(2) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. We first meet Jack, a baseball-capped rabbit, as he waves hello, munches on snacks, and--swipes a woman's purse?! This initial encounter in Hi, Jack! sets the tone for the first four installments of Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series: a roller coaster of sour and sweet moments for Jack, his dog friend Rex, and the nameless Lady. (Once he returns her purse. And her lipstick.) Jack makes trouble wherever he goes, from the baseball field (Jack at Bat) to outer space (Jack Blasts Off!), and the direct-address narration instructs him to mend his ways (in a not-always-constructive manner: "Jack, you are bad. You are a bad Jack. A bad, bad Jack"). Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli's illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. This series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny. Review covers these titles: Hi, Jack!, Jack at Bat, Jack Blasts Off!, and Jack Goes West.

Reviewer: Grace McKinney | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. We first meet Jack, a baseball-capped rabbit, as he waves hello, munches on snacks, and--swipes a woman's purse?! This initial encounter in Hi, Jack! sets the tone for the first four installments of Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series: a roller coaster of sour and sweet moments for Jack, his dog friend Rex, and the nameless Lady. (Once he returns her purse. And her lipstick.) Jack makes trouble wherever he goes, from the baseball field (Jack at Bat) to outer space (Jack Blasts Off!), and the direct-address narration instructs him to mend his ways (in a not-always-constructive manner: "Jack, you are bad. You are a bad Jack. A bad, bad Jack"). Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli's illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. This series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny. Review covers these titles: Hi, Jack!, Jack at Bat, Jack Blasts Off!, and Jack Goes West.

Reviewer: Grace McKinney | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(2) K-3 Jack Book series. Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. "But, Santa, can't you just let Jack be Jack?" And as revealed in this holiday-themed entry in Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series, the answer to that question is nope. Why should Santa reward the bratty behavior Jack (along with readers) has reveled in over the course of six books? It's a lump of coal for you, kid. Will Jack see the error of his ways? Just when we think he might...nope again. Vigorous lines, a mock-scoldy tone, and a cheerful Christmas palette provide a seasonal treat for fans (but don't start newbies here; go back to Hi, Jack!, rev. 1/20).

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. We first meet Jack, a baseball-capped rabbit, as he waves hello, munches on snacks, and--swipes a woman's purse?! This initial encounter in Hi, Jack! sets the tone for the first four installments of Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series: a roller coaster of sour and sweet moments for Jack, his dog friend Rex, and the nameless Lady. (Once he returns her purse. And her lipstick.) Jack makes trouble wherever he goes, from the baseball field (Jack at Bat) to outer space (Jack Blasts Off!), and the direct-address narration instructs him to mend his ways (in a not-always-constructive manner: "Jack, you are bad. You are a bad Jack. A bad, bad Jack"). Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli's illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. This series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny. Review covers these titles: Hi, Jack!, Jack at Bat, Jack Blasts Off!, and Jack Goes West.

Reviewer: Grace McKinney | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. We first meet Jack, a baseball-capped rabbit, as he waves hello, munches on snacks, and--swipes a woman's purse?! This initial encounter in Hi, Jack! sets the tone for the first four installments of Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series: a roller coaster of sour and sweet moments for Jack, his dog friend Rex, and the nameless Lady. (Once he returns her purse. And her lipstick.) Jack makes trouble wherever he goes, from the baseball field (Jack at Bat) to outer space (Jack Blasts Off!), and the direct-address narration instructs him to mend his ways (in a not-always-constructive manner: "Jack, you are bad. You are a bad Jack. A bad, bad Jack"). Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli's illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. This series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny. Review covers these titles: Hi, Jack!, Jack at Bat, Jack Blasts Off!, and Jack Goes West.

Reviewer: Grace McKinney | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(4) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. An interactive read-aloud features a pink dinosaur who loves birthdays, hats, dancing, and painting, but who is also very timid. The direct-address text leads the reader through a number of suggestions ("Go on, say hello") that result in inane mistakes ("Your voice startled him") and occasional silliness. The illustrations are bold and vibrant, but the text often misjudges the reader's responses.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. Using figurative language, especially similes (with an unusual twist), Barnett's declarative sentences express positive feelings and emotions toward another: "You're funny like a fossil"; "I love you like a pig." Sure, the statements don't make much sense, but their silly incongruousness is the chuckle-inducing point. Large typeface and early vocabulary paired with easily decipherable digital illustrations make for a smooth emerging-reader experience.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. This never-before-published text by Brown follows a little red bird whose mother sings to her about taking flight. She sets out exploring the North, South, and West before she finally returns to the East, because "the East was home." Pizzoli's style is defined by a bright palette and crisp geometric forms that create a mid-century modern aesthetic, befitting a story written by Brown.

Reviewer: Megan Dowd Lambert | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. A village is plagued by a dragon so offensive people ask: "Who does that?!" When all the king's efforts to stop him fail, a clever boy with a love of reading enacts a unique tactic to tame the savage beast. Alongside this testament to the power of the written word, Pizzoli's illustrations employ bold, flat colors and expressive eyes to comedic effect.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(4) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. Using rhyme and wordplay, two children, a dog, and a cat highlight different things you can do with the titular fruit in each book. While many of the descriptions are clever and creative, others are peculiar and force the rhyme (e.g., "You can snuggle it [an apple], or juggle it, or put it in a pile"). Still, the inventiveness and cartoonlike illustrations should engage young children. Review covers these titles: What's a Banana? and What's an Apple?

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. Using rhyme and wordplay, two children, a dog, and a cat highlight different things you can do with the titular fruit in each book. While many of the descriptions are clever and creative, others are peculiar and force the rhyme (e.g., "You can snuggle it [an apple], or juggle it, or put it in a pile"). Still, the inventiveness and cartoonlike illustrations should engage young children. Review covers these titles: What's a Banana? and What's an Apple?

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. On his first day of "spindergarten," spider Itzy wants everyone to recognize how grown-up he is; step one is losing the babyish nickname "Itzy Bitzy." Hoping to prove himself at school, Itzy finds himself in challenging situations readers will recognize from nursery rhymes--but his notorious climb up the waterspout brings things to a climax. Bright cartoon illustrations expand the text with witty details and visual drama.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(3) PS Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. When little monster Melly gets invited to her cousin's house on the scariest night of the year, she boldly decides to walk there. With each page turn, Pizzoli's uncluttered spreads begin to fill up with various creepy (but benignly illustrated) creatures until this cumulative Halloween tale is bursting at the seams with things that go bump in the night.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014