School Library Journal 
★ Mother Aspen: A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate. illus. by Crystal Smith. K-Gr 3–Lyrical language that informs and evokes connection with the forest community, along with detailed and saturated illustrations that capture readers’ emotions, make this year-in-the-life of an aspen grove a stellar selection. … Complex scientific information is shared with readers through text that never overwhelms, accompanied by illustrations that support and deepen understanding. When Mother Aspen dies at the end of the book, readers will be comforted by all the ways her life continues. Fascinating back matter and listed resources expand on the information for young naturalists. 
     VERDICT A perfect combination of information, artwork, and emotional impact. Highly recommended for all collections as a wonderful introduction to the importance of forest biodiversity and the amazing world of trees.
John Scott:  
 
Book List
Librarians and teachers will find many opportunities to fit poet and environmentalist LeBox’s gorgeous work into read-alouds, science units, art, and social-emotional learning. The main body of the book describes the life of a tree she calls Mother Aspen. LeBox narrates the long-term life of the tree, over hundreds of years, until the tree dies from storm damage. LeBox emphasizes the symbiosis of the tree, underground fungus, and forest animals; her description of how the dead tree will continue to give life by becoming a “nurse log” will be a valuable addition to lessons on life cycles and even on grieving. The author’s afterword and a closing nonfiction section offer details on tree cooperation and communication. Smith’s vibrant watercolors of the tree and forest dwellers are bursting with life and are a highlight of the book. A wonderful choice for school and public library shelves. — Henrietta Thornton
 
Canadian Children’s Book News Review
An ancient aspen tree produces and nourishes new shoots that communally become an aspen grove. As it grows, each offspring appears as an individual tree but, in reality, it’s part of one tree. This natural miracle is followed through all seasons, emphasizing the interdependence between the aspen and the flora and fauna within its ecosystem. 
Wildlife finds shelter and sustenance within its canopy and assists in seed distribution.
Illustrations across double pages bring the text to life, revealing rich woodland scenes in vivid golds, yellows and softer shades of greys, greens and blues. They depict the beauty of the tree in all seasons and the species of wildlife it sustains, such as bears, moose, foxes and many birds and insects. The book contains a resource list and an author’s note citing the work of Dr. Suzanne Simard that emphasizes the dependence on cooperation rather than competition. Children and adults alike will delight in this attractive book that reveals the intricacies and resilience of nature.
 
Southern Nebraska Register
This is an enchanting tale of interaction of forest ecology. Crystal Smith draws absolutely beautiful pictures of animal and plant life throughout the text. The writing and art combine to attract readers to discover the next part of the story. Primary school students will enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the story being read out loud. This is simply a beautiful book. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check it out. Enjoy!
Calgary Herald
Mother Aspen is a tree that is hundreds of years old. Gorgeous illustrations bring her to life as she shelters animals, feeds birds and fungi, and changes throughout the seasons. Young readers will learn how the fungi complement the tree by feeding it and carrying underground messages between other aspen, spruce, and fir trees. After living many years, when Mother Aspen falls to the ground after a storm, she keeps feeding and nurturing the forest. A wonderful resource for classrooms and a beautiful look at life cycles and seasons.
 
ABQLA Quebec Library Association Review
I love storybooks that show just how magical the real world can be, and Mother Aspen is a dedication to the complexities of the natural world. Nature, animals, and ecology are at the heart of this story book, with beautiful, full-page illustrations of forest landscapes. Every page is dense with visual texture through the leaves, bark, and foliage.
 

‘A list of small lessons, that when added up, have a great impact…”
Peace is an Offering is ‘affecting and heartfelt.’ Kirkus Review

Peace is an Offering is a ‘beautiful book.’ …
“(It’s) a wonderful way to remind not just children but yourself of the wonderful things that do and can exist in this world. The art is brilliant…. I urge you to purchase this. Give it as a gift and buy another one for yourself. This book will make you happy. I know it made me smile.”
The Book Wars: (Nafiza Azad)

“If childhood always resonated with Annette LeBox’s gentle verses, and invitingly resembled Stephanie Graegin’s multi-culti world, who would ever want to grow up? And even if the book is printed with “Dial Books for Young Readers,” no reason for us old folks not to give this precious little charmer a regular perusal, too. Regardless of age, in our hurry-up, don’t look back, gotta-do-one-more-thing, so-called modern world, LeBox and Graegin remind us all to practice peace: to slow down, be kind, and enjoy the innumerable little gifts that come our way.”
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Peace is an Offering contains a strong message about what the abstract concept of peace means for young (and old): helping one another, being kind, joining together, and enjoying all aspects of life with respect to your family, friends and neighbors…
The poem is beautifully written and illustrated. Children will easily understand each deftly visualized line or verse of the poem… I loved every aspect of every spread. The poetry speaks to the heart. Pencil and watercolor illustrations have those details I rave about. Simple put Peace Is An Offering is a joy to read.”
KidLitReviews

“Peace is an Offering is a prayer, a meditation, and a hope for a better world. Yet, it goes beyond simply crossing our fingers and presenting a ‘nice idea’ with giving children real things that they can do for themselves and each other. When you take small things like giving a kiss, saying nice things to each other, and keeping a person company and then frame it in the bigger context of making the world a better place- you get a picture book that is gently motivating and enlightening for children and adults alike.”
The Picture Book Review

“Award-winning author Annette LeBox makes a peace offering in her seventh book for children with a deceptively simple poem that spreads the message of attainable and shareable peace… LeBox demonstrates that peace comes through sharing time, patience and kindness, especially when loved ones are gone. LeBox manages to evoke 9/11 in a touching scene where she writes “And even in the wake of tragedy, even then, you might find her. In the rubble of a fallen tower. In the sorrow of your darkest hour.”

Adults will understand the reference even if children don’t, especially with Stephanie Graegin’s pencil and watercolor illustration of a family sitting on a park bench looking out on New York City. This volume’s sweet words nurture tender seeds of love and friendship, showing what wonderful fruits kindness can bear. “
Review by Literary Kids by Literary Features Syndicate

“Annette LeBox is a poet, a naturalist and author of Circle of Cranes. In this heartfelt poem about living in peace in everyday life, she focuses on a community of children who cherish and look after each other. The little ones in these stories convey peace as an offering, holding on to another, the words you say to a brother, and more places and activities. Peace is a joining, not a pulling apart. It’s the courage to bear a wounded heart.” The simple but elegant illustrations of Stephanie Graegin nicely complement the text.” Spirituality and Practice

Circle of Cranes … shows the reality of today’s working conditions for illegal Chinese immigrants in Chinatown.  Annette LeBox also incorporated a magical element that gave the book a fable-like feel.  While this novel is written for a middle grade readership, it could be enjoyed by all ages.  We definitely recommend Circle of Cranes.
Kidzworld Review, Rating 5 stars

Suyin’s tribulations offer a glimpse into the horrifying world of human trafficking and sweatshops. Her time with the Sisterhood balances the horror of her daily life and gives her strength to help with the garment workers’ strike, which leads to a tidier and happier ending than most children with paths similar to Suyin’s experience. While many elements of the narrative structure and story will appeal to younger readers, the brutality and violence that the girl endures, especially as a friend takes a job at a seedy massage parlor, requires more mature readers.
School Library Journal 5-1,Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

(Circle of Cranes) is extremely well researched, and is a big eye-opener when it comes to the sweatshops in New York’s Chinatown. … Even though it’s targeted at a middle grade readership, it has a fable-like quality that makes it appeal to readers of all ages.
Goodreads, Nicole Skutelnik, 5 starred review

Perhaps most impressive piece of this story is the presences of strong female role models, and the beautiful use of language, especially ancient proverbs, as they allude to Suyin’s life experiences … There are stories and proverbs hidden in embroidery, an oral retelling of Suyin’s history (both human and crane) and a description of the secret language of women (both written― Nu Shu―and physical in embroidery)…  Overall, this is a wonderfully rich book that encourages a rich discussion about language in all forms with the reader.  It’s a fantastic read for both middle school and young adult readers; just be warned that some of the descriptions of life under snakehead control may be unpleasant for the more sensitive reader.
Goodreads, Jen, Toronto, Ontario

The language (in Circle of Cranes) is simple, yet compelling.  I found I couldn’t put it down and I’m certain mid-grade children (the target audience) will feel the same.  The lessons Suyin learns in this story can appeal to any child.
Views from Nature

Circle of Cranes is so much grittier and deeper than I ever expected it to be.  I want to learn more about all of the topics and situations LeBox touched on now that the novel’s over, and I love the extra information she’s featured on her blog, as though she knew I’d come looking.  …I didn’t realize the book was going to feature such deep issues when I picked it up, thinking it would be mostly about a girl’s journey to becoming a crane sister.  It was, but it was so much more, too.  The novel is gorgeously written and really gets into the mind of Suyin as she adapts to her new life, betrayed by everyone and forced to continue on in such revolting conditions.  The book is well worth reading and will truly open your mind in more ways than one.
A Backwards Story

Circle of Cranes is a beautifully written mix of fable and historical fiction… The author has created a wonderful blend of ancient legend with modern day illegal immigration, connecting the horrors of life in the sweatshops with the beauty of the natural world inhabited by the cranes.
Reviewed by Lost in a Great Book

Based on real human trafficking news, Circle of Cranes is a profound tale that looks at an inconvenient aspect of illegal immigration ignored by those in power except when an incident occurs.
Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews