(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Pinch gets an unexpected delivery: a couch he did not order, a couch that does not fit into his house and does not match his curtains. Dash tries to help Pinch find the right spot to put the couch. This funny animal-buddy story is made lively with clever word play. The sprightly pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations match the text's companionable tone.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Pinch, who looks as if he hasn't missed many meals, wants soup, but he's too lazy to make it. His svelte next-door neighbor Dash is making "skinny soup…soup with not much in it." Friendship and collaboration are seasoned with a touch of spicy humor in this early-reader buddy book. The sprightly pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations match the text's companionable tone.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Cheerful Mrs. Muddle moves into Katie's neighborhood and introduces the children to numerous new holidays such as Earthworm Appreciation Day and First Robin Day. In return, Katie invents a holiday herself--Mrs. Muddle Day--and gets the whole neighborhood involved in preparing for it. Friendly, detailed illustrations add interest to this slightly sappy story about celebrating life and community.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Nine-year-old Case finds an abandoned dog and names him Noah. Initially, Case's parents say he can't keep Noah, but there is something about him that changes the adults' minds. When Case realizes why Noah is special, he has to make a difficult decision about his beloved companion. This appealing book features short, action-packed chapters, illustrations, and information about service dogs.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Three stories chronicle the friendship between the worry-prone Rose (a vole) and the more easygoing Riley (a groundhog). Cutler's quiet text captures the affection between the two, while Yezerski's watercolors emphasize their differing personalities and provide a cozy setting. Frog and Toad they ain't, but though there's not much humor here, there's lots of security and warmth.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Six short, self-contained chapters describe the everyday experiences of two sisters growing up together in Depression-era Brooklyn, forming a satisfying first chapter book for newly independent readers. The stories are enhanced by copious ink-and-wash illustrations.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) PS Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Although Puppy tries hard to be perfect, he discovers it isn't easy, and after making one mistake too many, he runs away. When his girl finds him, brings him home, and gives him hugs and treats, he finally realizes he already is perfect. The watercolor illustrations add humor to this warm story of acceptance, mistakes and all.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Full-page drawings along with pages separated into comic-book-like panels illustrate four vignettes featuring two young sisters in Depression-era Brooklyn. The girls try to win a Popsicle-stick prize, visit their Russian immigrant grandparents, share some sisterly rivalry, and picnic on the Brooklyn Bridge. The time period is well conveyed, and the characters and their emotions will be accessible to the young audience.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(1) 1-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Here's a really good book--well written, brief without being a mere outline for a novel, predictable without being boring, heartfelt--for that neglected second-to-third-grade market. Eight-year-old Ellie wants a puppy more than anything else in the world, so she's not happy when her parents inform her that they are adopting a full-grown dog who belonged to a distant relative. Readers will find their interest engaged and held from beginning to end.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999