An exuberant young girl celebrates all the special qualities that make her--and each individual--unique. Full-color illustrations. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

A girl exhibits healthy self-esteem in Appelt's (Bats Around the Clock) celebratory ode. "Nobody whistles the way I do/ Nobody chews the way I chew/ I'm the cat's meow,/ I'm the dog's top flea/ I'm the one, the only,/ most marvelous me!" she shouts. Drawn with colored pencil, the pint-size heroine, whose curly orange hair sprouts in pigtails from either side of her head, bounds from spread to spread, in Karas's (Princess Fishtail) colorful multimedia illustrations, accented throughout with bold, patterned papers. Dominated by the windows of high-rise buildings, for example, the center spread suggests the anonymity of urban living. But the girl in the corner won't be ignored. "Nobody's cowlick stands up like mine/ Nobody's freckles are this divine," she announces from an open window; the text, in large print, rings the edge of an enormous speech bubble. Karas's depiction of the carefree narrator ensures that playfulness takes precedence over arrogance and, thanks to his varied compositions, the text's pattern never grows tired. This exuberant ego booster is bound to make youngsters smile and, perhaps, take inventory of all the things that make them incredible, too. Ages 3-6. (Feb.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-K-Bouncy rhymes and energetic illustrations combine to create an ode to individuality. Appelt's brief text catalogs the special qualities of a perky child, while Karas's colorful, contemporary artwork shows her, her teddy, and her doll engaged in a variety of real and imagined activities. Some listeners may be turned off by this confident girl's relentless self-praise, but many will appreciate her obvious pride and enjoyment in herself. And whether the message appeals or not, there's no denying that it's packaged perfectly. The catchy, creative text begins with a focus on basic body parts ("Nobody has my singular nose/Nobody tips on my ten toes") and continues as the unnamed narrator lists numerous other unique (yet universal) traits before declaring, "I'm the pearl in the oyster, the A to the Z/I'm the one, the only, incredible Me!" The playful use of language keeps the tone light. The illustrations are buoyant and playful as well, as the girl with carrot-colored hair dances her way through cozy interiors and imaginary outdoor scenes. Occasionally, patterns and textures give the crisp illustrations the look of a collage; the overall design is delightfully simple and focused on the narrator. The ongoing demand for books intended to boost children's self-esteem will make this title a useful addition.-Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS^-K. A little, redheaded girl romps through this book delighting in herself: she's a star, and she knows it. Her vivacity and self-confidence are apparent from the start, when she revels at her reflection in a mirror ("Nobody has my singular nose / Nobody taps on my ten toes"), to the end, when she dances with flowers in her hair, singing, "I'm the pearl in the oyster, the A to the Z / I'm the one, the only, incredible ME!" Karas imbues his cartoon-style illustrations with the energy of the very young, and together writer and artist show how much fun it is to watch a child discover herself. --Kathy Broderick From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.