(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. While on vacation with their owner, ferret Einstein escapes the cage to explore the Arizona desert; protesting, fellow ferret Fudge reluctantly joins him. They devour juicy cactus fruit, but a hungry rattlesnake has them hastily retreating back to their cage. As in Ferret Fun, clean ink and marker cartoon-panel art and humorous dialogue-bubble exchanges highlight Fudge's cautious nature and Einstein's bold behavior.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. In her fourth book, cockroach Maybelle falls asleep in Mrs. Peabody's ten-layer cake and winds up at the school bake sale. While trying to find her way home, Maybelle must rescue her pal Henry, a flea, from a start-up flea circus. Chock-full of humorous situations, young readers will delight in the friendly roach's antics--and think twice about biting into their school lunches.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. Mischievous Sheep can't resist a good prank on April Fool's Day, and the farmyard is in chaos--he sets Rooster's clock for the wrong time and frosts an empty box so Pig will think it's a cake. But he gets his comeuppance when Horse shears him to look like a poodle. Jolly illustrations aptly reflect the bouncy rhyming text's simple humor.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. Bernice the ant insists on treating Maybelle, a cockroach, as her queen. Maybelle thinks she could get used to such treatment, but with Bernice's service comes trouble. While trying to keep hard-working Bernice safe, Maybelle, Bernice, and Henry the flea end up convincing the human inhabitants that their house is haunted. Black-and-white illustrations sprinkled throughout underscore the friendly story's humor.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. House-pet ferrets Fudge and Einstein nervously welcome visiting cat, Marvel, into their home. When Marvel mistakes them for rats ("I love tasty...rats"), the two must show her who's boss in order to save their necks. Fudge and Einstein's humorous exchanges with each other and with Marvel will entertain readers. Clean-lined marker and ink cartoon-panel illustrations add to the liveliness.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. There's no one as fussy as the Peabody family--despite the fact that Maybelle, a cockroach, and Henry, a flea, live in the house that they keep "JUST SO." Joined by new friend Maurice, a fly, the bugs upset Mrs. Peabody's very snooty tea party. This sequel to Maybelle in the Soup offers a full course of nondemanding humor for young readers.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. To help conquer his fear of school, raccoon Rory's parents plan a sleepover at Rory's aunt's house, about which he is equally nervous. Its success leaves Rory confident about meeting new challenges. Mitchard's text focuses more on Rory's overnight than the titular topic. Rátz de Tagyos's illustrations nicely balance anthropomorphism with murky nighttime raccoon's-eye views.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos. This book introduces an unlikely pair of protagonists--Maybelle, a stylish cockroach, and Henry, a wise flea. Henry lays low, but Maybelle craves adventure. Illustrations from a variety of perspectives reinforce the humor, and spot art breaks up large chunks of text. The capitalization of certain words and phrases helps children recognize nuances of tone.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2007

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos. Rooster wakes up with a sore throat and a big problem. How will the chores get done if he can't crow and wake up Farmer Ted? The other animals are quick with puns, but no one has a solution. Finally, everyone pitches in to help (with a lot of fooling around along the way). The comical illustrations make the most of the farmyard crisis and extend the text's droll humor.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004