(2) K-3 Illustrated by Miki Sato. Della Rose Santiago (as her name appears on her “first-ever ornament”) narrates this decoration play-by-play: “Clean up your toys so the tree has a nice place to stand.” After helping with the lights, Della tells the story of each ornament as she hangs it on the tree. A pinecone from camping, a manekineko from her apan, a parol (“the oldest ornament...It belonged to Lola Reyna” from the Philippines). Toward the end, Della and the cozy collage illustrations reveal the “you” she’s been speaking to: “This year, we have a new ornament” with a new sibling’s name on it. A warm celebration of family history and holiday tradition.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cale Atkinson. A child considers the mythical pet alternatives to a boring hamster, imagining the fun one could have with unicorns, hippogriffs, dragons, etc., but also, with escalating absurdity, their drawbacks ("Manticore needs special floss"). This well-designed, rhyming flight of fancy offers a laugh-out-loud take on pet-owning responsibilities. Brightly hued digital illustrations humorously render child, creatures, and observers with infectious energy and vivid emotion.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant