(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Richard Watson. Dog Junior relates his adoption by "pet human" Ruff (a.k.a. Rafe from Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life); describes his new "family kennel"; and shares his struggles in obedience class. Humor and high jinks abound, but by the time Junior finds both trouble and redemption at a dog show, the consistent doggy point of view wears a bit thin. Activity pages appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Poetry Adventures series. Illustrated by Richard Watson. Cleary's appealing poetry series continues with these volumes featuring quatrains, four-line verses that usually rhyme, and list poems, which enumerate things, places, people, events, etc. The brief, friendly introductions to each type of verse are followed by funny, goofy, sometimes-gross poems about birthdays, bathrooms, pets, drippy noses, teachers' ties, summer camp, and more, each animated by colorful cartoon art. Reading list, websites. Review covers the following titles: I Saw an Invisible Lion Today and Underneath My Bed.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Poetry Adventures series. Illustrated by Richard Watson. Cleary's appealing poetry series continues with these volumes featuring quatrains, four-line verses that usually rhyme, and list poems, which enumerate things, places, people, events, etc. The brief, friendly introductions to each type of verse are followed by funny, goofy, sometimes-gross poems about birthdays, bathrooms, pets, drippy noses, teachers' ties, summer camp, and more, each animated by colorful cartoon art. Reading list, websites. Review covers the following titles: I Saw an Invisible Lion Today and Underneath My Bed.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Watson. "It was a dreamy, sunbeamy day in Cupcake Wood." So begins this gentle, gutsy parody of twee children's books about frolicsome woodland animals. Here, owl Scowl is so grouchy that he says "Get lost!" when someone gives him something, which ultimately leads him to experience an unfamiliar emotion: empathy. Watson subtly mocks animal cute-ification without insulting fans of the genre.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Commentary by Rick Warren. The Protestant version of the Lord's Prayer is illustrated with vibrantly colored, elaborate (and somewhat fussy) paintings featuring children of many races. The pictures include expected religious images such as rainbows, lions, lambs, and doves. Mega-church leader Rick Warren provides an introduction. This is a rather unimaginative but pleasant enough addition to religion collections.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson. On a zoo field trip, a chimp switches places with a boy and joins the class as they move on to other destinations around town. The active boy fits in with the chimps, while the chimpanzee remains incognito despite creating disruptions. Busy paintings make the most of the premise, but it all becomes too over-the-top when the chimp subdues a bank robber.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson. While Watson's precisely rendered, color-saturated paintings depict St. Nick as traditional in some ways (beard, belly), he zips in on a sleigh that's powered by reindeer but looks like a rocket ship/locomotive hybrid. A de-icer, a hot drink dispenser, and GPS help make his job easier. The multicultural cast of elves brim with personality, adding to the book's playful humor.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson. A strong man named Offero hopes to serve the mightiest lord of all. His search leads him from a king to the devil to Jesus Christ, resembling a small boy, whom Offero carries across a torrential river. Hodges does an admirable job retelling the thirteenth-century legend, and Watson's illustrations convey the magnitude of the story, although there's little visual or emotional connection from painting to painting.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson. After her grandfather's death, a girl and her family return to his cabin in the north woods, and she keeps an eye out for the treasures he always said were hidden in the woods, especially a spectacular waterfall. The tender prose poem is accompanied by richly detailed illustrations filled with an abundance of wildlife.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley