(2) PS Fans of Patricelli's board-book baby (most recently Doggie Gets Scared and Mad, Mad, MAD, both rev. 9/20) already know and love the adorable youngster, but here Mommy and Daddy (Mami and Papi in the concurrently published Spanish editions) get their own places to shine. In simple, lilting text, our protagonist discusses Mom and Dad's superlative traits and describes special time spent with each of them: "Mommy hugs, Mommy kisses. / Mommy says that I'm delicious! / Now we dance. Wiggle, wiggle. / I can make my mommy giggle." "Daddy likes to sing with me. / I play horsey on his knee...Daddy cooks. / Daddy cleans. / My daddy can do anything!" Patricelli's recognizable color-saturated and textured art, with thick black outlines and rosy-cheeked characters, is always welcome, and now, especially, pandemic-weary parents may appreciate the boost. Review covers these titles: Daddy and Mommy.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(2) PS Fans of Patricelli's board-book baby (most recently Doggie Gets Scared and Mad, Mad, MAD, both rev. 9/20) already know and love the adorable youngster, but here Mommy and Daddy (Mami and Papi in the concurrently published Spanish editions) get their own places to shine. In simple, lilting text, our protagonist discusses Mom and Dad's superlative traits and describes special time spent with each of them: "Mommy hugs, Mommy kisses. / Mommy says that I'm delicious! / Now we dance. Wiggle, wiggle. / I can make my mommy giggle." "Daddy likes to sing with me. / I play horsey on his knee...Daddy cooks. / Daddy cleans. / My daddy can do anything!" Patricelli's recognizable color-saturated and textured art, with thick black outlines and rosy-cheeked characters, is always welcome, and now, especially, pandemic-weary parents may appreciate the boost. Review covers these titles: Daddy and Mommy.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(2) PS Patricelli's board-book baby with the single sky-high curlicue and rosy cheeks (recently seen in Tooth and Big Kid Bed, both rev. 11/18) confronts the emotions of fear (Scared) and anger (Mad) in typical-preschooler (and reassuring) ways. In Scared, the child tells us: "Doggie is scared of many things," and then proceeds to list common fear-makers--strangers, loud noises, parents out of view--while the color-saturated, textured illustrations show who is really afraid. Following a Knuffle Bunny–esque plot twist, everything ends peacefully with child and stuffie safe in bed: "Don't be scared, Doggie. We have each other!" A concluding spread shows "Things that can be scary" and "Things that can help the scary go away." Mad relates, in rhyme, the child's struggles with irrational anger and provides (deep breath) eventual suggestions for self-soothing; this book's concluding spread is "Things that help the mad go away" ("doggies," "friends," "pillow punches," etc.). As always, the baby is endearing (and imperfect and imaginative), the struggles are relatable, and the solutions offered are at least worth a try. Review covers these titles: Doggie Gets Scared and Mad, Mad, MAD.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) PS Patricelli's board-book baby with the single sky-high curlicue and rosy cheeks (recently seen in Tooth and Big Kid Bed, both rev. 11/18) confronts the emotions of fear (Scared) and anger (Mad) in typical-preschooler (and reassuring) ways. In Scared, the child tells us: "Doggie is scared of many things," and then proceeds to list common fear-makers--strangers, loud noises, parents out of view--while the color-saturated, textured illustrations show who is really afraid. Following a Knuffle Bunny–esque plot twist, everything ends peacefully with child and stuffie safe in bed: "Don't be scared, Doggie. We have each other!" A concluding spread shows "Things that can be scary" and "Things that can help the scary go away." Mad relates, in rhyme, the child's struggles with irrational anger and provides (deep breath) eventual suggestions for self-soothing; this book's concluding spread is "Things that help the mad go away" ("doggies," "friends," "pillow punches," etc.). As always, the baby is endearing (and imperfect and imaginative), the struggles are relatable, and the solutions offered are at least worth a try. Review covers these titles: Doggie Gets Scared and Mad, Mad, MAD.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) PS In Patricelli's (Quiet Loud and many others) latest board books starring the single-curlicued, gender-unspecified toddler, the little tyke grows a tooth (Tooth) and graduates from crib to big-kid bed (Bed). Each experience offers challenges (i.e., excessive drooling and fear of being alone, respectively), but the rewards of both are clear. Patricelli's recognizable and cheery acrylics with thick black outlines ramp up the reassurance levels. Review covers these titles: Big Kid Bed and Tooth.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(2) PS In Patricelli's (Quiet Loud and many others) latest board books starring the single-curlicued, gender-unspecified toddler, the little tyke grows a tooth (Tooth) and graduates from crib to big-kid bed (Bed). Each experience offers challenges (i.e., excessive drooling and fear of being alone, respectively), but the rewards of both are clear. Patricelli's recognizable and cheery acrylics with thick black outlines ramp up the reassurance levels. Review covers these titles: Big Kid Bed and Tooth.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(2) PS A pigtailed girl (from Higher! Higher!) builds a tower out of blocks, then progresses to larger structures. But a huge diapered infant crashes through the skyscrapers, toppling the fantasy. Wordless spreads show their reconciliation process before the two start building together: "Stronger! Stronger!" The minimal text, bright palette, and textured acrylic paintings with thick black outlines create a book appropriate for sharing one-on-one or with groups.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(3) 4-6 Rizzlerunk Club series. "Fourth grade, first day, brand-new school, and I'm barfing in front of everyone," says Lily, protagonist of Patricelli's (known for her preschooler and board books) first intermediate novel. Copious black-and-white illustrations enhance this tale of a shy girl befriended by a quirky outcast, whose own (jealous) best friend has just moved back to town. The three-way friendship dynamic is realistic, and humorous details abound.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) PS In this board-book treat, Patricelli's baby picks a "just right" pumpkin, helps Daddy carve a familiar-looking jack-o'-lantern (a pumpkin selfie, if you will), and chooses a scary costume. Trick-or-treating with Daddy is a bit spooky, too, until the little ghostie discovers there's candy involved. The lively color-saturated illustrations play off the simple, direct text, adding humor and silliness to the mix.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) PS Most people are ticklish (even if they insist otherwise)...and everyone--kids, dogs, dads, even moms--farts. Those are the takeaways from Patricelli's two most recent board books starring her familiar, disarming diaper-clad baby (Yummy Yucky; No No Yes Yes; The Birthday Box). As always, good-natured humor and affection abound in the very simple texts and bold-hued, black-outlined illustrations. Review covers these titles: Tickle and Toot.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) PS Most people are ticklish (even if they insist otherwise)...and everyone--kids, dogs, dads, even moms--farts. Those are the takeaways from Patricelli's two most recent board books starring her familiar, disarming diaper-clad baby (Yummy Yucky; No No Yes Yes; The Birthday Box). As always, good-natured humor and affection abound in the very simple texts and bold-hued, black-outlined illustrations. Review covers these titles: Tickle and Toot.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) PS Playing horsey with Daddy, Higher! Higher!'s heroine directs him to go "Faster! Faster!" Turn the page; the girl rides a dog. Pooped pup is replaced by rabbit, who's traded for ostrich, then horse, then cheetah, then hawk (all, tellingly, wearing Dad's purple polka-dotted tie). The book's playful design, featuring rich, cartoonlike acrylics, speaks directly to young children.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(2) PS Patricelli's baby character returns, here excited that Christmas is on the way. Our narrator describes picking out a tree, hand-crafting some gifts (e.g., a Scotch Tape necklace for Mommy), caroling, and eagerly awaiting Santa's arrival. As always, Patricelli's straightforward text tells only part of the story. Her vibrant illustrations fill in the rest by adding lots of personality and humor.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(2) PS Monkey Mike drums on any available surface. What does his family say? "BE QUIET, MIKE!" Purchasing a drum set is out of the question, so Mike decides to build his own. And when he's finished, his family joins in with a rousing finale: "PLAY LOUDER, MIKE!" Patricelli's full-bleed, brightly colored illustrations are as energetic as her rhythmic text.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(3) PS In Birthday, a baby plays with a box in imaginative ways. In Higher! Higher!, a girl swings so high she meets a space alien. The only part of the books that's not a direct translation from the original edition is in Higher! Higher!: the girl says, "High five!" and the alien responds "¡Amigos!" Young children will surely enjoy these colorful bilingual board books. Review covers these titles: The Birthday Box / Mi caja de cumpleaños and Higher! Higher! / ¡Más alto! ¡Más alto!

Reviewer: Tim Wadham | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(3) PS In Birthday, a baby plays with a box in imaginative ways. In Higher! Higher!, a girl swings so high she meets a space alien. The only part of the books that's not a direct translation from the original edition is in Higher! Higher!: the girl says, "High five!" and the alien responds "¡Amigos!" Young children will surely enjoy these colorful bilingual board books. Review covers these titles: The Birthday Box / Mi caja de cumpleaños and Higher! Higher! / ¡Más alto! ¡Más alto!

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) PS A smiling dad pushes his daughter on a swing: "Higher! Higher!" Higher she goes, flying up to greet a giraffe, a mountain climber, airplane passengers, etc. Finally, she heads into space, where she meets a little green alien on his own swing. Hand-lettering and cheerful cartoonlike acrylics reinforce the book's preschooler-perfect sensibilities, also very apparent in this board book edition.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(2) PS Tubby finds Patricelli's impish, oval-headed, gender-neutral toddler having a grand old time in the bathtub. In Potty, the tiny tot first recognizes the urge to go, then realizes a diaper isn't the only place to take care of business. There's an abundance of sly humor in Patricelli's comfortably rounded, bold-hued acrylic illustrations and brief, child-friendly texts. Review covers these titles: Potty and Tubby.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(2) PS Tubby finds Patricelli's impish, oval-headed, gender-neutral toddler having a grand old time in the bathtub. In Potty, the tiny tot first recognizes the urge to go, then realizes a diaper isn't the only place to take care of business. There's an abundance of sly humor in Patricelli's comfortably rounded, bold-hued acrylic illustrations and brief, child-friendly texts. Review covers these titles: Potty and Tubby.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(3) K-3 Petra's three puppy siblings come to the rescue when her fear of monsters disturbs her sleep. A purple-horned, yellow-striped monster does appear, but it's as afraid of the puppies as they are of it--and it likes cookies! A middle-of-the-night dance party ensues...until Mama and Papa show up. Patricelli's lively illustrations and exuberant text give the rambunctious pups' second book plenty of pep.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn