(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Laughead. This rhyming ode to the wonders of a public library features Hippo and her father (from Shoes for Me! and A Dress for Me!). Wandering through the stacks with enthusiasm and delight, the duo highlights areas of interest to young children. The geometric illustrations in graphite, ink, and digital media are bright and energetic. A pleasant addition to the library-themed storybook collection.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Kid Squad Saves the World series. Illustrated by Mike Laughead. Whenever an impending disaster threatens the world, the Kid Squad is called to action. With the help of Dr. I.N. Stein and his most desirable invention--the Amulator--the four friends travel through time and space to prevent the world from going "kaput." While the good-versus-evil plots are predictable, the history/sci-fi/hero adventures are manageable reluctant-reader fare; cartoony black-and-white illustrations are amateurish. Review covers Kid Squad titles: The Comet of Doom, The Egyptian Prophecy, The Madness of Captain Cyclops, and The Snickerblooms and the Age Bug

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Kid Squad Saves the World series. Illustrated by Mike Laughead. Whenever an impending disaster threatens the world, the Kid Squad is called to action. With the help of Dr. I.N. Stein and his most desirable invention--the Amulator--the four friends travel through time and space to prevent the world from going "kaput." While the good-versus-evil plots are predictable, the history/sci-fi/hero adventures are manageable reluctant-reader fare; cartoony black-and-white illustrations are amateurish. Review covers Kid Squad titles: The Comet of Doom, The Egyptian Prophecy, The Madness of Captain Cyclops, and The Snickerblooms and the Age Bug

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Kid Squad Saves the World series. Illustrated by Mike Laughead. Whenever an impending disaster threatens the world, the Kid Squad is called to action. With the help of Dr. I.N. Stein and his most desirable invention--the Amulator--the four friends travel through time and space to prevent the world from going "kaput." While the good-versus-evil plots are predictable, the history/sci-fi/hero adventures are manageable reluctant-reader fare; cartoony black-and-white illustrations are amateurish. Review covers Kid Squad titles: The Comet of Doom, The Egyptian Prophecy, The Madness of Captain Cyclops, and The Snickerblooms and the Age Bug

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Kid Squad Saves the World series. Illustrated by Mike Laughead. Whenever an impending disaster threatens the world, the Kid Squad is called to action. With the help of Dr. I.N. Stein and his most desirable invention--the Amulator--the four friends travel through time and space to prevent the world from going "kaput." While the good-versus-evil plots are predictable, the history/sci-fi/hero adventures are manageable reluctant-reader fare; cartoony black-and-white illustrations are amateurish. Review covers Kid Squad titles: The Comet of Doom, The Egyptian Prophecy, The Madness of Captain Cyclops, and The Snickerblooms and the Age Bug

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) K-3 Bilingual Stone Arch Readers series. Illustrated by Mike Laughead. Dump Truck wants to play, but his truck friends are working. Monster Three Claws's love of rotten fish gives him bad breath and a social problem. Rico and Robot go camping and scare themselves with stories about Bigfoot. Effectively using simple language, repetition, and inviting illustrations, these bilingual early readers work well in both English and Spanish. Review covers these titles: Camiones amigos / Truck Buddies, Tres garras /Three Claws, and La noche de terror / The Scary Night.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Laughead. "Feet got bigger, / heel to toe. / Time for new shoes. Off we go!" Shoe-shopping soon overwhelms a young hippo and her mother--all those options! The hunt for the perfect footwear--glittery or polka-dotted or even car-shaped--all shown in Laughead's friendly illustrations, will resonate with shoe hounds, young and old. Bouncy rhyming text makes for an enjoyable read-aloud.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger