(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Chris Monroe. Yolen's contribution to the squirrel-centric novel trend is a welcome addition. Nutley, a young red squirrel, finds himself in conflict with gray squirrels that have invaded his territory. He forms unexpected alliances with rats and seagulls to defeat the interlopers. Readers will painlessly learn a fair amount of squirrel facts as they enjoy this pleasant fantasy, which is accompanied by delicate line drawings.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Monroe. The narrator's older sister acts like a (stage) mother to the family cat, Kittywumpus. After Kittywumpus runs away, big sis turns her attention to the narrator ("YOU will be my new masterpiece"), which he discovers gets old fast. What happens next is funny but implausible. Still, some readers may relate to having dominated-younger-sibling status. The cartoony art looks purposefully kid-created.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Monroe. The four-year-old narrator (who sounds much older) resents his younger brother for being the larger of the two--until the toddler protects him from a bully. Lots of the story's humor (some adult-aimed) is implied rather than voiced. The illustrations have a shaky look that's a good match for the rather high-strung narrator.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Monroe. A young girl describes all of the "totally uncool" aspects of Dad's new girlfriend--she plays the tuba, sings opera to her goldfish, wears sneakers with skirts, and more. Toward the end of this list, however, she admits that Dad's girlfriend is around to help her with tests, projects, and bad days. The illustrations extend the amusing text, capturing each character's quirks and the emotions of an evolving relationship.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck