(4) PS Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. Rocket Raccoon postpones tree-like alien Groot's bedtime for more space adventures alongside fellow Marvel superheroes. A tranquil rhyming text faces the action-packed, cartoonish illustrations. Including cameos for Marvel enthusiasts while presenting the violence in a kid-friendly manner (e.g., a high-tech slingshot stands in for Rocket's signature firearms), this energetic if gimmicky book should charm young superhero fans.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. A narrator begins the traditional story of a young girl in a red-hooded cape--but a sheep named Arnold interrupts, begging to be in the story. Wise-cracking Arnold co-opts the story, changing the setting, pulling friends in, and totally taking over. In a funny book's-end twist, the narrator begs to be in Arnold's story. Digital illustrations in hot colors emphasize the madcap meta goings-on.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. A boy named Harold questions Santa's existence, so he hides in his living room on Christmas Eve to learn the truth. Meanwhile, Santa has been questioning Harold's existence, so he hides behind Harold's couch on Christmas morning to get some answers. The execution isn't up to the terrific premise, but the art, while overcomplicated, hits humorous notes, especially Harold's dad's spit-take.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. A car named Bud enters a race with some other cars, all cheerfully illustrated. Bud gets distracted playing in a mud puddle. He refocuses, finishes the race, loses, and displays good sportsmanship: "I vroomed. / I zoomed. / I went fast. / And someone had / to come in last." The rhyming text occasionally sputters, but Bud is a winning character.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. A child considers the mythical pet alternatives to a boring hamster, imagining the fun one could have with unicorns, hippogriffs, dragons, etc., but also, with escalating absurdity, their drawbacks ("Manticore needs special floss"). This well-designed, rhyming flight of fancy offers a laugh-out-loud take on pet-owning responsibilities. Brightly hued digital illustrations humorously render child, creatures, and observers with infectious energy and vivid emotion.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Community Helpers series. Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. In each book introducing a community-benefitting career, schoolchildren meet one adult to learn about his or her job; information includes the training required to become a firefighter, doctor, etc., daily routines, and primary responsibilities. The content is inclusive and up-to-date but delivered through vapid stories. Peppy computer-generated cartoons are amateur. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Community Helpers titles: Let's Meet a Fire Fighter, Let's Meet a Librarian, Let's Meet a Police Officer, Let's Meet a Veterinarian, Let's Meet a Construction Worker, Let's Meet a Dentist, Let's Meet a Doctor, and Let's Meet a Teacher.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Cloverleaf Books: Community Helpers series. Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. In each book introducing a community-benefitting career, schoolchildren meet one adult to learn about his or her job; information includes the training required to become a firefighter, doctor, etc., daily routines, and primary responsibilities. The content is inclusive and up-to-date but delivered through vapid stories. Peppy computer-generated cartoons are amateur. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Community Helpers titles: Let's Meet a Fire Fighter, Let's Meet a Librarian, Let's Meet a Police Officer, Let's Meet a Veterinarian, Let's Meet a Construction Worker, Let's Meet a Dentist, Let's Meet a Doctor, and Let's Meet a Teacher.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth