(4) K-3 Illustrated by Naoko Stoop. A red starfish named Hoshi longs to shine in the sky rather than be stuck in the ocean. While Hoshi is surrounded by unique, colorful, and magnificent creatures in her watery environment, it takes a glowing anglerfish to teach Hoshi that to truly shine requires happiness, which comes from within. Mixed-media illustrations on plywood add depth and luminance to the message-driven story.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(1) PS A little red cat meets up with an alligator, an encounter that sets this wordless--save for the upper- and lowercase letterforms--alphabet book into action. Expert, minimal, and gentle lines move the eye across each spread and to the next, an attention to forward motion that is equaled in the plot. Touches of wit and plenty of zip recommend this for lap-sit sharing.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) K-3 Young troglodyte Tek never leaves his cave, ignoring everything except his many gadgets. After the village volcano erupts, disconnecting his electronics, he discovers the wonders of the outside world. This lighthearted cautionary tale about technology addiction is enhanced by exuberant ink and watercolor illustrations. The clever formatting incorporates tablet design elements such as a battery indicator that dwindles as the story progresses.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) PS Maggie and her little bunny, Clement, host a sleepover for bear Alan Alexander and elephant Jean (savvy adults will clue in to the homage). The three animal friends play games and have a snack; Maggie reads them stories and sends them off to sleep with a poem and a goodnight kiss. The text's gentle drollery is echoed in the small ink-and-watercolor vignettes on creamy pages.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(2) PS Cartoony Louie's "perfect story" begins with a scene as banal and unsullied as it gets...until the page turn. Louie's panicked speech balloons interrupt the narrator as realistic-looking blobs of jelly and peanut butter, fingerprints, and orange-juice splatter derail his tale. Eventually Louie is able to see past the unexpected to what really matters. This well-paced story is messed up perfectly--spills and all.

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

(3) K-3 When Grouch, Grump, and Gloom 'n' Doom can't agree which one of them is the "biggest, baddest monster," they decide to create a "MONSTER monster" instead. But the plan backfires--their monster has a sweet disposition and good manners ("dank you"). McDonnell's amusing story is perfect for story time, and the playful full-page and spot illustrations complement the tone of the text.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(1) K-3 McDonnell's inspirational book focuses on the great primatologist's formative years; young Jane, with her stuffed toy chimp, studies nature wherever and however she can. Homey, earth-toned pen and watercolor pictures, simple and intimate, are accented with casually arrayed stamped motifs and some of Goodall's childhood drawings. A note about Goodall's current projects and "A Message from Jane" are appended.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2011

(4) K-3 Earl's tail wags all the time ("fwip, fwip, fwip"): for belly rubs and chewy toys, while eating or playing ball. But what makes it wag? Mooch the cat comes up with the answer: love, of course. It's a cutesy story with limited staying power. However, McDonnell's spirited illustrations exude the trademark joy of his Mutts comic strip's likable dog and cat duo.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) PS In this latest offering starring the cherry-nosed cat from comic strip Mutts, Mooch helps a bird who has slept through her feathered friends' autumnal migration. Except for the bird's occasional "weep weep weep," this quietly soul-stirring book is wordless; the sight of Mooch dutifully carrying the tiny bird through the forest advertises more strongly than words the beauty of kindness.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS "There once was a kitten so filled with love / He wanted to give the whole world a hug." Jules journeys around the world, from Africa to India and the North Pole, bestowing hugs on his friends and fellow creatures. Simple ink and watercolor illustrations decorate this well-meaning but too-precious tale about the power of love.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Mooch the cat from McDonnell's popular Mutts comic strip falls asleep under a tree, wakes up surrounded by dense fog, and, initially unsure of where he is, concludes that he must be in heaven. Though somewhat precious, the story's premise of looking at familiar surroundings through new eyes has appeal, which is enhanced by McDonnell's spare pen-and-ink drawings, reminiscent of Japanese prints.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann