(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dave Whamond. Starting at opposite sides of the book, Frank, an eager pug, and Laverne, a sardonic cat, each have a turn detailing their domestic lives and recounting an encounter with Carl, the neighboring Great Dane. The book's gimmick humorously plays with perspective on the same events; Whamond's tidy comic-strip-style vignettes capture each pet's relatable, if stereotypical, personality.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dave Whamond. In this energetic interactive book, readers learn how words are connected and can transform into others by changing one letter at a time ("A house might become a mouse / and then a moose"). The changed letter is highlighted in red in each word ladder; cartoonlike illustrations cleverly and comically depict the transformations. Additional activities are appended. A useful, engaging classroom tool.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dave Whamond. Adjective comparatives and superlatives from angry, angrier, angriest to zany, zanier, zaniest are presented alongside energetic cartoons of carnival scenes. Some pages require a careful look to discern the connection between word and picture. There's no narrative sequence to this visual feast, but the whole is connected by the alphabetical sequence and patterned word play; teaching tips are appended.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Dave Whamond. A dog-washing fundraiser turns into a sci-fi adventure when alien dog people attempt to take the children back to their planet as pets. Hot Dog and Bob again team up to stop the aliens and save Earth. A humorous if formulaic story line and comic black-and-white illustrations will please young readers.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Dave Whamond. Ordinary boy Bob has been chosen by mighty alien leader Big Bun to be the partner of a superhero hot dog. The two save Bob's school (and the planet) from invading pizza- and pencil people. Exuberant black-and-white comic illustrations match the text's frenetic pace in these funny but formulaic stories, which are likely to appeal to fans of Captain Underpants. Review covers these titles: Hot Dog and Bob and the Particularly Pesky Attack of the Pencil People and Hot Dog and Bob and the Seriously Scary Attack of the Evil Alien Pizza Person.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Dave Whamond. Ordinary boy Bob has been chosen by mighty alien leader Big Bun to be the partner of a superhero hot dog. The two save Bob's school (and the planet) from invading pizza- and pencil people. Exuberant black-and-white comic illustrations match the text's frenetic pace in these funny but formulaic stories, which are likely to appeal to fans of Captain Underpants. Review covers these titles: Hot Dog and Bob and the Particularly Pesky Attack of the Pencil People and Hot Dog and Bob and the Seriously Scary Attack of the Evil Alien Pizza Person.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow