(4) K-3 Illustrated by Blanca Gómez. Beekeeper Beatrice (a bear) helps neighbor Abel (a mouse) with his apple orchard, and vice versa. When a silly misunderstanding causes a rift in their friendship, it takes an accident to repair the damage. The language and tone are somewhat adult, but the protagonists' expressive faces in the watercolor, pencil, and digital art have definite child appeal. Apple butter recipe appended.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Dial Easy-to-Read series. Illustrated by Joan Holub. Seldom has the plea "Can I keep it?" been made for keeping cockroaches, as junior entomologists Leo and Sam (Breakout at the Bug Lab) discover when they try to peddle the offspring of their pair of the giant hissing variety. The energetic narrative incorporates spot-on wordplay for the beginning reader audience; insect references; and a few creepy-crawly similes to add flavor.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2005

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Holub. Warned by their entomologist mom to be on their best behavior during her lab's rededication ceremony, the narrator and his little brother panic when Max, a Madagascar cockroach, escapes. Horowitz's puns accentuate the humor in this madcap adventure. The curved lines of the illustrations soften the story, forming a comforting cocoon that may tempt the audience to try out their own reading feelers.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2001

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Kiesler. In the middle of the night, Daniel and his mother watch as horseshoe crabs come ashore and lay their eggs on the beach. The next day, when he finds a stranded crab, he helps it return to the water and tells it, "See you next summer." Though the plot is thin, the oil paintings that accompany this simple tale reflect the wonder described in the text. Factual information about horseshoe crabs is included at the back of the book.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn