(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley's and Catina's lives are turned upside down when over-the-top Cousin Wagster comes to visit and commands everyone's attention. In three short chapters, themes of friendship, self-confidence, and communication emerge slowly but thoughtfully, and the story has a satisfying resolution. Whimsical watercolor illustrations depict a human-like world inhabited by animals of all kinds.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) PS Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Tiger and Badger experience the realistic ebb and flow of a close friendship. A fight over a single ice pop leads to a thrown toy; tempers flare yet forgiveness prevails. Gay's airy, whimsical illustrations in watercolor, ink, and acrylics convey the action and spot-on emotional dynamic as the pair runs and tussles across a flowery meadow in the large, sweeping double-page spreads.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Charlie, Max, and their parents (Summer in the City) visit Croatia. This slim volume is packed full of their adventures in an unfamiliar landscape, from almost getting arrested (because Max has to pee) to meeting the mysterious hermit of Vrgada and learning about the costs of war. Charlie's wide-eyed first-person point of view keeps this latest travel romp as fresh as the others.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. After Houndsley the dog admits to his best friend Catina, a cat, that he's scared to ride a bike because he doesn't know how, he discovers that Catina is also afraid--afraid to go canoeing with him because she can't swim. Appealing watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations provide the perfect backdrop for this reassuring tale of learning new skills and conquering old fears.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley loves a snowstorm when everything becomes hushed, "almost like music." Catina, however, frets that their concert might be canceled that evening. Eventually, Catina comes to appreciate the beauty of the storm, with the help of Houndsley's imagination. Delicate watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations highlight the quiet of the snow, while their gentle humor brings out the dog-and-cat friendship.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Jake tries to escape his adoring and annoying little sister, who's on him like glue. Finally, he closes his eyes and wishes she was a dog, who "wouldn't dance into his room...pound on his door...talk all day...talk at all"; lo and behold, a dog appears. Gay's detailed illustrations steal the show, humorously portraying the sibling love-hate relationship.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley the dog and Catina the cat are sad because they don't know their own birthdays. So, unbeknownst to the other, each friend plans a birthday surprise. Young readers will be amused by the maneuvering to fit the two parties into one evening. Quiet humor and soft watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations support this more sophisticated easy reader.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. In a jaunty rhythmic text, Didi and her dad explore the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (overlooking Manhattan) on a Sunday morning walk. On their way they see boats, dogs, musicians, friends, and a playground. The energy of the cartoonlike watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations is infectious, while the text repeats the pattern of looking, enjoying, and racing on.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. The narrator reveals her worries about going into Grade One as she talks of her stuffed lion, her family, and--most of all--her bad dreams. In the end, these worries are resolved rather abruptly; however, the narrator, with her fondness for wordplay, has an engaging, realistically childlike way of speaking, which is complemented by the energetic, scribbly illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Named after Chopin, young Frederic unfortunately has no musical talent. After he has given up trying to learn to play an instrument, he sees a concert and is inspired to conduct all his instrument-playing relatives in an original composition. The theme is heavy-handed, and the story isn't a true depiction of how a conductor or composer works, but humorous touches in the text and art lighten the book.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.