(3) 4-6 Dragon Keepers series. Illustrated by John Shroades. Book six of the series sees cousins Daisy and Jesse following their dragon, Emmy, to help Santa Claus. But something's fishy at the North Pole, and it turns out that the person they've been helping is actually the legendary hero Beowulf. Younger readers may crave the real-deal Santa, but there's adventure and magic aplenty. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations open each chapter.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Dragon Keepers series. Illustrated by John Shroades. Cousins Jesse and Daisy are visiting their grandmother (without dragon Emmy). They discover a golden Thunder Egg, containing a baby dragon, and are pulled into the Watery Realms. Mythical characters abound, from selkies to mermages to underwater zombies, in this fifth series entry that will keep fans reading. A (gimmicky) "dragon footnote" feature throughout directs readers to the series' website.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Dragon Keepers series. Illustrated by John Shroades. Just when Dragon Keepers Jesse and Daisy think they're getting the hang of taking care of Emmy, the dragon runs away to a volcanic underworld called the Fiery Realm. Fans of the series won't be disappointed by this fourth adventure that features as much tween sass as it does magic. Black-and-white chapter-opening illustrations enhance the story's element of wonder.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Dragon Keepers series. Illustrated by John Shroades. In their third book, Jesse, Daisy, and dragon Emmy must save the professor from St. George's wicked girlfriend. Imaginative descriptions of the Scriptorium (a dragon library) and Uffington Castle, as well as a growing cast of characters, will keep young readers engaged in the expanding magical realm. The story progresses at a good pace and includes some nods to children's classics.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Shroades. In this tall tale, young cowboy Rocky is a dinosaur wrangler of unparalleled courage and daring. As such, he's called upon to tame a pesky T. Rex. Their rassling takes them across the country, touring some natural landmarks along the way. The illustrations' subdued greens and browns work well with both the Old West cowboy and dinosaur characters.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 4-6 Dragon Keepers series. Illustrated by John Shroades. Ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy (The Dragon in the Sock Drawer), along with their cutesy young dragon Emmy, must stop dragon slayer Saint George from seizing the forest and controlling its creatures. This light fantasy moves quickly, with colorful characters in a well-developed world. Each chapter begins with a scene-setting black-and-white illustration.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Shroades. Clement C. Moore's poem is the inspiration for this dino-themed adaptation: "'Twas the night before Christmas in dinosaur land. / Tyrannoclaus hurried, his helpers at hand." Somewhat garish cartoon-style illustrations show Tyrannoclaus and his assistants busily preparing for Christmas in a sleeping volcano called the North Pole. Dinosaur fans will be pleased with the text's rhymes: "On Raptor! On Rexy! On Mimus and Saurus!"

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 Dragon Keepers series. Illustrated by John Shroades. After an unusual-looking "rock" hatches, cousins Jesse and Daisy are stunned to find a newborn baby dragon inside. As they puzzle through how to care for their new charge, wicked Dr. St. George plans to steal her. The story moves along at a quick clip, with the baby-talking dragon taking center stage. Black-and-white chapter-opening illustrations set the scenes.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey