(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jared Chapman. An unnamed protagonist is pretty sure he has life figured out. Make a mistake, "just blame other stuff." Whether it's his pen, his shoes, his comb, or even the moon, whenever anything goes wrong, there is always something else at fault. But when these frustrated inanimate objects decide they've had enough, they speak up. One night a pen (blamed for messy homework, illegible test answers, and late assignments) lectures our protagonist about his habit of passing the buck. Although its speechifying is (winkingly) didactic, it just might be (partly) effective. Along with kids who enjoy seeing bad behavior, John's story is sure to appeal to those grownups who are fed up with ridiculous excuses. In Chapman's simple, bright, colorful illustrations, full-bleed spreads alternate with framed single pages and occasional dynamic panels showing a gap-toothed redheaded protagonist and grimacing, angry objects. The humor in both art and text makes this an appealing picture book that might even cause some self-reflection and growth in its readers.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jared Chapman. Outdoor enthusiast Mouse convinces her anxious pal Monster to go camping with her, and Mouse's eagerness and her promise of "lots of yummy food" help calm Monster's nerves. Mouse takes care of the planning and packing so they won't forget anything. But as it turns out, she forgets...the food. The story's humor relies on the interplay of the understated text and the digital cartoon art.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jared Chapman. Verb, a pigtailed girl in red, enjoys being the center of attention with her friends, Interjection (boy in purple), Adjective (boy in yellow), and Adverb (girl in orange). Although Verb "does things," newcomer Noun (boy in light blue) becomes things, impressing the gang and drawing Verb's ire. The grammar lesson is hit-or-miss, but the rivalry story line and clean, color-saturated illustrations are wins.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jared Chapman. Take it from these two siblings: wishing that an occasionally "grouchy, bossy" dad will become someone else can backfire ("Be glad your dad is not a DUNG BEETLE, because he would pile poop in your room," etc.). Illustrations showing Dad as the various animals spotlight the hilarious buyer's remorse on the siblings' faces inspired by the imagined animals' (mis)behaviors. Related animal facts appended.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jared Chapman. Convinced that his teacher, Miss Martin, is a Martian, Melvin Eugene Baxter records her extraterrestrial-type behavior (e.g., her super memory and brainwashing abilities) in his journal. After an act of kindness, he concludes that she's not a Martian after all but a "Superhero from Saturn." The pages, set up to look like Melvin's journal entries, feature humorous, childlike caricatures of his teacher.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner