(3) PS Illustrated by Carla Martell. A bunch of animals joyfully calling out their animal sounds are caught off guard when Duck says “meow.” Much prodding by an unusual menagerie (“‘Grunt!’ says Yak”) cannot convince Duck to quack. Duck’s mama surely can teach Duck what to say; in a heartwarming conclusion it’s revealed that she, a cat, already has. Bright, simple drawings with whimsical details add to the light humor.

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(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Davis. In this humorous rhyming story, when a hippopotamus can't be found at a safari, an entire class becomes "hippo-hunters," spotting other animals and mistaking them for the hippo ("That's NOT a hippopotamus!"). Readers will notice the hippo hidden within the skilled illustrations, which also capture the diverse, exuberant class and their exasperated teacher who finally listens to little Liam--who "REALLY see[s] 'im!"

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cat Chapman. Best friends Yak, who has a kayak, and Gnu, who has a canoe, rejoice that "there's nobody else / like me and you" on the water...or so they think. The nimble-witted art shows the water gradually overrun with creatures in this silly book-length exercise in rhyming the names of boats with animals ("And a herd of giraffes / on hovercrafts!").

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Cat Chapman. A teddy bear taking a walk in the jungle is confronted by a frog, who laments that his underpants have been stolen. Together they search for the missing skivvies until they find the unlikely underpants-coveting thieves. The rhymes are beat-perfect, the ending soars, and the ink and watercolor illustrations are pure grace and dignity--even when depicting the star-spangled undies.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Davis. Toucan can do many things, from dancing to kung fu, but he can't do everything...or can he? And what about readers?: "Can YOU do what Toucan can?" MacIver poses these questions in buoyant tongue-twister text, with increasing complexity for extra fun. Exaggerated, comic facial expressions and lots of movement keep the illustrations as dynamic as the text.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby