(4) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. In this sixth story about Mrs. Shepherd's class, Juan Dore-Nomad, true to his goofy name, wanders off at every turn during a field trip to an organic farm. But his disappearances demonstrate how curiosity can aid learning, and they also provide opportunities for his classmates to solve math word problems. Plourde's humorous but dizzying dialogue is well matched by Wickstrom's energetic, amusing illustrations.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. After a boy who lives with his aunt discovers an old man living in the basement freezer, he pieces together that it's her long lost fiancé. The horror-story premise is played beautifully for laughs, thanks to the expertly sustained country-flavored rhymes. Wickstrom's slathered-on oils capture the situation's absurdity--and tenderness, when the geezer is telling his tale of star-crossed love.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. In this fifth story about Mrs. Shepherd's class, Ima Kindanozee's incessant questions and klutzy accidents almost ruin the science fair. Mrs. Shepherd's patience with Ima's mishaps strains credibility, but the message that well-directed curiosity aids learning is a good one. Lively cartoon illustrations show wayward rockets, collapsing dinosaurs, and attentive students and teacher.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Like Uncle Edgar (Degas) and Cousin Paul (Cezanne), Lester has an artistic talent: blowing bubbles. His bubble-gum renditions of The Thinker and the Mona Lisa are eye-popping. But just as he's poised to blow a bubble masterpiece, his tooth falls out. Humor, alliteration, and references (in the text and illustrations) to famous artwork and artists abound in this appealing tale.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Dewey Booker is the biggest bookworm in school. Having saved all of his money for the book fair, he's devastated to find out that his class is going last. What if nothing is left? All day long, Dewey tries to make his way into the fair early--with no success. Humorous illustrations add to the energetic tone.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. On Pajama Day everyone arrives in PJs--everyone except Drew A. Blank, who always forgets things. Not wanting to be "the odd man out," he rummages and stirs and clips until he ingeniously improvises all the things he has forgotten, including his snack and pillow. Once again Mrs. Shepherd's class provides a welcome comical look (assisted by Wickstrom's cartoony illustrations) at our foibles.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Smart about... series. Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Like the other titles in this series, the book's text is presented as a school report, this time by a money-loving boy named, appropriately enough, Bill Green. His entertaining report covers everything from the reason why money was invented to how coins and bills are made today. The book features dialogue-balloon-filled illustrations ostensibly drawn by our aspiring banker.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Everyone brings apples to show their appreciation for their teacher, but Maybella Jean Wishywashy comes to class with a cart full of different foods because she can't decide among them. The wishy-washiness continues until a TV crew asks what the kids appreciate about their teacher; only Maybella has an answer: "everything!" The cartoony yet personality-infused images are a good fit with the lively, big-hearted tale.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Although everyone else is prepared for school picture day, Josephina Caroleena Wattasheena the First would rather figure out how a pencil sharpener or a sprinkler system works than sit still for a picture. Of course, disaster after disaster follows, but in the end Josephina's tinkering saves the day. Zany illustrations and the fun-to-read repetitions in the text combine for a delightfully funny story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) PS Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. "Old MacDonald had a cart, / E-I-E-I-O. / Beside his cart there stood ONE horse, / E-I-E-I-O." In addition to the horse, two dogs, three crows, four cats, and so on up to ten ants wreak havoc and make a lot of noise around food vendor MacDonald and his city-park pushcart. Lively cartoon illustrations tell the amusing if not strikingly original story in this counting-book version of the familiar children's song.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Everyone has an idea of how the narrator can get rid of her hiccups, but after being "scared to death...wearing a paper bag...while standing on my head [and] holding my breath," there's no change. When the whole family chants and dances Grandma's wacky "hiccup snickup" cure, the girl finds success. Wickstrom's oil paintings showcase both the silly dance and its results.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Easy-to-Read series. "Why did the puppy feel so frisky? She had a new leash on life." The authors have produced a litter of sometimes arf-fully groan-inducing riddles and puns in this nonetheless amusing book of puppy humor. The brightly colored illustrations, which contain tributes to classic dog stories such as 'Sounder' and 'Lassie, Come Home', will also fetch a lot of laughs.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 This Jewish Talmudic tale about two brothers, who take care of each other during a drought, is retold in vivid language. The contrasting characters of the brothers are swiftly drawn, and their mutual love is conveyed by the fast-moving story. The oil-based illustrations are dominated by dark colors, which underscore the common sense and wisdom of this upbeat story of friendship and love.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.