(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. Their fourth outing (most recently Charlie & Mouse Even Better, rev. 5/19) takes the siblings into the Great Outdoors for a family camping trip...but first a "Boring" (the title of chapter 1) car ride. The three brief chapters that follow include a hike ("A hike! A hike! It was time for a hike!"), encounters with wildlife, and burnt marshmallows. The boys' sharp observations and imaginations contribute to the entertainment of their parents, themselves, and readers. What begins as Charlie's doldrums-fighting, ho-hum, what's-out-the-car-window story ("Once upon a time...there was a small white house near a great green mountain") ends with an epic battle between a dragon and a hawk. Amusing surprises appear at every turn (a pig in the woods?) along with straightforward and relatable expressions of ­emotion. Regarding their collapsed tent: "'That,' said Charlie, 'was a little bit scary.' 'Yes,' said Mouse. 'It was. But it was also a lot of fun.'" The parents give their kids space to play without intrusion (unless it's for food; at one point offstage Dad offers a granola bar, and who doesn't want to stop for French fries?), and Hughes's amusingly detailed but never-too-busy illustrations occasionally, unobtrusively indicate Mom and Dad's own story line.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(1) 1-3 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. This third Charlie & Mouse book spotlights Mom's approaching birthday. Over four chapters, the siblings "help" Mom make pancakes, Dad takes the kids shopping for the perfect present ("Does Mom like tape?" "Everyone likes tape"), and party preparations humorously go awry before the surprise happily comes to fruition. Hughes's graphite and Photoshop illustrations convey lots of affection for this relatable family, including its everyday harried moments.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. This story about building a treehouse is an adventure in imagination, with appealing, whimsical illustrations showing a multicultural cast of kid-builders. The text may puzzle some young readers and listeners with its layers of narration and overly poetical language. Still, the fantastical structures in Hughes's art, hand-drawn in graphite and with Photoshop, are awe-inspiring.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. In this sequel to Charlie & Mouse, four chapters detail small moments shared by two brothers and a visiting grandfather-figure, Grumpy. The exuberant text is large and clear with plenty of white space. Thoughtful word repetition ensures that the chapters build with a steady rhythm. Soft, muted illustrations with imprecise outlines match the narrative's balance of cozy and playful.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(1) 1-3 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. This beginning chapter book is full of sincere, slice-of-life sibling moments. In four chapters, brothers Charlie and Mouse spend a day together in their home and neighborhood. Oodles of white space and large font combined with textual repetition support new readers and create momentum. Hughes's graphite and Photoshop illustrations in muted tones radiate humor and heart.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(4) PS Illustrated by Emily Hughes. On a hot day, a young bear persuades his dad to head down the mountain to the river for a swim; a slip off a rock (and subsequent hurt knee) interrupts their journey, but the little bear is determined to continue. The twee text is overly sentimental, but detailed pencil illustrations (digitally colored in woodland hues) depicting cartoony bears capture the close father-son relationship.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. Expanded from a 2011 short story written in honor of Dublin's St. Patrick's Day festivities, this novel is about kids trying to shake off the "Black Dog" of malaise that has gripped their beloved city. Both an homage to Dublin and a jumping-off point for conversations about economic and emotional depression, the illustrated novel is a little short on plot but long on hope and humor.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl