(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Rory Lucey. Skillfully told through the comics medium, this memoir centers on the author's childhood experiences as a self-identified "bad sister": "It wasn't on purpose. The badness just happened." Chapters function as short personal narratives, depicting memories of young Charise and her less-than-stellar treatment of her younger brother, Daniel. In one scene, Charise convinces Daniel to eat cat food; in another, she accidentally breaks one of his teeth with a golf club. As the siblings play, fight, and grow together, Charise develops understanding of and compassion for herself as well as others. Over time she learns to apologize to--and advocate for--her sibling. Raw emotions of guilt, shame, and jealousy are explored, as young Charise interrogates the power dynamics of big ­sisterhood and recognizes Daniel's strengths. The first-person, past-tense narration is balanced by ­in-the-moment dialogue between characters. In bubbly, bright hues with loose outlines, Lucey's comics convey thoughtfulness in form, placement, and perspective. Chapter introduction panels that look like Polaroids and the use of Ben-Day dots (like those typically found in newspaper funnies) add to the retro scrapbook-like feel. The soon-to-be cartoonist's artistic endeavors are an ever-present part of this childhood portrait, but the emphasis remains on the highs, lows, and ­everything-in-between of sibling relationships.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) 1-3 The book opens with a tidy four-panel spread, the first showing a comfy-looking house made from simple shapes ("Twelve paws are in this house," says the text); subsequent panels introduce readers to two dogs ("Four paws belong to Pepper." "Four paws belong to Boo") and a cat ("Four paws belong to the Cat. The Cat has something to say"). The cat begins the story's narration, eager to show us around its place, and especially the nap spots. Sure, there's a bed, but that belongs to the dogs; cats can nap anywhere. Except...when naptime hits, and with Boo's cozy bed so close by, the cat curls up in it and promptly starts to snooze. The narration shifts to the pups, with flustered Boo exclaiming: "LOOK! The Cat is on my bed!" Boo and Pepper hatch a scheme to eject the feline interloper. It works (well enough), and the narration shifts back to the now-well-rested--and peckish--cat. After seeking a snack, the feline is ready for nap number two, leading the tale toward an entertaining "cat surprise." Harper's storytelling is light and cheery--none of the foreshadowed cartoony menace ever comes to pass--and the unfussy illustrations (a mix of panels, pages, and spots) give the animals tons of personality, from conspiratorial Pepper's creative plotting ("I have a plan...just for you") to Boo's delight in it ("A plan for me! A plan for me!") to consistently comical reaction shots and narrative payoffs. And while the cat may be self-involved and somewhat oblivious, it also proves to be a purrfect naptime companion.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(3) 4-6 Next Best Junior Chef series. Illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard. Surviving two elimination rounds (covered in previous volumes), remaining Next Best Junior Chef contestants Rae and Caroline face challenges, unfamiliar ingredients, and the surprising return of rival Oliver. They struggle to balance their competitive natures and TV appearances with their friendship. Occasional dialogue bubbles add personal insight. Who will win the big prize? Series fans will be satiated by this finale. Culinary facts are appended.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Next Best Junior Chef series. Illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard. After the initial four-person competition (covered in Lights, Camera, Cook!), remaining cooking contestants Oliver, Rae, and Caroline face various challenges and unfamiliar ingredients. They believably struggle to balance their competitive natures, the need to learn from one another, and their TV appearances. Who will be eliminated next? Occasional interview-style speech bubbles provide personal insights from the contestants; expressive black-and-white spot art offers additional context.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Birdie wants to be a butterfly in the class play...as do many others, particularly her nemesis Anya. But never fear: where there are costumes, there's a chance for Birdie's alter ego, Crafty Cat, to shine. Series fans will find familiar absurdist humor amid the clean-lined panel illustrations, but they may be disappointed that Crafty Cat has fewer scenes than in previous installments. Craft instructions are appended.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Ashley Spires. June is on the lookout for a new friend. Two things happen: a new family moves in across the street (including a girl her age named Mae) and free-spirited Grandma Penny sends June a "Wonder Wheel," which provides lighthearted challenges for June. The book's short chapters, comic illustrations, and generous-sized font add to its appeal for newly minted independent readers.

Reviewer: Viki Ash | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2017

(3) 4-6 Next Best Junior Chef series. Illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard. Four preteens participate in a TV cooking competition. As the contestants seesaw between confidence and nervousness, friendship and rivalry, triumphs and flubs, they learn about cooking and even more about themselves. Scattered interview-style speech bubbles let readers in on contestants' personal thoughts; emotive illustrations are also included. Who will be eliminated? Readers will excitedly tune in to the series' next episode for answers.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Panda-obsessed Birdie's sunny alter ego, Crafty Cat, has an artistic (and usually panda-centric) solution to any mundane problem. Crafty Cat comes in handy at school when Birdie's birthday goes haywire. Thick-lined, mostly black-and-white panel drawings give way to pastel greens and browns in Birdie's more imaginative moments. The simplicity of the illustrations complements the sometimes-absurd humor, including the mock-didactic narration. Craft instructions are appended.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 In this follow-up to The Amazing Crafty Cat, Birdie is surprised to not love everything about craft camp, thanks to conflicts with best friend Evan and nemesis Anya. But her alter ego, Crafty Cat, can solve any "craft-mergency." Mock-serious narration and simple drawings highlight Birdie's earnestness; shifts in color palettes and panel borders help differentiate between Birdie and Crafty Cat. Craft instructions are appended.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) K-3 Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! series. Yellow Bird, convinced that a particular button does nothing, lets Blue Bird and Red Bird try pushing it. Nothing seemingly happens...although Blue Bird is surprised and Red Bird disappointed. Of course, surprise and disappointment are not nothing--and this contradiction sends Yellow Bird into a flurry of comically caricatured emotions. The repetitive word bank, color-coded word balloons, and varied panels make for an accessible early reader.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anna Raff. Little Card and Long Card wonder what their grown-up jobs will entail. After a mix-up, each finds the perfect profession: library card and birthday card, respectively. The original premise is visually well realized in cheery illustrations that incorporate ink washes, stamps, and digital textures. The celebratory tale breathes new life into the theme of paper in the digital age.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 Sasquatch and Aliens series. Fans of Alien Encounter will enjoy this second book, in which Morgan and Lewis continue their adventures involving costume-maker and neighbor Mr. Lee. While he's away, Mr. Lee has left the boys with the remote control to his Sasquatch robot, which they sensibly safeguard. Not. Comical drawings and Morgan's acrostic poems add to the silliness.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(2) PS Harper's quirky story stars two traffic lights and a fleet of construction vehicles. When Little Green shouts "GO!" Bulldozer, Dump Truck, Mixer, and friends get to work. But without a way to not go, things are soon out of control. A red "stranger" rolls onto the site, and catastrophe is averted--eventually. Construction enthusiasts will slow down for the lively dialogue and action-packed pages.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) 1-3 Third grader Grace does not want to sleep in a tent at Grace F.'s birthday party, but keeping her fears a secret leads to small lies that snowball. When help arrives from an unexpected source, Grace is able to come clean. As always, the illustrations (including Grace's own comics) add lots of humor to the story, which will appeal to fans and newcomers alike.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 4-6 Ashley faces a variety of challenges: she suffers from face blindness, her best friend is moving away, and her mom has welcomed a quirky seven-year-old houseguest for the summer. Then Ash finds a magical wish jar that transports her back in time. Harper combines reality and fantastical escapism with admirable balance, and self-aware Ash's unique affliction adds depth to the story.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(2) 4-6 Sasquatch and Aliens series. Minutes after fourth graders Morgan and Lewis meet (underpants are involved), they share an alien sighting. Morgan, our lively storyteller, fills us in with text, acrostics, lists, diagrams, and a wealth of endearingly ugly line drawings. This book is the first of a series, and the seeds of its sequel are firmly sown. It's all funny and sweet and never too clever.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(4) K-3 Princess Patty sets out to find her prince. But this is no retro romance: Patty dismisses most of the princes because they expect her to be who she isn't (a glass-slippers-wearer, a hair-let-downer, etc.). This winking spoof of princess classics gets bogged down in details, but it's a clever premise featuring decorous anachronistic details, including Patty's fleet of sparkly knapsacks.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Chambers. Dubbing herself "Superlove," a young girl plans a fancy pretend wedding between her cat and her stuffed dog, reserving the job of flower girl for herself. When the stubborn cat refuses to cooperate, Mommy cleverly saves the day: "Daddy and I can get married again, and this time you can be there, too." Sprightly illustrations enhance the story's buoyant humor.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 1-3 Grace and best friend Mimi have a table at a school craft fair; can Grace use this opportunity to help find a friend for the new (and lonely) crossing-guard? Grace's "empathy" power comes into play once again, with entertaining results. As always, the illustrations (including Grace's own comics) add lots of humor to the story, which will appeal to fans and newcomers alike.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 1-3 Third grader Grace continues to make good use of her "empathy power," realizing right away when she's accidentally hurt best friend Mimi's feelings. The two make up, and though they're on different teams for the cupcake-themed school fair, both end up having a great time. As always, the illustrations (including Grace's own comics) add lots of humor to the story, which will appeal to fans and newcomers alike. Grandma's cupcake recipe is included.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander