(3) K-3 Green Light Readers series. Illustrated by Ed Briant. It's Valentine's Day, and best pals Petal (an elephant) and Poppy (a rhino) have a mystery on their hands: someone is showering them with presents and cards, but who? Beginning readers will take pleasure in spotting the answer long before Petal and Poppy do, thanks to the gently humorous illustrations. It's a sweet celebration of the holiday--and of friendship and gratitude.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Green Light Readers series. Illustrated by Ed Briant. Best pals Petal, an elephant, and Poppy, a rhino, are quite the odd couple. Worrywart Petal plays tuba; Poppy is a "BANZAI!"-shouting scuba diver. In their first outing, Petal's tuba-playing rescues Poppy. In Penguin, Poppy handles Petal's germaphobia (among other issues) when a visitor arrives. At times, Poppy's voice sounds too grown-up, but the comic book–style illustrations offer a fresh approach to easy readers. Review covers these Green Light Readers titles: Petal and Poppy and Petal and Poppy and the Penguin.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Green Light Readers series. Illustrated by Ed Briant. Best pals Petal, an elephant, and Poppy, a rhino, are quite the odd couple. Worrywart Petal plays tuba; Poppy is a "BANZAI!"-shouting scuba diver. In their first outing, Petal's tuba-playing rescues Poppy. In Penguin, Poppy handles Petal's germaphobia (among other issues) when a visitor arrives. At times, Poppy's voice sounds too grown-up, but the comic book–style illustrations offer a fresh approach to easy readers. Review covers these Green Light Readers titles: Petal and Poppy and Petal and Poppy and the Penguin.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Green Light Readers series. Illustrated by Ed Briant. After spooking "scaredy-cat" elephant Petal, rhino Poppy removes her mask and explains, "But it is still me. See?" Roles are soon reversed when Poppy is frightened by a haunted house, and Petal bravely befriends a ghost. ("It is only a costume," Petal tells herself.) But could it be a real ghost? The text and friendly comic book–style illustrations suggest conflicting answers, befuddling readers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ed Briant. After a professor's intriguing but impractical invention fills his house, the city inspector condemns the dwelling. Luckily the Contemporary Art Museum comes to the rescue. The language is playful and witty, but occasionally the rhyme's hard to find. Varela's underlying message of "art for art's sake" is more for adults than kids. Briant's illustrations feature energetic black lines and judicious use of color.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(2) PS Illustrated by Ed Briant. Since "Baby brother Joe needs a nap, nap, nap," his resentful big sister can't go to the parade. The paper-construction pictures tell most of the story, while the words provide rhyming embellishment. The girl creates her own parade out of construction paper, then falls asleep and dreams her parade into life. The layers and synergies within these pages will keep repeat performances fresh and lively.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004