(2) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. This super-entertaining book reveals the science behind Santa's Christmas Eve magic. Holly, part of a team of tech-savvy elves, takes us on a tour of Santa's workshop (which must produce over a billion presents a year); garage (run by Mrs. Claus, where they've built a sled equipped to carry a million tons of toys and stop in the space of a single roof); and loading dock (where Santa dons a special suit designed to handle the g-forces of traveling 730,000 miles per hour). Flying from east to west across the International Date Line, he's able to complete all his deliveries and--jangling jingle bells!--make it back to the North Pole to start the process all over again. Double-page spreads full of bustling activity and humorous details add to the appeal.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. A bear awakes to a knock at his door. "'Who's there?' 'Justin.' 'Justin who?' / 'Justin the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by!'" says a fox--the first of many uninvited guests who "KNOCK KNOCK" their way in. Finally, both bear and reader realize that everyone has arrived for a pre-hibernation party. The art is charmlessly cartoonish, but the jokes deliciously corny.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS StoryPlay series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. Three brave little kids on a "ghost hunt" encounter obstacles (e.g., a wobbly bridge: "Can't go around it. Can't go over it. We have to walk on it!"). This installment in a series focused on early literacy "shines a spotlight on problem solving." Intrusive discussion prompts are included throughout the cheerily illustrated story; appended activities help parents further "engage with your little one."

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. As Book Report Day approaches, Clark the Shark is sure he'll give "the best report ever!" But when Clark stands up in front of his class, he freezes. Drama builds throughout the accessible easy-reader text, but the resolution comes too easily. Francis's full-bleed illustrations reflect Clark's oversized personality and expand slightly on the narrative. Shark facts are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. On a class trip to the undersea farmer's market, Clark the Shark gets separated from his classmates and learns a muddied lesson about remembering what he's told and following rules (even though breaking the "inside voices" rule is how Clark is located). The cartoony sea creatures--and the didacticism--of Clark the Shark picture books are present and accounted for in this beginning reader.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Clark the Shark spends so much time wondering who will buy his gift, he forgets to buy a present for his class Secret Santa. After giving up the comic he bought for himself, Clark is happily surprised to receive the same gift in return. The illustrations of goofy sea creatures are mildly amusing in this somewhat trite meaning-of-Christmas series entry.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) PS Illustrated by Guy Francis. Clark the Shark, that well-meaning but sometimes-too-rambunctious fish, is back to learn another school-based lesson: sharing, both of toys and of the limelight. There's no disguising the story's intent, but the message goes down easy through Clark's silly antics, which are reflected in both the lively text and the just-as-spirited-as-Clark undersea illustrations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Big, strong showboater Clark the Shark fears only one thing: girls. Clark tries to impress Anna Angelfish with grand gestures--winning a race, saving the school boat--but as each ends in a flop, Clark finally listens to advice from friend Joey Mackerel ("sometimes the best things...come in small packages"). Underwater school-time illustrations provide an entertaining twist on a well-worn conflict.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Clark loves school so much he can barely contain his excitement, but a shark his size spinning out of control intimidates the other fish, so he has trouble fitting in. With the help of his teacher, Clark slowly learns how to "stay cool" when it counts. Overlooking the precious rhymes and overt lesson, Francis skillfully captures the heart of Clark's exuberance (and his classmates' wide-eyed trepidation).

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Guy Francis. As winner of the Whizzer Toys invention contest, eleven-year-old Vincent is given a summer internship at the famous toy company. When tragedy strikes and the toy company is suddenly in danger of closing, Vincent races to keep them in business. The quickly moving plot in this sequel to Vincent Shadow: Toy Inventor is bolstered by cheerful pencil illustrations.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Guy Francis. In this third story about the fourth-grader, Mason joins the basketball team (coached by his dad). The team works together to climatically win the big game and best the class bully. Themes of teamwork and sportsmanship are a little forced, but Mason and his best friend Brody are satisfyingly complementary as the two recognize their own strengths and weaknesses.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. A zookeeper makes the rounds, checking to see that all of his charges are ready to put their best feet, paws, and hooves forward. The text is bland but inoffensive ("Hear the silly sounds they speak, / as they howl, squawk and shriek!"). Same goes for the caricature illustrations of anthropomorphized animals; the pictures are fine but forgettable.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. Plow horse Fred believes he is really "Federico the Dancing Horse" and searches for a place where he can dance to "the song in my heart." He ultimately ends up in a circus alongside his beloved human friend, Lena. Fred/Federico's often ponderous narration isn’t very light on its feet, but this is nevertheless a gently entertaining story accompanied by genial illustrations.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Mason is an only child who likes his room clean, his socks brown, and his food plain. His parents have other ideas about what's good for him, and he's nudged further out of the box by his enthusiastic best friend, Brody. The stories' conflicts involve bullies, art projects, choir practice, and hurt feelings. Both books are entertaining, if a little bland. Review covers these titles: Mason Dixon: Fourth-Grade Disasters and Mason Dixon: Pet Disasters.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Mason is an only child who likes his room clean, his socks brown, and his food plain. His parents have other ideas about what's good for him, and he's nudged further out of the box by his enthusiastic best friend, Brody. The stories' conflicts involve bullies, art projects, choir practice, and hurt feelings. Both books are entertaining, if a little bland. Review covers these titles: Mason Dixon: Fourth-Grade Disasters and Mason Dixon: Pet Disasters.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. In these first entries in the series, two small critters have big aspirations. In Wolf, Lobo, a tiny Chihuahua, dreams of living up to his lupine name on a trip to Yellowstone. In House, a mouse stumbles into an operatic life when he startles a soprano. Kid-friendly illustrations and upbeat, unselfconscious text combine to make droll stories. Review covers these Animals Tales titles: The Pup Who Cried Wolf and Angus MacMouse Brings Down the House.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. Willa the monkey has always been curious about the human habitat outside her zoo enclosure. When a child drops her backpack in, Willa ventures out to try to return it. Told in Willa's voice, the narration is a little too cutesy and unconvincing. The story's close calls and silliness may appeal to fans of the series.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(3) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. In these first entries in the series, two small critters have big aspirations. In Wolf, Lobo, a tiny Chihuahua, dreams of living up to his lupine name on a trip to Yellowstone. In House, a mouse stumbles into an operatic life when he startles a soprano. Kid-friendly illustrations and upbeat, unselfconscious text combine to make droll stories. Review covers these Animals Tales titles: The Pup Who Cried Wolf and Angus MacMouse Brings Down the House.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Guy Francis & Mike Wohnoutka. Middle-schooler Vincent Shadow creates toy prototypes in his secret lab. The inventor's pastime gets kicked into high gear when a local toymaker announces a once-in-a-lifetime contest. Many of the story's characters are cardboard and the ending is lackluster, but readers may appreciate the creativity of Vincent's inventions, shown in occasional spot-illustration sketches and a removable "top secret" notebook.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Guy Francis. Mike Brown's discovery of several new objects in the solar system led to Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet. Rusch shows the scientific process at work by including Brown's mistakes as well as his accomplishments. Francis's illustrations feature cartoony Earth-based scenes and more realistic depictions of outer space.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox