(2) PS Illustrated by Sakika Kikuchi. Every morning, Milo and his mom go for the same walk, "but what they see is never the same." It's not just seeing, either -- they use all their senses. When they come across a rain puddle, Milo squats down, sees himself, then touches his hand's wet reflection. Next, they hear some busy bees and smell some yellow flowers. They see a plane's contrail in the sky and hear a woodpecker in a tree. When they reach a bench, both mother and son make some art, mom using watercolor and Milo using crayons to depict a tree in the park. Milo thinks the tree looks sad and gives it a goodbye hug, whispering, "I will see you tomorrow and you will be happy." On the walk home, a friendly neighborhood dog ("full of slobber and good intentions") licks Milo's cheek, making him laugh. At home, Milo's mother writes down the story he tells her about their walk -- a nice way to recap the book' s events. While never using the term the five senses, Howe's text naturally introduces them in affable, authentic-sounding dialogue and narration. Softly outlined in pencil, Kikuchi's cheerful watercolors feature soothing pastel-toned yellows, blues, greens, and pinks. This outing contains just the right amount of detail to prompt audiences to make their own outdoor observations.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley's and Catina's lives are turned upside down when over-the-top Cousin Wagster comes to visit and commands everyone's attention. In three short chapters, themes of friendship, self-confidence, and communication emerge slowly but thoughtfully, and the story has a satisfying resolution. Whimsical watercolor illustrations depict a human-like world inhabited by animals of all kinds.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson. Firefighter-costumed Big Bob challenges quiet, sensitive neighbor Little Bob during one of their attempts to play together ("Hey! Those are girls' clothes!"). But when new girl Blossom mocks Little's Bob's dolls, Big Bob defends his friend. Feel-good illustrations eventually depict the odd trio (including Blossom, who prefers trucks to dolls) happily parallel-playing in this clear-eyed look at the folly of policing gender norms.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 As an adult, Skeezie reflects on the summer when his absent father returned home seeking reconciliation. As Skeezie tries to hold his fragile family life together, he explores his own emotions toward his parents and sisters, and is surprised by the bonds he feels. A satisfying conclusion to the Misfit books, with glimpses into adulthood for each member of the Gang of Five.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Raschka. An unlikely pair--predator and prey, otter and fish--fall in love, and Otter must decide whether to follow "the way of the otter" and eat fish, or find an alternative and stay with Myrtle. The folkloric tone of Howe's narrative with Raschka's simple watercolor and pencil illustrations provide a timeless feel to the quirky undersea tale.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 This third Misfits novel focuses on smart, opinionated seventh-grader Addie. Addie founds a gay-straight alliance, treasures her grandmother's visit, deals with an on-again/off-again boyfriend, and struggles with a friend's confusing behavior, all while trying to understand why stating her beliefs is socially problematic. Howe taps into young people's feelings and situations with ease in this verse novel.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Randy Cecil. Brontorina Apatosaurus is a dinosaur, "but in my heart I am a ballerina." The children encourage Madame Lucille to let Brontorina join their class, but chaos ensues because the studio is too small. When an outdoor locale is found, Brontorina realizes her dream. This (very) tall tale is supported by expansive oil illustrations that capture the movement and humor of the conceit.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. After Houndsley the dog admits to his best friend Catina, a cat, that he's scared to ride a bike because he doesn't know how, he discovers that Catina is also afraid--afraid to go canoeing with him because she can't swim. Appealing watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations provide the perfect backdrop for this reassuring tale of learning new skills and conquering old fears.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Amy Walrod. Imagine being a mouse who can't eat cheese. After Dolores breaks out in itchy spots and starts to sneeze, Doctor Ricotta confirms the worst: she's allergic. Walrod's illustrations of the three mouseketeer pals keep things lively with dialogue balloons and occasional comic-strip panels, while Howe's story sensibly avoids a fromage-y ending. Kids with food allergies will admire Dolores's take-charge attitude.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley loves a snowstorm when everything becomes hushed, "almost like music." Catina, however, frets that their concert might be canceled that evening. Eventually, Catina comes to appreciate the beauty of the storm, with the help of Houndsley's imagination. Delicate watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations highlight the quiet of the snow, while their gentle humor brings out the dog-and-cat friendship.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Bunnicula and Friends series. Illustrated by Jeff Mack. At Toby's birthday party, his pets Chester the cat and dogs Harold and Howie discover seven suitcases filled with animals. Naturally, Chester jumps to the conclusion that these are replacement pets, and he decides to release them. The ensuing chaos shown in Mack's bright illustrations will delight Bunnicula fans. This easy reader edition is adapted from the original picture book version.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Eric Fortune. Pete wins a contest, and the prize is a visit from the famed author of a horror novel series. Pete's pets, Harold and Howie the dogs and Chester the cat, are, however, less thrilled; in fact, Chester is sure the author has evil intentions for them and their rabbit, Bunnicula. The animals' misinterpretations of the author's peculiar ways make for entertaining reading.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Bunnicula and Friends series. Illustrated by Jeff Mack. When Chester the cat hears strange sounds on Christmas Eve, he drags dog Harold along to check the house for ghosts. After some moments that are scary for the pets (but funny for readers), they discover the culprit: Howie the puppy is hiding in the cellar because he has confused Santa with the dogcatcher. Plentiful acrylic illustrations enhance the humor.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley the dog and Catina the cat are sad because they don't know their own birthdays. So, unbeknownst to the other, each friend plans a birthday surprise. Young readers will be amused by the maneuvering to fit the two parties into one evening. Quiet humor and soft watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations support this more sophisticated easy reader.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Bunnicula and Friends series. Illustrated by Jeff Mack. The original picture book text has been adapted and reillustrated for this upper-level easy-reader format. When dogs Harold and Howie and cat Chester discover that a plate of fudge has turned white, everyone naturally suspects Bunnicula, the vampire bunny, of sucking the brown out of the fudge. Gentle humor and likable pets are sure to engage new readers.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 1-3 Ready-to-Read: Bunnicula and Friends series. Illustrated by Jeff Mack. In this satisfying chapter book adaptation from the novel Bunnicula, two family pets suspect a rabbit found in a movie theater of being a vampire. How else to explain the white vegetables, drained of their juices? In spite of Chester the cat's garlic-wearing measures, an all-juice diet solves the problem. Colorful acrylic illustrations enliven the conflict.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Catherine Stock. When a five-year-old girl's beloved grandpa dies, she tells readers about the two services for him. Although her father has converted to Judaism, Grandpa's funeral is at a church. When the family returns home, they observe the Jewish customs of mourning. The warmth of this extended family is reinforced by the rich colors of the quiet watercolor illustrations.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) 1-3 Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Dachshund Howie, in Dutch for rolling in a compost heap, is inspired to write a self-referential story about a caped canine crusader called Stinky Dog. This parody of comic-book heroes is spiked with notes from "Howie's Writing Journal," in which he discusses the trials of authorship and his hope of winning the "Newbony Award." The story is slight, but the writing and black-and-white comic-strip-style art are funny.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 1-3 Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Dachshund Howie, an aspiring writer, attempts to write a mystery story and a horror novel--each interrupted by excerpts from "Howie's Writing Journal," which describes the difficulties he encounters as an author. Young readers probably won't understand that these slight volumes are satirizing the hardboiled detective genre and the Goosebumps series, but they may appreciate the overall humor of the prose and illustrations. [Review covers these Tales from the House of Bunnicula titles: Bud Barkin, Private Eye and Screaming Mummies of the Pharaoh's Tomb II.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 1-3 Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Dachshund Howie, an aspiring writer, attempts to write a mystery story and a horror novel--each interrupted by excerpts from "Howie's Writing Journal," which describes the difficulties he encounters as an author. Young readers probably won't understand that these slight volumes are satirizing the hardboiled detective genre and the Goosebumps series, but they may appreciate the overall humor of the prose and illustrations. [Review covers these Tales from the House of Bunnicula titles: Bud Barkin, Private Eye and Screaming Mummies of the Pharaoh's Tomb II.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta