(3) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. A lighthearted text posits yes-or-no questions about Ollie's field trip, such as "How will the class get to the aquarium?" Three silly answers are offered (e.g., "Will they go in a submarine?"); a fourth response is always the correct choice (a school bus). Along the way, a subtle lesson in proper field-trip behavior is conveyed. The breezy watercolor illustrations enhance the text's humor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. When school-supply shopping with his kids, Daddy strictly enforces the only-if-it's-on-the-list rule. But when Daddy wants something not on the list, the kids remind him of the rule--and then Daddy starts making deals. Shopping carts brimming with nonessential supplies and humorous dialogue (some of which is adult-aimed) inject welcome silliness into what can be a fraught errand.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. Unable to satisfy his two children's competing bedtime reading requests, Daddy conjures up a rousing space-adventure story with a heroic princess who battles "evil Space Aliens of Doom" in a flying purple "MONSTER" truck. The zany off-the-cuff tale, illustrated with energetic watercolors, throws in improbable plot twists but accomplishes the goal: two happy children, fast asleep.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. Outdoors-loving and usually obedient dog Scooter escapes when the front door is left open. After going a little too far outside his normal walking route (and his comfort zone), he realizes that exploring is more fun—and less scary—with his owner. Onomatopoeia and funny dog-speak translations will keep kids engaged. Expressive watercolor and pencil illustrations chronicle his excitement-packed adventure.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. In this engaging question-and-answer book, readers follow Ollie as he prepares for school. Kids are asked straightforward questions, such as how Ollie will get to school. What follows is a series of potential answers paired with silly illustrated vignettes (will Ollie row a boat, ride a giraffe, or hop backward?); a page turn reveals the correct choice (he'll ride the bus).

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. "When I leave the house with Mommy, she packs a tasty snack...[Daddy] spends ten minutes trying to find his 'stoopid' car keys." As the book's title, which choruses throughout, makes plain, the narrator's mom-versus-dad observations pertain to all fathers. The joke will be appreciated more by parents; meanwhile, Carter scores with her happy-go-lucky scenes.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. The Home Sweet Home Parade is coming up, and Andy wants to win the best-decorated-bike contest, even if Dolores has laid claim to it. But Andy also has higher aspirations: "What Andy Shane really, really, really wanted was to be a hero." Jacobson's light touch and respect for her audience give the ordinary happenings universal appeal. Black-and-white illustrations allow fledgling readers to join the adventures.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2010

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. Andy is determined to secure for his granny the perfect "unbirthday" gift: a case for her binoculars. He holds a tag sale with his friend Dolores to raise funds, then is horrified to discover that the binoculars themselves have been sold. Generously illustrated in appealing pencil and black watercolor wash, this fifth Andy Shane story will entertain early chapter book readers.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. Maggie insists that a monkey family is living in the refrigerator. Her older brother, unlike their parents and sister, can't bring himself to indulge the fantasy--until his friends make fun of Maggie. This sweet story takes on more than familial loyalty: it's also about outgrowing (and re-embracing) one's fantasy life. The spirited pencil and gouache illustrations depict big bro's changing attitude.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. In their third tale, Andy and Delores tangle once again as they try to negotiate their bumpy friendship. This time the conflict comes when Delores wants to dictate their school assignment about Egypt, naturally taking on the role of queen. As is his established pattern, Andy figures out how to work out their differences in this upbeat volume for confident beginning readers.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. Over the course of their first three books together, Andy Shane and former arch-nemesis Delores Starbuckle became friends. However, now that they're comfortable with "two's company," along comes new girl Lark Alice Bell--and the problems of "three's a crowd." Issues are handled naturally and without platitudes in this strong entry in a satisfying series for early chapter book readers.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. As guests arrive at Miss Bloom's six-room inn, rhyming couplets track occupancy: "Now ONE room of SIX had a guest for the night. / To fill up the inn would be pure delight." Though the rhythm is occasionally off-kilter, the book provides a high-spirited, creative approach to fractions. Watercolor illustrations incorporate many homey patterns and humorous details.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Abby Carter. Mr. Hopper announces that Ollie's favorite TV chef will visit his classroom, then challenges each student to cook a "family favorite." Ollie's discouraged when his family can't agree on a dish, but he finally comes up with one special element that wows Chef Antonia. Simple vocabulary and sentences, some repeated phrases, and inviting illustrations will support less-confident readers.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Abby Carter. When the other animals of tiny Rattler's Bend reject his paintings, Holbrook the lizard heads to the big city to find artistic appreciation. There, he meets art patron Count Rumolde, who first befriends but later enslaves him. Despite tremendous odds, the lizard manages to escape and rescue his fellow workers. His engaging adventures make Holbrook a likable, courageous hero.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. In their second book, Andy and Dolores try (and fail) to stop neighborhood vandals from smashing the Halloween pumpkins on Dolores's front porch. The characters' complexity, revealed in simple text with natural language, is the strength of this book. Soft watercolor pencil and wash sketches outline the plot; spot art depicting potentially unfamiliar vocabulary provides an extra boost for beginning readers.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2006

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Abby Carter. Luna proposes an astronomy show--a "midnight circus"--for Family Night. Unfortunately, her classmates latch onto the circus idea and ignore the astronomy angle, until they discover that another class is putting on a circus. Mr. Hopper, an astronomy buff like Luna, suggests they try Luna's original idea. The result: an out-of-the-ordinary performance, portrayed with gusto in the cheery illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. When John announces that his disruptive little sister has to go, their mother starts packing the baby's suitcase. To the reader's surprise, she does indeed give away the baby--to Grandma for the day. In a deft touch, Carter's comical watercolors don't feature the mother's face until the last spread: she has recognized John's unspoken need for some Mom time.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Abby Carter. Grandma hasn't cut her hair since 1969; she has plants in every window; she sells bread and vegetables at the farmers' market--in short, she's everything that the narrator wants to be when she's her grandmother's age. Although Grandma is presented both in the text and in the cheerful watercolor and gouache illustrations as a free spirit, the text is made up of rather conventional, if taut and sprightly, rhymes.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Abby Carter. In the third book about Billie and her invisibility powder, Billie's archenemy Alyssa steals the powder and inadvertently makes herself disappear. Jocelyn substitutes quick dialogue and slapstick humor for character development, and the fantasy is not tightly woven. However, the friendship dynamics and the high drama that passes for everyday life in sixth grade both ring true. Black-and-white drawings are included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth