(4) 1-3 Animal Inn series. Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The Tyler family animals (A Furry Fiasco; Treasure Hunt) think they are taking a trip to school, but the first-grade class comes to visit them at Animal Inn instead. Narrated by Coco, the Tylers' chocolate Labrador retriever, the engaging if predictable story's short chapters are filled with misunderstandings that create mild tension and humor. Muddy half- and full-page grayscale illustrations are included.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) 1-3 Animal Inn series. Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The Tylers, (human) owners of the Animal Inn, provide pet services and boarding, offering "any habitat a guest might need." In both formulaic installments (each narrated by a different animal inhabitant), a rumor of a scary upcoming guest gets the family pets in a tizzy. Short chapters, humorous misunderstandings, and peppy narrators will appeal to new chapter-book readers. Muddily produced black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers these Animal Inn titles: A Furry Fiasco and Treasure Hunt.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) 1-3 Animal Inn series. Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. The Tylers, (human) owners of the Animal Inn, provide pet services and boarding, offering "any habitat a guest might need." In both formulaic installments (each narrated by a different animal inhabitant), a rumor of a scary upcoming guest gets the family pets in a tizzy. Short chapters, humorous misunderstandings, and peppy narrators will appeal to new chapter-book readers. Muddily produced black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers these Animal Inn titles: A Furry Fiasco and Treasure Hunt.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(2) PS Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. For one little girl, a jaunt on the New York subway is a great opportunity to count from one ("1 MetroCard") to ten ("10 friends sway, boogie and bop...") and back down again. The pleasantly rhyming and nicely cadenced text is full of the sights and sounds of a (sanitized) subway ride. Yaccarino's graphically dynamic, crayon-box-colorful illustrations feature cheery retro-looking passengers.

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

(3) PS Illustrated by Huy Voun Lee. The lively activity of young children comes to a halt when they hear the school fire alarm. Startled faces look to teachers as the direct, rhythmic text introduces the rules and procedures for a fire drill: "Do not run. / Do not talk. / Watch the teacher. / Walk. Walk. Walk." Colorful cut-paper collages fill the pages with texture and movement.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. This alphabet book explores the fast-paced world of stock car auto racing. Zippy cut-paper illustrations accompany the rhyming text: "P is for Pace Car, Pit Stop, and Pole. / Q is for Qualify--reaching your goal." NASCAR fans will appreciate the authentic terminology while the appended glossary of racing terms will be helpful to readers less familiar with the sport.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. When jazz pianist Lee loses his hearing, he has to leave his band. Lee learns sign language, which, to him, "looked like jazz," and meets other deaf musicians. Soon, they're rehearsing together on the subway, making music with their hands. Vibrant art (some textured, some flat), interesting angles, and rhythmic, musical text contribute to the jazzy, upbeat feel of the story.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Hays. In this sequel to Abiyoyo, Grandpa's magic wand again brings to life the ravenous and dunderheaded giant. The story is about the value of kindness, diplomacy, and compromise. The gauzy, rainbow-hued illustrations provide a rollicking backdrop.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2001