(3) K-3 Pout-Pout Fish Reader series. Illustrated by Isidre Monés. In Do It, Mr. Fish regrets turning down offers of artistic help from his aquatic pals. In Make a Friend, Mr. Fish has to figure out how to have a social life at school. The stories are satisfyingly rudimentary, and the illustrations, while simplified and slightly diluted, are otherwise faithful to Dan Hanna's original picture book scenes of plush-toy-like fish. Review covers these Pout-Pout Fish Reader titles: You Can Do It, Pout-Pout Fish! and You Can Make a Friend, Pout-Pout Fish!.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Pout-Pout Fish Reader series. Illustrated by Isidre Monés. In Do It, Mr. Fish regrets turning down offers of artistic help from his aquatic pals. In Make a Friend, Mr. Fish has to figure out how to have a social life at school. The stories are satisfyingly rudimentary, and the illustrations, while simplified and slightly diluted, are otherwise faithful to Dan Hanna's original picture book scenes of plush-toy-like fish. Review covers these Pout-Pout Fish Reader titles: You Can Do It, Pout-Pout Fish! and You Can Make a Friend, Pout-Pout Fish!.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA The Reader series. In this trilogy-ender, Sefia, Archer, and their allies fight to avert a prophecy, thereby ending war and saving Archer's life--but the prophetic Book may itself be working against them. The many interwoven story lines all involve high-stakes action, impossible choices, love, loss, and magic; Chee brings them to a heartwrenching but satisfying close with characteristically vivid world-building, a diverse cast of characters, and intriguing metafictional elements.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) YA The Reader series. After Sefia and Archer (The Reader) rescue a group of enslaved boys, they vow to hunt down the remaining impressor gangs and free their captives, too. Excerpts from Sefia's prophetic book and several seemingly unconnected subplots are interspersed; the capable heroine, diverse cast of characters, and fully realized fantasy setting will keep readers engaged as elements slowly come together for a suspenseful, poignant climax.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. Moby the kid ninja (Ninja on the Farm) is this time looking to help Papa Peppy at the pizza restaurant. But ninja skills and food service don't necessarily mix. Rhyming couplets run along the tops of pages, with onomatopoeia sprinkled into the pictures. The highly detailed, vibrant, and action-orientated illustrations are great for movement, but they leave emerging readers with little rest for their eyes.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Laugh Reader series. In the first two entries of this high-energy, giggle-inducing beginning-reader series, a ragtag group of animals tries to stop a nuisance in the garden (Pest) and figure out what is after them (Chasing). Bold words in the text and speech balloons helpfully emphasize inflection when reading. Digital illustrations with thick lines and bright colors are expressive and funny. Review covers these Ready-to-Laugh Reader titles: There's a Pest in the Garden! and What Is Chasing Duck?

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Laugh Reader series. In the first two entries of this high-energy, giggle-inducing beginning-reader series, a ragtag group of animals tries to stop a nuisance in the garden (Pest) and figure out what is after them (Chasing). Bold words in the text and speech balloons helpfully emphasize inflection when reading. Digital illustrations with thick lines and bright colors are expressive and funny. Review covers these Ready-to-Laugh Reader titles: There's a Pest in the Garden! and What Is Chasing Duck?

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) YA The Reader series. Sefia, in possession of a strange object called a "book," learns that writing and reading are the keys to powerful magic. Interspersed and eventually converging with Sefia's story are episodic tales of Captain Reed and his pirate crew. This complex series-opener introduces a richly built fantasy world and a courageous female protagonist. A coded message to readers and visual effects amplify the metafictional elements.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. When Moby Shinobi, child ninja extraordinaire, sees a farmer's "Help Needed!" sign, he tells the farmer, "Do not pout! / My ninja skills can help you out"--and mayhem ensues. Some new readers would have benefited from more blank space to rest their eyes. However, bright, detail-filled illustrations extend the narrative, humorously juxtaposing Moby's real and imagined contributions to farm life.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. Illustrated by Greg Paprocki. In their fourth easy reader, Hot Rod Hamster and friends head to the waterpark on a hot day, where Hamster challenges two big dogs to a race down a waterslide. As usual, rhyming verses engage readers with choices: "Striped tube. Bright tube. Race tube. White tube. Which would you choose?" Brightly colored illustrations make a splash as the pals cool off.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 I Am a Reader! series. Illustrated by Josée Masse. In three festive stories, readers will enjoy celebrating with Frog and his friends as they welcome a new friend to their Thanksgiving table, decorate a communal Christmas tree together, and party in their own special way on New Year's Eve. The accessible text is a good fit for newly independent readers. Colorful, well-placed illustrations capture the joy and happiness of the holidays.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. Illustrated by Greg Paprocki. In their third book for new readers, Hot Rod Hamster and friends are psyched for an upcoming Halloween party, but a broken-down hot rod slows the gang until friendly ghosts come to their aid. As usual, rhyming verses engage readers with choices: "Carve time? Sweet time? Drink time? Meet time? Which would you choose?" Brightly colored illustrations are filled with affable pumpkins, ghosts, and costumed party guests.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. Illustrated by Greg Paprocki. A lively rhyming text relates Hot Rod Hamster's ATV adventure. As in previous titles, several choices are offered to the reader: "Bridge trail. Tree trail. Swamp trail. Sea trail. Which would you choose?" When a yelp for help reveals a friend-filled ATV stuck in the mud, the proper tool choice may save the day. Brightly colored, mud-splattered illustrations capture the all-terrain fun.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 I Am a Reader! series. Illustrated by Josée Masse. This latest early reader featuring Frog and his pond companions contains two vignettes. In the first, the friends are fascinated by a rainbow and determined to find the gold that little Jumping Mouse says is at the end. Next, a fisherman invades the pond; will Frog have to leave his home? Bright illustrations help the reader make predictions and inferences about the accessible stories.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) K-3 Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader series. Illustrated by Nicole Rubel. After finding an old photo album, Ralph visits his family. His mother treats him well, but the other relatives heap humiliation on him. Ralph realizes the reason he is so rotten is that his own family was rotten to him. The longer format serves Ralph well, allowing a more sophisticated story line to emerge. Lively tongue-in-cheek illustrations extend the action.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(3) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. Illustrated by Greg Paprocki. The Wacky Whatever Race requires a box car powered by neither motor nor paws touching the ground. Hot Rod Hamster and readers have several choices during building: "High wheels. Low wheels. Fat wheels. Slow wheels. Which would you choose?" When the car loses speed, the quick-thinking critter makes it roll without breaking the rules. Bright digital illustrations enliven the energetic rhyming text.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 I Am a Reader! series. Illustrated by Josée Masse. In Outdoor, Frog's jokes are the hit of the pond concert, he helps Squirrel save a baby bird, and he soothes his friends' fears after a scary story. In Saves, the animals discover the source of a loud noise and Frog rescues a baby possum from the river. Colorful illustrations of the charming pond critters are well placed within the easy-to-read vignettes. Review covers these I Am a Reader! titles: Frog and Friends: Frog Saves the Day and Frog and Friends: Outdoor Surprises.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 I Am a Reader! series. Illustrated by Josée Masse. In Outdoor, Frog's jokes are the hit of the pond concert, he helps Squirrel save a baby bird, and he soothes his friends' fears after a scary story. In Saves, the animals discover the source of a loud noise and Frog rescues a baby possum from the river. Colorful illustrations of the charming pond critters are well placed within the easy-to-read vignettes. Review covers these I Am a Reader! titles: Frog and Friends: Frog Saves the Day and Frog and Friends: Outdoor Surprises.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Scholastic Reader series. Illustrated by Julie Downing. In three brief stories, vampire Scarlet and mummy Igor argue over what to do and eat, what to name a kitten, and whether to draw or paint. Eventually this odd-couple learns how to compromise. Feder's early-reader text addresses experiences that are relatable to children. Downing's spare pen and watercolor illustrations give the "spooky friends" distinct and humorous personalities.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(4) K-3 I Am a Reader! series. Illustrated by Josée Masse. In these three lighthearted, brief vignettes, Frog and friend Little Brown Bat compare their differences and similarities, Frog allows all his friends to join him on a vacation, and he's given his own star by a mysterious Starman. The stories are gently humorous, but they lack cohesiveness--and a real point. Masse's illustrations are brightly colored, cartoonlike, and appealing.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow