(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pete Oswald. Flat Cat, born delightfully flat, enjoys his sleek life -- until a whirlwind school day changes everything. Rollicking through classrooms, he’s folded, passed, and nearly trashed before becoming an unexpected hero. With scanned gouache textures painted digitally in Photoshop, the pastel-colored, cartoony illustrations add playful energy to each page. This offbeat tale celebrates self-discovery, friendship, and the joy of being seen, proving even the flattest cat can make a big impression. “Smooth moves, Flat Cat!”

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.. Proper Badger (from Proper Badger Would Never!) is going to school (inadvertently, having boarded the wrong bus). The text enumerates poor (and sometimes extreme) classroom behaviors that Proper Badger “assuredly...undeniably...obviously did NOT” do—while the childlike illustrations humorously make clear that the text is protesting too much. Pure silliness, with perhaps some reassurance for those apprehensive about school that at least they know not to...say...eat the class pet.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax