(3) 1-3 Toy Academy series. Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor. Grumboldt, a stuffed toy who longs for action-hero status and placement with a loving child (Some Assembly Required), is doing well in his Toy Academy classes...until he's assigned sidekick duty to self-centered bully Rex. Short chapters and cartoon-style black-and-white illustrations should attract independent readers eager for longer stories with plenty of action and laughs.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) 1-3 Toy Academy series. Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor. The screenwriter of the animated film Minions starts a new chapter-book series. Grumbolt, a clumsily handmade stuffed animal, doesn't fit into a specific toy category, but he nevertheless tries his best at Toy Academy, hoping to secure placement with a child. Abundant laughs and fast-moving adventures propel the profusely illustrated story. Readers who enjoy animate-toy tales will look forward to subsequent volumes.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca