(4) K-3 Illustrated by Steph Laberis. Duck applies to join several clubs and is denied each time. He lacks the roaring skills for Lion Club and the memory for Club Elephant...but he finally finds an inclusive solution. The story is didactic and predictable, but both the text and the color-saturated illustrations, punctuated with speech bubbles and full of emotive animals, offer plenty of humor.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Brenlla. Bear wants to hibernate, but his fidgety, noisy, smelly cave-mates keep him awake. After he books a room at the luxurious Hibernation Hotel, the comical distractions just get worse. Stylishly silly cartoon illustrations show bear drinking from the toilet, drying his fur with the hotel hair dryer, and more. Only when his friends show up can they all snuggle down to a comfy ending.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(2) K-3 Illustrated by John Kelly. Dr. Hunter, the new owner of the luxurious Eatum Hall, invites pig Horace and goose Glenda for "a weekend of free gourmet food!" Why such generosity? Seems Dr. Hunter, a wolf, has his sights set on a little mixed-meat pie. The voice of hungry Horace sprinkles the tale with an extra dose of humor, while the illustrations provide ample visual puns.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2005