(1) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Each alliteratively named Ellis child is "excellent" at something; their dog, Ed, excels at things that aren't necessarily desired (e.g., "breaking stuff"). In an affirming twist, Ed achieves his own kind of excellence in the loving home. McAnulty's playful text and Sarcone-Roach's mixed-media illustrations (which depict the Ellises as a family of color) excel at communicating the family's warmth. In a word? Excellent.

Reviewer: Megan Dowd Lambert | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Sixteen poets contemplate sixteen inventions. From haiku-like verse about basketballs to a straw-shaped poem about--you guessed it--straws, Hopkins has selected poems that engagingly relate the stories, or even speak from the points of view, of items whose invention readers may not have contemplated. Sarcone-Roach's acrylic and mixed-media illustrations give the inventions center stage. "Behind the Inventions" provides more information. Timeline.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax