(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Lisa Cinar. Not-so-humble fourth grader Clara (Clara Humble and the Not-So-Super Powers) is thrilled to discover that her favorite TV game show, Smarty Pants, is coming to town. Confident she'll win, Clara begins training. But best friend Bradley is acting strangely, and Clara is uneasy with the show's girls-versus-boys set-up. Humor, ethical issues, and Clara's comics-style doodles are a winning combination in this second book.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lisa Cinar. Bear is lonely; the other forest animals are all afraid of him. Then Bear invites the others to a pre-hibernation party, which, though initially awkward, becomes quite convivial, with singing, dancing, and good food. The story is amiable if predictable, and the illustrations attract attention with their loose, spontaneous style and unusual use of color. A recipe for Bear's honey-ginger cookies is appended.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Lisa Cinar. Spunky comics-lover Clara's beloved elderly next-door neighbor is moving, and kids from rival R.R. Reginald Elementary are moving into Clara's school during building repairs. Can Clara's newly discovered "superpowers" help? Best friend Bradley starts training her, and together they hatch a series of nearly disastrous plans. Clara's story, illustrated with cartoony doodles, is an appealing combination of humor and heart.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene