(3) PS Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Preschoolers will enjoy the brief rhyming text (every sentence is two or three words) and cartoony ink and digital illustrations, which follow an octopus escaping its tank and wreaking havoc on other aquarium exhibits as it's pursued by the night guard. The story subtly showcases octopus traits such as squirting ink, and back matter provides more octopus information, including stories of their escapes from captivity.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 1-3 Adventures of Jo Schmo series. Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Fourth-grade superhero Jo is honing a new talent--shape-shifting--and must channel it to stop villain Numb Skull's latest machinations (Shifty); Jo and pup Raymond get on the bad side of time-traveling pirates who team up with her nemeses for revenge (Pinkbeard's). Madcap to the max, these installments will please established series fans and newbies alike. Dormer's childlike line drawings enliven the antics. Review covers these The Adventures of Jo Schmo titles: Pinkbeard's Revenge and Shifty Business.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 1-3 Adventures of Jo Schmo series. Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Fourth-grade superhero Jo is honing a new talent--shape-shifting--and must channel it to stop villain Numb Skull's latest machinations (Shifty); Jo and pup Raymond get on the bad side of time-traveling pirates who team up with her nemeses for revenge (Pinkbeard's). Madcap to the max, these installments will please established series fans and newbies alike. Dormer's childlike line drawings enliven the antics. Review covers these The Adventures of Jo Schmo titles: Pinkbeard's Revenge and Shifty Business.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Miller's utterly believable wish to explore his town's fair on his own is thwarted first by adults and then by responsibility for his younger sister and her friends. A mistakenly eaten pie and a possible ghost add mild suspense, but the preteen's smallest concerns are the most identifiable and add the most humor. Rudimentary line drawings feel younger than the novel's characters.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 1-3 Adventures of Jo Schmo series. Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Superhero fourth-grader Jo Schmo and her faithful mutt Raymond are endowed with special powers in time to stop a villain who is terrorizing San Francisco with dead dinosaurs. Next, Jo and Raymond travel in a time machine to the Gold Rush days to find infamous outlaw Wyatt Burp. Dormer's wry illustrations of the duo's antics are especially amusing in this winning new chapter book series. Review covers these Adventures of Jo Schmo titles: Dinos are Forever and Wyatt Burp Rides Again.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) 1-3 Adventures of Jo Schmo series. Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Superhero fourth-grader Jo Schmo and her faithful mutt Raymond are endowed with special powers in time to stop a villain who is terrorizing San Francisco with dead dinosaurs. Next, Jo and Raymond travel in a time machine to the Gold Rush days to find infamous outlaw Wyatt Burp. Dormer's wry illustrations of the duo's antics are especially amusing in this winning new chapter book series. Review covers these Adventures of Jo Schmo titles: Dinos are Forever and Wyatt Burp Rides Again.

Reviewer: Nicki Richesin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Ben and his dog Aggie's fourth adventure begins with the two playing in the park. Aggie runs away, and Ben, with the same determination and care he's always shown for his pet, vows to find her. Ries's hallmarks--predictable, natural language; defined structure (with chapter-break markers)--continue here. Dormer's gray watercolor washes effectively reflect Ben's despair, while touches of bright orange signal his determination.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. In this third book about dog Aggie and her owner Ben, "Aggie is going to the vet to get spayed." Three chapters divide the text for newly independent readers while smart page breaks pace the story. Ries displays a keen understanding of kids, and Dormer's illustrations mirror and expand the text (e.g., a wordless multi-panel sequence reflects Ben's anxiety awaiting news from the vet).

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. The book's first pages show the main character's transformation from ordinary kid to heroine. The story then describes Supersister's helpful "superpowers" (e.g., tying her mother's shoes), and near the end of the story readers learn that Mom is pregnant. The protagonist's boundless energy and enthusiasm are invigorating. Dormer's zippy illustrations move effortlessly among panels, full pages, and double-page spreads.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2010

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. On the first page, readers learn "Aggie is a good dog"--except she doesn't listen and has a strong mind of her own. Ben's efforts to teach her "sit" and "stay" lead to disaster until he discovers the right motivational tools: a red ball and teamwork. Lively cartoon pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations help extend the action in this satisfying easy reader.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Kylie Bell is a short first grader who frequently runs up against "new bully-boy" Rusty Jacks. Recalling her family motto, "Brave and smart and big at heart," Kylie musters the courage to confront Rusty. However, it's an act of kindness that wins over the bully. The text's storytelling twang and illustrations' terra cotta hues give the tale a Southwestern flavor.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. When Ben goes to the pet store with Daddy, he buys a dog (Aggie), learns how a dog behaves, and finds a canine friend. The illustrations direct readers from one segment of the story to the next, and three chapters provide natural starting and stopping breaks. This valuable scaffolding contributes to a satisfying story.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2006