(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. Part one of this book about animal play introduces play activities that have a purpose, such as hyenas having a tug-of-war to strengthen their jaws and otters “juggling” rocks to increase dexterity. Part two is about animal play that is just for fun, such as sledding ravens and body-surfing saltwater crocodiles. The text is informative and fascinating (who knew orangutans played dress-up?); the complementary digital illustrations, in mainly muted colors, show a variety of animals having a great time. A glossary and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. A chance encounter between an elderly man and a stray cat begins this cumulative tale in verse. Despite the narrator's refrain "I do not want a kitty cat," he relents when it begins to snow and winds up with not the one, but ten cats. (His reluctance is revealed to be grief over a lost feline friend.) The text paces the sweet story well with consistent rhyme and rhythm, and the expressive, cartoonlike illustrations use panels and speech bubbles to great effect.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The characteristics of groups of living things are conveyed subtly through expressive rhyming stanzas. Groupings include reptiles, birds, arthropods, etc., as well as ecological categories such as water dwellers and detrivores. The vibrantly colored illustrations of myriad species in varied environments echo the book's emphasis on interdependence. Websites.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. Featuring a handful of "underdogs" in the animal kingdom, this informative book is also intended to serve as an affirmation for young humans who feel like they just don't fit in. Creatures' seemingly negative attributes are identified and then explained for the lifesaving traits that they actually are. The digital illustrations are friendly and engaging and complement the chatty text. "More About the Underdogs" is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(4) 1-3 Animal Inn series. Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The Tyler family animals (A Furry Fiasco; Treasure Hunt) think they are taking a trip to school, but the first-grade class comes to visit them at Animal Inn instead. Narrated by Coco, the Tylers' chocolate Labrador retriever, the engaging if predictable story's short chapters are filled with misunderstandings that create mild tension and humor. Muddy half- and full-page grayscale illustrations are included.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. Prudence, a book-loving, STEAM-curious, endlessly inventive cow, finds it hard to fit in at the barnyard. "Why can't she be like us?" "Why can't she just be normal?" complain the other cows. Cartoony digital illustrations display Prudence's ambitious exploits in the silly story emphasizing the positives in standing out from the herd.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) 1-3 Animal Inn series. Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The Tylers, (human) owners of the Animal Inn, provide pet services and boarding, offering "any habitat a guest might need." In both formulaic installments (each narrated by a different animal inhabitant), a rumor of a scary upcoming guest gets the family pets in a tizzy. Short chapters, humorous misunderstandings, and peppy narrators will appeal to new chapter-book readers. Muddily produced black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers these Animal Inn titles: A Furry Fiasco and Treasure Hunt.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) 1-3 Animal Inn series. Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The Tylers, (human) owners of the Animal Inn, provide pet services and boarding, offering "any habitat a guest might need." In both formulaic installments (each narrated by a different animal inhabitant), a rumor of a scary upcoming guest gets the family pets in a tizzy. Short chapters, humorous misunderstandings, and peppy narrators will appeal to new chapter-book readers. Muddily produced black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers these Animal Inn titles: A Furry Fiasco and Treasure Hunt.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan