(2) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Santa-obsessed Freddy Melcher "desperately" wants to add a selfie with Santa to his collection of Santa paraphernalia. Santat's gleeful mixed-media illustrations are in cahoots with the rollicking text, which has Freddy devising and implementing an elaborate, almost perfect plan to detain the big guy. Saint Nick's no fool, but he is still Santa, so Freddy isn't left totally defeated. "There's always next year!"

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) YA Sieruta, a Horn Book mainstay before his unexpected death in 2012, is joined by Bird and Danielson for a lively historical survey of scandals and secrets from the children's-book biz. Sandwiched among the scrupulously documented juicy bits are thoughtful passages about censorship, celebrity books, and the perpetual struggle between the reading tastes of children and what their elders prefer for them. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Lexy loves to dance, until recital time when--"blammo!"--stage fright hits. She becomes an out-of-the-spotlight dance teacher instead, taking on five blue giants as pupils. When stage fright strikes her students, Lexy steps up to help. Bird is light and subtle with the message, and the illustrations of a zestful, rosy-cheeked girl and cute fuzzy creatures dance along with the droll text.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman