(4) 1-3 Read & Bloom series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. Caveboy (The Adventures of Caveboy) is excited that today is the first day of baseskull practice. He gives his friend Mags a club-swinging lesson before they meet the coach and their team. The simple text of this low-stakes early chapter book serves as a primer for maneuvering social interactions. Digital illustrations support the text well, give readers' eyes consistent breaks, and add racial diversity.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 1-3 Read & Bloom series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. In these two new early chapter books, a prehistoric boy deals with everyday emotions and social challenges. In Adventures, a frustrated Caveboy breaks his club playing "baseskull" but makes a new friend. In Bored, Caveboy hunts mammoths with his younger sister. The stakes are never high, but well-placed digital illustrations capture emotions and add some humor to the easy texts. Review covers these titles: The Adventures of Caveboy and Caveboy Is Bored!.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 1-3 Read & Bloom series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. In these two new early chapter books, a prehistoric boy deals with everyday emotions and social challenges. In Adventures, a frustrated Caveboy breaks his club playing "baseskull" but makes a new friend. In Bored, Caveboy hunts mammoths with his younger sister. The stakes are never high, but well-placed digital illustrations capture emotions and add some humor to the easy texts. Review covers these titles: The Adventures of Caveboy and Caveboy Is Bored!.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Wight. Cupcake is so full of herself that none of the other bakery delicacies want to hang out with her ("Can't. I'm an early riser," says a loaf of bread). As in Everyone Loves Bacon, Wight's anthropomorphized edibles are supremely appetizing vehicles for DiPucchio's nonstop wordplay ("Sometimes I feel empty inside," says a doughnut). Not to be missed: Cupcake's icing-tube coiffing.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Wight. Egg, Waffle, Pancake, and others swoon over Bacon, who arrogantly enjoys the spotlight, slighting other breakfast meats and eschewing old friends ("Who needs friends when you have fans?"). In a humorously logical ending, bacon crumbs on an empty plate reveal just how much he's loved. Anthropomorphized foods cavorting through an old-timey diner star in the retro illustrations.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. With Magician Mike Lane. Fourth grader Mike is growing up, but no one else seems to notice. The chance to show off his magic in the school talent show might be just what he needs to change his image once and for all...if he can control his stage fright. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations and four new magic tricks will keep fans of this undemanding series engaged.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. With Magician Mike Lane. In Coin, nine-year-old Mike, who "just [can't] sit still," discovers a passion for magic and some new-found confidence. In Arm, Mike's attempts to prove he's responsible enough to visit the local magic shop by himself go awry. This new series offers less-confident readers a sympathetic, likable protagonist with good intentions. Step-by-step instructions for several tricks and black-and-white cartoon illustrations support the accessible texts. Review covers these Magic Shop titles: The Incredible Twisting Arm and The Vanishing Coin.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. With Magician Mike Lane. In Coin, nine-year-old Mike, who "just [can't] sit still," discovers a passion for magic and some new-found confidence. In Arm, Mike's attempts to prove he's responsible enough to visit the local magic shop by himself go awry. This new series offers less-confident readers a sympathetic, likable protagonist with good intentions. Step-by-step instructions for several tricks and black-and-white cartoon illustrations support the accessible texts. Review covers these Magic Shop titles: The Incredible Twisting Arm and The Vanishing Coin.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 Magic Shop series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. With Magician Mike Lane. When fourth grader Mike finds an old family photo that might just be of Harry Houdini, he sets out to prove he's related to the world's greatest magician. Unfortunately, school bully Jackson makes it hard for him. Once again, Mike finds himself in hilarious scrapes in this accessible third installment. Occasional black-and-white cartoon illustrations and four new magic tricks will keep readers engaged.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. As a batboy for the Pine City Porcupines, Chad discovers that his baseball cards can help the team mascot brighten a young fan's day (Jinxed) and inspire a player to steal bases (Steal). Though they're about as substantial as ballpark popcorn, these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league fun, offer avid baseball fans a seat in the dugout. Review covers these Topps® League Story titles: Jinxed! and Steal That Base!

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. As a batboy for the Pine City Porcupines, Chad discovers that his baseball cards can help the team mascot brighten a young fan's day (Jinxed) and inspire a player to steal bases (Steal). Though they're about as substantial as ballpark popcorn, these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league fun, offer avid baseball fans a seat in the dugout. Review covers these Topps® League Story titles: Jinxed! and Steal That Base!

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. Batboy Chad's baseball cards help calm his teammate so he can pitch a perfect game (Zip It!) and satisfy a grumpy fan who's been asked to return Teddy "the Bear" Larrabee's birthday home-run ball (823rd). They're insubstantial, but these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league action, offer baseball fans quick and easy reads. Review covers these Topps® League titles: Zip It! and The 823rd Hit.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. Batboy Chad's baseball cards help calm his teammate so he can pitch a perfect game (Zip It!) and satisfy a grumpy fan who's been asked to return Teddy "the Bear" Larrabee's birthday home-run ball (823rd). They're insubstantial, but these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league action, offer baseball fans quick and easy reads. Review covers these Topps® League titles: Zip It! and The 823rd Hit.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull