(2) K-3 "Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the penguin village ate cold fish." Umami, a brown and white penguin in a homogenous community, is bored with the monotonous meals of bland fish served in her colony. Craving new flavors, she sets off in a small fishing boat in search of more appetizing cuisines. Upon arriving in a different land, the penguin smells the aromas of unfamiliar foods. "'Oh, my sweet little beak!' said Umami. 'Nothing ever smelled so spectacular.'" She samples a smorgasbord of salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and spicy foods, as well as those with the "meaty and savory" flavor for which she's named. She hauls home a bounty of ingredients to introduce to her village and serves up a feast, which devolves into a humorous feeding frenzy. Grant's colored-pencil and oil pastel monoprint illustrations depict a penguin experiencing diversity in a populous land, home to numerous types of animals. As Umami leaves the humdrum of her village and travels abroad to experience the vibrancy of variety, the cool color palette simmers into a range of buttery yellows and chili reds. Umami's lively culinary exploration may stir curiosity in young foodies to venture beyond familiar comfort food.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025

(3) PS Fastidious housekeeper Bear--with his stuffed friend, Ursa--searches high and low for the culprit spinning messy webs in his home. When Bear discovers the spider has woven a bandage for Ursa's torn arm, he ends up with "something he never expected": another friend. With chunky shapes and a subdued, tawny palette, the digitally colored charcoal and crayon illustrations capture the action throughout Bear's homey interiors.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) PS Goat lives in a petting zoo, bombarded with unwanted physical affection. After attempts at rooming with animals in the big zoo, Goat finds solitude in a tree; illustrations help readers recognize before Goat does that he now feels lonely. White-bordered illustrations contrasting with full spreads amplify Goat's sense of confinement, and chunky crayon and charcoal art works with the pithy text to make his dilemma real.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(4) PS Cat is enamored with his new red-and-white ball friend, Yarn. When Girl transforms Yarn into an itchy sweater for Cat, he is not a fan. The didactic tale includes an explicit message: "Warming up to something new takes time. / Yarn may have changed, but they would always be friends." Simple charcoal and crayon illustrations colored digitally emphasize Cat's humorous varied expressions.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) PS Papa Bird accidentally drops lunch...along with a forbidden word ("BLARK!"). Little Bird is eager to try the new word out on all his friends, but soon needs another word--"SORRY!"--to make amends. Bold cartoony art in charcoal and digital color features animals with round, expressive eyes. The variety of perspectives helps readers consider the situation from multiple points of view.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015