(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. "I am the drifting boat / you are the quiet deep / buoy me." A lilting prayer to hope accompanies delicate watercolor and ink illustrations picturing a family (aboard a small wooden sailboat) escaping a barbed-wire landscape. Double-page spreads feature delicate panel vignettes conveying the lengthy journey to safer shores. Mid-journey, a stranded polar bear catches a ride, providing a lighthearted interlude.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. When Mom and Dad won't get her a pet, Prudence uses her imagination; unfortunately, a tree branch that accompanies her to school, a shoe named Formal Footwear, and baby brother Milo don't pan out. Daly's dry humor and her wonderfully persistent protagonist elevate this book above typical kiddo-wants-a-pet fare. King's illustrations--spare line drawings punctuated with color--perfectly chronicle Prudence's ups and downs.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2011

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. This third in a series about Piglet and her family focuses on Granny, who is late to visit. After a disconcertingly long time (adult readers may think Granny bit the dust), she finally arrives--with a big surprise for Piglet. The story's payoff doesn't live up to the expectation. Loose-handed pastel-hued illustrations against white space are full of movement.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. While roughhousing, Piglet (Piglet and Mama) bites her papa's tail too hard, then wonders if he still loves her. She asks all her farm friends if they do; their responses: yes--"but someone else loves you...more." The watercolor and ink illustrations depict the barnyard moments with pastoral clarity, while the text's reassuring (though repetitive and not especially original) message will appeal to youngsters.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. Bear Bruno's birthday party is on Thursday. That night, he and his bird friend Bert wonder where this special day goes when Friday dawns. Charming ink and watercolor illustrations depict the duo on their nighttime quest for the answer ("Is that you, Thursday?" Bruno asks a gurgling river). Some listeners may find the story too abstract, but Bruno and Bert's musing will resonate with others.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. Whenever Mr. Pockets goes shopping, he puts his two small dogs, Biff and Buff, in the big pockets of his coat. One day Biff slips through a hole in the pocket and gets lost. Kindly people try to help, but Biff isn't mollified until he's tucked safely back in his owner's coat. Sketchy ink and watercolor illustrations add humor and affection to the story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley