(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. Self-identifying fairy princess Gerry is giddy about the school Halloween parade. A sheet over her dress produces--voilà--an angel costume. After ketchup ruins her friend's dentist costume, Gerry's quick thinking saves the day. The from-angel-to-tooth-fairy drama works, but it takes up relatively few pages; the story feels padded. Davenier's art captures the swirl of costumed children in high celebration.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. The end of the school year is approaching, and Gerry is already anxious about what the fall will hold (translation: will her new teacher put up with her "I'm a fairy princess" malarkey?). As with every Gerry outing, her narration is too cute by half, but the story delivers. Reliably, Davenier's art is as ebullient as Gerry (usually) feels.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. In this go-around, Gerry the self-described fairy princess (the illustrations attest otherwise) throws herself into creating homemade valentines for her classmates but realizes at school that she forgot to bring them. Although the authors produce a satisfying solution, they borrow too heavily from Fancy Nancy, right down to Gerry's effervescent voice. The pages swarm with hearts, emotion, and WORDS IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. In fairy-princess wannabe Gerry's latest outing, she's a chorus member hell-bent on a solo in the school's winter concert. When the adult soloist recruited by the music teacher is waylaid, Gerry gets her moment of glory. This well-paced story offers a dubious message: apparently Gerry spells "teamwork" with an I. As always, Davenier's ink and colored-pencil art dances before our eyes.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. The very fairy princess returns as a flower girl in her aunt's wedding, and her family has to keep her from going over the top (e.g., leaping down the aisle). Geraldine is discouraged when it literally rains on her parade, but a neat resolution restores her sparkle. The story is too familiar, but Davenier's ink and colored-pencil drawings add pizzazz.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Henry Cole. In the series finale, adventurous cat Bo outwits hijackers in the Mediterranean and returns to England, where she meets the Queen of England and is reunited with her brother Maximillian and her parents. The pacing perfectly mirrors a cat's activity: bursts of action followed by more leisurely stretches. Full-page and spot illustrations show boat scenes, London landmarks, and playful cats.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. In her second book, Geraldine describes how being chosen to play the court jester instead of the princess causes her to lose her "sparkle." She recovers after helping the princess when her crown breaks. Geraldine's voice is irritating, but readers may appreciate her verve. Davenier's loosely drawn ink and colored-pencil illustrations--and some sparkles on the book's cover--help the show go on.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Davenier. A modern-day girl explains what it's like to be a "fairy princess." With its self-regarding narrator and edifying parentheticals ("Fairy princesses are very practical...Fairy princesses are very supportive"), this moderately entertaining book owes a conspicuous debt to Fancy Nancy. Happily, Davenier is at her best, giving the pink-bedecked girl relatable real-world attributes such as unkempt hair and unroyal posture.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Henry Cole. In her third outing, spunky little cat Bo sails to Italy. There she and her owner explore the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Roman Colosseum. Bo also has a run-in with a circus lion and discovers two of her long-lost siblings. Travelogue-like descriptions tend to slow down the large-format chapter book's action. Full-page and spot illustrations show scenes of Italy--and cats.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Johanna Westerman. In this warm-hearted if sentimental story, ten-year-old orphan Mandy longs for a place to call her own, so she clandestinely spruces up a deserted cottage. Her secret leads to trouble but also to the happily-ever-after ending, in which Mandy is adopted. Fans of The Secret Garden will enjoy this old-fashioned story, newly decorated with appropriately homey black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Henry Cole. This sequel to Little Bo finds kitty Bo and her person, Billy Bates, exploring France. In Paris, Lyons, Avignon, and Cannes, Billy takes various jobs, while he and Bo make friends and have several adventures. Billy and Bo's affection is touching, but plot coincidences overwhelm the narrative. Finely detailed oil paintings illustrate the story. Glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Henry Cole. Unwanted by their owner, a litter of kittens narrowly escapes being drowned. Taken in by a fisherman, Bo feels at home on the boat, but the captain is determined to get rid of her. Although the narration's gentle tone will reassure young readers, the story will be a bit too precious for some. This large-size chapter book includes many illustrations of the small cat and her companions.

Reviewer: Anne St. John