(3) K-3 Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. Friends Buddy (a large dog) and Earl (a hedgehog) return in their fifth adventure. While playing at superheroes one afternoon (Earl's idea, of course; Buddy just wants to take a nap), they meet their neighbors, bulldog Mister and cat Snowflake. When Snowflake gets stuck in a tree, the friends must pull off an actual daring rescue. As ever, the humor shines through the minimal acrylic illustrations and deadpan text.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. The scientifically minded narrator (gender unspecified) is bullied until finally confiding in Mom. Mom's advice: help the bully "change her way of looking." A shared "wow" with the bully over astronomy changes their relationship, just enough. A creative, spare text ("What Bully B. Doesn't Call Me Anymore: Weirdo") with equally creative illustrations (the narrator is blue and the bully, green, until the bullying stops).

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. In their latest adventure, friends Buddy (a large dog) and Earl (a pet hedgehog) are excited to attend owner Meredith's pretend school. When she's called away and Earl takes over, he ensures that Buddy excels by teaching classes in Tail Chasing, Sniffing Things, and Scratching Itches. Simple, minimalist gouache illustrations in a limited palette accompany the droll text.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. Buddy (dog) and Earl (hedgehog) return for a nocturnal adventure. Without leaving the kitchen, the two take a dip in a "silvery lake" and rescue a "lovely lady hedgehog" from a "monster." The comic tension between the real and the imagined is just as evident here as in Buddy and Earl. Again, Sookocheff wrings an astounding amount of personality out of her simple, cartoony illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. In the third picture book featuring dog Buddy and hedgehog Earl (Buddy and Earl; Buddy and Earl Go Exploring), the two friends are excited about a visit from a baby. Once again, the friends' personalities play off each other beautifully in both the droll, deadpan text and the minimalist, earth-toned acrylic gouache illustrations, which use red accents brilliantly.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. Mutt Buddy meets (clever hedgehog) Earl, who claims to be a sea urchin and a talking hairbrush, among other things. Imaginative adventures ensue, involving--oops--the furniture. Buddy gets in trouble with Mom, and Earl staunchly defends him; "I think you are a friend," Buddy says. This unassuming little book--simple line and gouache illustrations; basic font; small trim size--has a surprising lot going on.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015