by Seymour Chwast, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.
My Sister Says Nothing Ever Happens When We Go Sailing, illustrated by Seymour Chwast, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.
A New Coat for Anna, illustrated by Anita Lobel, Knopf (New York, NY), 1986.
All Clean!, illustrated by Henrik Drescher, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.
All Gone!, illustrated by Henrik Drescher, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.
Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!, illustrated by Henrik Drescher, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.
Run! Run!, illustrated by Henrik Drescher, Harper (New York, NY), 1986.
Bear All Year, illustrated by Arnold Lobel, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Bear Gets Dressed, illustrated by Arnold Lobel, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Bear Goes Shopping, illustrated by Arnold Lobel, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Bear's Busy Morning, illustrated by Arnold Lobel, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Sarah's Questions, illustrated by Susan Bonners, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1986.
Mike and Tony: Best Friends, illustrated by Katherine Siracusa, Viking (New York, NY), 1987.
Say Good Night!, illustrated by Katherine Siracusa, Puffin (New York, NY), 1987.
Andy Toots His Horn, illustrated by Sanford Hoffman, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Chocolate Mud Cake, illustrated by Karen Gundersheimer, Harper (New York, NY), 1988.
Happy Birthday, Grandpa!, illustrated by Sidney Levitt, Harper (New York, NY), 1988.
Happy Easter, Grandma!, illustrated by Sidney Levitt, Harper (New York, NY), 1988.
Me, Too! Me, Too!, illustrated by Karen Gundersheimer, Harper (New York, NY), 1988.
Animal Count, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
Bears 1, 2, 3, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Before I Was Born, illustrated by Rufus Coes, Knopf (New York, NY), 1989.
No More TV, Sleepy Dog, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Boats, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
Can You Play?, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Dr. Cat, illustrated by Suzy Mandel, Viking (New York, NY), 1989.
Harry Goes to Fun Land, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
Let's Trade, illustrated by Mary Morgan, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
New Boots for Spring, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray, Viking (New York, NY), 1989.
No Ball Games Here, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
Please Let It Snow, illustrated by Amy Aitken, Viking (New York, NY), 1989.
The Prince Has a Boo-Boo!, illustrated by R. W. Alley, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Wait for Us!, illustrated by Amy Aitken, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Wish for a Fish, illustrated by Argus Childers, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
With Love from Grandma, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray, Viking (New York, NY), 1989.
Let's Swap, Puffin (New York, NY), 1990.
Parade, illustrated by Saul Mandel, Bantam (New York, NY), 1990.
The Prince's Tooth Is Loose, illustrated by R. W. Alley, Random House (New York, NY), 1990.
Stitches, illustrated by Amy Aitken, Puffin (New York, NY), 1990.
Tim and Jim Take Off, illustrated by Suzy Mandel, Viking (New York, NY), 1990.
Under the Water, illustrated by Suzy Mandel, Puffin (New York, NY), 1990.
Who Can Boo the Loudest?, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
Homes, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.
Later, Rover, illustrated by David Jacobson, Puffin (New York, NY), 1991.
Measure Me: A Counting Book, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Take My Picture!, illustrated by Amy Aitken, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
When Daddy Had the Chicken Pox, illustrated by Lionel Kalish, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Good Luck, Bad Luck, illustrated by Lillie James, Puffin (New York, NY), 1991.
Halloween Parade, illustrated by Lillie James, Puffin (New York, NY), 1992.
The Big, Red Blanket, illustrated by David Jacobson, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Music Lessons, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
My Daddy, Viking (New York, NY), 1992.
My Mommy, Viking (New York, NY), 1992.
My Puppy, Viking (New York, NY), 1992.
The Princess Needs a Bath, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Sam and Lucy, illustrated by Claire Schumacher, Harper-Collins (New York, NY), 1992.
Who Spilled the Milk?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Clown Games, illustrated by Larry Stevens, Puffin (New York, NY), 1993.
Three Wishes, illustrated by David Jacobson, Puffin (New York, NY), 1993.
Where's Bobo?, illustrated by Lillie James, Tambourine (New York, NY), 1993.
What Is Hanukkah?, illustrated by Rick Brown, Harper-Festival (New York, NY), 1994.
What Is Passover?, illustrated by Lillie James, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1994.
Animals of the Bible, illustrated by Letizia Galli, Doubleday (New York, NY), 1995.
The Best Smelling Alphabet Book, Little Simon (New York, NY), 1995.
Little Mouse Meets Santa, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1995.
Little Mouse Meets the Easter Bunny, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1995.
Scare the Moon, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1995.
What Rhymes with Eel?, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
What's Polite? and What's Pretend?, Puffin (New York, NY), 1995.
Animal Play, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
My Clothes, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
My Food, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
Play Colors, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
Play Shapes, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
Rosie Rabbit's Easter, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
Rosie Rabbit's Valentine's Day, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
Rosie's Red String, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
Sam's Boo-Boo, DK (New York, NY), 1996.
Eight Days of Hanukkah, illustrated by Melinda Levine, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
Wee G., illustrated by Donald Saaf, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1997.
A Dozen Dozens, illustrated by Chris Demarest, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
Elomenopeo, illustrated by Donald Saaf, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1998.
Max's Potty and Sarah's Potty, DK (New York, NY), 1998.
Pushkin Meets the Bundle, illustrated by Donald Saaf, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1998.
Flip Flop Words, Dutton (New York, NY), 1998.
A Dozen Dozens, illustrated by Chris Demarest, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
Bugs, Beetles, and Butterflies, illustrated by Lisa Flather, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
Mommies Are for Counting Stars, illustrated by Cynthia Jabar, Puffin (New York, NY), 1999.
Animal Music, illustrated by Donald Saaf, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1999.
I Need a Valentine!, illustrated by Chris Demarest, Little Simon (New York, NY), 1999.
First Night, illustrated by S. D. Schindler, Putnam (New York, NY), 1999.
Daddies Are for Catching Fireflies, illustrated by Cyntia Jabar, Puffin (New York, NY), 1999.
Pumpkin Pie, illustrated by Donald Dreifuss, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2000.
Moonride, illustrated by Seymour Chwast, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2000.
Hats off for the Fourth of July!, illustrated by Gustaf Miller, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
Grandpas Are for Finding Worms, illustrated by Jennifer Plecas (New York, NY), 2000.
Grandmas Are for Giving Tickles, illustrated by Jennifer Plecas (New York, NY), 2000.
Train Song, illustrated by Donald Saaf, Orchard (New York, NY), 2000.
April Fool!, illustrated by Chris Demarest, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
(Reteller) The Snow Child, illustrated by Julia Zanes, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
First He Made the Sun, illustrated by Todd McKie, Putnam (New York, NY), 2000.
Ode to Humpty Dumpty, illustrated by Seymour Chwast, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2001.
What Do Ducks Dream?, illustrated by Donald Saaf, Putnam (New York, NY), 2001.
Someday We'll Have Very Good Manners, illustrated by Chris Demarest, Putnam (New York, NY), 2001.
Ding-dong, Trick or Treat!, illustrated by Chris Demarest, Grosset (New York, NY), 2001.
Birdhouse for Rent, illustrated by Donald Dreifuss, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2001.
Thirty-nine Uses for a Friend, illustrated by Rebecca Doughty, Putnam (New York, NY), 2001.
On Halloween Night, illustrated by Renee Andriani, Puffin (New York, NY), 2001.
Squarehead, illustrated by Todd McKie, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2001.
Egad Alligator!, illustrated by Todd McKie, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2002.
You Can't Taste a Pickle with Your Ear: A Book about Your Five Senses, illustrated by Amanda Haley, Blue Apple (New York, NY), 2002.
Toes Have Wiggles, Kids Have Giggles, illustrated by Rebecca Doughty, Putnam (New York, NY), 2002.
Kitty Says Meow, illustrated by Santiago Cohen, Grosset (New York, NY), 2002.
From Kalamazoo to Timbuktu, illustrated by Gustaf Miller, Putnam (New York, NY), 2002.
Christmas Has Merry!, illustrated by Rebecca Doughty, Handprint (New York, NY), 2002.
You Can't See Your Bones with Binoculars: A Guide to Your 206 Bones, illustrated by Amanda Haley, Blue Apple (Maplewood, NJ), 2003.
You Can't Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime: Problem Solving in Dollars and Cents, illustrated by Amanda Haley, Blue Apple (Maplewood, NJ), 2003.
Home for Navidad, illustrated by Santiago Cohen, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2003.
Hey Irma!: This Is Halloween, illustrated by Barry Gott, Blue Apple (Brooklyn, NY), 2003.
A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found, illustrated by Donald Dreifuss, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2003.
Thirty-one Uses for a Mom, illustrated by Rebecca Doughty, Putnam (New York, NY), 2003.
Sleepy Dog, illustrated by Norman Gorbaty, Random House (New York, NY), 2003.
Lunchtime for a Purple Snake, illustrated by Todd McKie, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2003.
Rockheads, illustrated by Todd McKie, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2004.
Forty-four Uses for a Dog, illustrated by Todd McKie, Barnes & Noble Press (New York, NY), 2004.
Forty-one Uses for a Cat, illustrated by Todd McKie, Barnes & Noble Press (New York, NY), 2004.
Schools Have Learn, illustrated by Amanda Haley, Blue Apple (Maplewood, NJ), 2004.
One Smart Skunk, illustrated by Santiago Cohen, Blue Apple (Maplewood, NJ), 2004.
Also author of school readers; author of The Literature Experience, 1991.
Ziefert's books have been translated into Spanish and French.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY RICHARD BROWN
The Small Potatoes Club, Dell (New York, NY), 1984.
The Small Potatoes and the Magic Show, Dell (New York, NY), 1984.
Birthday Card, Where Are You?, Puffin (New York, NY), 1985.
Nicky's Christmas Surprise, Puffin (New York, NY), 1985.
The Small Potatoes and the Birthday Party, Dell (New York, NY), 1985.
The Small Potatoes and the Sleep-over, Dell (New York, NY), 1985.
Where's My Easter Egg?, Puffin (New York, NY), 1985.
Where's the Halloween Treat?, Puffin (New York, NY), 1985.
Let's Watch Nicky, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Nicky's Friends, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Nicky's Noisy Night, Puffin (New York, NY), 1986.
Nicky's Picnic, Puffin (New York, NY), 1986.
No, No Nicky, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
The Small Potatoes and the Snowball Fight, Dell (New York, NY), 1986.
The Small Potatoes' Busy Beach Day, Dell (New York, NY), 1986.
Nicky Upstairs and Down, Puffin (New York, NY), 1987.
Pet Day, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1987.
Trip Day, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1987.
Where Is Nicky's Valentine?, Puffin (New York, NY), 1987.
Worm Day, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1987.
Don't Cry, Baby Sam, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Egg-Drop Day, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1988.
Here Comes a Bus, Puffin (New York, NY), 1988.
Mystery Day, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1988.
Thank You, Nicky, Puffin (New York, NY), 1988.
Here Comes a Truck, Puffin (New York, NY), 1992.
Oh No, Nicky!, Puffin (New York, NY), 1992.
Scooter's Christmas, Harper (New York, NY), 1993.
Baby Buggy, Buggy Baby, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1997.
Nicky Visits the Airport, Puffin (New York, NY), 1997.
Nicky Visits the Fire Station, Puffin (New York, NY), 1997.
Night, Knight, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1997.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY SIMMS TABACK
Where Is My Dinner?, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Where Is My Family?, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Where Is My Friend?, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
Where Is My House?, Grosset (New York, NY), 1984.
On Our Way to the Barn, Harper (New York, NY), 1985.
On Our Way to the Forest, Harper (New York, NY), 1985.
On Our Way to the Water, Harper (New York, NY), 1985.
On Our Way to the Zoo, Harper (New York, NY), 1985.
Jason's Bus Ride, Viking (New York, NY), 1987.
Where's the Cat?, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Where's the Dog?, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Where's the Turtle?, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Where's the Guinea Pig?, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Noisy Barn!, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
Zoo Parade!, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
Where Is My Baby?, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1994.
Two Little Witches, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
Who Said Moo?, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1996. (Reteller)
When I First Came to This Land, Putnam (New York, NY), 1998.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY CAROL NICKLAUS
A Dozen Dogs, Random House (New York, NY), 1985.
So Sick!, Random House (New York, NY), 1985.
Good Night, Lewis!, Random House (New York, NY), 1986.
Lewis the Firefighter, Random House (New York, NY), 1986.
The Good-Day Bunnies, Golden (New York, NY), 1987.
Lewis Said, Lewis Did, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
The Best Castle Ever, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Sometimes I Share, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
A Dozen Dogs: A Math Reader, Random House (New York, NY), 2003.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY LISA CAMPBELL ERNST
Dress Little Bunny, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Play with Little Bunny, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Breakfast Time!, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1988.
Bye-Bye, Daddy, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1988.
Count with Little Bunny, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Feed Little Bunny, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Good Morning, Sun!, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Let's Get Dressed, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Little Bunny's Melon Patch, Puffin (New York, NY), 1990.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY MAVIS SMITH
Harry Takes a Bath, Viking (New York, NY), 1986.
Good Night, Jessie!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
Harry Takes a Bath, Viking (New York, NY), 1987.
Hurry up, Jessie!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
So Big!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
So Busy!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
So Clean!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
So Hungry!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
So Little!, Random House (New York, NY), 1987.
Come out, Jessie!, Random House (New York, NY), 1988.
Dinner's Ready, Jessie!, Random House (New York, NY), 1988.
Finding Robin Redbreast, Puffin (New York, NY), 1988.
Strike Four!, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
What Do I Hear?, Bantam (New York, NY), 1988.
What Do I See?, Bantam (New York, NY), 1988.
What Do I Smell?, Bantam (New York, NY), 1988.
What Do I Taste?, Bantam (New York, NY), 1988.
What Do I Touch?, Bantam (New York, NY), 1988.
Going on a Lion Hunt, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
In a Scary Old House, Puffin (New York, NY), 1989.
My Getting-Ready-for-School Book, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
When the TV Broke, Viking (New York, NY), 1989.
I Want to Sleep in Your Bed!, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
Let's Get a Pet, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1990.
My Getting-Ready-for-Christmas Book, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
My Getting-Ready-for-Bed Book, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
Bob and Shirley: A Tale of Two Lobsters, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Come out, Jessie!, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Harry Gets Ready for School, Puffin (New York, NY), 1991.
Come Visit My House!, Viking (New York, NY), 1992.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY DAVID PREBENNA
Let's Go! Piggety Pig, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1986.
Listen! Piggety Pig, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1986. No More! Piggety Pig, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1986.
Piggety Pig from Morning 'til Night, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1986.
A New House for Mole and Mouse, Puffin (New York, NY), 1987.
A Clean House for Mole and Mouse, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
A Car Trip for Mole and Mouse, Puffin (New York, NY), 1991.
"MAX AND DIANA" SERIES; PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY LONNI SUE JOHNSON
Max and Diana and the Beach Day, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Max and Diana and the Birthday Present, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Max and Diana and the Shopping Day, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
Max and Diana and the Snowy Day, Harper (New York, NY), 1987.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY ANDREA BARUFFI
I Won't Go to Bed!, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1987.
Dark Night, Sleepy Night, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Good Night, Everyone!, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1988.
Henry's Wrong Turn, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 1989.
How Big Is Big?, Viking (New York, NY), 1989.
The Wheels on the Bus, Random House (New York, NY), 1990.
Where's Daddy's Car?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Where's Mommy's Truck?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Bears Odd, Bears Even, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
Math Riddles, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY CLAIRE SCHUMACHER
Cat Games, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Snow Magic, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
(With Martin Silverman) Where Babies Come From: Stories to Help Parents Answer Preschoolers' Questions about Sex, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Tommy the Winner, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
When Will Santa Come?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
What Is Father's Day?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
What Is Mother's Day?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
What Is Halloween?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
What Is Thanksgiving?, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
What's a Birthday?, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1993.
What's a Vacation?, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1993.
What's a Wedding?, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1993.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY EMILIE BOON
Daddy, Can You Play with Me?, Viking (New York, NY), 1988.
Mommy, Where Are You?, Puffin (New York, NY), 1988.
Benjy Bear's Christmas, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
Benjy Bear's Halloween, Candlewick (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
Little Hippo's New Friend, DK (New York, NY), 1998.
Little Hippo's New House, DK (New York, NY), 1998.
Little Hippo's New School, DK (New York, NY), 1998.
No Kiss for Grandpa, Orchard (New York, NY), 2001.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY LAURA RADER
The Big Birthday Box, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
In My Kitchen, Random House (New York, NY), 1989.
Follow Me!, Puffin (New York, NY), 1990.
Getting Ready for the New Baby, Harper (New York, NY), 1990.
Bigger than a Baby, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Dancing, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Goody New Shoes, Puffin (New York, NY), 1991.
I Hate Boots!, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
Move Over, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
My Apple Tree, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1991.
My Camera, Ziefert, Inc., 1993.
My Cassette Player, Ziefert, Inc., 1993.
My Telephone, Ziefert, Inc., 1993.
My Television, Ziefert, Inc., 1993.
My Valentines, Harper (New York, NY), 1993.
(Reteller) Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Tambourine (New York, NY), 1994.
Pete's Chicken, Tambourine (New York, NY), 1994.
(Reteller) The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Tambourine (New York, NY), 1994.
(Reteller) The Teeny-Tiny Woman, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
(Reteller) The Three Little Pigs, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
The Turnip, Puffin (New York, NY), 1996.
Penny Goes to the Movies, Viking (New York, NY), 1990.
Sleepy-O!, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1997.
I Need an Easter Egg!, Little Simon (New York, NY), 1999.
Presents for Santa, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY SUSAN BAUM
Big to Little, Little to Big, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.
Empty to Full, Full to Empty, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Clothes on, Clothes Off, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Count up, Count Down, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1992.
Bear's Colors, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1993.
Bear's Numbers, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1993.
Bear's Shapes, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1993.
Bear's Weather, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1993.
Happy Birthday, Little Bear, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
Take Care of Brown Bear, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
PICTURE BOOKS; ILLUSTRATED BY EMILY BOLAM
(Reteller) The Gingerbread Boy, Puffin (New York, NY), 1995.
(Reteller) The Little Red Hen, Puffin (New York, NY), 1995.
Nicky, 1-2-3, Puffin (New York, NY), 1995.
Oh, What a Noisy Farm!, Tambourine (New York, NY), 1995.
(Reteller) The Princess and the Pea, Penguin (New York, NY), 1996.
(Reteller) Henny-Penny, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
Little Hippo and the New Baby, illustrated by Emilie Boon, DK (New York, NY), 1997.
The Magic Porridge Pot, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
Mother Goose Math, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
The Cow in the House, Puffin (New York, NY), 1997.
No Bath Tonight!, DK (New York, NY), 1997.
(Reteller) The Ugly Duckling, Puffin (New York, NY), 1997.
I Swapped My Dog, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 1998.
A Polar Bear Can Swim, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
Rabbit and Hare Divide an Apple, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
Talk, Baby!, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 1999.
Sara's Potty, Family Learning (Orlando, FL), 1999.
Max's Potty, DK (New York, NY), 1999.
(Reteller) Little Red Riding Hood, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
Clara Ann Cookie Go to Bed! Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2000.
Murphy Meets the Treadmill, Houghton Mifflin (Boston, MA), 2001.
Teachers Are for Reading Stories, Puffin (New York, NY), 2002.
My Funny Valentine, Puffin (New York, NY), 2002.
Cousins Are for Holiday Visits, Puffin (New York, NY), 2002.
This Little Egg Went to Market, Puffin (New York, NY), 2003.
Adaptations
A New Coat for Anna was adapted for filmstrip, Random House (New York, NY), 1988.
Sidelights
Harriet Ziefert is the prolific author and packager of scores of easy-to-read picture books for very young readers. Among her popular and award-winning titles are A New Coat for Anna, I Won't Go to Bed!, Where Babies Come From: Stories to Help Parents Answer Preschoolers' Questions about Sex —written with Martin Silverman—and series books such as the "Max and Diana" and "Jessie" sets. A former teacher, Ziefert saw a need for more simplified texts at the first-grade level and has applied herself to filling that need, creating books that tell a story in a mere fifty to seventy-five words. Ziefert writes her books quickly, sometimes, as she has said, in under twelve hours, producing some twenty titles a year for which she then finds an illustrator, designer, and printer, delivering a completed package to the publisher.
Born in 1941, Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, studied at Smith College, and earned a master's degree in education from New York University. Subsequently, she worked for many years in elementary schools, teaching at grade levels ranging from kindergarten to the fifth grade. When she had her own children, Ziefert quit teaching; as her children came of school age, she decided to return to work, but in the field of publishing. Working at Scholastic, Inc., she produced materials for kindergarten language-arts and social studies programs. While she hoped to become an editor, she was unsuccessful in finding a position; instead, she decided to write her own books.
Ziefert's resolve spawned far more than a mere cottage industry. The list of the many titles she has released include concept books dealing with counting, the alphabet, rhyming, and questions, and titles for pure enjoyment featuring kittens, dogs, mice, chickens, and young boys and girls. Many of Ziefert's books are arranged in series, and one of the most popular of these is "Mr. Rose's Class," a trilogy of books: Pet Day, Trip Day, and Worm Day. These books feature, according to a Publishers Weekly reviewer, "a smart, bespectacled teacher who asks questions, interferes gently and nudges kids in his class to think about the world around them." The students learn about pets, take an outing to a pond, and discover how worms mate in a series of books that "should appeal to beginning readers," according to Booklist 's Denise M. Wilms.
Ziefert created a series of pet recognition books for very young readers with Where's the Dog?, Where's the Cat?, Where's the Guinea Pig?, and Where's the Turtle? These board books "encourage the toddler to observe familiar pets in the house and yard as they run, eat, drink and rest," noted a Kirkus Reviews critic. Rhymed sentences introduce each animal, and a "lift-the-flap" picture allows young readers to discover the hidden animal. Heide Piehler, in School Library Journal, felt that children "will enjoy the recognizable creatures, the hiding game," and the series' illustrations by Simms Taback. Another of Ziefert's board-book series for toddlers features colorful animals enacting the same things most children do in their everyday lives. So Big!, So Busy!, So Clean!, So Hungry!, and So Little! demonstrate activities from getting dressed to playing with blocks and putting away toys. Sarah C. Vaughn, reviewing So Hungry! in School Library Journal, noted that an "added feature of this series is the note to parents that describes the various levels offered … and how best to use these books with children." Vaughn concluded that the title under review "would be a useful addition to most libraries."
More animals make an appearance in a quartet of books illustrated by Henrik Drescher, each of which describes—in two-word sentences—how animals eat, drink, move, and make noise. All Clean!, All Gone!, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!, and Run! Run! practice word skills while at the same time providing enjoyable reading with their "lively" texts, according to a reviewer in Publishers Weekly. "This foursome is fast-paced and fun," concluded the reviewer. Another of Ziefert's signature reading series, "Hello Reading," includes A New House for Mole and Mouse, Harry Takes a Bath, Jason's Bus Ride, and Mike and Tony: Best Friends. The plotting for these stories is necessarily thin, "but illustrations are bold and bright," according to Booklist reviewer Ilene Cooper. A pair of animal friends happily move into a new house; a hippo named Harry takes a messy bath; a dog blocks the street, halting a boy's bus ride for a time; and two young boys learn to be friends, sharing lunch and sleeping over at each other's houses. Cooper concluded that "the short sentences, repetitive words, and colorful, childlike artwork invite beginning readers." Ziefert's "On Our Way" series also employs animals and short, rhyming sentences designed to build reading skills. Of On Our Way to the Forest, a Publishers Weekly reviewer commented that it is virtually "guaranteed to entertain its audience" with its "zippy text and amiable art."
A humpback whale wanders into the busy mouth of New York's Hudson River instead of staying safely out to sea in Henry's Wrong Turn, which was inspired by actual events. Ziefert's whale tours Staten Island and buzzes by some ships before being guided back out to sea in a picture book "with simple prose that has a humorous edge," according to Denise M. Wilms in Booklist. More humor is served up in Oh, What a Noisy Farm!, the story of a farmer's wife who yells at a bull chasing the farm's cow. The wife is joined by the husband and dog, all shouting and yapping at the bull, but when it and the cow become friends everybody settles down for a nap. Susan D. Lempke of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books noted that "children, who are fond of chasing each other and shouting, will particularly enjoy this simple, happy story (adults, on the other hand, may enjoy a grown-up giggle at the euphemistic 'friendship')."
Titles such as Noisy Barn! Zoo Parade! Murphy Meets the Treadmill, and Egad Alligator introduce more animal characters. In Noisy Barn!, readers are encouraged to make the noises of the animals on the pages; at the end, all the animals—and their noises—are gathered together. Zoo Parade has animals "marching, jumping, and sauntering," explained Ilene Cooper in her Booklist review. Cooper felt the two books serve as "noisy, bouncy invitations" for young readers. Poor Murphy is an overweight Labrador retriever who balks at exercise in Murphy Meets the Treadmill. It's only after his owner buys an exercise machine for the pudgy pooch that Murphy starts to get the hang of exercising, and all of the neighboring dogs notice the result. According to Louie Lahana in School Library Journal, "the importance of exercise and a proper diet will be clear to children of all ages." Ilene Cooper, in Booklist, wrote that, "Maybe young couch potatoes will get Murphy's message: 'Exercise is worth it!'" A critic for Publishers Weekly commented that Ziefert and illustrator Emily Bolam have "mined a rich vein of wry, knowing humor." For Egad Alligator, "Ziefert takes an alligator's eye-view," according to a reviewer for Publishers Weekly. Little Gator goes out exploring while his brother is taking a nap. However, every time he tries to befriend someone, from herons to kids playing baseball, they yell, "Egad Alligator!" Little Gator is confused about their reactions until he rests on a log and discovers it to be a snake; he himself cries out "Egad Python!" before running away. Kathy Broderick of Booklist pointed out "the story's valuable message about being able to understand the other fellow's point of view."
Like the message in Egad Alligator, the book Square-head is about accepting and understanding differences. George is squareheaded, and his entire world is square. He hates anything that is round. One night, however, he has an encounter with the moon and realizes how beautiful it is. The earth, too, is big and round, and George realizes he has been missing a lot of beautiful things by limiting himself to squares. "This delightful read-aloud will teach … the value of appreciating differences," commented Kathy M. Newby in her review for School Library Journal. A critic for Publishers Weekly commented that Ziefert and illustrator Todd McKie "adequately summarize and satirize prejudice through their geometric example."
Another of Ziefert's staples is the concept book. One such series employs a guessing game as its format and features a cheerful bear who appears in the titles Bear All Year, Bear Gets Dressed, Bear Goes Shopping, and Bear's Busy Morning. A Kirkus Reviews critic found Ziefert's "Bear" stories to be a "delightful series of concept books, with stiff, glossy card stock to make them durable with young children," and useful in helping with the development of such concepts as sequencing, time, days of the week, and seasons. Marge Loch-Wouters, writing in School Library Journal, noted that these "playful books are good choices for preschool story time and to put in the hands of young children who love the challenge of a guessing game." The "reason why" is at the heart of Sarah's Questions, the story of a young girl who asks her mother a variety of questions about the garden, the neighborhood animals, and other natural wonders. A contributor in Publishers Weekly felt that "the book's virtue is the quiet appreciation of everyday life," and a Kirkus Reviews critic dubbed this award-winning title a "summer idyll."
The concepts of friendship and safety are explored in some of the "Nicky" books, including Nicky's Friends, Let's Watch Nicky, and No, No Nicky. The star of the books is a tiny, grey-striped kitten who makes friends with a boy and girl, mischievously goes after a gold-fish, and stretches playfully. "These books are short, funny and very much to the point," noted a critic in Publishers Weekly. Reviewing Nicky Upstairs and Down for Booklist, Ilene Cooper maintained that this story of the kitten who runs all over the house is "just right for beginning readers." Baby Buggy, Buggy Baby and Night, Knight introduce homonyms, while sibling relations are dealt with in Chocolate Mud Cake, Me Too! Me Too!, and Bigger than a Baby. Marge Loch-Wouters, reviewing for School Library Journal, called Chocolate Mud Cake and Me Too! Me Too! a "welcome change of pace from the many books on sibling rivalry." In the first book, sisters Molly and Jenny make mud pies and play dress-up on a rainy day. Molly, the older sister, generously includes her younger sibling in all the activities. Booklist reviewer Phillis Wilson concluded that "Jenny and Molly are a delight to meet." Bigger than a Baby is a title "to help youngsters understand and appreciate their new siblings," according to Dorothy Evans in School Library Journal. This book compares the development of a baby to the growth of its older sister, and thus might "be useful for children adjusting to new siblings or for other children having trouble feeling comfortable with new abilities and responsibilities," observed Kay Weisman in Booklist.
Ziefert covered choosing a pet in Let's Get a Pet. Picking out a pet is "serious" business, observed Junior Bookshelf reviewer Marcus Crouch. Noting the comic-strip format of Let's Get a Pet, Crouch concluded that Ziefert makes it "good fun too." Books for Keeps reviewer Liz Waterland recommended the book "for any family thinking about being joined by a furry, scaly or feathered friend."
Bedtime is the focus of several of Ziefert's titles, including I Won't Go to Bed! and Clara Ann Cookie Go to Bed! When Harry protests against bedtime in I Won't Go to Bed!, his father allows him to stay up and promptly goes to bed himself, leaving Harry to roam about the house. Finally Harry falls asleep on the floor, eventually to be retrieved by his father and put to bed. A Publishers Weekly reviewer commented that the book had a "traditional theme with a non-traditional treatment," while Booklist critic Ilene Cooper observed that Ziefert "catches the mood of children who fantasize about staying up all night." Clara Cookie also protests going to bed in Clara Ann Cookie, Go to Bed! When she is sent to her room to go to sleep by her parents, Clara orders all her stuffed animals to go to sleep. Her teddy bear, Popcorn, refuses, and Clara tries all the techniques her parents use on her to get the bear to cooperate. Eventually, she lies down next to him and falls asleep herself. Piper L. Nyman, writing for School Library Journal, called it "a book with persuasive potential in the never-ending going-to-bed battle."
Titles such as Rockheads and A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found are designed to help students learn to develop their counting skills. In Rockheads, illustrator Todd McKie used photographs of rocks with painted faces for the characters of the story. Ziefert and McKie begin with just one "Rockhead," then continue adding until there are a dozen. "Beware: may cause rock-crafting urges in older siblings," warned a critic for Kirkus Reviews. A mother duck takes her dozen ducklings for a walk in A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found. Unknown to her, Farmer Donald has dug holes for a new fence, and before she realizes what is happening, several of her children are missing! She counts the children who are with her, then counts down from twelve to see if that will improve the situation. Farmer Donald realizes that the ducklings have only spilled down the holes and comes to the rescue. "The story works well as a concept book," praised Maryann H. Owen in School Library Journal, noting that Ziefert uses interesting techniques, such as counting numbers up to twelve instead of stopping at ten, as many counting books do. "Mother Duck's tendency to count both forwards and backwards is a nice touch," praised a critic for Kirkus Reviews.
Ziefert also covers holidays in many of her books, including What Is Hanukkah?, Home for Navidad, Hats off for the Fourth of July! and Presents for Santa. Introducing Hanukkah with a repeated chant that "will have kids joining in" according to Hazel Rochman in Booklist, Ziefert shows both the religious and the traditional side of Hanukkah. Home for Navidad tells the story of a young Mexican girl whose mother has been working in the United States for three years to try to earn money for their family. The little girl is delighted when her mother sends a letter saying that she'll be home for Christmas. A critic for Kirkus Reviews called this title "a beautiful new addition to the shelf of multi-cultural Chrismas stories." In her School Library Journal review, Susan Patron pointed out that the text is "sprinkled with many Spanish words," and that a glossary is provided at the end. Kitty Flynn of Horn Book complimented Ziefert's use of a "matter-of-fact, first-person narrative," while Hazel Rochman in Booklist praised the "combination of simple words and bold, vibrant art." The people of Chatham, Massachusetts, celebrate in Hats off for the Fourth of July! Pictures focus on the parade and the celebration, ending with fireworks. "The text has the steady beat of a parade drummer," commented Susan Garland in School Library Journal. Presents for Santa tells of the mice who live at the North Pole. When the mother mouse asks her children what they should get Santa for Christmas, each mouse gives an idea that reflects what he actually wants for himself for Christmas. Carolyn Phelan, writing in Booklist, called Presents for Santa "an accessible holiday book," while a School Library Journal contributor called the title both "accessible and satisfying."
Counting and holidays are combined in Two Little Witches, in which little goblins learn to count to ten at Halloween, and Eight Days of Hanukkah. Counting is combined with ideas like friendship and relationships in books such as Thirty-nine Uses for a Friend, Thirty-one Uses for a Mom, Forty-four Uses for a Dog, and Forty-one Uses for a Cat. In Thirty-one Uses for a Mom, a mother is depicted as many things: an alarm clock, a bank, a pitcher, catcher, and retriever (for baseball practice), and a friend. "Moms and kids alike should enjoy continuing the list," commented a Kirkus Reviews critic. Friends have such uses as backrests, hairdressers, and accomplices in Thirty-nine Uses for a Friend. Cathy Broderick, in a review for Booklist, called the book "a fine manual of friendship," while Alison Kastner noted in School Library Journal that the book could be "useful as a springboard for discussion about friendship."
Ziefert's educational titles also focus on more mathematical and scientific topics for younger readers. You Can't See Your Bones with Binoculars introduces readers to the major and minor bones of the human skeleton. Both illustrations and text reveal the connections from the toes up to the skull. Gillian Engberg in Booklist considered this a "whimsical introduction to human anatomy." A critic for Kirkus Reviews was not as convinced, however, and found the text "too sophisticated for preschoolers … yet too simple for older kids." You Can't Taste a Pickle with Your Ear focuses on the five senses, and contains humor as well as questions for young readers to discuss with their parents. "Preschoolers … may develop a new awareness" of the senses, noted a reviewer for Publishers Weekly. You Can't Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime is a book about math skills using currency to teach its lessons. Though the book is more sophisticated than a typical counting book, Leslie Barban wrote in School Library Journal that the authors "know exactly how to make learning fun." A critic for Kirkus Reviews noted that "children who have learned the value of money and how to add coins will be able to put their skills to use."
Other popular and award-winning titles by Ziefert include A New Coat for Anna, Pete's Chicken, Henry's Wrong Turn, and Oh, What a Noisy Farm! With A New Coat for Anna, Ziefert developed a larger story-line as well as a deeper thematic approach. In a book set just after World War II, Anna's mother trades a prized possession to create a new coat for her daughter. The coat is a year in the making: the wool is grown and spun, and the red dye extracted from berries. A Kirkus Reviews critic deemed the book a "warmly satisfying variation on a familiar story," while Horn Book contributor Ethel R. Twichell noted that the "simple text, based on a true story, carries the narrative along effectively." Susan Patron concluded in School Library Journal that "Ziefert's tale … will be understood and cherished by all ages." Pete's Chicken is another longer and more ambitious picture book, the story of "an artistic rabbit" who "celebrates the true spirit of originality," according to a critic in Publishers Weekly. When his art teacher tells the class to draw a chicken, Pete lets loose with a purple and orange masterpiece that initially brings laughter from his schoolmates. The Publishers Weekly reviewer concluded that "Ziefert's uncluttered, boisterous text practically sings, filled with Pete's happy proclamations of self-confidence," while Booklist 's Cooper observed that "some of Pete's self-assurance might rub off on readers."
Ziefert has penned numerous retellings of popular folk and fairy tales, including The Teeny-Tiny Woman, The Little Red Hen, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Her Ode to Humpty Dumpty takes Mother Goose's rhyme and explores what happens after. Since no one could put Humpty back together, the king is mourning, and lead by a girl named Norma Jean Foote, all the townsfolk try to cheer him up by putting together a celebration in Humpty Dumpty's honor. In First He Made the Sun Ziefert bases her story on a traditional spiritual that retells the creation story from the Book of Genesis. God creates the sun and moon, then creates the animals to populate different places on earth. Ellen Mandel of Booklist and School Library Journal reviewer Kathy Piehl both noted that the illustrations might "encourage them to create their own artistic interpretations," in Mandel's words.
Ziefert stays closer to more traditional versions of stories such as The Snow Child and Little Red Riding Hood. The Russian-based The Snow Child tells of a childless elderly couple who want more than anything to have a little one, so they create a child made of snow. When the old woman kisses the snow child, the child comes to life, only to have to leave when the weather becomes warmer. The couple think that they will never see their child again, and are delighted when she returns the next winter. Anne Knickerbocker, reviewing The Snow Child for School Library Journal, called "the entire reading experience a pleasurable one." Gillian Engberg in Booklist commented that Ziefert's "lovely offering" is enhanced by its "simple vocabulary." The well-known story of the girl with the red cape is told in its traditional form in Ziefert's Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red finally learns her lesson about not talking to strangers after the wolf eats her, and she and her grandmother are rescued by a woodsman. "The story should provide a successful reading experience," noted Lisa Smith in School Library Journal.
Art and color play a big part in many of Ziefert's books, among them Lunchtime for a Purple Snake. In this illustrated story Jessica's grandfather is an artist, and she wants to be one as well. As the story unfolds, Jessica realizes that sometimes mistakes can be transformed and become the best part of a painting. "Grandpa, art, and color give this offering a variety of applications," noted Jody McCoy of School Library Journal. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly noted that one of the book's values is "prompting kids and adults to emulate Grandpa and Jessica's painting game."
In all of her popular picture-book projects, Ziefert relies heavily on the work of illustrators to help carry her stories. The first challenge faced by the teacher-turned-author is to bring her story across with a limited number of words. Then, to ensure that her new story comes across the way she wants it to, she works very closely with her illustrators—sometimes bringing in painters and artists who have never worked on children's books—to create the book as a whole, so that the art and the story flow together.
Biographical and Critical Sources
PERIODICALS
Appraisal, winter, 1988, pp. 63-64.
Booklist, August, 1987, Ilene Cooper, review of "Hello Reading" series, p. 1754; September 1, 1987, Denise M. Wilms, review of Pet Day, pp. 75-76; November 15, 1987, Ilene Cooper, review of I Won't Go to Bed!, p. 574; December 1, 1987, Ilene Cooper, review of Nicky Upstairs and Down, p. 640; November 15, 1988, Phillis Wilson, review of Chocolate Mud Cake and Me Too! Me Too!, p. 589; January 1, 1990, Denise M. Wilms, review of Henry's Wrong Turn, p. 922; May 15, 1991, p. 1806; December 15, 1991, Kay Weisman, review of Bigger than a Baby, p. 768; September 15, 1994, Ilene Cooper, review of Pete's Chicken, p. 146; October 1, 1995, p. 329; September 1, 1996, p. 138; October 15, 1999, Stephanie Zvirin, review of Animal Music, p. 457, and GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review of First Night, p. 458; February 15, 2000, Carolyn Phelan, review of April Fool, and Hazel Rochman, review of Little Red Riding Hood, p. 1125; March 15, 2000, Marta Segal, review of Moonride, p. 1390; April 1, 2000, Carolyn Phelan, review of Train Song, p. 1472; April 15, 2000, Helen Rosenberg, review of Hats off for the Fourth of July! and Ellen Mandel, review of First He Made the Sun, p. 1555; December 1, 2000, Todd Morning, review of Pumpkin Pie, p. 724, and Carolyn Phelan, review of Presents for Santa, and Gillian Engberg, review of The Snow Child, p. 727; February 15, 2001, Connie Fletcher, review of Someday We'll Have Very Good Manners, p. 1142; September 1, 2001, Ilene Cooper, review of Murphy Meets the Treadmill, p. 118; December 1, 2001, Cathy Broderick, review of Thirty-nine Uses for a Friend, p. 651; April 15, 2002, Kathy Broderick, review of Egad Alligator!, p. 1410; June 1, 2002, Ilene Cooper, review of Toes Have Wiggles, Kids Have Giggles, p. 1744; January 1, 2002, Ellen Mandel, review of 31 Uses for a Mom, p. 911; March 15, 2003, Diane Foote, review of A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found, p. 1335; September 1, 2003, Hazel Rochman, review of Home for Navidad, p. 136; November 1, 2003, Hazel Rochman, review of What Is Hanukkah?, p. 508; December 1, 2003, Gillian Engberg, review of You Can't See Your Bones with Binoculars: A Guide to Your 206 Bones, p. 681; March 1, 2004, Ilene Cooper, review of Noisy Barn!, p. 1199.
Books for Keeps, September, 1994, Liz Waterland, review of Let's Get a Pet, p. 7.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 1991, p. 53; May, 1995, Susan D. Lempke, review of Oh, What a Noisy Farm!, p. 328; April, 1997, p. 302; May, 1998, p. 345.
Horn Book, March, 1987, Ethel R. Twichell, review of A New Coat for Anna, p. 204; July-August, 1998, p. 481; September-October, 2003, Kitty Flynn, review of Home for Navidad, p. 605.
Junior Bookshelf, October, 1994, Marcus Crouch, review of Let's Get a Pet, p. 167.
Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 1986, review of Bear All Year, p. 1293; September 15, 1986, review of Sarah's Questions, p. 1447; October 15, 1986, review of A New Coat for Anna, p. 1582; August 15, 1994, p. 1141; June 15, 1995, p. 866; June 1, 1987, review of Where's the Dog?, p. 864; May 1, 1998, p. 666; August 15, 2001, review of Birdhouse for Rent, p. 1224; February 1, 2002, review of Egad Alligator!, p. 193; November 1, 2002, review of Christmas Has Merry!, p. 1628; November 15, 2002, review of You Can't Taste a Pickle with Your Ear: A Book about Your Five Senses, p. 1704; December 15, 2002, review of Thirty-one Uses for a Mom, p. 1860; February 1, 2003, review of A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found, p. 244; June 1, 2003, review of You Can't Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime: Problem-solving in Dollars and Cents, p. 813; November 1, 2003, review of Home for Navidad, p. 1321; December 15, 2003, review of You Can't See Your Bones with Binoculars p. 1455; April 1, 2004, review of Rockheads, p. 339.
Publishers Weekly, August 22, 1986, review of Run! Run!, and others, p. 92; October 31, 1986, review of Sarah's Questions, p. 64; November 28, 1986, review of Nicky's Friends and others, p. 72; June 26, 1987, review of Pet Day, p. 72; October 9, 1987, review of I Won't Go to Bed!, p. 167; April 5, 1993, p. 74; June 21, 1993, review of On Our Way to the Forest, p. 103; June 27, 1994, review of Pete's Chicken, p. 78; April 17, 1995, p. 57; September 30, 1996, p. 85; March 9, 1998, p. 67; May 4, 1998, p. 212; June 5, 2000, review of Hats off for the Fourth of July, p. 93; March 26, 2001, review of Ode to Humpty Dumpty, p. 93; April 23, 2001, review of Squarehead, p. 77; June 4, 2001, review of What Do Ducks Dream?, p. 80; July 9, 2001, review of Murphy Meets the Treadmill, p. 67; February 18, 2002, review Egad Alligator!, p. 95; November 4, 2002, review of You Can't Taste a Pickle with Your Ear, p. 83; February 3, 2003, review of Lunchtime for a Purple Snake and A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found, p. 75; September 22, 2003, review of Home for Navidad, p. 70.
School Librarian, February, 1987, pp. 18-19; November, 1994, p. 148; February, 1997, p. 22; spring, 1998, p. 22.
School Library Journal, December, 1986, Susan Scheps, review of A New Coat for Anna, p. 97; January, 1987, Marge Loch-Wouters, review of Bear All Year, p. 69; November, 1987, Heide Piehler, review of Where's the Dog?, p. 98; March, 1988, Sarah C. Vaughn, review of So Hungry!, p. 180; December, 1988, Marge Loch-Wouters, review of Chocolate Mud Cake and Me Too! Me Too!, p. 96; January, 1992, Dorothy Evans, review of Bigger than a Baby, p. 107; July, 1995, p. 71; September, 1995, p. 189; January, 1996, p. 99; July, 1997, p. 89; October, 1997, p. 39; May, 1998, p. 129; August, 1999, p. 143; October, 1999, p. 130; December, 1999, p. 115; March, 2000, Diane Janoff, review of April Fool!, p. 220; April, 2000, Lisa Smith, review of Little Red Riding Hood, p. 128; May, 2000, Kathy Piehl, review of First He Made the Sun, p. 159; July, 2000, Susan Garland, review of Hats off for the Fourth of July, p. 90; October, 2000, review of Presents for Santa, p. 64, and Piper L. Nyman, review of Pumpkin Pie and Clara Ann Cookie, Go to Bed!, p. 144; December, 2000, Corinne Camarata, review of Moon-ride, p. 128; February, 2001, Carolyn Jenks, review of Someday We'll Have Very Good Manners, p. 108; March, 2001, Anne Knickerbocker, review of The Snow Child, p. 244; May, 2001, Kathy M. Newby, review of Squarehead, and Shara Alpern, review of Ode to Humpty Dumpty, p. 139; June, 2001, Joy Fleishhacker, review of What Do Ducks Dream?, p. 132; September, 2001, Wanda Meyers-Hines, review of On Halloween Night, and Lauralyn Persson, review of Birdhouse for Rent, p. 210; October, 2001, Louie Lahana, review of Murphy Meets the Treadmill, December, 2001, Alison Kastner, review of Thirty-nine Uses for a Friend, p. 116; April, 2002, Maryann H. Owen, review of Egad Alligator!, p. 128; June, 2002, Rosalyn Pierini, review of Toes Have Wiggles, Kids Have Giggles, p. 116; March, 2003, Maryann H. Owen, review of A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found, and Rosalyn Pierini, review of Thirty-one Uses for a Mom, p. 211; April, 2003, Jody McCoy, review of Lunch-time for a Purple Snake, p. 144; July, 2003, Leslie Barban, review of You Can't Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime, p. 120; September, 2003, Grace Oliff, review of A New Coat for Anna, p. 86; October, 2003, Susan Patron, review of Home for Navidad, p. 69; January, 2004, Dona Ratterree, review of You Can't See Your Bones with Binoculars, p. 123; April, 2004, Donna Cardon, review of Rockheads, p. 144.*