(4) K-3 George and his grandfather take a hot-air balloon ride to an island they suspect is inhabited by dinosaurs, but they just can't seem to find any, despite the many signs. Readers, however, will enjoy locating ninety-eight hidden and not-so-hidden dinosaurs in Moseley's panoramic illustrations. Dino fans may be disappointed that none are identified.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) YA SideStreets series. Dan is having a hard time in school because he's desperately trying to keep his family together while his mother's schizophrenia wreaks havoc. Despite his efforts, it's not until it all comes crashing down that he's able to salvage anything. With such a tight focus on the mental illness there is little room for character development in this compact, otherwise touching story.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) K-3 Miss Mingo the flamingo takes her students on a hike, but the weather doesn't cooperate. Hail, rain, and snow create different problems for each of the animals; Harper provides sidebar explanations of animal traits as the story progresses. At times these explanations slow the narrative, but fans of the Miss Mingo books won't mind. Lively art accompanies the tale.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) PS Sisters Hazel and Tilly go camping with their parents. They swim, play in the rain, watch bugs and rabbits in the meadow, and drink cocoa with marshmallows. Translucent watercolors perfectly capture the rain and the river but also the woods, the night sky, and the cozy tent. This simple book about the pleasures of camping conveys a carefree sense of joy.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ilya Spirin. While hunting for food in the expansive Siberian forest a tiger mother is separated from her cub when a forest fire breaks out. London's lyrical narrative skillfully depicts the mother's (successful) search for her cub. Spirin's dark and expressive illustrations in watercolor, pastel, and gouache support this emotional tale. An author's note provides additional information on Siberian tigers.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Rebecca Cool. "These are the seeds that sleep in the soil, all dark and deep, in Isabella's garden." Isabella's garden starts with a simple seed in the ground, but as the rain comes and the seeds grow, they nourish a whole community and ecosystem. Primitive mixed-media illustrations in rich, saturated colors contribute a sense of timelessness to Millard's "House That Jack Built"–inspired verse.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) 4-6 A boy and a bear find themselves on a voyage on the high seas. At times they test each other's patience but become close friends as together they surmount various obstacles. While their destination is unclear, the mysterious quality of their adventure only adds to the richness of their burgeoning friendship. Illustrations range from small vignettes to full-page art.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) 4-6 Far-Out and Unusual Pets series. Crisp close-up photos of these unconventional pets enhance accessible, exclamation-point-heavy texts. Each book offers some information about the titular animal's behavior and habits before discussing how to care for the creature in the home; also covered is the amount of responsibility required for each of these pets. "Far Out!" text boxes provide additional tidbits of interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Boas and Pythons, Hairless Dogs, Miniature Horses, Poison Dart Frogs, Rats, and Tarantulas.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) 4-6 Far-Out and Unusual Pets series. Crisp close-up photos of these unconventional pets enhance accessible, exclamation-point-heavy texts. Each book offers some information about the titular animal's behavior and habits before discussing how to care for the creature in the home; also covered is the amount of responsibility required for each of these pets. "Far Out!" text boxes provide additional tidbits of interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Boas and Pythons, Hairless Dogs, Miniature Horses, Poison Dart Frogs, Rats, and Tarantulas.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) 4-6 Far-Out and Unusual Pets series. Crisp close-up photos of these unconventional pets enhance accessible, exclamation-point-heavy texts. Each book offers some information about the titular animal's behavior and habits before discussing how to care for the creature in the home; also covered is the amount of responsibility required for each of these pets. "Far Out!" text boxes provide additional tidbits of interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Boas and Pythons, Hairless Dogs, Miniature Horses, Poison Dart Frogs, Rats, and Tarantulas.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) 4-6 Far-Out and Unusual Pets series. Crisp close-up photos of these unconventional pets enhance accessible, exclamation-point-heavy texts. Each book offers some information about the titular animal's behavior and habits before discussing how to care for the creature in the home; also covered is the amount of responsibility required for each of these pets. "Far Out!" text boxes provide additional tidbits of interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Boas and Pythons, Hairless Dogs, Miniature Horses, Poison Dart Frogs, Rats, and Tarantulas.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) 4-6 Far-Out and Unusual Pets series. Crisp close-up photos of these unconventional pets enhance accessible, exclamation-point-heavy texts. Each book offers some information about the titular animal's behavior and habits before discussing how to care for the creature in the home; also covered is the amount of responsibility required for each of these pets. "Far Out!" text boxes provide additional tidbits of interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Boas and Pythons, Hairless Dogs, Miniature Horses, Poison Dart Frogs, Rats, and Tarantulas.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) 4-6 Far-Out and Unusual Pets series. Crisp close-up photos of these unconventional pets enhance accessible, exclamation-point-heavy texts. Each book offers some information about the titular animal's behavior and habits before discussing how to care for the creature in the home; also covered is the amount of responsibility required for each of these pets. "Far Out!" text boxes provide additional tidbits of interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out and Unusual Pets titles: Boas and Pythons, Hairless Dogs, Miniature Horses, Poison Dart Frogs, Rats, and Tarantulas.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) PS Illustrated by Jo Brown. "1 little owl...is ready to go. / 'Party time! Hootenanny!' / He flies up from down below." From one to five, little owls gather in the Old Oak Tree to play music, wear special hats, and dance the night away. The text's rhymes can be uneven, but their enthusiasm is infectious. The playful illustrations are vibrant and lively.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) 4-6 Arnoksy's ode to birds of prey includes information about vultures, pelicans, loons, etc. Four spreads depicting life-size illustrations of eagles, hawks, and falcons; owls; herons and egrets; and pelicans are standouts. The brief description of each species provides some context to this visual tribute to the largest birds in the sky. Reading list.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) K-3 In a familiar scenario, a boy shares how he would care for a dragon ("I'd take him for a walk every day"), what they'd do together ("We could clear neighbors' driveways in the winter"), and unexpected benefits ("you don't need to worry about bullies"). The text effectively plays straight man to Biedrzycki's humorous but synthetic-looking digital illustrations.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) K-3 Animal Planet: My Life in the Wild series. Illustrated by Gary Hanna. A young emperor penguin relates the story of its life, from egg to egg-keeper ("After laying our egg, my partner sets off on her long trek back to our feeding ground..."). The text is easy to follow, with accessible vocabulary and an engaging narrative voice. Accompanying digital-looking illustrations are lifelike and vivid. Additional facts and a quiz are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) K-3 Animal Planet: My Life in the Wild series. Illustrated by Mick Posen. The life of a cheetah in the wild is all about finding food, even as a baby. This volume focuses on a cheetah cub as it learns to hunt with its mother. The first-person text is easy to follow, with accessible vocabulary and an engaging narrative voice. Accompanying digital-looking illustrations are lifelike and vivid. Additional facts and a quiz are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) YA Mermaid Esmerine wants to become a siren just like her sister Dosinia. When Dosinia goes to the mainland, Esmerine must find her and bring her home. Along the way, Esmerine crosses paths with an old friend, Alandare, and before long infatuation takes hold. The pair's differences (he's one of a winged species) can't keep them apart in this fantasy love story.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) K-3 Ernst supplies very brief explanations of how various backyard items "work"; she also incorporates some humor (e.g., in the section titled "How Does a Ball Work?" we're reminded that cheese balls aren't for kicking). The conceit is better suited to some of the subjects (sprinkler, dandelion, wagon wheel) than to others (bird, rock). Cut-paper illustrations are cleanly composed and eye pleasing.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins