(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Ranch dog Charlie feels called to live like a rock star--i.e., he dons sunglasses and a scarf and tries to avoid physical work. His human family supports his play-acting, but when garden pests disturb his beauty sleep, Charlie is all business. Charlie's adventure is underwhelming, but the easy-to-read text and energetic illustrations may appeal to new readers.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Basset hound Charlie tries to outsmart a determined carrot-loving rabbit in this book for beginning readers. After a chase and a couple of naps, Charlie strikes a deal and gains a new friend. As usual, Charlie's low-key, low-energy approach to life provides the story fodder, but his quirky narration may frustrate new readers. DeGroat's friendly illustrations give those readers an able assist.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Basset hound Charlie experiences sledding with his family and puts up with a visiting dog who encroaches on his "personal space" in these two short books. As in his picture book adventures, Charlie's low-key, low-energy approach to life provides fodder for the stories. Here, the quirky narration may frustrate new readers, but DeGroat's friendly illustrations give those readers an able assist. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie's Snow Day and Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where's the Bacon?.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Basset hound Charlie experiences sledding with his family and puts up with a visiting dog who encroaches on his "personal space" in these two short books. As in his picture book adventures, Charlie's low-key, low-energy approach to life provides fodder for the stories. Here, the quirky narration may frustrate new readers, but DeGroat's friendly illustrations give those readers an able assist. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie's Snow Day and Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where's the Bacon?.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Charlie the ranch dog thinks he has Christmas preparations "well under control"--until an unexpected surprise. The new kitty won't be ignored, but despite his attempts at indifference, Charlie finds a place for it on the ranch. The basset hound's colloquial narration is forced, but the emotive illustrations portray his lackadaisical temperament clashing with Kitty's energy. A Christmas cookie recipe is appended.

Reviewer: Meredith M. Sittman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Ranch dog Charlie, a lazy basset hound, doesn't run, dig, or jump like his energetic sidekick Suzie. But when the cows start snacking in the farmer's garden, Charlie is right there to shoo them away. This is more an homage to the author's own pet than a story. DeGroat's illustrations capture both expressive dogs' antics. A gratuitous lasagna recipe is included.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Curtis acquires a dog in the wake of his parents' divorce, but Sammy bites, and the family eventually finds him a home on a farm with experienced dog owners who can train him properly. Although this might not be the story that Hurwitz's fans expect, it is told with her customary empathy and clear style while stretching boundaries a bit for her readers.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2000

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Diane deGroat. While the penguins Gus and Gertie wait for a taxi to take them to their vacation hotel, they meet a "scumm[y] swarm of seagoing scallywags" who hoodwink Gertie out of her valuable pearl. As Gus examines the Polaroid pictures he's taken, he finds clues to the identity of the thief. Watercolor illustrations show the photographs in this silly, though slight, mystery.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Based on the childhood of the author's mother, this engaging episodic novel follows the everyday adventures of third-grader Anna Sherwood growing up in pre-WWI Baltimore. Hahn's use of the present tense helps keep nostalgia at bay, as does the energetic, just-dashed-off quality of deGroat's rough pencil sketches.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 1999

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Diane deGroat. Hanukkah is a negligible holiday in Marla Feinstein's very-secular family. In the believable voice of a disgruntled fourth grader, Marla determines to make some changes; she rails, "If we can't have Christmas because we're so Jewish... then let's at least be Jewish." DeGroat's background illustrations show friends and family in sweet closeness in this gentle and funny holiday story.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1998