(2) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Park. Three endearing felines, named Big, Little­, and Middle, enjoy a happy life until a scraggly stray cat enters their backyard yowling and hissing. The mother of the cats’ young owner warns the child, who narrates the book, that this furry stranger might have fleas or even rabies, and the other cats regard the intruder with wide eyes and arched backs. However, when the persistent visitor starts exhibiting signs of friendliness (including bringing a dead mouse as a present), the narrator can’t resist giving the kitty some food and a bath. A bond develops, and even the other cats, once ­apprehensive, start accepting this raggedy new arrival. Sumovich fills her clever narrative, spanning four seasons, with such lines as “she appears like a magic trick, mowling like a banshee” that make this entertaining to read aloud. Park gives each cat a distinct personality and look and excels at rendering comical facial expressions and limber body language. The illustrations also deftly mix in some pathos, especially in an evocative wintry spread that shows the child inside a warm house looking out the window at the freezing feral cat. After some climactic drama, the story reaches a satisfying conclusion. Even the endpapers, packed with the child’s cat-centered drawings, are delightful.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) PS Illustrated by Laura Park. After several near-wordless spreads ­showcasing the advantages and ­disadvantages of their lots in life, a crab and bird join forces: with the former's claws and the latter's ability to fly, the "Crabbird! Birdrab!" is "UNSTOPPABLE!" against predators. They become even more so with the addition of a turtle and then (after they ask very nicely) a bear. They add the president of the United States (depicted as a woman of color) to their group in hopes of outlawing the impending destruction of the animals' lakefront home, but as she explains, to change the law they'll really need to add Congress. Throughout this absurd lesson in animal traits and human civics, longer and longer versions of the new creature's name appear ("Birdraburtlebear! Craburbearbird! Turbearbircrab!"), usually with letters of the word color-coded to match their relevant animals. Between this device and Rex's (School's First Day of School, rev. 3/16) spare, mostly dialogue text (situated within Park's spacious, boldly colored illustrations), this unabashedly silly picture book is a good choice for emerging readers as well as for storytime audiences. It should appeal as much to those who find the word crabturd funny as to those who prefer Congress jokes.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Park. Friends Abner, a duck, and Ian, a prairie dog, are stuck on the vertical edges of this book. With help from readers (à la Press Here) and after a few false starts, they eventually find their way to the correct orientation. Expressive cartoons, a strong sense of comic timing, and a simple text suited to new readers equal picture-book success.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Laura Park. James Grimm is a "sit-down" comic--he uses humor to cope with his new life in a wheelchair, the result of a car accident that killed his parents and sister. His humorless aunt and uncle, whose son is the school bully, provide little solace. Despite lots of jokes (some from famous comedians) and a wise-cracking tone, this silly story strains for meatier substance.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Laura Park. After moving to the city, Rafe starts at a new art school, makes a friend, searches for his missing father, and begins a self-improvement mission called "Operation: Get a Life." While trouble follows Rafe into seventh grade, he learns from his experiences, growing as an artist and an individual. Illustrated with energetic drawings, the realistic story of this down-on-his-luck everykid is worth a read.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Laura Park. This story of outcast Rafe Khatchadorian's sixth-grade year is recounted by him and illustrated by Leo, his imaginary friend. The protagonist comes up with Operation R.A.F.E. (Rules Aren't For Everyone) in which he breaks every rule in his school's handbook. It's hard to feel much sympathy for Rafe--until his emotional scars are revealed. Entertaining black-and-white cartoons keep things light.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter