(4) 1-3 Animal Planet Adventures series. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. Word puzzles (Zoo) and a riddle (Puppy) are featured in two mild mysteries, both involving missing animals. Scattered throughout the stories are single- and double-page spreads of photographs and facts about habitat, animal care, veterinarians, zoo employees' duties, and more. Full-color cartoon illustrations accompany the fictional stories. Review covers these Animal Planet Adventures titles: Zoo Camp Puzzle and Puppy Rescue Riddle.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 1-3 Animal Planet Adventures series. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. Word puzzles (Zoo) and a riddle (Puppy) are featured in two mild mysteries, both involving missing animals. Scattered throughout the stories are single- and double-page spreads of photographs and facts about habitat, animal care, veterinarians, zoo employees' duties, and more. Full-color cartoon illustrations accompany the fictional stories. Review covers these Animal Planet Adventures titles: Zoo Camp Puzzle and Puppy Rescue Riddle.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. In this companion to Hero Dad, several children describe their military moms as superheroes, praising their work piloting helicopters, driving trucks, leading battalions, etc. "My mom doesn't leap over tall buildings--she builds them." The message is both overt and a little muddled, but heartfelt. Watercolor illustrations featuring a multicultural cast capture the women soldiers' dedication and contributions.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. Dustpan, Texas, is so boring that the arrival of a rattlesnake is welcome entertainment--to everyone but the sheriff. The lawman wants to run the snake out of town--until the varmint proves his mettle by saving a baby. As yarns go, it's a pretty good one, with illustrations that capture the Old West's sandblasted look.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. A military father revered by his child is described as possessing powers and characteristics of a superhero. Some of the comparisons work (e.g., invisibility cloak and camouflage) while others are a stretch (laser gun and rifle). The whole thing is fairly shallow but might be useful for children with a parent in the military. Big-hearted watercolor and pencil drawings illustrate the message-y text.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. During a family trip to Paris, Matt and Bibi attend a cooking school and learn to measure liquids in the American standard and metric systems. Their measuring and brownie-making skills are tested when the Inspector General makes a surprise visit. Much of the plot is arbitrary, but as an introduction to capacity, the story and lively illustrations are serviceable.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) PS Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. A little girl wonders how she can get her rambunctious stuffed animals settled for the night. With gentle rhythms and lulling rhymes she bathes them, dresses them in jammies, hugs and kisses them, and tucks each of her friends into bed, sweetly hushing them until all are fast asleep. Muted, soothing watercolors offset the energetic action depicted in the illustrations.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. In this lighthearted southwestern version of the Cinderella story, Joe Cinders (with the help of his fairy godfather) bests his mean stepbrothers and gets the gal. Although the figures in the watercolor illustrations are stiff, they are expressive enough to convey the story's humor. This fresh take on an old tale will delight young buckaroos and works well as a read-aloud.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen