(2) K-3 Illustrated by Madeline Valentine. Teddy loves his redheaded doll in a pink dress with the "sickest fighting skills." One morning, his mother accidentally throws the doll away and must perform some sick moves of her own to catch up with the garbage truck. The story's implicit messages--presenting gender nonconformity as perfectly normal; that parents can become superheroic for their children--ring loud, true, and (particularly in the mixed-media illustrations) funny.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Melissa van der Paardt. Simon, a dog, cannot wait to try out his beautiful new bed, but there is a problem: Miss Adora Belle, a cat, is in it. When barking, dragging the bed through the house, and even pleading don't work, Simon finally settles for sharing the bed. Digitally rendered cartoon illustrations capture the many moods of Simon and the self-satisfied smugness of the cat.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Melissa van der Paardt. Loosely based on a traditional Chinese tale, this story erases any cultural authenticity. Mouse Shu trains hard to win the Jade Emperor's race for inclusion in the zodiac; his best friend, Mimi the cat, can only think of the cupcake prizes. The cartoonlike digital illustrations have some amusing touches. The back endpapers feature a chart of the zodiac animals, their traits, and their years.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt