(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ruth Chan. In this mischievous comedy, as the humans leave in a camper van, bears, beavers, deer, and skunks move into their house. The deer bring a karaoke machine; the beavers take over the kitchen; etc. The animals' week of excess leads to chaos before they all depart, cheerfully promising to return next year. Expressive cartoon illustrations play up the outlandish humor inherent in forest creatures vacationing indoors.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. A star-nosed mole, a giraffe-necked weevil, a babirusa, and a yeti crab find their writers' group crashed by a bunny who everyone fears will write stories about "friendship and sharing and hugging" (blech). But is it possible that the bunny is being typecast? This rib-tickling caution against stereotypes is told almost entirely in dialogue balloons bellowed by the critters, all adorable-looking despite their petulance.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Colin Jack. Small, scruffy Waldo and big, lazy Sassy love their human Stewart (maybe even more than they love meat). Since Stewart seems unhappy at this mysterious thing called "school," the protective pooches--Waldo atop Sassy and wearing a trench coat--infiltrate Bea Arthur Memorial Elementary as its new student, befriending classmates and charming (most) teachers. Falatko's absurdist premise and laugh-out-loud humor are deepened by Jack's cartoony illustrations throughout.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Miller. The wacky chicken from Snappsy the Alligator is narrating again, and this time he's buttering Snappsy up: the chicken has big plans for their Best Friends Sleepover, but Snappsy would prefer a quiet night alone. Underneath the entertaining odd-couple clashing lies a (semi-)serious point about taking a chance on friendship. Miller's cartoony art harbors sly jokes that reward attentive viewers.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Miller. This is a book-length sparring match between exasperated alligator Snappsy and an offstage storyteller-foil who criticizes Snappsy and ignores his pleas to scram. Falatko's ability to sustain the tension at length; Miller's savory palette; and the unvoiced suggestion that when fiction is working well, a character can take on a life of his or her own all serve this meta-story well.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016