What they’re saying…

  • "This thought-provoking friendship story is in praise of pockets—specifically, pockets for girls. The illustrations make you want to linger over the girls' found objects. The ending is perfect. Fashion-and-feminist-forward."

    — Booklist

  • “An impressively original, charmingly entertaining, and memorably illustrated picture book story for children ages 4-8, Between the Lines is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections for young readers.”

    ― Midwest Book Review

  • A 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist: Best Picture Books

  • “This ‘little tractor that could’ sort of tale pays tribute to the iconic Rosie the Riveter persona from the US and the British Land Girls of the Women’s Land Army during WWII. Fans of Loren Long’s Otis, Virginia Lee Burton’s Katy, and like sturdy, dependable workhorses will welcome Rosie into the fold, but the historical perspective adds an unusual dimension to her story.”

    — Booklist (starred review)

  • “Ward’s ink, colored-pencil, and cut-paper illustrations give readers a toy’s view of the world and allow children to stomp in Dexter’s feet for a while, his facial expressions giving them lots of clues to his feelings. Readers will be reminded of both Knuffle Bunny and Scaredy Squirrel, but Dexter is a character all his own. Lost and found was never so riotously funny or emotionally draining.”

    — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

  • A Missouri Association of School Librarians 2024-2025 Readers Awards Final Nominee

  • “Children ages three to seven can learn the value of individual strengths, teamwork, and friendship by reading the book.”

    ― Newsweek

  • "It's [Ward's] text, written with florid tale-as-old-as-time bravura, that delivers the real treat.…As read-alouds go, [Brobarians is] pretty epic."

    ― Publishers Weekly

  • “The illustrations are just as laugh-out-loud funny as ever, with the toy’s expressions stealing every scene…Jack and Dexter have become a beloved duo, and the dino’s behavior-modeling sure goes down easily.”

    ― Kirkus Reviews

  • Amazon Editor’s Pick Book of the Month

    March 2015

  • "[An] an upbeat, inclusive depiction [of town halls]. Positive reinforcement for the notion that government is by, as well as of and for, the people."

    — Kirkus Reviews

  • “This unique exploration of a hospital makes the complex organization accessible as well as awe-inspiring.”

    — Horn Book Magazine

  • "A fantastic adventure."

    — The New York Times

  • "Ward’s imagining of a very active war ofwills—“Two heavyweights. One house”—is a fresh, clever twist, and one that should appeal to both singletons and newly-made siblings."

    ― Publishers Weekly

  • A 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist: Best Picture Books

  • "A warm and tender tribute to the traditions that help us hold our loved ones close."

    — Kirkus Reviews

  • “The bouncy rhyme skips merrily along (perhaps that’s what gives those errant pumpkins an extra push…and why they roll so far away), and the art is dominated by fall oranges, rusty reds, and cornfield yellows. Fans of this duo will happily follow them through another season.”

    — Kirkus Reviews