(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Isadora Moon series. While on a field trip to the ballet, Isadora loses her magical stuffed bunny. Her search brings Isadora face-to-face with her idol, Tatiana Tutu--who happens to need an understudy for the show. Pink-accented grayscale illustrations play up the humorous contrast between half-fairy, half-vampire Isadora's wacky family and her human school friends, and they communicate Isadora's total comfort in being her one-of-a-kind self.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Commander in Cheese series. Illustrated by AG Ford. When the "country mice" living in Mount Rushmore are robbed, Ava and Dean Squeakerton (the White House's mouse inhabitants) head to South Dakota to set things right. Leavitt incorporates facts from American history in the tame mystery, even addressing Mount Rushmore's problematic placement on American Indian land. Friendly grayscale illustrations highlight key moments. Additional historical facts and a map are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Isadora Moon series. Spunky half-vampire, half-fairy child Isadora finds neither fairy school nor vampire school quite right for her in School; and she befriends a mermaid over summer vacation in Camping. Warm moments with family and friends ground these first two fantastical adventures; plentiful pink-accented grayscale illustrations festooned with flowers, cutesy bats, stars, seashells, etc., detail Isadora's sparkly-spooky world. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Isadora Moon titles: Isadora Moon Goes Camping and Isadora Moon Goes to School.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Isadora Moon series. Spunky half-vampire, half-fairy child Isadora finds neither fairy school nor vampire school quite right for her in School; and she befriends a mermaid over summer vacation in Camping. Warm moments with family and friends ground these first two fantastical adventures; plentiful pink-accented grayscale illustrations festooned with flowers, cutesy bats, stars, seashells, etc., detail Isadora's sparkly-spooky world. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Isadora Moon titles: Isadora Moon Goes Camping and Isadora Moon Goes to School.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Louise Trapeze series. Illustrated by Brigette Barrager. Seven-year-old circus performer Louise Trapeze has lost her polka-dot sandals and her light-up hula hoop, but she's determined not to lose her tooth as well. Louise--in her guileless Junie B. Jones–esque narration--faces her fears and finds her lost belongings with help from her friends. This fourth installment of the effervescent series includes orange-accented line drawings that add to the festive atmosphere.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: MVP series. Illustrated by Scott Brundage. A diverse group of Franklin Elementary students--Max, Alice, Nico, and twins Luke and Kat--works to uncover who's trying to sabotage the school's Olympic-style field day while also participating in the competitions. Action-filled chapters and plentiful black-and-white illustrations support beginning readers. Facts about the Olympics are included at book's end. A lively start to the mystery/sports mash-up series.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Commander in Cheese series. Illustrated by A. G. Ford. Mouse siblings Ava and Dean Squeakerton take advantage of moving day at the White House to embark on a quest to sneak a Lego from the new president's son's bedroom. This gentle tale, with grayscale illustrations to match, is packed with references to past presidents. Readers looking for a low-key read may forgive the too-conveniently-averted crises. Presidential facts are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. Aspiring paleontologist Frank visits his grandma at the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming, where a fossilized egg hatches adorable dinosaur Peanut. Frank and bratty cousin Samantha must keep Peanut a secret--first from a greedy neighbor and then from a film crew. Dinosaur enthusiasts will dig the Jurassic Park–lite premise, but trite dialogue and weak characters may bore others. Cartoonish illustrations add appeal. Review covers the following Stepping Stone titles: A Mysterious Egg and Too Big to Hide.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. Aspiring paleontologist Frank visits his grandma at the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming, where a fossilized egg hatches adorable dinosaur Peanut. Frank and bratty cousin Samantha must keep Peanut a secret--first from a greedy neighbor and then from a film crew. Dinosaur enthusiasts will dig the Jurassic Park–lite premise, but trite dialogue and weak characters may bore others. Cartoonish illustrations add appeal. Review covers the following Stepping Stone titles: A Mysterious Egg and Too Big to Hide.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: The Dino Files series. Illustrated by Mike Boldt. To avoid the press after photos of their dinosaur, Peanut, surface online, future paleontologist Frank, his fame-hungry cousin Sam, and Frank's dad take Peanut camping and discover a Nothosaurus, a prehistoric water reptile. Despite some illogical character motivations, this third book is an action-packed romp full of prehistoric creature facts; exaggerated cartoon illustrations add visual variety for new chapter-book readers. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Brigette Barrager. In the third Louise Trapeze book, the seven-year-old tightrope performer overhears whispers about sales being down, so she and friends brainstorm a new act to save the circus. Louise's childlike, Junie B. Jones–style diction has enough sophistication to avoid cutesiness, and her predicament is lightly handled and smoothly resolved. Whimsical blue-accented line drawings capture the madcap action at the Sweet Potato Circus.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Stepping Stone: Totally True Adventures series. Illustrated by Michele Amatrula. Readers who enjoy true-life adventures will find this title engrossing. Several early failed expeditions are described, touching on their inadequate equipment and unrealistic expectations. Herman then focuses on Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's successful 1953 climb. The dangers and satisfactions are well described, and the immense contributions of Sherpas are acknowledged; black-and-white illustrations set each scene. Final sections touch on more contemporary events. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic series. Chew's chapter book stories about everyday magic in the lives of regular kids are reissued with new covers but with the author's original black-and-white illustrations inside. A new generation of independent readers will enjoy these second and third of ten planned reissues. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic titles: Magic in the Park and The Trouble with Magic.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic series. Chew's chapter book stories about everyday magic in the lives of regular kids are reissued with new covers but with the author's original black-and-white illustrations inside. A new generation of independent readers will enjoy these second and third of ten planned reissues. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic titles: Magic in the Park and The Trouble with Magic.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic series. Chew's chapter book stories about everyday magic in the lives of regular kids are reissued with new covers but with the author's original black-and-white illustrations inside. A new generation of independent readers will enjoy these fourth and fifth of ten planned reissues. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic titles: The Witch at the Window and The Would-Be Witch.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic series. Chew's chapter book stories about everyday magic in the lives of regular kids are reissued with new covers but with the author's original black-and-white illustrations inside. A new generation of independent readers will enjoy these fourth and fifth of ten planned reissues. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Matter-of-Fact Magic titles: The Witch at the Window and The Would-Be Witch.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Stepping Stone: Totally True Adventures series. Illustrated by Wesley Lowe. Houran focuses on Lindbergh's preparations for and execution of his famed solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927. Readers will be gripped by this accessible account of the dangers he overcame on his successful transatlantic journey. Short chapters and rather dark black-and-white paintings help break up the text. Historical notes are appended. Timeline.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Magical Mix-Ups series. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. After Tate falls into a well and accidentally swallows its magical water, she's suddenly able to think and read faster, but she's also inexplicably drawn to water. Unfortunately, her siblings experience the same side effects, and it's up to Tate to think fast when they fall into the nearby river. The Willow sibs' fourth action-packed story includes illustrations of their magical adventure.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Jack and Annie offer tips for surviving the wilderness, disasters, and menacing encounters. Some advice is practical (stay hydrated in extreme heat); some is tongue-in-cheek (if a T. rex visits, "Call the police!"). The variety of design elements (color photos, different colored backgrounds, numbered lists, paper-clipped note cards, illustrations) is lively and engaging. A working compass is embedded in the cover.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. The four gumshoes try to uncover what Brian and Bradley's new neighbors are building in their backyard (Night); they find a lost puppy and follow clues to locate its owner (Dog); and the kids hope to catch two suspicious people they think are planning a big neighborhood heist (Thieves). New chapter-book readers will enjoy the latest slight holiday-themed mysteries with generous black-and-white illustrations. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: December Dog, New Year's Even Thieves, and November Night.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner