(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Otto wants to ramp up the Christmas traditions in his household, but he makes several messes and mixes up the gifts. His somewhat implausibly patient family laughs along, and Mom fixes everything to make it "the most Christmassy Christmas EVER!" The illustrations of the rhinoceros family are filled with cheerful Christmas imagery and depictions of Otto's eagerness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. In this instructive tale, Otto, a young rhinoceros, wants everything "NOW!" Emotive illustrations focus on Otto as his smiling parents calmly use a planned vacation to encourage patient behavior. Otto's eagerness slows only when he loses a toy en route to the airport--a confusing diversion from the central theme. A bit muddled, but still a useful introduction to the virtues of patience.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Otto, the little rhino who incessantly said "NO" (No!), now tires his parents out with constant questioning. A trip to the museum generates more questions rather than abating them, though it successfully tires Otto out. Parents of relentless questioners will appreciate the simple, relatable toddlerhood story that includes humorous cartoon illustrations peppered with speech bubbles of why this? and why that?

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. A terrifying bear stomps and roars and hoards all his yummy honey, not sharing with the other forest animals. But in a surprising twist, it's just Bear playing his favorite game: "Big Scary Bear." Convincingly in on the farce and adding to satisfaction of the revelation are the soft illustrations of endearing animal characters initially shivering in fear before laughing it off.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Once Otto learns the word "no," he constantly uses it in little power struggles with his parents. When this approach backfires at school, Otto learns that a little "yes" can make everything better. The simple story about this inevitable phase of toddlerhood will resonate with parents and little naysayers alike. Sweet illustrations peppered with Otto's one-word exclamations capture his emotional highs and lows.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Little Tiger routinely protests bedtime. One night, his mom lets him stay up. Giddy, he visits each of his jungle friends, who are being put to bed by their parents. The ending's inevitability (Little Tiger gets scared, wants to go home) prevents the story from offering surprises, although there are some cute visual moments in the sumptuously colored spreads.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Mouse Monty dislikes how his younger sister Milli takes over his playtime. Tensions flare when Milli's ineffectual "help" ruins Monty's new magic act, so the magician-in-training tries to make her disappear--for good. The ending is a little too cutesy, but it's a mostly realistic tale of sibling squabbles; Warnes's illustrations contribute additional wit and humor to the package.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Lyrics to the title Christmas carol are tweaked in this picture book that speaks to love between parent and child (bears, in this case) and appreciation of nature. The illustrations are warm and inviting, though it's difficult to read the silvery text against dark-blue backgrounds. Readers will want to sing along with the song, but the meter is slightly off.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Miss Cluck's students, all little animals, are freaked out by a new kid, a grizzly bear whose aggressive friendliness is mistaken for predation. It's an amusingly ironic premise marred by its resolution: the animals only come around to accepting the bear after he inadvertently saves them from bullies. The warm, detail-rich illustrations, though undistinguished, are kid-pleasing.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS A papa bear builds a toy Noah's ark for his cub. The family then plays together as the cub learns the story of Noah. Readers familiar with the popular Sunday school ditty will enjoy Warnes's interpretation, complete with cheerful paintings, but it doesn't stand up to a straight reading without the song already in your head. Music is included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. On Christmas Eve, Little Bear keeps thinking he sees Santa, but each time it's just Big Bear sampling treats or Mommy Bear stuffing stockings. The family sleeps by the tree so they can "all see Santa," but while they never spy him, the final spread assures us that "Santa saw them." The story's gentle suspense is well matched by the soft illustrations.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. One by one, a sheep dog, a pig, a duck, and other farm animals discover someone sleeping in their beds. The sturdy, split-page format invites young listeners to participate in this guessing game (the identity of each sleepy creature is hinted at on one page and fully revealed on the next). Although the story isn't original, simple word repetition and bright pictures should appeal to lapsitters and story-hour audiences.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. In a race for the privilege of eating the farmer's cabbages, Muggs the kindly turtle loses to the obnoxious Hare. But when she challenges Hare to race her home, Muggs wins easily by pulling inside her shell, which is, after all, her home. The text for this take-off on the old fable could be more streamlined; however, the ending is amusing, and the simple illustrations give the animals personality.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Illustrated by Tim Warnes. In this cheerful if unoriginal story of animal sounds, tenacious Kitten searches for her purr. She approaches each animal in the barnyard, brightly drawn to match their dispositions, but no one can help her. Preschoolers will enjoy chiming in with the quacking duck and the hooting owl, and predicting where Kitten's purr has been all along.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. The ten stories in this humorous collection all have titles such as "Not-So-Smart Bears," "Not-So-Hungry Bear," or "Not-So-Greedy Bears." Oram mentions where the tales originated--Russia, China, Japan, North America, and various European countries--but she gives no sources. The cheerful, expressive illustrations complement the text, which is a good choice for reading aloud.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Warnes. Wakened abruptly by his animal friends, Santa finds he has overslept on Christmas Eve. A comedy of errors ensues--reindeer are lost, and the sleigh gets stuck in a huge snowdrift. Cheerful paintings in the humorous tale depict a contingent of animal helpers that assist Santa through the night. At dawn, they give the jolly fellow his own Christmas gift--an alarm clock.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty