(3) 1-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. In their fourth book, alternating narrators the Pain (little brother Jake) and the Great One (big sis Abigail) relate their trials and tribulations at school, while visiting relatives in New York, and planning their cat Fluzzy's birthday. Again, Fluzzy has the last word, revealing how he became part of the family. Stevenson's expressive pen-and-ink illustrations decorate most pages.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. Brother and sister Jake (the Pain) and Abigail (the Great One) narrate their adventures in alternating chapters. A beach vacation, a mall outing, and other happenings are all fodder for seven mostly freestanding stories with mild humor, suspense, misunderstandings, and acceptance; Fluzzy the cat gets the last word on the family's activities. Stevenson's loose-line drawings echo the light tone.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. This third book in the series continues the story of older sister Abigail ("the Great One") and younger brother Jake ("the Pain"). In alternating chapters, the two tell about day-to-day embarrassments and successes while also dealing with each other's foibles. Blume's understanding of sibling dynamics is perfect for early chapter-book readers. Stevenson's droll pen-and-ink illustrations help set the light tone.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(2) K-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. Prelutsky and Stevenson's years of working together have only sharpened their skills. Although many of the more than one hundred poems will amuse five-year-olds, others contain sophisticated wordplay that will also appeal to fourth and fifth graders. Stevenson's jaunty watercolor and ink pictures extend the mood of each poem; poet and artist have created a book brimming with wit.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2008

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. This book for emerging readers is alternatingly narrated by the Pain (first-grader Jake) and the Great One (third-grader Abigail). Even though they drive each other nuts, it's clear that they care about one another. Blume gets the tone right as this brother and sister team navigates the waters of family life. The whole package is enhanced by Stevenson's droll pen-and-ink illustrations.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2007

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. Grandaddy's Place (1987), Grandaddy and Janetta (1993), and Grandaddy and Janetta Together (1995) are all included in this new, smaller volume. The full-color art has been converted to black and white, many of the smaller illustrations are missing, and the full-page art has been shrunk. The stories are unchanged, however, and while this edition is not as effective as the originals, it still contains some outstanding writing. Reviews 11/87, 5/93, 5/95.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. No one bests James Stevenson in evoking the nostalgic past; he must have felt blessed in having Hurst's true and inspiring story about her father, a man with "rocks in his pockets and rocks in his head," to interpret. How her father went from running a service station--where his ever-growing collection of rocks lined the walls--to science museum curator makes for a rock-solid tale of unwavering dedication and determination.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2001

(2) K-3 Illustrated by James Stevenson. Prelutsky plays his way through silly images, nonsense words, and corny punch lines. Some of the 106 poems celebrate childhood mischief; and it wouldn't be Prelutsky without a bit of the gross. As in their previous books, Stevenson deftly follows the goofy tone in small homely pen sketches sprinkled among the verse. Some of the jokes will be best understood by adults, but the book is sure to tickle readers young and old.

Reviewer: Margaret A. Bush | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2000