(2) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. "CHRISTMAS IS CANCELED!" Quirkville's zombies, humans, and extraterrestrials are distressed to discover that an unexpected storm may keep Santa away from town. Never fear: Reginald, Zarfon, and Abigail Zink (Peanut Butter & Brains) save Santa--and Christmas--from what turns out to be a marshmallow blizzard. Funny sound effects ("SPLOINK"; "JINGLE JINGLE"), Zarfon's non-verbal speech balloons, and larger-than-life comedy deliver a sweet-and-salty tale.

Reviewer: Katie Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) K-3 Who Made My Lunch? series. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. In each book, a child prepares to eat something but first learns how the food is produced by being transported to various places involved. The second-person texts cover countries of origin, growing and harvesting conditions, and processing details. Simple, engaging illustrations featuring a diverse cast of kids will appeal to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Who Made My Lunch? titles: From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate, From Grapes to Jelly, From Milk to Cheese, From Milk to Ice Cream, From Peanuts to Peanut Butter, and From Wheat to Bread.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. Reginald and his fellow friendly zombies (Peanut Butter & Brains) now coexist peacefully with Quirkville's living citizens. When non-threatening-looking aliens arrive armed with "cosmic grape jelly," the zombies' and humans' taste for PB&J provides a means to diplomacy with the "hangry" extraterrestrials. Outrageous sound effects ("BRAZZAP-SPLAT!"), non-verbal thought balloons, and slapstick visual humor contrast with the played-straight text for a highly silly second outing.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Start to Finish, Second Series: Food series. These redesigned editions help beginning readers understand the agricultural, manufacturing, and production processes of common food items. Readers looking for greater detail will need to find additional sources, though with a few simple sentences and color photograph per spread, these books are adequate introductions. Glos., ind. Review covers these Start to Finish, Second Series titles: From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate, From Peanut to Peanut Butter, From Grass to Milk, and From Milk to Ice Cream.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Smart about Scientists series. Illustrated by Jill Weber. The conceit that a kid, Annie, wrote this text as a school report works well: the child's voice adds perspective and liveliness without being cutesy or intrusive. The "report" features handsome illustrations (ostensibly made by Annie), complete with dialogue balloons; black-and-white photos of Carver; a science experiment; peanut facts (though not that it's a legume); and a recipe.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) K-3 Focusing on the spread's uses (its history and future are briefly mentioned in jest), right-hand pages offer colorful illustrations and instructions for activities, including party ideas, art projects, and a play--all involving peanut butter and ranging from appetizing to fairly messy. Many will require adult supervision (or at least approval). Left-hand pages feature small drawings with quotes from children.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn