(4) 4-6 Lucy & Andy Neanderthal series. A clan of early humans joins the Neanderthals (Lucy & Andy Neanderthal) as temperatures drop with the impending Ice Age. As the children deal with overcrowding, cave bears, incessant snow, and incompetent adults, it's difficult to track all the new characters and their relationships. This sequel's black-and-white, child-friendly graphic-novel panels once again depict modern-day paleontologists making interstitial appearances to explain facts and dispel myths.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(2) K-3 Andy & Sandy series. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. In this fourth installment, Sandy proposes the friends dance together in a talent show; Andy just has to follow her lead. But when the curtain goes up, Sandy freezes, and it's Andy's turn to lead. Simple page layouts, with few words and easy-to-interpret illustrations, make the text accessible to beginning readers. Andy and Sandy are perfect fictional buddies to encourage youngsters to try new things.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(2) K-3 Andy & Sandy series. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Sandy shows up at the playground that Andy was enjoying having all to himself, and they dance around whether and how to approach each other (When). In Adventure, the two have a playdate at Andy's house. Both books use large font, repetition, and strong picture clues to support new readers. Andy and Sandy's friendship--and this series--is off to a good start. Review covers these titles: Andy & Sandy's Anything Adventure and When Andy Met Sandy.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(2) K-3 Andy & Sandy series. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Sandy shows up at the playground that Andy was enjoying having all to himself, and they dance around whether and how to approach each other (When). In Adventure, the two have a playdate at Andy's house. Both books use large font, repetition, and strong picture clues to support new readers. Andy and Sandy's friendship--and this series--is off to a good start. Review covers these titles: Andy & Sandy's Anything Adventure and When Andy Met Sandy.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(3) K-3 Andy & Sandy series. In this accessibly written beginning reader, Sandy enthusiastically introduces Andy to the joys of sledding, making snow angels, and building a snowman. Andy is dubious at first: "Snow is very wet and VERY COLD." But in the amusing ending, the roles reverse with Sandy ready to go warm up inside with hot chocolate. DePaola's uncluttered acrylic and colored pencil illustrations showcase the wintertime fun.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 4-6 Andy Russell series. Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. In his second book, Andy is driven to distraction in school while awaiting the arrival of both a new baby, whose gender his parents won't divulge, and his friend Tamika, who's coming to live with the Russells temporarily. The story lacks focus and narrative tension, but Andy's a likable character, and the black-and-white illustrations add spirit.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli