(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Feeling bored, Romy wishes she could visit the fantastical Princessland. She joins her pet, "the Lady Cat," on a conversational stroll around their diverse neighborhood; the pair imagines what happens in Princessland (e.g., everyone lives in castles with "tall towers") before ultimately discovering the everyday magic right outside their door. Warm, detailed illustrations add to this pleasant story of imagination and appreciating what's around you.

Reviewer: Janet Daniels

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Since he mysteriously became undead, Crow has been homeschooled, stuck inside and friendless. He secretly befriends new neighbor Melody, whose curiosity leads the pair to investigate Crow's reanimation, then confront the chimera-like creature that brought him back. This novel is Goosebumps-esque; gross but not gory horror-lite balanced by some humor and a series of puzzles the characters must use their complementary skills to solve.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) PS Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Accidentally separated from their young owner, Blanket and Bear begin a long journey back to him. By the time they find their boy, he's too old to need them, so they're free to retire to the idyllic island of lost blankets and bears. The bittersweet story and pleasant acrylic illustrations may interest readers, but stilted writing limits the rhyming verses' appeal.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. After almost being cooked by their local witch, siblings Connie and Sol hastily leave town. Unfortunately, they run into the forest domain of the ancient witch Monique--and a hunter who specializes in targeting runaway children. The narrative's dark humor, enhanced by moody black-and-white illustrations, creates a satisfyingly eerie atmosphere for the adventures of two daring and quick-witted children to unfold.

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(2) PS Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. The moon prompts parallel wakeful behavior from a cat that lives in town and one that lives in the country. A panoramic scene almost brings the two together--but a clap of thunder sends them scurrying home to snooze at daybreak. Godwin's succinct verse and Tanaka's acrylic art capture the felines' serene and agile grace in this pleasing bedtime adventure.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia heads to Egypt with her mother on an archaeological dig. While trying to evade the Serpents of Chaos and keep the Emerald Tablet safe, Theodosia befriends a boy who just might be the last in a line of Egyptian pharaohs. There's plenty of magic and intrigue to keep series fans interested in this fourth installment.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia and a group of street rats are on the hunt for Egyptian occult magic, with two secret societies following them. Theodosia is beset with problems: a cursed brother, an obtuse boss, and distracted parents. A comedic subplot and brilliant final reveals make up for a cast of poorly developed secondary characters. Tanaka's exquisite acrylic on board illustrations heighten the book's mysterious mood.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. In a fictional Old World city, Peter searches for his sister, instructed by a fortuneteller to "follow the elephant." The book's theme is the triumph of hope over despair, as Peter's idea that the "world is broken" gives way to a belief in possibility. DiCamillo's prose is remarkable in this allegorical and surreal novel.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. "I love children. Eating them, that is," begins this contemporary "Hansel and Gretel" refashioning. Sol, eleven, and Connie, eight, have just moved to Schoneberg with their father and stepmother. The story of these resourceful siblings who escape the clutches of the crone next door (her journal entries are interspersed within the main text) has both humor and suspense. Black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. In 1958 China, battle is declared against sparrows--they're eating too much grain. Ming-Li defies the shortsighted directive of "Our Leader" by protecting the birds instead of shooing them from the village. Pennypacker creates a memorable heroine in Ming-Li, who, as a "small girl," is initially discredited. Tanaka is in command of each painterly illustration, some of which hint at the surreal.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Eleven-year-old archaeologist Theodosia (Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos) is gallivanting about London, for there is a new mystery afoot: mummies are going missing, and her father is under suspicion. Only Theodosia can bring to justice the secret criminal organization behind it all. The bad guys are a bit two-dimensional, but the plot is lively in a deliciously stuffy Victorian way.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia Throckmorton has an uncanny ability to detect curses and black magic. This skill leads her to the Valley of the Kings to return an artifact that threatens the fate of the world. Though some characters are wooden (the villains are of the mustache-twirling variety), the story is bolstered by fast-paced action and fascinating Egyptian lore.

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