(2) K-3 The tree ornaments are enjoying a “peaceful and calm” Christmas Eve when Otto, a brand-new, “snazzy...jazzy...Christmas-pizzazzy!” ornament, shows up and in-sists: “A superstar like me belongs on the top of the tree.” Glittery Otto is rebuffed by the group (after obnoxiously pointing out the others’ flaws) and sets out to find his own tree. But the perfect tree is missing something: “What’s the point of being at the top if I don’t have anyone to share it with?” The journey home is harrowing, and Otto returns chastened and lacking his previous luster but with a new appreciation for community. Lively cartoonlike illustrations depict Otto’s adventures with flair and heart.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Alexander and the Super Secret Monster Patrol scheme to recover their monster notebook from the villainous boss-monster, whom they believe is actually their own principal, Ms. Vanderpants, in disguise. Fast, funny plotting and a twist ending will please series fans. Energetic black-and-white illustrations--along with the Patrol's notes and secret plans--supplement the mildly spooky tale. Questions and activities are appended.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. The Super Secret Monster Patrol has been extra vigilant ever since it discovered the boss-monster is after the kids' special monster notebook. But when S.S.M.P. leader Alexander is distracted by a previously defeated monster, the notebook falls into the wrong hands. As readers puzzle out who's behind the resurrected creatures they'll be chuckling at the ample slapstick humor and exaggerated black-and-white cartoons.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Alexander and the "Super Secret Monster Patrol" (S.S.M.P.) encounter a new monster at Safety Land amusement park, and it's intent on stealing the S.S.M.P.'s secret weapon: their monster reference notebook. A fast-moving text features short chapters and a lightly spooky atmosphere. Bold digital art includes spot illustrations, sample notebook pages, and silly asides. Questions and activities are appended.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Without their stolen monster notebook, the Super Secret Monster Patrol must improvise how to defeat an "octo-schnozz," an eight-nosed creature stealing stinky stuff from Stermont residents. Expressive black-and-white illustrations with exaggerated googly-eyed characters accompany the fast-paced light-horror story; this eleventh installment ends with a cliffhanger that should lure series fans back for more. Questions and activities are appended.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. The members of the Super Secret Monster Patrol are at it again when they hear mysterious noises while at summer camp. After a freak snowfall blankets the camp, the trio comes face to face with snombies (snowman zombies), and eventually they discover the real culprit: the ice-crusher. This laugh-out-loud monster story includes black-and-white illustrations that reflect the text's humor.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. When mysterious boxes appear and objects start to go missing, Alexander thinks a monster is to blame. But it's not until the Ruby Scorpion goes missing during the school sleepover at the museum that the members of the Super Secret Monster Patrol discover the true bumpy culprit. This sixth clever chapter book includes zany black-and-white illustrations that propel the story's humor.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Alexander and his friends Nikki and Rip notice strange things are happening at their elementary school: the temperature has plummeted, the cafeteria is serving sundaes and pie for lunch, and mysterious new faculty members have started showing up. The trio unravels the mystery and discovers the wacky culprits. This fourth laugh-out-loud chapter book includes black-and-white illustrations that will keep readers in stitches.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. The members of the Super Secret Monster Patrol are at it again when they find mysterious footprints in the ground and random piles of candy everywhere. The trio suspects several monsters, but the kids eventually discover the real culprit of the destruction: the massive P-Rex ("Piñata-saurus Rex"). This fifth laugh-out-loud story includes black-and-white illustrations that will keep readers in stitches.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 "Once there was a dad who was really good at playing horsey." After he's lassoed by some horse rustlers, his kids must rescue him. The story is exhausting, but it works as a fantasy for both children (they're heroes!) and insecure dads (they're super-fun!). The art has the slightly retro look of Dan Yaccarino's, only with less breathing room.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Alexander has a new school and town to adjust to--does he really need a mysterious notebook, weird monsters, and vaguely threatening adventures to contend with as well? Sure, and Cummings integrates anxiety and excitement effectively as Alexander faces three worthy foes in these beginning chapter books. Well-developed characters and sillier-than-scary illustrations will keep kids reading. Review covers these Notebook of Doom titles: Attack of the Shadow Smashers, Day of the Night Crawlers, and Rise of the Balloon Goons.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Alexander has a new school and town to adjust to--does he really need a mysterious notebook, weird monsters, and vaguely threatening adventures to contend with as well? Sure, and Cummings integrates anxiety and excitement effectively as Alexander faces three worthy foes in these beginning chapter books. Well-developed characters and sillier-than-scary illustrations will keep kids reading. Review covers these Notebook of Doom titles: Attack of the Shadow Smashers, Day of the Night Crawlers, and Rise of the Balloon Goons.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. Alexander has a new school and town to adjust to--does he really need a mysterious notebook, weird monsters, and vaguely threatening adventures to contend with as well? Sure, and Cummings integrates anxiety and excitement effectively as Alexander faces three worthy foes in these beginning chapter books. Well-developed characters and sillier-than-scary illustrations will keep kids reading. Review covers these Notebook of Doom titles: Attack of the Shadow Smashers, Day of the Night Crawlers, and Rise of the Balloon Goons.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) K-3 The story begins familiarly but takes a detour: Eensy Spider refuses to climb back up the fabled spout ("If I had a neck, I could have broken it!"). The book is less a witty parody than an excuse for a run-of-the-mill perseverance pep talk. The art's old-fashioned quality is appropriate in a tale inspired by an ageless children's song.

Reviewer: Nell Beram