(3) PS Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Platypus tries to play with the kangaroos, dingoes, possums, and fruit bats, but he never quite fits in, and his clumsiness earns him the name "Splatypus." Eventually, he discovers swimming with other aquatic animals and realizes where he belongs. The rhyming text is full of onomatopoeic tongue twisters ("HOBBLE, BOBBLE, WIGGLE, WOBBLE"). Comical illustrations prominently feature Platypus's blue feet and bill against dusty outback scenes.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Chameleon Carlos believes he's king of the zoo, until he sees signage at other zoo animals' enclosures claiming each is ruler; ultimately an admiring little girl boosts downtrodden Carlos's ego right back up. The slight story is dominated by Carlos's repetitive ranting ("The King of the Zoo is ME, that's who!"), but Urbanovic humorously pictures the creature's emotion-induced color-changing.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) PS Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. As the sheep nods off, one farm animal after another quacks, baas, or oinks him awake. Each time, the bleary-eyed sheep insists: "Shhh! Not a peep! Go to sleep!" Together, Urbanovic's comical watercolors and Beaumont's repetitive rhyming text manage to be both lively and soothing--the perfect combination to help energetic little ones blow off steam and settle down at bedtime.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2011

(3) PS Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. This spin on "If You're Happy and You Know It" stars a selection of "hoppy," "sloppy," "growly," and "flappy" creatures--and one "slimy and scaly and mean" mystery being. Colorful watercolor illustrations bring the animal adjectives to life while lively and humorous text invites wholehearted participation and pantomime. The bouncy verse builds momentum toward an energized "hoppy" ending.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Harriet the hamster, thinking a makeover is key to getting herself out of the pet store, reinvents herself with a flashy new hat and whisker extensions. The transformation is ridiculous, and her sensible sister convinces Harriet to just be herself. The story's moral, though unoriginal, is easy to take as delivered by funny, cuddly, fashion-conscious hamsters.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Though transported from its Russian "roots" to an American backyard garden, this tale of the recalcitrant turnip ("that big 'ol turnip would not budge") finally pulled up by the smallest character is enjoyable. Vibrant, energetic illustrations and simple text make this soul-food variation a good choice to serve up for storytelling.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. For Lotty, as for most children, the start of a new school year is exciting, so when a bully targets her, she is devastated. Despite its didactic intent, the realistic story is kept lively by Lotty's creative solution (she forms a club whose members stick up for anyone being bullied) and by the illustrator's variety of expressive animal students.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Peace-loving Minuette is sent to her uncle Sir Horace the Horrible while her daddy recovers from the flu. Trying to convince her uncle that she'd rather have a hug than witness his heroics, such as slaying a dragon and vanquishing an army, she eventually persuades her fierce but clueless uncle that arms are for hugging. The story may be treacly, but the animated watercolors show a plucky, diminutive Minuette.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. For pasta-loving Eddie, spaghetti isn't just tasty: it's a substitute shoelace for a neighbor, a fishing net for a friend, guitar strings for an acquaintance. After Eddie thwarts a crook with a well-tossed meatball, everyone mentions his good deeds at his dad's surprise spaghetti-dinner birthday party. This palatable if insubstantial tale is illustrated with cartoony images featuring a rubber-faced cast.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. Fifth-grader Brendan's mother (a disc jockey who can do the hokey pokey, chicken dance, and macarena) is a colossal source of embarrassment to her son. And now she's been hired to deejay at his school's Music and Munchies Night. McDonough's story, though anticlimactic, is fast paced with likable characters. Urbanovic's cartoony spot illustrations are appropriately goofy.

Reviewer: Mark Adam