Keisha Ann Can!
PreSchool-K—An African-American child and her classmates make their way through a day at school. Full of enthusiasm and smiles, Keisha Ann accomplishes all of her activities with élan, as the rhyming text asks a series of "Who can..." questions and reiterates, "Keisha Ann can!" The poetry is catchy and upbeat: "Who can count her coins/and count again in case she's wrong?/Who can play marimba/as she sings the sweetest song?" Gouache paintings done in a striking, childlike style are filled with motion and color. The characters, who represent a variety of cultural backgrounds, are outlined in darker lines and set against brightly hued backgrounds. The images are clear and crisp, making the book ideal for sharing aloud. The story ends on a positive, all-inclusive note: "Who can learn,/and work,/and play,/and make her dreams/come true?/Keisha Ann can/do these things,/and YOU can do them, too!" Although there are many positive picture books about school, this one is special because its heroine is shown ready to tackle anything with grace and confidence.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.