(2) K-3 Illustrated by Estrela Lourenço. Santa's sleigh crash lands on Mars, and technicians from the Outer Space Rescue Division are called in to diagnose the problem: "Malfunctions are due to our cosmic conditions!" Working together, Santa and the Martian techs upgrade the sleigh ("The tinsel-trimmed turbines were programmed to MAX. / The runners were polished with peppermint wax") and provide "astro-style suits" for the reindeer. Now, Santa can fill Martian stockings with "celestial sweets" and "savor his snack / in the Christmas tree's glow." The rhyming "Night Before Christmas" style text gets a (rocket) boost from the energetic digital illustrations' slightly retro vibe.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ben Mantle. William dreams of being a famous chef in his fairy-tale realm. After several failed attempts, he finds a box of raw materials and, misunderstanding their purpose, cooks up story elements to humorous effect (e.g., Cinderella's pumpkin becomes "Pumpkin Pie with Cream and Candied Pecans"). It's a delicious twist on well-known tales, stuffed with cooking vocabulary and dynamic illustrations and topped off with happily-ever-afters for everyone.

Reviewer: Janet Daniels

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ben Mantle. Patterned after "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," these whimsical verses describe a dragon who--not satisfied with the knight--gulps down everything from the squire to the castle moat before having second thoughts. "Maybe I've been a tad impolite. / Perchance I should only have swallowed the knight." Jaunty illustrations complement the absurdity of the rhyme.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert