(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. In the latest outing for these bear besties, the pair is confronted with a major challenge: "Can I play with you?" asks a third party. One bear welcomes this interloper; the other feels excluded and isn't above a little sabotage. The hilarious histrionics are set against white backdrops that foreground the cartoonish bears' Elephant and Piggie–worthy shtick.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Pencil and her friends give Eraser no respect: they taunt her for not being "creative." Tired of playing "Pencil's pooper-scooper," Eraser splits the scene and unexpectedly encounters some discarded papers that remind her of her importance: she gives second chances. Set inside a school bereft of humans, the story delivers ticklish wordplay against ink and watercolor art starring comically anthropomorphized desk mainstays.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. A little frog (who looks like Monty from Can I Tell You a Secret?) breaks the fourth wall, telling readers he's too excited about tomorrow's boat races to sleep. Off-page suggestions ("A book? I love books! Good idea!") don't help until finally he takes a deep breath and goes to his "happy place." Bedtime-averse readers will readily relate to--and enjoy "helping"--the delightful cartoony frog.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) PS When floating cat Papillon (The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon) accidentally swallows his toy, he's stuck on the ground with a bad case of hiccups. During an overnight stay at the kitty clinic, he dramatically coughs it up and proceeds to show off for the other cats. His singing and airborne acrobatics are rendered with pizzazz in the pastel illustrations of this second amusing book.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Two bears psych themselves up to ride a roller coaster by listing things that are scarier: snakes, spiders, hot lava...yikes, a roller coaster with a snake! Happily, the snake makes a good ride companion; together they decide that sometimes it's fun to be scared. Simple dialogue-and-sound-effects text, easy-to-parse cartoon illustrations, and clean design make this funny story accessible for preschoolers almost ready for easy readers.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) PS Because cat Papillon is extraordinarily fluffy, his owner tries various amusing schemes to prevent him from floating away. Nevertheless, he eventually drifts out the window into danger. A newfound bird friend rescues him and--satisfyingly--provides a way to keep him earthbound. The round white kitty floating across the pages and his bright vermilion bird friend stand out against the seafoam palette.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. "Pssst!...Could you come here for a sec?" Young frog Monty confesses to the reader that he can't swim: he's afraid of water. Readers will be won over by Monty's relatable anxiety and by the (perceived) chance to help him ("What's that? You think I should tell someone? Like my parents?"). The ink and watercolor illustrations are tenderly cartoonish, suiting Monty's disarming narration.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Two friends argue over who gets to sit in the same chair. After several attempts at claiming sitting rights, the two finally make amends and go off to play. Lively illustrations on plenty of white space emphasize the humor as well as the familiar emotions fueling the situation. Preschoolers will enjoy witnessing this battle of wills.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) YA After Carus House is attacked and Zel's genetically manipulated DNA is used to kill a senator, she reunites with Cy. They seek refuge at a questionable safe house in Inky and devise a plan to join Zel's family in Chicago. X-Men meets The Hunger Games in this action-packed exploration of family, friendship, and the ethical limits of science.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) YA After their father dies in an accident, sisters Zel and Dylia are sent to different foster homes. Zel's new foster siblings, all of whom have illegal genetic mutations, are the only people who can help her rescue her sister and unravel her family's secrets. This futuristic sci-fi thriller's world-building is solid, and complex, nuanced characters will satisfy fans of speculative fiction.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 In 630 CE China, thirteen-year-old Chengli joins a caravan heading into the desert. When a princess entrusted to his caravan is kidnapped by bandits, Chengli ventures across the desert and mountains to rescue her. The story vividly shares glimpses of city, desert, and mountain life in seventh-century China. A historical note is appended.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King