(2) PS Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. Vincent is a peripatetic mouse who carries a small house, in the form of a die-cut hole, on his back. He temporarily settles atop a small hill, where he knows "he needed to be." When a series of animals--a bullfrog, a cat, hedgehogs, badgers, etc.--appear, all needing a place to stay, they can't believe they'll fit in Vincent's house. But it turns out that the small house is bigger on the inside; better yet, it keeps expanding. As each new animal moves in, a new house appears on the hillside, reinforcing the sense of community and spaciousness; readers are eventually treated to a delightful double gatefold revealing an entire neighborhood of symbolic homes, each one somewhat resembling the creature it represents. After an indoor feast, a bear appears. The other residents recoil in fear, but Vincent declares, "In my house, all animals are welcome." Stutzman's text possesses a subtle humor, including the use of the phrase "one by one by one by one by one by one by one" to refer to the number of creatures who seek shelter. Arsenault's textured illustrations, filled with rewarding visual details and surprises at nearly every page-turn, bring to life the snug interior world of Vincent's home. A warm, welcome, and satisfying read.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(2) PS Illustrated by Dan Santat. "Bear is a bear hopeful and shy. Bear is a bear full of love." The large furry creature becomes a baby girl's best friend, playing all sorts of roles (as a "tissue," "soft, warm pillow," etc.). Always, however, "Bear is a bear full of love." As the story unfolds the girl grows older, until finally Bear, who had been a "brave protector" when she was scared and a "piece of home" she took to college, becomes a "memory" packed away in a storage chest. But fear not, this isn't a sad tale, as eventually Bear is introduced to the next generation: a new little-girl playmate. Stutzman's (Santa Baby, rev. 11/20) declarative sentences are short and purposely repetitive, packed with meaning, which Santat (2015 Caldecott winner for The Adventures of Beekle) explores through the loving relationship between the characters in his expressive watercolor, pencil, and Photoshop illustrations. The brevity of the text allows for visual creativity, especially with humorous lines such as "Bear is a fancy lady" (accessorizing for a tea party, of course) or more serious moments (Bear, as a "scholar," sits quietly on a dorm bed as the girl works at her desk late at night). That Santat draws the creature throughout as a real bear makes the impact of the final surprise reveal all the sweeter, and upon rereading reinforces an appreciation for the ­larger-than-life presence favorite toys can have in our lives.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Heather Fox. Feeling old ("ho ho oww") and lacking holiday spirit four days before Christmas, Santa Claus makes a wish to be young again. He doesn't specify how young, though, and magically reverts to infanthood. Thankfully, Santa Baby rallies the elves to help him save Christmas Eve. He also rediscovers the "wonder of Christmas"--and his former, full-of-life self. Stutzman's lighthearted--and appropriately juvenile--text provides plenty of laughs (when being tested by the elves for Santa's essential skills, Santa Baby "chewed his list. He chewed it twice") and is playfully complemented by Fox's child-friendly illustrations. Dynamic speech balloons and a varied page layout add to the book's cartoon vibe.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Heather Fox. On Monday, Llama eats cake. On Tuesday, he splits his dancing pants ("He was still full of cake"), which makes a sound that causes a black hole in the universe to tear open. By Friday the hole has swallowed everything...or has it? Riotous cartoonish art and the dopey-looking llama's lack of self-control are to thank for this absurdist gut buster.

Reviewer: Nell Beram