(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Mike Phillips. Mom's birthday present and the next-door neighbors' turtle go missing, and Poppy has injured her eye. But not even the cone of shame can stop the frisky Dalmatian from saving the day when she uses her pirate skills. In her third early chapter book, Poppy's personality takes center stage in both the internal dialogue and the loose ink and watercolor spot art.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Mike Phillips. With summer over, everyone in the family is busy, and Poppy the Pirate Dog is lonely. But when her family brings home a kitten, Poppy isn't happy. George couldn't possibly make a good shipmate--or will he? The second very-early chapter book offers a more cohesive plot than its predecessor. Loose-lined ink and watercolor illustrations afford the domestic swashbucklers much personality.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Mike Phillips. Dalmatian Poppy becomes a pirate dog when she gets a skull-and-crossbones bandana on a seaside vacation. But none of the boats the family encounters make the right pirate ship. Poppy finally finds one: "exactly the right size, it's not too fast, and there are no big scary sea monsters." Phillips's expressive, loose ink and watercolor illustrations outshine the simplistic plot.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 My Phonics Readers series. Illustrated by Mike Phillips. These easy readers begin by introducing the stories' focus sounds as well as highlighting difficult exceptions (pronunciation guides are appended). Because the texts are phonics-based, the sentences can be stilted or contrived; however, the books will likely boost a new reader's confidence. The variety of illustration styles are each eye-catching and appropriate. Additional information about phonics is included for adults. Review covers these My Phonics Readers titles: Queen Ella's Feet, Snail Trail, Chuck and Duck, Wish Fish, A Duck in Luck!, and Top Dog.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin