(2) PS Illustrated by Vashti Harrison. This bear-hug of a picture book features a series of similes that serve as declarations of love in various forms. Constructed in a first-person narrative in which the "I" switches from speaker to speaker, readers meet mothers, fathers, and grandparents; siblings and soon-to-be siblings; children with and without disabilities; people of differing ethnicities--a true diversity of characters. "I love you like yellow. / I love you like green," we read. An adult and child explore outdoors during and after rain showers, lemony yellows and rich greens on display. Other pairs or trios move through their days, bonding as a family (baking cookies); dealing with disappointment (a child finishes last in a race); playing games; exploring the outdoors; dancing and reveling. Beaty's rhyming couplets flow smoothly: "Like sunny. / Like shady. / Like gloomy. / Like gray. / From the breaking of dawn / till the end of the day." Harrison brings a vibrant palette, loving care, and a tight focus to these tableaux; viewers are right there with the families, witnessing their moments together. The last of these features a caretaker (it could be a mother, aunt, grandparent, or other), awash in shades of moonlight blues, sending a child off to sleep "with a hug and a kiss."

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(3) 1-3 Questioneers series. Inspired by Beaty and Roberts's picture-book collaborations (Rosie Revere, Engineer and others), this series-opening chapter book ticks many boxes: STEAM engagement, growth mindset, strong girls, diversity, and intergenerational learning. Zany as ever in the stylized illustrations, Rosie and friends must invent a painting aid for one of elderly Aunt Rose's spitfire friends. Sturdily made and stylishly designed, the book is a solid addition to collections.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Roberts. African American girl Ada Marie Twist's boundless scientific curiosity is a source of pride--and occasional consternation--to her parents and teachers. As she exuberantly questions, hypothesizes, and mixes concoctions at home and at school, she exemplifies a positive and inclusive image of science. Roberts's quirky illustrations further the humor and character of the energetic rhyming story.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Joules and Kevin battle evil alien rabbits again, and these bunnies have extra-large noses, a premise ripe for jokes about smell. Beaty keeps the direct-address wisecracks coming, helped along by Santat's too-goofy-to-be-scary drawings and occasional comic strips. Hand this to your favorite smart aleck, especially if that smart aleck liked the predecessor, Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Roberts. Lonely hatmaker Madame Chapeau gussies up and takes herself out to a birthday dinner, but a crow steals her birthday bonnet. Townspeople offer their own headpieces, but a little girl's gift, an unusual knitted cap, is ultimately the perfect fit. This charming, French-seasoned rhyming jaunt stars former milliner Roberts's refined illustrations, which include nods to famous hats from fashion history.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Robbie Darko is a fifth-grade magician whose tricks often go awry. When grumpy Grandma Melvyn moves into his family's chaotic household, Robbie discovers she's the perfect mentor to help him with his talent show act. But he ends up learning more than a few magic tricks. Despite some annoying characters, this story manages to be both funny and touching.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Roberts. After a confidence-shattering incident when she was younger, little budding engineer Rosie Revere is too timid to show anyone her machines. Then great-great-aunt Rose, an engineer herself, teaches Rosie the true meaning of a successful invention. Beaty's rhymes are cleverly constructed, and Roberts's meticulous illustrations, some on drafting paper, capture the quirkiness of the girl and her gizmos.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) PS Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre. Exuberant young bear Ted uses ketchup, mustard, blueberry jam, and his big imagination to paint everything, including the walls of his home and the back of a classmate's shirt. Reception to his masterpieces is mixed, but oblivious Ted is undeterred, eventually involving his classmates in creating a welcome mural for a sad new kid. Young artists will cheer Ted in his latest incarnation.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Mayer. When Farmer McFitt's sheep escape, they get into trouble all over town. Bouncy rhymes count down from ten while describing the creatures' shenanigans in the zoo, in the firehouse, and elsewhere: "Four hungry ewes run off looking for snacks. / They roam the library, inspecting the stacks." Readers can enjoy counting the runaways in the comical illustrations, though unfortunately, many images look blurred.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Dan Santat. Fluffy bunnies might not sound scary, but what about giant, hypnotizing, sugar-crazed, bunnies from outer-space? In this B-movie homage, the bunnies are coming to attack twins Kevin and Jules's summer camp. Told in a spoofy tone with a smattering of comic-style illustrations, this goofy tale may elicit as many eye-rolls as laughs, but it's sure to be fun for classic sci-fi fans.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(2) PS Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre. It's career-shift time for the civic-minded cub. As in Doctor Ted, the comedy stems from Ted's obliviousness; for example, he isn't fazed by Mom's annoyance after he sprays his burnt toast with a fire extinguisher/whipped cream canister ("now it's nutritious and safe"). Lemaitre's heavily outlined cartoons, rendered in day-glo colors, embrace the story's manic silliness.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009

(3) PS Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre. A ghostling goes to bed when the sun comes up; he's frightened by children and laughter; and he finds monsters, nightmares, and darkness calming. Addressing these reverse fears through Mom's gentle reassurances, the verse offers a nice mixture of comfort and humor. In the digitally colored bamboo and ink illustrations, dark purples give way to oranges and pinks as "bedtime" approaches.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(2) PS Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre. Young Doctor Ted is a round-headed bear with a can-do attitude. He meets resistance from such naysaying grownups as his principal, who forbids him from dispensing medical advice to his drippy-nosed classmates. Lemaitre's cheery Easter egg–colored ink and digital art depicts a variety of cartoon animals. Beaty's lighthearted story shows that creative play can be stifled but not defeated.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2008

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old narrator Lily exiled herself to silence after a hinted-at tragedy involving her brother, Pete. When a new girl, Tinny, comes to town, she threatens to expose Lily's secret, but the real trouble starts when a criminal arrives looking for Tinny. The various strands of the mobster mystery, Pete's fate, and Lily's mutism meet in an expertly constructed, tense, and moving climax.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2008

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Roberts. Second-grader Iggy's sour teacher, scarred by a childhood trauma, discourages Iggy's passion for building things. When a footbridge collapses while the class is on a field trip, however, Iggy's talent saves the day. The book's clever rhymes suffer from rhythmic lapses, but the power-of-art message and the pristine, occasionally blueprint-like illustrations deserve gold stars.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Whimsical illustrations enhance this tale about Anna, a little girl who loves the days when giants come to play. Together, she and two friendly giants play hide-and-seek, shoot marbles (with soccer balls), make daisy chains, and play catch (the giants use Anna as the ball). The self-conscious story is a bit too precious, but the premise is engaging.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin