(3) 1-3 Read & Bloom series. Illustrated by Paul Meisel. Stink-loving pup Spike (Stinky Spike the Pirate Dog) is back for another nautical adventure. After an accident at sea, Spike's super sniffer locates a princess's missing dog and scores treasure from rival pirates. This early chapter book is full of adventure, odoriferous humor, pirate antics, talking animals, and heroic escapes. Colorful illustrations follow the story closely (and cleverly depict the many stinky smells therein).

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Read & Bloom series. Illustrated by Paul Meisel. Spike, a shipyard dog who loves stinky smells, falls off the dock and gets pulled out to sea, where he meets sharks and a whale and then helps some pirates find treasure using his "super sniffer." The early chapter book, full of silliness and pirate-speak, has a nicely coherent story line. Charming full-color illustrations complement the large-font text on every page.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth