(2) K-3 Neighbors Mouse and Giraffe interact every day but have trouble getting along because they cannot see eye to eye (literally and figuratively). Giraffe complains of the heat; Mouse's experience is different: "It's quite comfortable." The uncluttered illustrations make clear that Mouse benefits from the shade cast by Giraffe's tall body, but the two characters don't have that visual perspective. "'Hot!' said Giraffe. 'Not!' said Mouse." On a night with low cloud cover, Mouse can't see the sky, but long-necked Giraffe can rise above the clouds to admire the moon and stars. With a light touch, DiPucchio's entertaining tale addresses themes of perspective and the biases that can come with personal experience. In a satisfying ending, the two neighbors acknowledge their differences with friendly overtures. Corace's distinctive illustrations of a stylish giraffe (check out his madras Bermuda shorts) and a mouse with outsized ears provide the right genial tone.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(3) PS Illustrated by Jay Fleck. A band of friendly-looking animal pirates searches for gold in this gently swashbuckling book. Rhyming couplets filled with pirate jargon accompany plainly composed, rich-hued images depicting the animals' daring sea exploits. After braving a pod of "wicked whales" and tickling a giant squid, the adorable crew flees a fearsome mouse: an appropriately silly ending for an adventure heavy on toddler-friendly thrills.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Zachariah OHora. Massive elephant Poe is sitting in the middle of Prickly Valley's only road, and he "won't go." The perturbed townspeople encourage Poe to leave, but all attempts fail until a young girl asks him why. It turns out that Poe has been waiting for--and unknowingly sitting on--his friend Moe, a monkey. This humorous, offbeat story's outlandish scenarios are nicely supported by quirky, playful acrylic and pencil illustrations.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Raccoon Manny (Super Manny Stands Up!) and hedgehog Gertie go around town "saving the planet from danger" every weekend. The pals inspire others to help clean up the litter-filled park because, "every superhero needs a planet worth saving." An earthy color palette and imaginative, proactive characters help make this a positive storytime choice for Earth Day and every day.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christian Robinson. In this companion to Gaston, poodle Antoinette--unlike her bulldog brothers--has no particular talent. But she finally discovers what she's good at when her friend Ooh-La-La runs off at the park, and Antoinette's bravery and doggedness save the day. Engaging acrylic illustrations in a warm, rich palette support the empowering tale, which is told with panache; even the typeface has personality.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. At home, raccoon Manny wears different-color capes that give him imagined superpowers. At school, he wears an invisible cape, which comes in handy when a bully picks on a schoolmate. Manny courageously speaks up, encouraging other students to don their invisible capes and join in. The appealing mixed-media illustrations show the impact one individual can have when speaking out against bullies.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) PS Illustrated by AG Ford. This ode to new babies celebrates having an infant in the house. The rhyming text highlights snuggle time, bath time, nursing, reading, and more. Bright, colorful illustrations on clean white backgrounds feature a diverse collection of happy babies and families. With each page turn, the babies develop more skills, and soon they are crawling, walking, and (finally, on the last page) boarding a school bus.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. A village is plagued by a dragon so offensive people ask: "Who does that?!" When all the king's efforts to stop him fail, a clever boy with a love of reading enacts a unique tactic to tame the savage beast. Alongside this testament to the power of the written word, Pizzoli's illustrations employ bold, flat colors and expressive eyes to comedic effect.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(4) PS Illustrated by Mary Lundquist. DiPucchio rewrites a controversial children's rhyme, "Ten Little Indians," to be about the diversity of children and families, concluding with "one BIG family 'round the world." Soft pencil and watercolor illustrations convey the point (despite some missteps, such as the inclusion of a tipi), depicting happy, rosy-cheeked people of many colors. The book aims for a celebratory and inclusive vibe.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Wight. Cupcake is so full of herself that none of the other bakery delicacies want to hang out with her ("Can't. I'm an early riser," says a loaf of bread). As in Everyone Loves Bacon, Wight's anthropomorphized edibles are supremely appetizing vehicles for DiPucchio's nonstop wordplay ("Sometimes I feel empty inside," says a doughnut). Not to be missed: Cupcake's icing-tube coiffing.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Wight. Egg, Waffle, Pancake, and others swoon over Bacon, who arrogantly enjoys the spotlight, slighting other breakfast meats and eschewing old friends ("Who needs friends when you have fans?"). In a humorously logical ending, bacon crumbs on an empty plate reveal just how much he's loved. Anthropomorphized foods cavorting through an old-timey diner star in the retro illustrations.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Campbell. Zombies Mortimer and Mildred (Zombie in Love) worry about their new baby: his teeth are coming in instead of falling out, and they don't know what to make of his strong heartbeat and sunny disposition. The zombie perspective--in which baby sleeping through the night is exhausting--is a silly twist on the new-family dynamic. Watercolor illustrations use humor to soften the ghoulish tale.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Brian Biggs. Charlie hates school and wishes on a star to change places with his dog, Norman. After a week of canine life, Charlie decides it's not for him. The crux of this amusing tale is that Charlie and Norman never actually trade bodies; Biggs's illustrations, featuring simple shapes with bold black outlines, offer comical views of a boy behaving like a dog, and vice versa.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Christian Robinson. Bumptious Gaston looms over his elegant poodle sisters. At the park, they meet a family like theirs but in reverse: bulldogs Rocky, Ricky, and Bruno and their petite sister Antoinette. Were Gaston and Antoinette switched at birth? Should they trade families? DiPucchio's lively text was made to be read aloud. Robinson's elegant illustrations feature dogs with minimal yet wonderfully expressive facial details.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Heather Ross. The Parade of Books at school is imminent, and Chloe is torn between dressing like Frankenstein's monster to appease one friend and like a fairy to appease another. After much agonizing and crafting, Chloe splits the difference with a Frankenfairy costume. The writing is particularly sharp, and readers just may find Chloe's DIY ethos, documented in the high-energy illustrations, contagious.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Heather Ross. Though she isn't good at sports or video games, Chloe is a whiz at crafting. Forced to create rather than buy a birthday present for her best friend, Chloe does something extra; the gift gets a mean classmate out of a bind, earning Chloe a new friend. This charming ode to creativity is well served by Ross's spirited art, done in pencil with digital coloring.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bob Shea. Goldfish Gilbert longs for a pet. A visiting dog is energetic but loud; a neighboring mouse is cute but quiet; a buzzing-by fly is friendly but, sadly, gets swatted (a bit shocking). When all hope seems lost, a twist reveals the perfect pal. The well-paced story, with crisp illustrations, will hook readers into rooting for the endearing, bright-eyed swimmer.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Myers. Clink can't compete with his fancier peers in the robot store. However, he's able to impress a young shopper by breaking out in a "head-boppin', toast-poppin', show-stoppin' tune," dancing with twirls and twists. DiPucchio's witty text, occasionally interspersed with onomatopoeic robot-centric words ("Plink! Pop! Ping!"), is ideal for reading aloud. Myers's paintings burst with loud colors and energy.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Campbell. Lonely Mortimer the zombie tries hard to woo a sweetheart using chocolates (with worms), a heart (real), and a shiny ring (still on a finger). A unique personal ad--"If you like taking walks in the graveyard..."--builds tension as Mortimer waits for a match. Muted watercolor illustrations take the edge off the macabre by infusing humorous details throughout the zombie love story.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Macky Pamintuan. Young Alfred Zector nabs every last book in town, leaving the place "quite dullish, plain dreary, and wholly humdrum." Upon completing his collection, an aged Alfred asks, "Now what?" and predictably realizes that something's missing. The lively illustrations make palatable a familiar lesson: "The best kinds of books are the books that are shared."

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan