(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Mama kangaroo sings a medley of nursery rhymes and songs to lull Cooper, her baby kangaroo, to sleep. Somewhat awkward alternative lyrics are offered for the familiar melodies of "Rock-a-Bye Baby," "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and more. Munsinger's trademark watercolor and ink illustrations picture Mama and Cooper lounging, cuddling, and, eventually, snoozing on a comfy couch.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Four animal friends are charged with creating a mural for the local candy shop. Pig Bitsy (who "loved to paint") takes her non-artist friends to the museum for inspiration, but when it's her turn to contribute, she's uncharacteristically shy. A sparkly jacket and bright watercolor illustrations match the easily resolved plot.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) PS Illustrated by Felicia Bond. The dog from If You Give a Pig a Party gets his own zany cause-and-effect plot. In a familiar pattern, the dog's initial request (apple juice to go with his doughnut) comes full circle, though some of the links in the chain of events seem arbitrary. The bright illustrations match the text's enthusiasm.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(3) PS Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. In this inviting book for preschoolers (also a good choice for early readers), large-print sentences list all types of puppy behavior, both exasperating and endearing: "Puppies can play tug-of-war, / take a bath, / and get you all wet." Lively illustrations with touches of gentle humor feature a variety of children and puppies interacting from morning to night.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Best friends Emily (a dog), Anna (rabbit), Bitsy (pig), and Nicole (cat)--a.k.a. the Jellybeans--explore the activities offered by Camp Pook-A-Wow. Soccer-lover Nicole convinces the camp director to let her form a team to play against Camp Mookie-Wanna. There's minimal conflict in the bland story, but Nicole's perseverance may inspire readers. Spacious watercolors illustrate the summertime tale.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. In this twist on Cinderella, it's not a prince needing a bride but a princess needing a pony. Pretty pony Ponyella's idyllic days come to an end when new owners arrive at the farm, bringing along two disagreeable ponies. Luckily, Ponyella's fairy "godmare" comes to the rescue. Munsinger's illustrations feature plenty of pink and purple as well as sweetly dainty main characters.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Andreasen. Due to Otis's mistake with the party invitations (which oddly goes unmentioned until book's end), best friends Otis and Sydney wind up celebrating Sydney's birthday all by themselves; however, because they thoroughly enjoy each other's company, Sydney declares it's still "the best birthday ever." Skillful shading gives the illustrations a distinctive three-dimensional look, though the two bear friends are confusingly identical.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. When her friends need to do book reports, avid reader Anna introduces them to the library, where they find books about their hobbies. Anna's friends, in turn, help her to channel her love of reading to overcome her shyness. The story has a generic, albeit friendly, books-are-for-everyone message, but Munsinger's animal characters in candy-hued watercolors will draw in readers.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Felicia Bond. The infamous demanding mouse's delightfully frenzied activity begins with movie popcorn, which gets strung into chains, which makes him want a Christmas tree, etc. Festive details, such as the candy canes on the mouse's boxer shorts, add charm to Bond's homey ink and watercolor illustrations. This "Special Christmas Edition" includes recipes, music, games, Numeroff and Bond's holiday reminiscences, and a CD.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(3) K-3 Illustrated by James Bernardin. A boy observes the many nifty qualities of his friends' parents--Katie's mom drives a convertible, Ben's parents go camping, Sydney's mom and dad teach square dancing. His parental wish list grows, but the boy finally concludes that his own parents have special characteristics that he "wouldn't trade." Large, colorful illustrations embrace the warmth and vitality of each family member.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Numeroff's flip-the-book celebrates the special talents of big brothers and big sisters: they can teach a favorite sport, share a snack, help with chores, and deliberately lose at tic-tac-toe. Munsinger's different yet equally playful interpretations of the identical texts will resonate with siblings of many ages.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Felicia Bond. The latest in the If You Give... series features a familiar cat whose every whim is indulged by a young friend. Though some of the causes and effects are less convincing than in previous volumes, fans will appreciate the cat's silliness. Bond's dynamic illustrations will make this another popular read-aloud for group sharing.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Emily is a pup who loves to dance. Bunny Anna loves books, kitty Nicole loves soccer, and piglet Bitsy loves art. Inspired by jellybeans--different flavors that go well together--Emily convinces her friends that their differences will help them put on a great ballet performance. The text forces home its message, but Munsinger's comfortably familiar illustrations will draw readers in.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Translated by Teresa Mlawer. Illustrated by Felicia Bond. This Spanish translation of If You Give a Pig a Party retains the spirit of playfulness found in the English language version. The translation manages to convey just the right feeling, using Spanish vocabulary simple enough to be understood by the book's intended audience.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) PS Illustrated by Felicia Bond. This hardcover edition was originally published as a board book. The ubiquitous mouse (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) takes matters into his own paws, baking a batch of cookies. Too bad he doesn't pay attention to the time. Bond's familiar illustrations play up the humor of the slight story.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David McPhail. A little girl tries to count sheep, but they're asleep and so are all the other animals. In the end she's tuckered out by her attempts at counting, and she's off to dreamland, too. McPhail's warm pen and watercolor illustrations enhance the silly, repetitive rhyming text.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Felicia Bond. This overstuffed volume includes If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985), If You Give a Pig a Pancake (1998), If You Give a Moose a Muffin (1991), and If You Take a Mouse to School (2002), in addition to ten recipes, nine activities, music for eight original songs, and some notes from the author and illustrator.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Because he's her babysitter, Beatrice's big brother Henry has to take her along when he goes to the library to do his homework. But Bea has no use for books or libraries, and she gives Henry plenty of trouble. Then they discover story time, and--not too surprisingly--she's hooked. Munsinger's dog characters have very expressive faces, making Bea's antics especially funny.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Translated by Teresa Mlawer. Illustrated by Felicia Bond & Felicia Bond. This Spanish edition of If You Take a Mouse to School is a good example of how translations of picture books should be handled. First, bring in a top-notch translator. Second, have that translator convey not only the meaning but also the rhythm of the original text. Mlawer accomplishes both goals admirably here.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) 4-6 Meet the Author series. Photographs by Sherry Shahan. Three popular children's book authors discuss how they became writers and illustrators; their families' role in shaping their destinies; and their artistic process, such as how to do pulp painting. This generally excellent series is distinguished by the authors' humility (Fleming shows readers her less-than-stellar grade-school report card) and by candid snapshots and archival images (regrettably lacking captions). [Review covers these Meet the Author titles: Maker of Things, If You Give an Author a Pencil, and Imagination.]

Reviewer: Nell Beram