(2) K-3 Illustrated by Juana Medina. When a baked-potato-loving woman decides to get a dog, she finds a "smooth" and "warm" pup and names him Baked Potato. When the lady goes out, the dog goes looking for her, and a series of encounters leads him to realize he is not, in fact, an actual baked potato. Medina's digital illustrations use color and line effectively; and though the details are quirky, the arc of Primavera's story is familiar and comforting.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) 4-6 When Libby is assigned a new pony to ride--stubborn Saddleshoes--her dreams of winning a blue ribbon get put on hold. Through hard work and personal growth, Libby overcomes friendship snafus and trouble at the stable to go on to win. The author's occasional sketchy line drawings add lively notes to the sincere story with a well-thought-out plot sure to attract horse fans.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 At her school inside a lighthouse, Ms. Rapscott--with the cheerful assistance of two meticulous, turtleneck-wearing corgis--offers life lessons to the lonely daughters of "the busiest parents in the world." An unusual plot, with whiffs of Mary Poppins, is filled with whimsical details and dashes of humor. Pencil illustrations add to the magic, occasionally taking helm of the narrative.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 When Sophie stows away on her mysterious great-aunt's "annual business trip," she not only discovers that Auntie Claus is Santa Claus's sister, but she also learns a much-needed lesson about giving. With their imaginative details and interesting perspectives, the vibrant illustrations lend pizzazz to this holiday story, which offers a whimsical view of what goes on at the North Pole.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. Angelina Neatolini's proclivity for playing in the dirt conflicts with the ideals of her neat-freak family. When a hard-of-hearing ladybug fairy godmother mistakes the word pet for pest, Angelina finds her house full of carpenter bees, pink widow spiders, and a pastry baking bug. The plot is familiar, but Docampo's vibrant, energetic gouache illustrations will charm young readers.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane Goode. Louise's new friend, a girl who claims to be from Paris (she’s from Paris, Maine), invites Louise to attend her Ooh-la-la Charm School. Charm School is a flop, but Louise learns a lesson in friendship. This book will please Louise's fans, who won't mind all the pink in the busy cartoon art or the heavy-handed moralizing in the story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Ten-year-old Libby would do anything to become the Best Rider in the World, but money is tight, and her older sister Lauren gets the lessons instead. Still, Libby's persistence makes a difference--to the run-down barn, to retired jumper Princess, and to Libby's competitive ex-friend Brittany. An engaging voice and realistic situations make this sweet chapter book a winner.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Diane Goode. As the school year starts, Louise hopes for As from her new teacher. Mrs. Pearl, however, has high expectations: "You can do better, Miss Cheese." A substitute takes over for a day; she has no expectations and makes no demands, and Louise realizes she misses Mrs. Pearl. Pink-tastic watercolor illustrations humorously capture Louise's wild imagination and her energetic mood swings.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane Goode. Louise wants black patent leather "la-di-da" shoes; instead her mother buys her squeaky "brown laced school shoes." Conflict also arises between Louise and her best friend when Fern comes to school with fancified feet. The lesson is that special-occasion shoes hurt and are not worth losing a friend over. Lively, pink-heavy cartoon illustrations (with some blatantly adult-aimed humor) keep pace with the story.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane Goode. Louise wants to star in the school play and when her best friend, Fern, gets the lead, she stops talking to her. Pink-heavy watercolor illustrations accompany the story, in which the pals are reconciled when Louise feeds Fern a line at a critical moment. The cartoon endpapers are mostly in-jokes for adults. This paper-over-board edition is notable for its bargain price.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane Goode. Louise wants like anything to be the star of the school play. When her best friend, Fern, gets the lead, Louise stops talking to her. The pals are reconciled when Louise feeds Fern a line at a critical moment. Pink-heavy watercolor illustrations reflect the life of a "divine diva" in training. The cartoon endpapers are mostly in-jokes for adults.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 When Sophie Kringle gets the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy in her school's Nutcracker play, her great-aunt Auntie Claus decides to stay home for the holidays, moving the North Pole operations to the Big Apple. This third Auntie Claus book is distractingly wordy, but the colorful acrylic illustrations pleasingly convey the unexpected consequences of arctic weather in Manhattan.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) 4-6 Fred and Anthony work hard to be lazy. They'll do anything to avoid chores and homework, even if that means getting trapped in a ghostly netherworld or investigating a compulsively clean rampaging zombie. Despite a winking line of humor aimed at adults, the varied formats, comic art, and gross jokes make this new series ideal for reluctant readers. Review covers these titles: Fred & Anthony Meet the Demented Super-Degerm-O Zombie and Fred & Anthony's Escape from the Netherworld.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Fred and Anthony work hard to be lazy. They'll do anything to avoid chores and homework, even if that means getting trapped in a ghostly netherworld or investigating a compulsively clean rampaging zombie. Despite a winking line of humor aimed at adults, the varied formats, comic art, and gross jokes make this new series ideal for reluctant readers. Review covers these titles: Fred & Anthony Meet the Demented Super-Degerm-O Zombie and Fred & Anthony's Escape from the Netherworld.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Pru, Cat, and Franny are not friends. But when new-girl Ivy faces danger, they unite to help her and find themselves living out a modern-day Wizard of Oz story. After a slow start, the girls' adventures gain momentum. Primavera's wicked witches are delightfully sinister yet silly, and she presents the girls' struggles toward friendship with a light, humorous touch.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) K-3 When young Christopher Kringle questions Santa's existence, he ends up on a magical adventure at the North Pole, where he learns that "to believe" is "the key to Christmas." The text for this second Auntie Claus book is overlong; however, the quirky, imaginative illustrations, with their rich colors, command attention.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 1-3 When Sophie stows away on her mysterious great-aunt's "annual business trip," she not only discovers that Auntie Claus is Santa Claus's sister, but she also learns a much-needed lesson about giving. With their imaginative details and interesting perspectives, the vibrant illustrations lend pizzazz to this holiday story, which offers a whimsical view of what goes on at the North Pole.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert