(2) PS Full-bleed watercolor illustrations depict a gorgeous day at the sea in bright blues, oranges, and pinks. The seagull looks euphoric: "Blue sky, gentle breeze! / Warm sun, cool feet! / It's a perfect day." The gull has not noticed a little crab, who swims up on the seagull's rock to point out the one cloud in the sky. "It's not perfect." The gull, refusing to be brought down, declares the cloud pretty. Thus begins an impossible-to-resolve dispute between the two, with the crab persistently calling attention to perceived imperfections until the gull departs in exasperation: "Fine! It's not perfect. I'm going to find a better rock." Unfortunately, neither "rock" is what it seems, and suddenly the day turns potentially disastrous for the little crab. The seagull swoops in for the rescue, however, and though the crab will always see things through a more critical lens than the gull, who continues to find the day perfect, the two have come closer to consensus and to each other. Using a variety of perspectives to highlight each new detail that changes viewers' understanding of the scene, the attractive art, along with the snappy text, leaves plenty of room for the humor to stand out in this tribute to the ups and downs of a day--and a friendship.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) K-3 In Madame Martine's second romp, the newly adventurous Parisian chases her beloved but unruly dog Max into the Louvre and finds herself viewing the art for the first time. Despite her anxiety at breaking the no-pets rule, Madame Martine delights in discovering the Mona Lisa's beauty. Soft illustrations offer a tour of the Louvre and provide Max and his owner with memorable personalities.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Madame Martine lives alone in Paris and always follows the same routine--until she takes in stray dog Max. When Max runs away, Madame Martine chases him up the Eiffel Tower (she'd never been--"It's a tourist thing") where the wonderful view helps expand her limited outlook on life. The understated story's expressive, meticulous art reveals subtle (and drastic) changes in Madame Martine.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Chloe the guinea pig is distressed when her favorite uncle, Bobby, announces his engagement to boyfriend Jamie. What if Bobby doesn't want to spend time with her anymore? Eventually, after getting to know Jamie, Chloe is glad to participate in the wedding and welcome him into the family. Warmly affectionate watercolor and graphite illustrations accompany this genial story of same-sex marriage.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert