(2) 1-3 Uh-Oh, Cleo series. Illustrated by Jon Berkeley. In her third book, prone-to-motion-sickness Cleo is stuffed into the middle seat in a van traveling to a birthday party. When she realizes she doesn't have a barf bag, it's too late; super-nice Mrs. Kenly's fur coat gets the worst of it. The illustrated, very short chapters, Cleo's easy-to-relate-to emotions, and her good humor are just right for newly independent readers.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2010

(2) 1-3 Uh-Oh, Cleo series. Illustrated by Jon Berkeley. In her second outing, Cleo describes a hiking trip with her family involving "two things you hardly ever see...snow in summer and underpants on my head." Nine short chapters with frequent illustrations tell a family story that's got adventure, humor, and just a touch of suspense. Young readers who, like Cleo, enjoy realistic fiction (i.e., "regular stuff") will look forward to future tales.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jon Berkeley. Cleo, one of six siblings, recalls the events of "Stitches Saturday." It starts out like any other day, but ends with Cleo getting nine stitches in her scalp after her twin, Jack, accidentally knocks over their toy shelf. Cleo's telling is calm and measured, especially given the subject matter. The black-and-white illustrations are similarly innocuous, with nothing gory depicted.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) PS Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. When Tommy fails to visit his barnyard animal friends (horse, sheep, hen, and cow) at his usual time, they begin to worry. Finally, though, Tommy comes back and excitedly clears up the mystery: "'I've been to KINDERGARTEN!' he announced. 'And I learned LOTS!'" Both the gentle story and the childlike art are infused with humor, and Tommy's enthusiasm about school is infectious.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lindsay Harper duPont. When her mom asks about her day, Lizzy discusses everything from her sadness that a friend is moving away to her embarrassment over accidentally wearing mismatched socks. Some of the rhymes stall, but Lizzy's emotional roller coaster ride is enhanced by duPont's bright, busy images capturing the highs and lows of an elementary schooler's day.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. The narrator of this rhyming story describes his family's moving day: the huge, jolly moving men; his reluctance to leave his house and neighborhood; his mother's comforting song. In a resolution that comes a bit too quickly, the boy discovers he likes his new place, too. The illustrations add touches of humor and reflect the story's lively rhythm.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lindsay Harper duPont. Young Lizzy decides that it's time to give her "don't"-saying mother a taste of her own medicine. After both are worn out by the funny "don't"-fest's negativity, they compile "do" lists that make plain their mutual affection. DuPont capably interprets the pair's gamut of emotions, but the order in which to read the rhymed text within the boxed cartoon illustrations is often unclear.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lindsay Harper duPont. When Nora's mother hears a loud "Crash! Bang! Boom!" she realizes "something's going on in Nora's room." She and the dog speculate about what it might be: Animals escaping from the zoo? A rodeo? An elephant hoe-down? The movement-filled illustrations depicting the imagined chaos are a good match for the playful rhyming story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Lindsay Harper duPont. When the dog, cat, mouse, and lady of the house all decide to stop chasing one another and just get along, they shake hands on it and celebrate with a party. The slight story line, taken from the author's song by the same name, is funny but one-note, while the quirky, limber illustrations of hip animals boogeying around the house add spark and character.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kathy Osborn. It's a day when everyone forgets everything--backpacks, puppy feeding, peas cooking on the stove. The illustrations contain lifeless-looking people positioned stiffly against brightly colored sets. However, the rhyming laundry list of forgotten tasks and items bounces along amiably enough.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann