(2) K-3 Illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. The Rosca de Reyes for Three Kings Day looks delicious, but Marta is terrified of accidentally swallowing the Niño Dios figure hidden inside the cake. She fears the religious ramifications of eating Baby Jesus, as well as letting down her family on Candelaria Day in February: whoever finds the baby brings tamales to the celebration, and “no baby meant no tamales.” ­Marta’s anxieties (an appended note shares how they are based on the author’s own childhood worries) are humorously described and tempered by comical watercolor and pencil crayon illustrations featuring a cheeky Niño Dios. Eventually, Marta faces her fears, and with a “CHOMP!” triumphantly finds Niño Dios, ensuring tamales for her cheering family. Back matter also includes information on Three Kings Day.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. Child Lucy builds a spaceship that accidentally carries her dog, Laika, into outer space. Because time passes differently in space, Lucy lives a whole lifetime and is an elderly, Nobel Prize–winning scientist when she's finally reunited with her beloved pet. Told from Lucy's and Laika's alternating perspectives, the plot meanders, but Buckingham's precision with language results in beautiful descriptions. Expressive grayscale illustrations are included.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. When Great-Aunt Alice and her pampered, elegant dog Susan come to visit, Spencer and his inelegant pooch "show Susan how to be a regular dog" with a satisfying wild romp in the dog park. Though the overlong story sometimes seems directionless, the illustrations mine the humor in the contrast between well-groomed, sedate Susan and her muddy, grinning, "regular" self.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert