(4) K-3 Illustrated by Janie Bynum. A lucky girl has her very own elephant; however, when her elephant gets lonely, he invites additional elephant friends, one by one, to join him until there are just too many elephants to handle. Although it lacks logic in spots, the rhyming text partners well with Bynum's playful watercolor and digital pastel illustrations.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(3) PS Illustrated by Janie Bynum. Slippers the puppy doesn't feel like napping; instead, he investigates all the intriguing sights, smells, and sounds around the house, leaving a mess behind. When Mommy offers to take him for a walk, Slippers is too worn out to go. With its expressive watercolor illustrations and simple, repetitive text, this second Slippers book portrays a character who's humorously puppylike--and childlike, too.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Illustrated by Janie Bynum. The Rock-a-Baby Band toddlers are singing the bathtime blues (CD included): "Daddy said we're grubby. / He said we need a scrub. / Along came our mama / and she dunked us in the tub." Bynum's digitally rendered art is overbusy, but McMullan's lyrics, punctuated with well-timed "NO!"s, are infectious.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Janie Bynum. Slippers the puppy shares his house with four people: Edward who walks on four paws; Laura who doesn't always like Slippers's actions but loves him anyway; Mommy who feeds him; and Daddy who takes him for walks. Although describing the people from the pup's point of view is humorous and the art is appealing, the story line is weak.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Janie Bynum. While Thelonious Beaver is supposed to be working on his family's dam, he daydreams and admires the world around him. When he finally gets busy, his creation wows all the beavers on the pond. Bright, appealing illustrations add to the beavers' personalities in this otherwise trite story of finding one's own talents.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Janie Bynum. Ten babies wielding rattles and miniature instruments rock out to rhymes about the joys of making music: "Charlotte boogie-woogies, Denny stomps and claps, / Bip and Ling begin to sing: 'Rockers don't take naps!' / Oh, shake it, baby, shake it." The text would seem pitched at parents rather than their tykes, who won't get it, but the bright digital-watercolor illustrations are lively. The book comes with a CD.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Janie Bynum. A porcupine troubadour goes out searching for a wife, singing to each animal in the petting zoo, until he finds the only other one with the "No petting" signs on her habitat: Barb the Hedgehog. Cushion and Barb fall instantly in love. Filled with puns that sometimes fall flat, this sentimental story is illustrated with humorous watercolor and pastel pictures, keeping the tone light and easy.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Brand New Readers series. Illustrated by Janie Bynum. In this series designed for beginning readers, the books all have four stories, each one preceded by a few lines of plot summary. The stories consist of eight short, repetitive sentences with a humorous twist at the end, which supplies added motivation to keep reading. Simple clear illustrations enhance the humor. A page of tips for adults completes the package. [Review covers these Brand New Readers titles: Edna Elephant, Ethan Out and About, and Mouse Has Fun.]

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Illustrated by Janie Bynum. A rabbit couple demonstrates opposites while enjoying various activities together, including buying a bike ("Too big / Too small / Just right") and skating ("Too fast / Too slow / Just right"). Pleasant illustrations expand on the minimal rhyming text. Bynum definitely relies on tradition to show which rabbit is the girl; she's pink, with a necklace, a handbag, and a coy smile.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert