(3) 1-3 In this accessible and enjoyable graphic novel, Thunder always aims to be a good pack member to human Sage, but a wolf ancestor appears and tries to convince her to find her “wolfitude.” This includes hunting for rodents, barking loudly, and running away. Readers will enjoy spending time with goodhearted Thunder and imaginative, understanding Sage. Digital ink and watercolor panel illustrations are filled with dog logic and funny details including a “wagometer” and “Pack Manners” breakdowns. Back matter includes “More InFURmation” about dogs and dog behaviors.

Reviewer:

(3) PS A dubious narrator spends much of the book explaining that a horse in a red hat is not a unicorn. "That's ridiculous. / It's just a horse...who woke up with messy hair." When the hat is eventually removed, readers may momentarily wonder if what looks like a horn is really the snow-capped mountain peak in the background... Murguia's playful narrative and soft watercolors cleverly encourage the reader's imagination.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) PS Two cockatoos (Cockatoo, Too) mix two cans together to make a stew. Two toucans arrive to share a meal but are appalled to realize it's "toucan stew???!" ("Two-can stew / Oooooooooooh..."). All is resolved when a herd of gnus joins ("New two-can stew!"), but what chaos will ensue when cuckoos fly in? Bright colors, expressive characters, and endless wordplay combine for read-aloud fun.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 It's bedtime, which means storytime for big sister Grace and little brother Walter. "Make it a scary story," Grace says to Papa. When the narrative gets a little too scary, even for Grace, the siblings rewardingly team up to fight their mutual fears. Murguia's mixed-media illustrations reflect the shifting creepiness factor. The text uses different fonts to easily differentiate between the main dialogue-only narrative and Papa's story.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) PS "Cockatoo. / Cockatoo, too? / Two cockatoos! / Two cockatoos, too? / Cockatoo tutus!" The words are spare, but the wordplay is plentiful as cockatoos meet, discover tutus, and encounter dancing toucans. The green foliage and generous white space in the watercolor spreads emphasize the birds' tropical plumage. Sharp observers will notice the visual hints of action and characters to come.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS Three friends argue over whether to play princesses, fairies, or ballerinas, ending in a stalemate--until the rain distracts all three and they realize that princesses, fairies, and ballerinas can all splash around outside. The all-dialogue text uses a different typeface color to denote each speaker, and pastel-colored illustrations portray the girls' imagination, stubbornness, and, above all, friendship with humor and verve.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Fritz and his family cut down a Christmas tree, signaling the start of a Christmas season filled with treats, decorations, and presents. Many children will identify with Fritz's joy in these events, but the slight plot may not hold readers' interest. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations are warmly inviting.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) K-3 Having eagerly anticipated the day he turns five, Fritz feels deflated that he still can't tie his shoelaces, whistle, or swing across two monkey bars at a time. He learns, however, that he can do other things, such as pick apples from a low tree branch for a new friend. Poignant text and hushed watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations convey much tenderness.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(3) K-3 Zoe and her sister, Addie, play a game of "chase," while Mama counts down the minutes until they must leave the playground. In Zoe's fertile imagination, the game becomes a thrilling trek through the jungle in search of "the wild Addiebeast." Just as the text alternates between Mama's reminders and Zoe's story, the entertaining illustrations switch between the real playground and the imaginary jungle.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Zoe enjoys playing in her bedroom at night after Mama turns off the light, but when baby sister Addie moves in, nighttime adventures are no longer allowed. Luckily, a roommate can be good company (especially during a thunderstorm), and the ever-imaginative Zoe finds a way to adapt. Sprightly pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations mirror Zoe's enthusiastic attitude.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Every morning, snail Snippet is the first to rise--"I'm awaaake. Hey, guys!"--but Papa, Mama, and Sister keep snoozing soundly. With his bug friends ready to help, Snippet comes up with a tasty wake-up call, though it's not long before Snippet's own sleepiness creeps up on him. Cheery ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations contain subtle, dryly humorous gags kids will recognize.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) PS Zoe gets to choose her own clothes on Saturday, but as Mama waits, she can't decide what to wear. Should she dress for twirling, cartwheeling, or exploring? Is it a "blend-in" or a "stand-out day"? After trying various outfits, Zoe finds a good solution: she'll wear everything. Delicate pen-and-ink and watercolor art illustrates this beguiling story of imaginative dawdling.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 A neat and tidy bug by day, Buglette has wild dreams that turn her into a messy-sleeping one by night. Concerned she'll wake a snoozing predator, her family tries to contain her nightly commotion. It doesn't work, and a hungry crow descends; but Buglette's nighttime adventures help save the day. Though the story line is a stretch, Murguia's neat-and-tidy watercolors are inviting.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan