(2) K-3 On vacation with his family, a child waits for his friend Chicken Smith, who usually stays at a nearby cabin (observant readers will notice the for-rent sign). Our narrator reminisces about previous summer escapades, including their favorite pastime--searching for whales--while his sister repeatedly calls for him to see something important. Teals, grays, and blacks dominate Mackintosh’s scratchy, loose-lined illustrations in this poignant Australian import about change.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) K-3 Elephant(like) narrator Lox takes crotchety bunny(ish) MuMu to her favorite haunts (the movies, an amusement park, etc.) in an effort to boost her spirits. Unfortunately, she complains the whole time, which frustrates Lox, and suddenly it's up to MuMu to cheer him. This tables-turned story offers several pleasures, including multifaceted art and MuMu's crabby asides (e.g., the roller coaster is "too rattly").

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 After Mom promises "a surprise at dinner," the narrator and his brother, Leo, imagine what it could be, eventually convincing themselves that Mom has won them a trip to Hawaii. When they discover they're mistaken, Leo finds a way to take the edge off their disappointment. The humor starts even before the title page, and the quirky illustrations have plenty of amusing details.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 "Lincoln Green has a double." "You Know Who" tidies, paints the fence, and brushes his teeth while Lincoln Green does more important things like time his handstands and drink sarsaparilla. It's a fine deal for the boy, until his stand-in discovers playing with friends is way more fun. The writing is ingeniously deadpan, and playful sketches cleverly capture the art of shirking.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 A boy laments that his fuddy-duddy grandfather, Frank, who "doesn't like noise...or gadgets and gizmos...or haircuts" is his show-and-tell guest. The best he thinks Frank can offer is that his "arm hurts when it's about to rain." Captivating line drawings, speckled with humorous, vintage details, capture the crotchety-Grandpa-turned-hero who dazzles the young crowd with courageous tales of bullets, bugles, and battlefields.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 When Marshall arrives at school, the unnamed narrator of this amusing story declares the boy to be just too different to fit in. After an eye-opening party at Marshall's house, the narrator changes his opinion and even has an open mind about the next new student. Large-scale, quirky illustrations reflect Marshall's eccentricity and help deliver the message about tolerance with a light touch.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert