(4) K-3 Illustrated by Colleen Madden. As Micah helps his synagogue pick pumpkins for a soup kitchen, he's also on the lookout for a perfect one to bring home to decorate his family's sukkah. A truck full of pumpkins seems an odd donation, but the story's messages about generosity, selflessness, and pumpkins' life cycle are clear. The genial illustrations show nature scenes, friends and family, and Micah's imaginings.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Goofballs series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Have the Goofballs finally met a mystery they can't solve? When items in Miss Becker's kindergarten classroom keep disappearing without any explanation, the Goofballs, a young detective team, go undercover as teachers to investigate. In his sixth installment, Abbott effectively uses spunky dialogue to create constant action and memorable characters, while Madden's detailed black-and-white illustrations bring humorous scenes to life.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Goofballs series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. In their latest case, Goofball detectives Jeff, Brian, Kelly, and Mara must solve a spooky case so the town's first bookstore can open in a supposedly haunted old mansion. Despite the fright-fraught mission, the crew's trademark goofiness breaks the tension as the kids work to crack the case. Lively black-and-white illustrations mirror the lightheartedness of the wordplay- and pun-heavy text.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(3) 1-3 Goofballs series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Jeff, Mara, Kelly, and Brian--the Goofballs--are a crew of child detectives. In this first installment, they're tasked with finding rich kid Randall Crandall's missing pony, Thunder. Silliness and puns abound as they use deductive logic to crack the case. The characters' varied personalities each contribute to the appeal of the wacky gang. Madden's spot art enlivens the easy-to-read chapter book.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) K-3 Diva Duck series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Diva Duck is "destined for greatness." These books follow Diva as she learns that "when you have a dream, anything is possible," discovers the true meaning of friendship, and realizes the importance of home and of school. The text strains for coolness but instead sounds corny; Madden's energetic pink-heavy illustrations add spunk to Diva's larger-than-life personality. Review covers these Diva Duck titles: Diva Duck Dreams, Diva Duck Goes to Hollywood, Diva Duck Travels the World, and School Rules for Diva Duck.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Diva Duck series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Diva Duck is "destined for greatness." These books follow Diva as she learns that "when you have a dream, anything is possible," discovers the true meaning of friendship, and realizes the importance of home and of school. The text strains for coolness but instead sounds corny; Madden's energetic pink-heavy illustrations add spunk to Diva's larger-than-life personality. Review covers these Diva Duck titles: Diva Duck Dreams, Diva Duck Goes to Hollywood, Diva Duck Travels the World, and School Rules for Diva Duck.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Diva Duck series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Diva Duck is "destined for greatness." These books follow Diva as she learns that "when you have a dream, anything is possible," discovers the true meaning of friendship, and realizes the importance of home and of school. The text strains for coolness but instead sounds corny; Madden's energetic pink-heavy illustrations add spunk to Diva's larger-than-life personality. Review covers these Diva Duck titles: Diva Duck Dreams, Diva Duck Goes to Hollywood, Diva Duck Travels the World, and School Rules for Diva Duck.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Diva Duck series. Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Diva Duck is "destined for greatness." These books follow Diva as she learns that "when you have a dream, anything is possible," discovers the true meaning of friendship, and realizes the importance of home and of school. The text strains for coolness but instead sounds corny; Madden's energetic pink-heavy illustrations add spunk to Diva's larger-than-life personality. Review covers these Diva Duck titles: Diva Duck Dreams, Diva Duck Goes to Hollywood, Diva Duck Travels the World, and School Rules for Diva Duck.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Colleen Madden. Miss Marigold--a.k.a. the garden lady--leads the kids of Pepper Lane Elementary School in converting an unused patch of playground into a community garden. The authors know their gardening stuff, but what there is in terms of plotting is overly familiar (the kids get the neighborhood grouch to help them out). The exuberant mixed-media art is fresher than the story line.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colleen M. Madden. In each of thirteen spreads, a boy describes his ostensibly benign behavior ("On the bus, I just stood up to see the fire truck"), which is reality-checked by an adult on the scene ("What if everybody did that?"). Madden's new illustrations effectively provide the faux-tragicomic visuals (e.g., the school bus tilts to one side) in this eye-opening case for personal responsibility.

Reviewer: Nell Beram