(2) PS Illustrated by Jorge Martin. For beginning readers grappling with the intricacies of both phonics and friend groups, this picture book tackles the two together, telling the story of relationships between letter pairs. At the start, Q and U are an inseparable duo and do everything together. "But even though they were good friends, there was a problem. As much as Q loved U, U began to see that Q needed her more than she needed him." Trouble ensues. U begins spending time with N, T, and S, but Q struggles to form other bonds ("It never quite worked...'Hey, qids!'"). The bright, exaggerated cartoon art with its personified alphabet illustrates the situation using words and actions that show the letters working together (or not, in Q's case). U eventually goes off to spend some time alone (and "unattached"), inspiring all the others to seek their own "me time." This creates havoc, as important and necessary words--such as sleep and play--cannot be formed. The social dynamics worsen, and everyone begins to quarrel, until finally Q and U reconcile and insist upon "Quiet." Just as readers of this entertaining picture book gain a better understanding of how letters actually work together to form words, the letters themselves develop a better sense of how to be more emotionally supportive friends, thus offering some insight into our own social needs and the needs of others.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jorge Martin. Little Taco Truck has loyal (anthropomorphized animal) customers but finds his business (and ego) threatened when some other food trucks--Miss Falafel, Jumbo Gumbo, et al.--start taking the good parking spots and doing business on his street. The text-heavy story, featuring chunky art majoring in produce-aisle colors, gently promotes the fine idea that collaboration is an antidote to competition. Glos.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Jorge Martin. A wordless spread shows a man and boy being quiet at home. Then the man sneezes ("Ah...Ah...Ah...Ah-choo!") and frightens the boy, who drops his ball out the window: "Biff! Bop! Boom! Boing!" The pair chases the ball through town, each interaction in alphabetical order. The onomatopoeic text and the sense of motion in the cartoony illustrations make for a boisterous addition to alphabet-book collections.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jorge Martín. Bob's life with his dog Rex "was perfectly neat and fine, except...they were very, very poor." They start a pet-sitting business, but when fairy-tale characters begin dropping off their animals, trouble ensues. The house gets wrecked, culminating with a "puppy" (a.k.a. the Big Bad Wolf) blowing it down. Clever nods to the familiar stories, loads of sound words, varied typography, and childlike art capture the book's playful spirit.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jorge Martin. Cats make better pets than dogs--just ask this book's feline narrator. Despite the tabby's protests, a child adopts a pup at the same time. Bright, childlike paintings reveal that the smug-seeming narrator is not as secure in the new owner's affections (nor as well behaved) as claimed. Eventually the cat rethinks its stance, resulting in a heartwarming conclusion: "sometimes a dog can be...purrfect."

Reviewer: Katie Bircher