(2) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Boobies are birds that live along the coasts of the Eastern Pacific. In this book, the red-footed boobies live on one rock in the sea; the blue-footed boobies live on a rock across the way. The groups vie for dominance and taunt each other (shouting "BEST!" and blowing raspberries), frustrating the hermit crab that lives on the rock between them. A Shakespearean drama unfolds when a blue-footed booby and a red-footed booby meet and fall in love. Ink and watercolor cartoon illustrations with heavy lines contrast with gently shaded colors, creating a sense of character and whimsy while also depicting realistic flourishes such as accurate booby courtship behaviors. Plentiful white space focuses the eye and presents opportunities for oversize text in expressive type to bring the words and art together. The text is a mix of straightforward and comical, with asides to make adults smile, as when readers learn that the hermit crab can perform the lovers' wedding ceremony "thanks to a certificate he got on the internet." As is the case in many families nursing an ancient grudge, the emergence of a baby makes everyone reconsider their antagonistic positions. "And finally, all the boobies actually agreed!" Back matter provides facts about boobies. Humorous lessons on life and animal behavior make this a memorable offering.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. In the latest outing for these bear besties, the pair is confronted with a major challenge: "Can I play with you?" asks a third party. One bear welcomes this interloper; the other feels excluded and isn't above a little sabotage. The hilarious histrionics are set against white backdrops that foreground the cartoonish bears' Elephant and Piggie–worthy shtick.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. A homeless dog sneaks into various shops and masquerades as a pillow, a stool, and a jacket. Each time, the same man buys the item, becomes dissatisfied, and complains to the store. Finally, he realizes the dog is "more of a Jackie than a jacket" and adopts her. Straight-faced and deadpan, the dialogue and cartoony illustrations together make the odd situation quite funny.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Pencil and her friends give Eraser no respect: they taunt her for not being "creative." Tired of playing "Pencil's pooper-scooper," Eraser splits the scene and unexpectedly encounters some discarded papers that remind her of her importance: she gives second chances. Set inside a school bereft of humans, the story delivers ticklish wordplay against ink and watercolor art starring comically anthropomorphized desk mainstays.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. A little frog (who looks like Monty from Can I Tell You a Secret?) breaks the fourth wall, telling readers he's too excited about tomorrow's boat races to sleep. Off-page suggestions ("A book? I love books! Good idea!") don't help until finally he takes a deep breath and goes to his "happy place." Bedtime-averse readers will readily relate to--and enjoy "helping"--the delightful cartoony frog.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Two bears psych themselves up to ride a roller coaster by listing things that are scarier: snakes, spiders, hot lava...yikes, a roller coaster with a snake! Happily, the snake makes a good ride companion; together they decide that sometimes it's fun to be scared. Simple dialogue-and-sound-effects text, easy-to-parse cartoon illustrations, and clean design make this funny story accessible for preschoolers almost ready for easy readers.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. "Pssst!...Could you come here for a sec?" Young frog Monty confesses to the reader that he can't swim: he's afraid of water. Readers will be won over by Monty's relatable anxiety and by the (perceived) chance to help him ("What's that? You think I should tell someone? Like my parents?"). The ink and watercolor illustrations are tenderly cartoonish, suiting Monty's disarming narration.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Christopher Weyant. Two friends argue over who gets to sit in the same chair. After several attempts at claiming sitting rights, the two finally make amends and go off to play. Lively illustrations on plenty of white space emphasize the humor as well as the familiar emotions fueling the situation. Preschoolers will enjoy witnessing this battle of wills.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear