(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. The author and illustrator of the hugely popular Tacky the Penguin series team up again for a book about Tacky's opposite: painfully shy Mousetta, who "never squoke a squeak." She is so shy that she walks backward to avoid meeting anyone. She scurries out of sight, she hides; she's ­nothing like the three "really popular" mice in her class who are "cool," "gorgeous," and "awesome." When Dr. Gladpaw advertises a workshop to "make you feel outgoing," she signs up and attends with a bucket on her head. To her surprise, three other mice show up with their heads covered up, too. Everyone is in peril when a group of foxes appears ("Foxes in the area! Run and take cover!"), and it is Mousetta who finds her voice and saves them all. Lester's comic timing is right on cue, and Munsinger's watercolors against bright white pages use lots of smaller panels to capture each moment of the story with humor and fun. This is a great read-aloud with lots of different opportunities for discussion.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Because badger Boris can't sleep when he's supposed to (during the day), he naps all night and misses out on exciting school activities. Finally, he finds a way to banish his bedtime distractions and sleep soundly all day so that he's able to participate at school. The nocturnal twist sets this bedtime story apart, as do the humorous and engaging watercolor illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. While his penguin pals do all the work preparing for Halloween, "Snacky Tacky sampled the treats." Their haunted igloo is a spooky success until three hunters dressed as ghosts arrive and demand "all yer yummy treats / Or we do something skearies." Not a problem, if there were any treats left. The affectionate text and nonthreatening illustrations play up the absurdity of the situation.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Eight previously published (and previously reissued) picture books are gathered here in this hefty collection. A Porcupine Named Fluffy; It Wasn't My Fault; Me First; and Princess Penelope's Parrot are among the selections. Lester's silly stories, which feature palatable morals, are enhanced by Munsinger's lively illustrations.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Fragility the hippo dissolves into tears at the slightest provocation. She's a stalwart soccer goalie, however, and when Rudy the elephant taunts her, hoping to insult her out of the way, she replies in kind--and this time Rudy's feelings are hurt. Munsinger's humorous illustrations deflect any hint of didacticism as the two adversaries begin an unlikely but satisfying friendship. A downloadable audio version is available on the publisher's website.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Princess Penelope is given a parrot that, despite the princess's threats and name-calling, refuses to speak. When rich--and eligible--Prince Percival comes calling, however, the parrot regains its voice and gets its revenge. The tongue-in-cheek starchiness of the text is well met by the hyperbole of the illustrations of Penelope and her unrestrained extravagances. A downloadable audio version is available on the publisher's website.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1996

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Legendary monster Nessie's son Angus is banished to his room for being messy. When his personal junk pile bursts through the surface of the loch, one look at "land-monsters"--a goat, duck, and cow--scares Angus into cleaning up and remaining in the lake's depths where he belongs. Munsinger's watercolors further the silly humor. A Scottish glossary is included.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. "Ewetopia was not comfortable in her own wool." In a complicated story (involving a costume party, mistaken identity, and a tantrum-prone wolf), she learns to love who she is. Munsinger's playful illustrations depict each character's wide range of emotions. Some of the many sheep puns--"she knitted her eyebrows (a sheep thing)"--may confuse the intended audience. A free audio version is available on the publisher's website.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. A wizard, a fairy, and a magic chicken all think the same thing: "I am the greatest in the world." Their humorously competitive attempts to out-magic one another result in the three needing to work together to defeat the monsters they create. Munsinger's lively illustrations make the most of Lester's nimble text, which delivers its message with a light touch. A free audio version is available on the publisher's website.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. These reissues (downloadable audio versions available on the publisher's website) feature silly stories, winsome illustrations, and palatable morals. Murdley Gurdson's lost shoe sets off a chain reaction of blame in My Fault. Pig Scout Pinkerton's greed gets him more than he bargained for in Me First. Porcupine is an amiable and ridiculous story about embracing oneself. Review covers these Laugh-Along Lessons titles: It Wasn't My Fault, Me First, and A Porcupine Named Fluffy.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1992

(2) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. These reissues (downloadable audio versions available on the publisher's website) feature silly stories, winsome illustrations, and palatable morals. Murdley Gurdson's lost shoe sets off a chain reaction of blame in My Fault. Pig Scout Pinkerton's greed gets him more than he bargained for in Me First. Porcupine is an amiable and ridiculous story about embracing oneself. Review covers these Laugh-Along Lessons titles: It Wasn't My Fault, Me First, and A Porcupine Named Fluffy.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1986

(4) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Despite extra-long ears, rabbit Buddy garbles his parents' requests: his father asks for a pen, Buddy brings him a hen, etc. After straying into the den of a hungry bear, Buddy finally learns the value of paying attention. Munsinger's watercolor and ink illustrations are full of amusing details, but the story misses its mark by not making clear that Buddy has a listening, not a hearing, problem. A free audio version is available on the publisher's website.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Laugh-Along Lessons series. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. These reissues (downloadable audio versions available on the publisher's website) feature silly stories, winsome illustrations, and palatable morals. Murdley Gurdson's lost shoe sets off a chain reaction of blame in My Fault. Pig Scout Pinkerton's greed gets him more than he bargained for in Me First. Porcupine is an amiable and ridiculous story about embracing oneself. Review covers these Laugh-Along Lessons titles: It Wasn't My Fault, Me First, and A Porcupine Named Fluffy.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1985

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. The penguins of Nice Icy Land are hard at work, preparing the "Perfect Party for Tacky the Penguin's Birdday." But things don't go according to plan, and with odd bird Tacky, you really should expect the unexpected. But if your Perfect Party is sliding headlong into disaster, what do you have to lose? Munsinger's appealing illustrations celebrate the humor in Lester's lively text.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2013

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. In his rush to snatch all the loot at the treasure hunt in the park, greedy Gruntly pig gets the rhyming clues all wrong. The other animals finish first but don’t grab his portion of the prize; Gruntly finally shares with them. Comical, expressive illustrations complement the playful language. Readers get the added pleasure of guessing the clues before Gruntly does.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Wodney Wat loves his new talking robot--it helps him pronounce his Rs. Then bullying classmate Camilla Capybara returns, making life miserable for Wodney and his friends. When the robot malfunctions and starts to roar ("like tigers...or grizzly bears...or lions"), Camilla skedaddles--again. With its humor, action-packed illustrations, and staunch defense of the underdog, this is a welcome sequel to Hooway for Wodney Wat.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. How can Nice Icy Land's penguin colony defend itself from a trio of hunters? Dress Tacky up as Santa, complete with shaving cream beard. The hunters think they've stumbled upon "Sandy Clawz," and all visions of hunting penguins dance out of their heads. Munsinger's jolly illustrations ratchet up the silliness of Lester's laugh-out-loud story. A CD of holiday songs is included.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. In his funniest adventure yet, Tacky is a happy camper, but of course not a typical one. As Munsinger's always-inviting cartoon art shows, Tacky decides that roughing it involves a television, bunny slippers, and pizza. Lester and Munsinger rely on the same bird-of-a-different-feather formula that informs all the Tacky books, but this one's tighter and less preachy than some of its predecessors.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009

(3) PS Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Kudos to this board book version of Lester and Munsinger's beloved Tacky the Penguin, presented with unaltered art and text.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. "Ewetopia was not comfortable in her own wool." In a complicated story (involving a costume party, mistaken identity, and a tantrum-prone wolf), she learns to love who she is. Munsinger's playful illustrations depict each character's wide range of emotions. Some of the many sheep puns--"she knitted her eyebrows (a sheep thing)"--may confuse the intended audience.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi