(3) K-3 Illustrated by Hadley Hooper. Two brown-skinned siblings explore their new house through the lens of imagination. Divided into three chapters, the witty and charming narrative is a good deal longer than the average picture book, ideal for a family read-aloud. The illustrations, rendered with traditional printmaking techniques and finished in Photoshop, use primary colors, bold patterns, and pleasing textures to bridge the real and the imaginary.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Mom and Max (Weekends with Max and His Dad) road-trip from Michigan to Pennsylvania for a family event. Third grader Max's excitement conflicts with his urge to be fair to both his divorced parents. Lively black-and-white illustrations highlight Max and his mother's special weekend together. Like all families, Max's has challenges, but the warmth, heart, and respect among its members affirms that these difficulties are surmountable.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Katie Kath. Third grader Max's parents are newly divorced, and his dad is settling into a new apartment. Though children of difficult divorce might find it overly sunny, most will find the story (which takes place over three weekends) comforting and familiar. With likable characters, cheerful black-and-white illustrations, and a story just right for budding chapter-book readers, this projected trilogy is off to a good start.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum. Milo is sucked into a clothes dryer and transported to another world inhabited by a race of giant ogres who snack on human children. Survival and escape are Milo's goals, but then he discovers others have been captured. Milo finds his inner hero in a hectic, hilarious series of revelations, chase scenes, and near-death experiences.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(2) PS Illustrated by Madeline Valentine. Henry's doting family members fall over each other with cries of "Let me!" when Henry wants to make his own meal or brush his own "widdle toofers." Henry is sick of it. The text, with the parents talking in baby talk while Henry shows his competence, is a laugh-out-loud riff on "The Little Red Hen"; droll graphite and gouache cartoon drawings are irresistible.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(2) 4-6 Instructed to make a color wheel, Ruby completes the assignment by making one just like the art teacher's. This, Ruby believes, is what she's "supposed to do." But then she begins to wonder: "What if there is no such thing as 'supposed to'?" Ruby begins to ponder her role as "the good girl" in a story by turns thought-provoking, humorous, and poignant.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(2) 4-6 Shy Mattie and her mama come to live with Uncle Potluck, the custodian of the school where, in one week, Mattie will enter fifth grade. Mattie helps Uncle Potluck get the school ready and takes a sense of security from keeping her Custodial Wisdom notebook; in doing so, she begins to find her voice. Her slow and painful self-examination is honest and true.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(3) PS Illustrated by Henry Cole. Mouse is mad (for some reason). The other animals are better at hopping, stomping, screaming, and rolling around in anger--making Mouse even madder. In the end, Mouse learns that being himself is the best antidote to a bad mood. Mouse's exaggeratedly furious faces amidst nature's calm are the highlight of this story about individuality and self-expression.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(2) 4-6 Ten-year-old Zoe dreams of becoming a famous piano prodigy. Instead of a piano, though, her father brings home a Perfectone D-60 organ. Zoe's witty voice narrates the book's short chapters. Readers will identify with Zoe's insecurities, laugh at her quirky family, and feel her pride in this winning story about family, friendship, self-confidence, and dreams come (realistically) true.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2008