(3) PS Illustrated by AG Ford. When it sees the sprinkles, stars, and gumdrops adorning other cookies, a fresh-baked dinosaur cookie demands better than "gloppy green frosting and this stupid hat." But many decorating "do overs" don't satisfy the dino, and Cookiesaurus Rex is still complaining at book's end. The silly story is enhanced by lively illustrations, which maintain a close-up cookie's eye view with only glimpses of a human decorator's hand.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) PS Illustrated by Christopher Santoro. Dinosaurs, construction, a rhyme spotlighting each letter of the alphabet--this offering includes some of the most kid-pleasing story elements in a single picture book. The alpha-centric rhymes aren't half-bad ("Forklifts beeping, shifting freight. / For fitting crates, this fleet's first-rate") but disappointingly have very little to do with dinosaurs. The high-gloss art features realistic-looking machinery and cartoonish dinos.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Four animal friends are charged with creating a mural for the local candy shop. Pig Bitsy (who "loved to paint") takes her non-artist friends to the museum for inspiration, but when it's her turn to contribute, she's uncharacteristically shy. A sparkly jacket and bright watercolor illustrations match the easily resolved plot.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Best friends Emily (a dog), Anna (rabbit), Bitsy (pig), and Nicole (cat)--a.k.a. the Jellybeans--explore the activities offered by Camp Pook-A-Wow. Soccer-lover Nicole convinces the camp director to let her form a team to play against Camp Mookie-Wanna. There's minimal conflict in the bland story, but Nicole's perseverance may inspire readers. Spacious watercolors illustrate the summertime tale.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. In this twist on Cinderella, it's not a prince needing a bride but a princess needing a pony. Pretty pony Ponyella's idyllic days come to an end when new owners arrive at the farm, bringing along two disagreeable ponies. Luckily, Ponyella's fairy "godmare" comes to the rescue. Munsinger's illustrations feature plenty of pink and purple as well as sweetly dainty main characters.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. When her friends need to do book reports, avid reader Anna introduces them to the library, where they find books about their hobbies. Anna's friends, in turn, help her to channel her love of reading to overcome her shyness. The story has a generic, albeit friendly, books-are-for-everyone message, but Munsinger's animal characters in candy-hued watercolors will draw in readers.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Emily is a pup who loves to dance. Bunny Anna loves books, kitty Nicole loves soccer, and piglet Bitsy loves art. Inspired by jellybeans--different flavors that go well together--Emily convinces her friends that their differences will help them put on a great ballet performance. The text forces home its message, but Munsinger's comfortably familiar illustrations will draw readers in.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Bowers. Because he can't say no, Sherman the dog is doomed to succeed his father as police chief, a job he doesn't want. Finally he devises a plan: he'll use his real vocation, hat-making, to communicate his wishes to his father. Nearly as wacky as his hat designs, the story of Sherman's journey to assertiveness features energetic illustrations with numerous canine details.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert