(2) 1-3 Clarice Bean fans rejoice: the star of highly illustrated chapter books (and of picture books) brings her trademark exuberant stream-of-consciousness narration (with occasional sly authorial snark) to Christmas. Twelve brief chapters touch on card giving, gift exchange (who doesn't love fudge?), favorite carols, Ruby Redfort, and more, as the narrative--with the series' recognizably quirky shifts in font, type, format, and mixed-media illustrations ­throughout--follows our plucky protagonist through the highs (singing a solo) and lows (ruining the turkey) of the season. An enjoyable chapter book full of wit and good cheer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(3) 4-6 The series concludes in this sixth entry with code-cracking super-agent Ruby in search of a traitor within Spectrum's ranks. The familiar supporting cast is here to help, but another child spy may play an integral part in the mystery. Ruby is in top form, solving ingenious puzzles, performing impossible physical feats, and amassing clues to discover the solution. An exciting and satisfying finale for fans.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) K-3 After Dad promises to take Lola to the pet shop for a rabbit (she's not allowed to get a dog), she reassures her older brother Charlie, "Don't worry, I WILL choose a dog." Fans of Charlie and Lola will relish the siblings' characteristic banter (and the resulting pet), while the hot-pink outline of Lola's fantasy dog is an inspired touch in Child's signature mixed-media art.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 The popular code-cracking teenage spy returns for another adventure, this one involving poisonous snakes, traitors, and vicious rumors. Ruby adds martial arts and the ability to see in four dimensions to her skill set, but otherwise the series formula is the same: expect suspense, witty dialogue, and intriguing puzzles, along with occasional uneven pacing and rambling moments.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) 4-6 Fans of the thirteen-year-old super-agent will rejoice at Ruby's return for a fourth adventure. This time, she pursues a phantom thief who steals from skyscrapers. Fearless Ruby enjoys the challenge, developing her parkour skills and cracking puzzles designed by prominent mathematician Marcus du Sautoy (further information about Ruby's challenges is appended). Despite its pacing issues, this is another exciting installation in the series.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) K-3 After their mother tells them they can choose "one thing each" at the store, winningly ditzy younger sister Lola gabbles with patient-as-can-be older brother Charlie on the subject of counting ("How many shoes would fifty or twenty-seventeen ladybugs need, Charlie?"). The story line treads water, but fans of Charlie and Lola books, with their exuberant graphics and typefaces, probably won't notice.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 In her third adventure, spy-in-training Ruby Redfort joins forces with best friend Clancy to unravel a mystery involving missing jewelry, perfume, and wild animals on the loose. Child delivers an irreverent and fast-paced (if rambling) escapade that will appeal to any reader who has fantasized about life as a code-cracking secret agent. Back matter explains how to encode one's name using molecular structures.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(2) PS Young Elmore Green's worldview is upended by the arrival of a baby sibling. As the baby grows bigger--and bossier and peskier--so does Elmore's resentment. The "small person" finally proves worthwhile by bravely shooing away big bro's nightmare. Child (creator of Charlie and Lola) is no stranger to fraught sibling dynamics; her mixed-media collages sympathetically reflect the experiences of a no-longer-only child.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(4) 4-6 In her second adventure, child genius Ruby Redfort has become a full-time spy for the Spectrum and must solve a mystery involving marine animals, coded radio signals, and a legendary shipwreck. While many of the characters read like comic-book heroes and villains, Child's writing is consistently humorous and fast-paced. Includes author's notes on historic spy codes.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Trisha Krauss. Milquetoast middle child Maude Shrimpton has an attention-seeking family: eccentric-hat-wearing mom, curlicue-mustached dad, etc. When her family gives her an attention-attracting tiger for her birthday, Maude uses her ability to (literally) disappear into the background to her advantage (tigers get hungry). This glib story is a showcase for Krauss's urbane, fashion-savvy illustrations, which seem better suited to an older readership.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Pressed into service as a codebreaker by a super-secret spy agency, precocious and jaded Ruby Redfort finds herself at the center of a high-stakes robbery case. Fans of Child's previous series will recognize her wit and edgy humor. Though scattered prose and unwieldy details ultimately overwhelm the plot, aspiring girl spies will appreciate a heroine like Ruby.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) K-3 Charlie and Lola series. In this TV-script adaptation, Charlie and Lola go to the zoo. Lola eats lunch in the car, uses up her camera early on, and spends her money before visiting the gift shop. Charlie kindly shares what he has with his sister. The lively mixed-media illustrations and authentic childlike voice makes this lesson about patience and generosity easy to take.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Lola is worried when Lotta is charged with looking after new classmate Evie. Maybe swapping lunches and watching tadpoles won't be their exclusive "best, best friend" rituals anymore. With Charlie's help, Lola finds a unique way to remind Lotta of their special friendship. Young readers will relate to Lola's best friend worries. Child's wacky mixed-media art is up to its usual standard.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Lola convinces her father that she needs new ice skates more than a scooter. Soon, though, Lola realizes the skates aren't exactly what she had hoped; good thing her friend Morten realizes the same thing about his scooter. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations ably mimic Child's style in this story based on an episode of the Charlie and Lola TV series.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) K-3 Charlie, needing a break from little sister Lola, tries to carve out some alone time with best friend Marv. Together the boys concoct an invisibility potion. When it disappears, Lola claims her "friend" (invisible, natch) drank it. Child's familiar mixed-media illustrations enhance this imagination-rich pesky-sibling tale.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Poodle Trixie Twinkle Toes hates being pampered by Mademoiselle Brulée and staff, so she strives for a rough-and-tumble image. Though the narrative tends toward being self-indulgent and overlong, all is forgiven because of Charlie and Lola creator Child's mixed-media art. The milieu may be Eloise at the Plaza, but the style--chic textured and patterned outfits; swirling, rippling text--is all Child.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Paper engineering by Corina Fletcher. Charlie and his little sister, Lola, again do their gentle sparring routine, this time centered on the latter's effort to forestall bedtime. Child's signature collage art is in great hands with Fletcher, who matches the author-illustrator's inventiveness (e.g., the dancing dogs to whom Lola claims her pajamas belong literally twirl around on her bed).

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 In this story adapted from the animated TV show based on Lauren Child's characters, Lola takes home the class guinea pig over vacation but loses it in the house. This affectionate romp, which stars the loving brother-sister duo and features settings enlivened by color photo collage and swirling text placement, stays true to Child's trademark style.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Studying her Ruby Redfort Survival Handbook, Clarice Bean ponders her worst worries (infinity, change) while forgetting, "the worry you haven't even thought to worry about...is the worry that should worry you the most." Diverse plot strands come together, surprisingly, in this quirky, vibrantly voiced story, decorated with multiple fonts and Ruby Redfort clip art.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Adapted from the animated TV show based on Lauren Child's characters, this story follows Lola as she desperately tries to stay "tidy and clean" for school pictures. But when the average day involves playground puddles, water play, pink milk, and painting, the odds are stacked against her. Readers will enjoy Lola's escapades and brother Charlie's cut-and-paste solution that pleases everyone.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey