(2) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by R. W. Alley. An eye test proves that Wagner needs glasses. Although Pearl tells her newly bespectacled friend he looks cool, two older boys make fun of him. Perfectly capturing those fragile feelings of childhood, McMullan's accessible text and Alley's soft watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations show Wagner's hesitation to stand out, his pride in being praised, and delight when his friends defend him.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(2) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by R. W. Alley. Everybody seems clued in that it's April Fools' Day except mouse Wagner. The challenges that result are presented in three satisfying chapters. Though he's a little slow on the uptake, Wagner manages to get the last laugh. McMullan's easy-reader text has a reliable partner in Alley's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations that add a gentle pastel wash to the sometimes-painful schoolyard jockeying.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ann Schweninger. Beginning readers will likely recognize Amanda's experiences with her first loose tooth. She wiggles it nonstop at first, then agonizes over whether to let Father pull it. After losing the tooth (literally), she finds it again, only to lie awake wondering about the Tooth Fairy. The amiable pencil and watercolor illustrations in Easter-egg hues feature nattily dressed piggies.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ann Schweninger. Amanda's high expectations of first grade are all met--except she still can't read. As the days pass, she has the usual misadventures: getting lost in the big building, confronting a bully. Slowly, she builds her word power and learns to read. Amanda's experience will resonate with first graders everywhere. Reassuring pencil and watercolor illustrations show Amanda's ups and downs.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Joan Holub. Seldom has the plea "Can I keep it?" been made for keeping cockroaches, as junior entomologists Leo and Sam (Breakout at the Bug Lab) discover when they try to peddle the offspring of their pair of the giant hissing variety. The energetic narrative incorporates spot-on wordplay for the beginning reader audience; insect references; and a few creepy-crawly similes to add flavor.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2005

(4) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Hideko Takahashi. After Mr. and Mrs. Beans adopt a dachshund from an animal shelter, they find that a dog food commercial is being cast and think that little Hotdog would be just right for it. Hotdog worms his way into the casting director's heart, and despite the thin story, he'll charm readers, too. The acrylic art gives all the auditioning dogs plenty of personality.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ann Schweninger. In four short chapters, Amanda Pig gets a cooling "hot-day surprise" in the garden; she and best friend Lollipop trade lemonade for entry into the boys' fort; Amanda and Lollipop open a lemonade stand, then drink the stock; and she waits with her family for a cool evening breeze. The combination of simple text and expressive illustrations will encourage new readers.

Reviewer: Angela Leeper

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Renee Andriani. "How did the piglet get his sister in trouble?" "He squealed on her." "What position did the piggy play on the baseball team?" "Snort stop." Nearly three dozen riddles about boorish boars, humorous hogs, and silly swine are presented in a simple, friendly format just right for early readers. Each page contains a single riddle and an amusing, cartoony illustration.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Anna DiVito. Questions about snakes, lizards, and turtles (e.g., "How do snakes move?" "How well can turtles see, hear, and smell?") are answered in a simply written text accompanied by clear color photos. Unfortunately, DiVito's illustrations hurt the volume's scientific integrity: she gives the animals near-human facial expressions and, in one instance, gives a photo of a lizard a cartoony insect-catching tongue.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Anna DiVito. This beginning reader addresses basic information about bird physiology, habits, and habitats. Chapter titles pose questions ("Why do birds have feathers?"), which are answered in the brief text. Well-chosen photographs are undermined by superfluous cartoon illustrations. Pronunciation guides and definitions are provided for some, but not all, unfamiliar words. The final pages discuss keeping birds as pets.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Lisa Thiesing. Deputy Jess is holding down the fort in Snake Gulch until her sheriff dad returns. A gang of the dirtiest, smelliest cowboys around comes to town refusing to bathe. Deputy Jess's plan spares the town from the cowboys' stink cloud, while freshening everything up. This easy-to-read twist on an Old West tall tale features pleasant art with a cast of friendly canine cowboys.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Ann Schweninger. Oliver Pig is back with a Mighty Pig cape, saving the world from fire, bees, and aliens. Oliver's exploits will ring true to children and parents, as will the minor complications that arise when Oliver's imagination bumps into real life. The warmth conveyed in both story and art is as reassuring as ever.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Anna DiVito. These well-designed, informative books entice early readers with short, direct sentences and attractive color photos and illustrations. The brisk question-and-answer format provides nourishing fodder for young readers while piquing interest intelligently: why horses wear shoes, why hamsters have cheek pouches, how rabbit leg structure determines patterns of movement. [Review covers these Dial Easy-to-Read titles: Why Do Horses Neigh? and Why Do Rabbits Hop?.]

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Anna DiVito. These well-designed, informative books entice early readers with short, direct sentences and attractive color photos and illustrations. The brisk question-and-answer format provides nourishing fodder for young readers while piquing interest intelligently: why horses wear shoes, why hamsters have cheek pouches, how rabbit leg structure determines patterns of movement. [Review covers these Dial Easy-to-Read titles: Why Do Horses Neigh? and Why Do Rabbits Hop?.]

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Susanna Natti. As Lionel counts down the days to his birthday, he worries. What if his sister doesn't get him what he wants? What if he forgets this birthday when he's a grownup? What if he can't blow out all the candles on his cake to get his wish? Cheerful illustrations accompany this amusing, easy-to-read story portraying Lionel and his family.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by R. W. Alley. Whether they are building disastrous science projects or navigating through hurt feelings, Pearl (a conscientious rabbit) and Wagner (a daydreaming mouse) demonstrate the most enduring qualities of friendship. This winsome new pair is brought to life with three well-paced episodes in a classroom setting both recognizable and appealing for new readers. Alley's illustrations capture a range of animal expression.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Nicole Rubel. Each page contains an amusing color cartoon and a single riddle about the prehistoric creatures. Some of the puns are groaners ("Who always has change for a dollar?" "A Dime-o-saur"), but many early readers will find this mix of a popular subject and easy-to-read humor a dino-mite combination.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Kristin Sorra. Thirty-four riddles about turkeys range from funny ("What costume did the little turkey wear every Halloween? He was always a-gobblin'") to lame ("What happened to the turkey who ate too much corn? He got an ear-ache"). Bordered cartoon-style illustrations suitably realize the text of an intentionally silly book that most children will enjoy.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. "When we cut an onion up, / We break apart its cells. / Inside the cell is onion oil, / Which really, really smells!" This newly illustrated collection ponders fourteen familiar questions, including "How do birds fly?" and "What is the sound in a seashell?" The cheery art reflects the tone of the lighthearted, informative verse. Despite a few singsongy passages, the accessible poems will find many classroom uses.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. The cast of Sam's Wild West Show is headed home on Christmas Eve when they come across a train that has been robbed right down to the passengers' Christmas presents. With the help of Rodeo Rosie, Sam catches the criminals and the holiday is saved. The fine-lined ink and watercolor illustrations are as deadpan as the humorous text.

Reviewer: Sara Pearce