Jamaica’s Find

by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Jamaica finds a stuffed dog at the playground and after taking him home without trying to find the owner discovers her conscience as well. This title has been in print for more than twenty-five years, and has grown into a series of seven.

Reviews:

"Children Jamaica's age, struggling with the concepts of right and wrong, will undoubtedly find Jamaica's moral dilemma of great interest." Publishers Weekly

Brianna, Jamaica and the Dance of Spring

by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Brianna and Jamaica both want to be the butterfly queen in their spring dance performance. Instead they are chosen to be flowers while Brianna’s older sister, Nikki, is chosen for the lead. But just when Nikki seems to be the lucky one, she gets the flu and can’t dance her part. Will Brianna get a chance now?

Reviews

"This author/illustrator team works well together in portraying realistic children in an ethnically diverse setting. Each child in the ballet class has a distinct physical appearance that suggests an individual personality. The girls' families are supportive and involved. The watercolor-and-pastel illustrations of the various places, dance movements, and costumes are affectionately real - not slick or romanticized. Readers who have come to enjoy the earlier books for their calm and sensible approach to the everyday dilemmas that Jamaica faces will certainly want to read this one. Newcomers will, too." School Library Journal

"Many children will relate to the dreams of stardom and the rivalry between the sisters, and O'Brien's watercolor-and-pastel illustrations capture the excitement of the dance class, both the group action and the individual children. The pictures also show the anger and the support at home, and, always, the bond between close friends." Booklist

Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher

by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Jamaica likes the substitute teacher, Mrs. Duval, right away. So when there’s a spelling test, of course Jamaica wants to please her by spelling all the words right. But this time something goes wrong and Jamaica has to make an important decision. . . . What will Mrs. Duval think of her now?

Reviews

A 1999 Parents' Choice® Recommendation.

"The full-color artwork depicts a modern classroom with a diverse student body. O'Brien focuses her attention and detail on the two main characters, bringing them visually to the front of the illustrations. A delightful story with a gentle message." School Library Journal

"The softly colored pastel drawings show Jamaica, her range of emotions, appealing classmates, and the teacher's kindly nature. This sensitive treatment of the topic makes the book ideal for group discussion." Kirkus Reviews

Jamaica’s Blue Marker

by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Jamaica was friends with everyone in school - except for Russell. No wonder: Russell was a mean brat. When they had art class, Russell borrowed her markers and spoiled her picture. At recess, he threw sand and chased little kids. Jamaica certainly wasn't sorry to learn that Russell was going to move away. She didn't even want to make a card for him, the way the others in her class were doing. But then something happened to change her mind . . .

Reviews

"O'Brien's full-page watercolor illustrations feature a multiethnic classroom and beautifully reflect the expressions and moods of the main characters." School Library Journal

"The sensitive story and realistic watercolor pictures show Jamaica's strong feelings and how they change" Publisher's Weekly

Jamaica and Brianna

by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

It's wintertime again, and Jamaica has to wear her brother Ossie's hand-me-down boots. She finds herself envious of her friend Brianna's pink boots with the fuzzy cuffs, and Brianna teases her about her ugly, old "boy" boots. But one word brings reconciliation for the two friends.

Reviews

"The simple, direct prose finds its complement in O'Brien's cozy, realistic watercolors. The pictures of Jamaica and Brianna are convincing; an additional pleasure are the vividly rendered bit players (Jamaica's classmates and family) who grace the background of nearly every page. Ages 4-8." Publishers Weekly

"O'Brien's illustrations are realistically and beautifully done. They derive their power from the artist's ability to re-create the whole gamut of emotions that can be reflected in little girls' faces. Her solid watercolor paintings wonderfully complement the text, which is gentle and understated." School Library Journal

Jamaica Tagalong

This sequel to Jamaica's Find tells of Jamaica's hurt feelings when her older brother won't let her tag along with his friends. Ages 4-8.

Reviews:

"This simple but important lesson is attractively illustrated in realistic watercolors." Kirkus Reviews

"...as simple and charming as its predecessor." Publisher's Weekly