(3) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. One at a time, six adventurous pugs hop in a VW Beetle convertible for a rhyming romp through the countryside. When the Bug ends up at a "Pooch Parade," the pugs, along with a variety of other canines, enter the fray, each on a different mode of transportation (e.g., skateboard, sled, scooter). Brightly colored illustrations reinforce the text's exuberance.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. "This book comes with a free ghost inside." The humorous second-person narrative proceeds to inform the reader about the delights and challenges of caring for a ghost friend. Retro-style, fluorescent-color illustrations portray ghosts' fears (the dark), advantages over pets and siblings, care-taking requirements (exercise, games, and outdoor play), and more. A perfect non-scary ghost story.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. In this four-legged walk through the alphabet, retro cartoon-style illustrations show a variety of dogs with names that reflect their personality, behavior, or appearance. For A there's Aspen, a yellow Lab that plays in leaves from aspen trees; Z is for Zipper, a Dutch Smoushond who zips around. The short poems occasionally lose track of rhythm, but young dog lovers won't mind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. "This fourth glass of water is just what I need.... / I'm sleepy... good night now... / OH, NO, MOM, I PEED!" Twenty poems with punchy endings speak of bedtime delays, bunk bed injustices, and nighttime snacks. Bold, broadly drawn illustrations match the humor and imagination of the verse. No yawning here: bedtime shirkers will beg to read these again and again.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax