(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Tim Bowers. Chickens Dinah and Rufus decide to open a restaurant. Rufus the cook is upset that no one orders his "custard surprise," but some quick thinking helps give the customers what they want. Once the pattern is established, the joke goes on too long, but there's a nice twist at the end. Bowers's hyper cartoon illustrations add to the humor.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) PS From one growling giant to ten rattling robots, the suspense builds in this quirky concept book as each double-page spread introduces something scarier to frighten away the previous characters. Bold, expansive illustrations combine with a simple text energized by alliteration to provide an enjoyable counting lesson.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Katherine Lodge. Seven days a week, Shoe Shoe, a shoe store owner from a big shoe-loving family, waits on several "weird" customers: Gumshoe the detective needs secret shoes, Popova the ballerina needs shoes to put a spring in her step, Tex from New Mex needs some speedy boots, etc. The tepid, directionless text is offset by the zany Kalman-esque illustrations in bright pastel colors and jaunty perspectives.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Planet Zero, the Sea of Socks, and Babyville are three of the sites introduced in this volume of amusing poems about unusual places. Ice Cone Island is stocked with dairy confections; Hairland is mowed bald by the "Wee Folk from Killarney." The pastel woodcut illustrations have a gentle, eccentric humor that matches the tone of the light verses.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 At her surprise birthday party, Mouldylocks must use her new pop-up book of spells to restore order after the disgruntled guests change each other into a grasshopper, a centipede, and a snail. Despite an unsatisfying story line, Lodge's colored woodblock illustrations show a skilled draftsman at work.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne