(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Himmelman. In this unusual fantasy, bullied boy Jat meets a giant who has been banished from his home for introducing reading and science. The pair's budding friendship is interrupted by the arrival of other giants bent on destruction, leading to lots of action. The basic premise (an investigation of power and respect) is worth exploring, and John Himmelman's world-building is inventive.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(3) K-3 An unlikely friendship develops between cantankerous Mr. Raisin, who only enjoys sewing, and Floaty, a gravity-immune dog left on his doorstep in a covered basket (with a note: "Too much trouble!"). When the leash snaps during a walk and the pup floats away, Mr. Raisin eventually sews a hot-air balloon and rescues Floaty. Funny digital illustrations make the most of the heartwarming story's outlandish premise.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Reading outdoors means that critters (insects, a snake, frog, etc.) keep landing on the pages of this book. Readers are encouraged to remove them ("Flip it over... Will the frog drop off?") while noticing how they move ("Nope! Treefrogs stick"). Conversational, humorous text in dynamic typefaces and colorful illustrations will keep kids engaged. An "Explore More" appendix offers activities and further information.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 1-3 In this fourth book, Isabel the "Bunjitsu Bunny" faces her toughest opponent ever: herself. Each of the thirteen short chapters is a vignette in itself and imparts a subtle life lesson that can be both humorous and inspiring. Both the textual format and Himmelman's spare illustrations in a limited palette are great for kids new to chapter books.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) 1-3 Fans of Isabel, the "Bunjitsu Bunny," will enjoy this third installment as she continues to learn how to be better at bunjitsu and life. Humorous and subtle zen lessons sum up each vignette of Isabel's adventures--battling stage fright, making friends from enemies, helping a ladybug in need--and eye-pleasingly spare illustrations in a limited palette draw readers further in.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) PS When a cow sees an old lady letting a meowing cat into the house on a rainy day, the clever cow also meows its way into the house. A succession of other observant rain-drenched animals also gain entrée to the house by meowing. The minimal text consists of animal sounds in speech balloons; the predictable pattern is eventually upended by the irritated kitty. Expressive and amusing art captures the funny animal antics.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) PS In this introduction to common bird songs, a simple text offers "translations" into phrases (which may be confusing) but also shares basic facts about a wide variety of species. The digital renderings of the birds feel a bit lifeless but provide close-up details for curious readers who may be interested in searching their own backyards. "Fun Facts" and suggested activities are appended.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 1-3 Following Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny, Himmelman offers young martial artists and future Zen masters further adventures of bunjitsu artist Isabel and her animal friends. While each brief vignette contains Zen-type lessons, the text is more lighthearted than preachy. Expressive sketches composed of spare, thick black strokes with limited orange-red accents dot every page.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) K-3 If Farmer Greenstalk needs someone to take the pumpkins to market, if the hens need a babysitter for their chicks, if the Greenstalks need a new scarecrow, it's "Duck to the rescue!" The text is spry, and lively pencil and watercolor illustrations show the humorously disastrous consequences of Duck's efforts.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(1) 1-3 Thirteen short, generously illustrated chapters relate the adventures of rabbit Isabel, known as Bunjitsu Bunny for her proficiency in martial arts class. Each droll tale contains a lesson--about avoiding fights, outsmarting bullies, dealing with nightmares, and more. Cleverly wrapped in an entertaining package, the zen-type morals are edifying but not preachy. Brush-like strokes give the drawings the clean look of block prints.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(4) K-3 Invited to sing along, readers are introduced to twelve insects and their unique sounds. Dramatic but sometimes gaudy illustrations provide an up-close look at flying, burrowing, and crawling insects in a variety of environments. A simple sentence is followed by bold-faced sound effects that energetically stretch across the pages, emphasizing volume and rhythm. Back matter includes activities and further information about each insect.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) K-3 Dog Katie isn't thrilled when a new neighbor puppy comes to visit--she doesn't want to share her food, squeaky bone, or cat pals. Then a bone tug-of-war kick-starts a raucous doggie playtime, and Katie warms up to sharing. Himmelman's pencil and watercolor illustrations cleverly capture the pooch's expressions, from annoyance to sulking to joy as a new friendship is formed.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Dramatic but sometimes gaudy illustrations provide an up-close look at twelve amphibians and their unique sounds. A simple sentence is followed by bold-faced sound effects that energetically stretch across the pages, emphasizing volume and rhythm and enticing kids to sing along. The inclusion of other unidentified animals in the various environments may raise questions. Back matter includes activities and further information about each animal.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) K-3 This third book featuring Farmer Greenstalk and his family naturally begins with trouble: the car won't start. Not to worry; six exuberant cows helpfully "rescue" the family, ensuring everyone has fun at the county fair. Watercolor and pencil illustrations provide the story's forward thrust (the cows virtually run right off the pages) and keep lively pace with the humorous text.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Ten dachshunds form a wriggling, squiggling pile of puppies as they gather, one at a time, on a soft, comfortable chair. They eventually nod off--then the action reverses as, one by one, everyone awakens. The simple, spare text, illustrated with lively watercolor and pencil drawings, humorously models for young readers how to count up to ten and back down again.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Whenever the Greenstalks have a problem on their family farm (e.g., a garden hose leaks), it's "pigs to the rescue" (the porcine helpers nearly drown Mrs. Greenstalk while watering her garden). The story reads like a joke with a protracted setup--but readers won't see the punch line coming. The cartoony art features amusing reaction shots of the "rescued."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 "Turnstone turns stones by the sea. / Ring-billed gull watches, quietly." Spare rhyming text, accompanied by large close-up illustrations, describes a scene by the seashore. Single sentences accompany each double-page spread, their rhythms mimicking the ocean's ebb and flow. Further descriptions of the creatures and their places in the chain of coastal ecology are appended.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) K-3 Katie the dog loves her owner's new kittens, but the kittens are frightened of Katie's exuberance. The sad pup is thrilled when she wakes from a nap to find that the kittens, encouraged by her state of quiet, have joined her in bed. A few well-placed pencil strokes capture the joy and despair expressed by Katie's entire body in this warm-hearted friendship story.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 The Greenstalk farm is prone to trouble: on Monday Farmer Greenstalk loses his watch; on Wednesday the dog eats Jeffrey's homework; on Friday the cow gets stuck in a tree. Each time, enthusiastic chickens rush to the rescue--until Sunday when Emily spills breakfast, and the exhausted chickens are sound asleep. A final chuckle-inducing illustration shows hungry pigs sprinting toward the house.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 A bog is a host to a menagerie of creatures, which are introduced to the reader in a chained sequence (i.e., a frog hops and disrupts a mosquito, who flies away and lands on a horsetail with a dragonfly, etc.). Paired with detailed watercolors, the plodding text exposes bog life but does not describe it. An illustrated guide is included. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen