(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Emma Dodson. When their class is presented with the task of creating something to make the world safer, Hooey, Twig, and Matt wrack their brains for a great idea. After a run-in with the class bully they decide on protective Tremendous Trousers ("TremTrows") but struggle to create and test their invention. Voake's second irresistibly quirky Hooey Higgins story is matched by Dodson's equally wacky illustrations.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Emma Dodson. Beginning chapter book meets screwball comedy in this British import. Hooey Higgins and his friend, Twig, plan to capture a shark and charge admission for a viewing in order to raise the money to buy the world's largest chocolate egg. Dodson's wacky spot art helps readers pick up on tone, and her opening spread, depicting the large cast, helps keep all the players straight in this over-the-top but propulsive read.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. In this fifth series installment, animal-communicator extraordinaire Daisy helps refill the dried out pond for the ducks and newts, culminating in a Farm Afternoon festival designed to bring on some much-needed rain. Meserve's sweet, scratchy illustrations perfectly depict the dry summer days on the farm in this chapter book that will appeal to young animal lovers.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. On a beach vacation, Daisy uses her gift of animal communication to teach two rabbits to surf "the blue uppy-downy things" and, with the help of some crabs, save a trapped dolphin. The plotting is a bit slow and the story somewhat uneventful, aside from the ride with the dolphins. Thoughtful design effectively incorporates the warm illustrations into the text.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charlotte Voake. "Right now, all around you, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things." Delicate pen and watercolor illustrations are paired with facts about such insects as wasps, ants, and dragonflies. The casual tone of the text encourages readers to "step outside" and explore. The whole mimics the unpredictability and inherent surprises of a nature walk: you never know what you'll see. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. In her third story, Daisy, who can communicate with animals, enjoys a bountiful snowfall. She also helps round up a newborn lamb, facilitates a gerbil-squirrel sledding date, and assists in finding the sheepdog's lost prized possession. The quietly entertaining episodes are accented by plentiful bold-lined ink-and-pencil illustrations featuring snowy borders, which carry the frosty theme together throughout.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. Daisy Dawson, who can talk with animals, investigates an out-of-the-way otter pond with some squirrels and a dog pal. After a storm rolls in, a double rescue strengthens Daisy's animal friendships, old and new alike. Though the text's incorporation of habitat facts is forced (as is some of the humor), animal lovers will enjoy Daisy's kindhearted capers, shown in pastoral ink-and-pencil sketches.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. Daisy Dawson frees an ensnared butterfly and can suddenly, inexplicably, understand all creatures. When her dog friend disappears, she works with the animals to save him. Daisy is a dawdler, and the story also meanders before getting to the (offstage) dog rescue, but the message of compassion will enchant animal lovers. Lighthearted ink and pencil sketches emphasize Daisy's sweetness.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) 4-6 In this sequel to The Dreamwalker's Child, Sam and Skipper are reunited with the rebellion forces fighting against Odoursin. Readers unfamiliar with the first book may be lost in this world of mechanized flies, wasps, and hornets. But others will be rewarded by the likable characters, entertaining dialogue, and fast-moving plot.

Reviewer: Becky Levine