(2) K-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. In this story-within-a-story, Dad reads Send for a Superhero! to Emily and little Elmer at bedtime. The silly comic-book parody stars Brad 40, a clear-thinking boy who helps save the day, and Extremely Boring Man, the most ridiculous superhero ever. Text and art shift smoothly between superhero action and bedtime antics--one funny for its off-brand superheroes, the other for its recognizable family dynamics.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(3) 1-3 Silver Street Farm series. Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. It's a busy time at the city farm: friends Meera, Gemma, and Karl and manager Flora are getting ready for the Christmas Eve grand opening. There are escaped sheep and turkeys to track down, animal thieves to catch, and preparations for the party to complete. Davies introduces some new (human and animal) characters in this lively, easy-to-read, amusingly illustrated follow-up to Welcome to Silver Street Farm.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 1-3 Silver Street Farm series. Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. Friends Meera, Gemma, and Karl want to start a farm. They’ve found the perfect location (an abandoned train station) and acquired some animals--but the city is threatening to demolish the station to build a parking garage. Will the children be able to save the farm? A feel-good start to a new series, with lighthearted pen and watercolor illustrations.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. Mischievous Little Monkey causes trouble while Big Monkey tries to work. When it's finally playtime, Big Monkey explains that he might not always like Little Monkey's behavior, but he always loves Little Monkey (Big Monkey even apologizes for being "naughty" when he--justifiably--reprimands the little one). This unoriginal message book is bolstered by lighthearted watercolor and ink illustrations and an appealing design.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. Various animals end up in a baby carriage belonging to a band of pet thieves; a substitute teacher has the Gaskitt twins running around town; and Mr. and Mrs. Gaskitt head off to the hospital. In this third book about the Gaskitts, these unrelated events come together in a grand climax. Readers will appreciate the broad humor, the cartoonlike drawings scattered across the pages, and the silly story's hint of mystery.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. In this follow-up to The Man Who Wore All His Clothes, Mrs. Gaskitt starts winning contests and the children get a cheerful substitute teacher who steals things. Alhberg uses his accomplished storytelling to tie these events together in a satisfying tale. The art, with its shallow perspective and childlike shapes, is as funny and offbeat as the chapter-book text.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. When there is a burglary at the local bank, Mrs. Gaskitt the taxi driver, her husband the department store Santa, and their twins become heroes by outwitting and capturing the thief. Ahlberg's tale starts out disjointedly but eventually builds to a satisfying and dramatic conclusion. Talking appliances and other humorous touches add appeal. The illustrations are bright, breezy, and well suited to the text.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Brand New Readers series. Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. Each of these books tells four simple stories. First-time readers are aided by short sentences and repetition, clear, entertaining illustrations, and introductions (to be read by the adult) before each story that briefly summarize the action; adults get useful tips on helping their beginning reader gain confidence.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(3) K-3 Brand New Readers series. Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. Each of these books tells four simple stories. First-time readers are aided by short sentences and repetition, clear, entertaining illustrations, and introductions (to be read by the adult) before each story that briefly summarize the action; adults get useful tips on helping their beginning reader gain confidence.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. The merest hint of a story connects exchanges of simple scientific facts between young Sam and his mother. Cartoonlike illustrations capture the characters' actions and Sam's imaginings of the biologic processes in vibrant colors. The science is clearly--and humorously--conveyed.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katharine McEwen. The merest hint of a story connects exchanges of simple scientific facts between young Sam and his mother. Cartoonlike illustrations capture the characters' actions and Sam's imaginings of the biologic processes in vibrant colors. The science is clearly--and humorously--conveyed.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges