(2) K-3 First-day-of-school anxiety and the fear of not fitting in take a hair-raising twist when aspiring werewolf Sophie begins howlergarten. Sophie wants "to be part of a pack" but worries she'll never grow fangs or a bushy tail like her werewolf parents. As she struggles through "furry fun were-activities," humorously depicted in Shum's comic-style illustrations, Sophie discovers that being in a wolf pack runs deeper than fur. While Sophie's desire for community will resonate with all readers, Shum uses the werewolf theme to subtly subvert ideas of which identities and social behaviors equal acceptance, imagining a world where everybody has a pack.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) K-3 Anzu is a Godzilla-like kaiju from a fearsome family of lightning-summoning, mountain-tossing monsters. Being a kaiju, Anzu wants to make his family proud, but there is a problem: his superpower is...flowers. When the day arrives to attack his first city, Anzu endearingly fails. Instead of destruction, he inspires dancing; rather than havoc, he sparks happiness. Left questioning his own kaiju-ness, Anzu is helped by his grandmother to deliver a city-shaking attack ("BOOOOOM!"), but Anzu's satisfaction soon shifts to regret, leading the young kaiju to use his flower power ("BLOOOOOM!") to repair the damage. This compassionate gesture earns the admiration of the city's inhabitants and Anzu's family, and, perhaps most importantly, allows the creature to name his own self-worth. "I may not strike fear like a great kaiju... But I am a good kaiju." Shum's animated watercolor, ink, and digital illustrations seamlessly navigate various page layouts, while the lush palette reflects Anzu's ever-changing emotions. Nearly every visual element of the book (figures, sound effects, caption/panel borders, etc.) is rendered in a textured black line, resulting in a pleasingly cohesive aesthetic. More sweet than scary, this heartfelt story naturally incorporates specific elements of Japanese culture into impressive picture-book storytelling.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(3) PS Walt Disney Animation Studios Artist Showcase series. Holly the hippo bravely rescues her little sister's toy pig from a tree, but she's less assured when it comes to swimming pools. Her dad answers her "what if" questions, and eventually necessity (i.e., rescuing the toy from the pool) helps her overcome her fear of the water. The mainly pink digital illustrations do a thorough job depicting Holly's range of emotions.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth