(2) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Halloween is Crankenstein's favorite holiday, obviously, but this year it is not going well, with a toothache, rain, a pumpkin-carving fail, and the like all conspiring to bring forth a grumbling "mehhrrr" from our young hero. The text relies on a repeated subjunctive conceit ("Crankenstein would say") that is sometimes confusing, and the ending is abstract, but Crankenstein's crankiness remains relatable (see also the monster's previous self-titled story, rev. 9/13, and sequel) and even ­endearing, and the busy full-page ­digital paintings let it all hang out in a panoply of Halloween motifs.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kerascoët. An artist's sketch of Viva, a smiling girl with curly hair and light-brown skin, comes to life on the page. The artist tries to re-draw Viva while the original looks on in disapproval ("can I try...to rock what I got?") until they finally reach a mutual understanding. Kerascoët's illustrations bring a sketchpad to life; pages are busy with doodles, sketches, ink stains, and mistakes.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Curato. A little black girl with flowing violet hair guides readers through her creative process, guided by a limitless imagination: "what if that pencil one day disappeared? / I'd fold up the paper till stories appeared." The popping pink-and-purple mixed-media illustrations--incorporating sculpture, origami, collage, photography, and more--gorgeously underscore the message that an artist is more than her tools.

Reviewer: Robyn Bahr

(3) PS Illustrated by Tad Carpenter. A picky little green monster reluctantly replaces worn out underpants in this giggle-worthy picture book. The monster first tries going au naturel, then heads with Mom to Undie World; there, piles of undies get rejected before a replica of the original beloved pair is found. This light and silly story is well told in occasionally absurd rhymes accompanied by boldly colored, textured illustrations.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dave Pressler. How should Bigfoot shop for shoes? That's just one of his big back-to-school worries, not all of which are because of his size ("What if I can't stand still for class pictures? AGAIN!"). A major part of this humorous book's appeal is Pressler's larger-than-life illustrations. A relatable story to reassure young readers that school isn't that scary (and neither is Bigfoot).

Reviewer: Ed Spicer

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Isabel Roxas. After an exhausting Halloween season, a young witch checks into the fab-BOO Witch Spa for a rejuvenating experience. Told in rhyme, the silly story highlights the witchy treatments available, such as the "Broom Bristle Facial" or the "Serpent Spit Spritzer." Expressive illustrative details add levity and more kid-friendly humor to a premise that will perhaps most amuse adult spa-goers.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kristyna Litten. Snuggleford Cuddlebun is a champion sleeper. She is a sloth, after all, and the only event that draws her away from home is the annual Snoozefest at the Nuzzledome in her hometown of Snoozeville. Puns abound in Berger's well-crafted rhyming text, and Litten's digital art combines painterly texture with lots of hide-and-seek details. A cheeky ode to the delights of sleep.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Sometimes when you have to do things you don't want to, all you can say is "MEHHRRRR!" The life of the little guy depicted here seems to be one unfortunate event after another, and he responds accordingly. This is a No, David! for slightly older kids, with intense but comical close-ups of a child's enraged face, turned Frankenstein's-monster-green for that Halloween touch.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(2) PS Illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Little otter Martha doesn't like to share. But when her parents and baby brother walk away, Martha finds that playing alone isn't as much fun. Berger keeps the story very simple and treats Martha's change of heart with respect. Whatley's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations stay clean and focused, too, against white backgrounds; the large, clear pictures make this a good choice for groups.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(3) PS Illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Martha is unrepentant when she makes mischief--until she discovers the price she must pay for being obnoxious to her family. What ratchets this simple story up a notch are the hilarious illustrations of nose-in-the-air Martha, who stays prissy in pink even as she plays her drum kit next to her sleeping baby brother.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Bright, clear color photos and simple text introduce the concept of relative size. Readers see a "big dog and little dog" and a "big bike and little bike." A final page shows twins: "Both the same size!" Some examples are weaker than others (the small sandcastle is very hard to find in the photo), but this is a serviceable, age-appropriate board book.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth