(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Ostensibly walking readers though writing a book about his dog, Barton introduces elementary-age readers to nonfiction publishing. From research to writing to minute steps in a book's life cycle, an impressive amount of information is cleverly cloaked in entertaining meta storytelling. Horne's slapstick illustrations work in perfect tandem throughout; occasional vignettes use flow-chart arrows as the would-be "book" moves from agent to editor and on. Even "people whose names don't...appear on the cover" (typesetters! proofreaders!) get a shout-out--all without a dull moment.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Ana receives a chicken for her birthday instead of the amusement park tickets she requested. Little does she know that Abuela Lola--and the chicken--had the ultimate surprise in mind all along, which plays out amusingly in Horne's joke-filled cartoony illustrations. Repetition of the titular refrain throughout the story gives the text a lyrical quality.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Pip wants to be a service dog, but his penchant for chasing balls might be his downfall. Aspiring surf-rescue dog Murphy is a star in water-rescue training but loses his confidence in the ocean. The amusing books set at the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy feature large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and endearing canine characters. Facts about each kind of working dog are appended. Review covers these Puppy Academy titles: Murphy and the Great Surf Rescue and Pip and the Paw of Friendship.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Pip wants to be a service dog, but his penchant for chasing balls might be his downfall. Aspiring surf-rescue dog Murphy is a star in water-rescue training but loses his confidence in the ocean. The amusing books set at the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy feature large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and endearing canine characters. Facts about each kind of working dog are appended. Review covers these Puppy Academy titles: Murphy and the Great Surf Rescue and Pip and the Paw of Friendship.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Sesame Seade Mystery series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Grade-school sleuth Sophie Seade (whose nickname, "Sesame," is only the tip of the wordplay iceberg) suspects foul play when multiple members of the Cambridge rowing team fall ill; missing pirate treasure deepens the mystery. Sophie's aggressively dry sensibility may have mostly niche appeal, but the tart British humor lands, and the plot unfolds at just the right level for readers to join the puzzle-solving.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Scout, a German shepherd puppy of police-dog parents, aspires to catch Frank Furter, notorious sausage stealer. Border collie Star dreams of being National Sheepdog Champion like her mother. Hopefully the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy can help both. The amusing books will capture young readers with large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and entertaining canine characters. Police (Scout) and rescue (Star) dog facts included. Review covers the following Puppy Academy titles: Scout and the Sausage Thief and Star on Stormy Mountain.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 1-3 Puppy Academy series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Scout, a German shepherd puppy of police-dog parents, aspires to catch Frank Furter, notorious sausage stealer. Border collie Star dreams of being National Sheepdog Champion like her mother. Hopefully the Sausage Dreams Puppy Academy can help both. The amusing books will capture young readers with large fonts, short sentences, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and entertaining canine characters. Police (Scout) and rescue (Star) dog facts included. Review covers the following Puppy Academy titles: Scout and the Sausage Thief and Star on Stormy Mountain.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Sesame Seade Mystery series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Precocious youngster Sesame Seade tackles the mystery of Cambridge University's missing gargoyles. Aided by a pair of purple roller skates and classmates Gemma and Toby, Sesame tracks down leads that bring her uncomfortably close to home. With an exciting plot and a perfectly droll first-person voice, this second installment avoids the buffoonery often found in humorous middle-grade novels. Spot art highlights the action.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(2) 4-6 Sesame Seade Mystery series. Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Sophie Margaret Catriona "Sesame" Seade is a type-A roller-skating detective in Cambridge, England. Here she solves a kidnapping and exposes corporate funding skullduggery. During her investigations she breaks into the Fitzwilliam Museum, steals a canoe, and escapes from bad guys by strapping on wings and launching herself out a window. The pace is rambunctious; the adults, Dahl-nasty. Spot illustrations support the high-octane humor.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Horne. In her second adventure (this one's not a mystery story), Nana (Nana Cracks the Case!) has a car breakdown on the way to the rodeo. Grandchildren Eufala and Bog help save the day when Nana's (lack of) skills as a mechanic get her in trouble with bad guys Tuff and the Ruffies. Black-and-white ink drawings reflect the story's quirky humor.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sarah Horne. Nana isn't ready for the old folks' home. Instead, she tries out different jobs (hockey referee, backhoe driver) until landing, happily, on detective. Nana's grandchildren Eufala and Bog are more interested in making mischief than solving crime until they help her unravel a mystery. The many quirky text asides and black-and-white illustrations add to an already funny and kid-friendly premise.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay