(2) K-3 Toon Book series. Tippy sleepwalks, attracting followers on her somnambulistic ramblings à la the Pied Piper. In the morning beleaguered Mama wonders, "What is this MESS?!"; Tippy replies, "All I remember...is falling ASLEEP!" Carré skillfully employs a limited color palette, with warm oranges underscoring the messy mayhem of Tippy's room and cool midnight blues and slate grays providing a serene backdrop for Tippy's late-night adventures.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) 4-6 Toon Graphic series. When Philemon falls into the well on his family's farm he resurfaces on a mysterious A-shaped island in the Atlantic Ocean. After exploring the island full of Wonderland-like absurdities, Phil returns home with a tale his father doesn't believe. References to folklore, mythologies, and Robinson Crusoe (explained in back matter) abound in this richly colored, oddball graphic novel first published in France in 1972.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 Toon Graphic series. Illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti. Gaiman retells the classic Grimm tale to accompany a set of paintings by Italian graphic artist Mattotti. The narration is as dark as the India-ink art. Double-page spreads of text alternate with full-bleed paintings in which the humans are dwarfed by menacing shadows. Older readers with a taste for the macabre will enjoy this version of the tale. Bib.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. Benny and Penny set off in search of Benny's lost pirate hat. The fog makes familiar parts of the yard seem threatening, but the story ends happily with the mice safely back home and the pirate hat located. Like the others in the series, the graphic novel works well for emergent readers with its clear plot, childlike emotions, soft illustrations, and simple language.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Toon Graphic series. Translated by Richard Kutner. This title offers a Greek myth in modern styling. It's an oft-told story, and the text is nothing new or particularly noteworthy, but, with a graphic format not constrained by typical comic layouts, the presentation is open and free-flowing (if hampered by asterisks and footnotes). Character profiles and an illustrated index provide useful background information. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. After her friend blasts off in a rocket ship, a fox loses the red heart representing their love. She faces many obstacles in order to rescue it, ultimately learning that there's something more important than the quested object. This beautifully packaged tale of friendship, intended as a "first comic," concludes with a tutorial titled "How to Read Comics with Kids."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. It's cat Otto's birthday, and he cares more about presents and cake than friends and family. When Otto's birthday is stolen, he goes into a backwards land where palindromes, opposites, and all things "topsy-turvy" abound. Even birthdays are backwards there, which helps Otto figure out what they're really about. Bright cartoon illustrations and a graphic-novel format will engage emergent readers.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(1) K-3 Toon Book series. Translated by Leigh Stein. Encapsulated in each of twenty-seven one-page comic-strip dramas, Benjamin Bear's world is one of challenges both philosophical and physical. New readers will be served by the balance of story between speech bubbles and (needfully exact) illustrations. This companion to Benjamin Bear in "Fuzzy Thinking" rewards what six-year-olds are already good at (scrutiny), encourages a new skill (reading), and enlarges the imagination (heaven).

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(4) K-3 Toon Book series. Polarhog promises his grumpy best friend Barry a surprise. On a walk they stop for silly hats ("I do not like hats") and snacks ("I don't like ice cream"); it's all a distraction while ants decorate for Barry's birthday. While advertised for "brand-new readers," the quirky plot, dry humor, and subtly deadpan illustrations read older. Tips for reading comics with children are appended.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. The delightful bear who pleased new readers in Patrick in a Teddy Bear's Picnic and Other Stories is back for four more short homey adventures--eating veggies, helping Daddy, bathing, and preparing for bed. The comic format and approachable vocabulary make this book eminently suited for beginning readers. Hayes's detailed, expressive illustrations and childlike sense of fun complete the package.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(1) K-3 Toon Book series. Matilda teaches her little sister Clemmie how to catch raindrops on her tongue, jump in puddles, and search for worms, as pictured in the panels of this early-reader comic. Amidst her excitement, Matilda releases Clemmie's precious red birthday balloon into the sky. It's a tender, accurate depiction of sister dynamics, and Liniers's multihued cartoon drawings capture the siblings' distinct, expressive personalities.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. Benny can't sleep and keeps his sister Penny up, too. When Benny climbs out the window to look for his pirate hat, Penny follows in pursuit. The mouse siblings enjoy a good scare before going to bed. As in Benny and Penny's previous adventures, comic-book panels, a friendly palette of soft colors, simple speech bubbles, and a childlike escapade contribute to this book's appeal.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(1) 1-3 Toon Book series. Part graphic novel, part myth, and part beginning reader, the story tells of the Shark King, who has a son with a mortal woman. Sharks and the format will lure in readers; the subtext of bullying and self-discovery will stay with them long afterward. The characters' rounded black outlines convey strong energy and emotion, while the art features a lush Hawaiian setting.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2012

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. Maya's parents insist on dinner manners. When asked, "What if you were eating dinner with the Queen?!" a formal invite comes for Maya to eat with Her Majesty. Maya works hard to mind her manners, but soon she's slurping ketchup-covered pasta. The comedic cartoon panels build to a satisfying climactic spread as the fancy feast turns into a slobbering, finger-licking affair.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Toon Book series. In this graphic novel reminiscent of Victorian fantasy and classic fairy tales, Leah and younger brother Alan (who are about to move into separate bedrooms) awake to find themselves in a fanciful, sometimes scary world. The text's surreal imagery paired with detailed pen-and-ink drawings depicting Wonderland-like people and creatures suit this story about the disorienting anxieties of growing up.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. In this comic-style reader based on two French books, friends Chick and Chickie make masks together and then "play school"--sort of. A large letter A joins them, and Chick and Chickie tickle, throw, and scare him before leaving him alone. New readers will enjoy the friends' humorous repartee while conquering the simple, straightforward sentences. The cleanly rendered illustrations help convey meaning.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. In this episode, extraterrestrials Zig and Wikki need to return Zig's pet fly to its proper home--Earth. Seeking the perfect ecosystem, the pair decides the best fit is a farm. Scientific information relevant to their farm adventure pops up periodically on Wikki's computer-screen body. Comedic cartoon panels and small photographs and diagrams combine for an informative yet entertaining package.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(2) K-3 Toon Book series. "Are we there yet?" This familiar refrain starts off this easy-to-read picture book, very loosely based on Viva's trip to Antarctica. Mouse, with a human friend, reluctantly embarks on a sea voyage to a frigid clime. Color and design, rather than detailed pictures, set the scene, with strong shapes and a limited palette. Short, funny questions and answers will help new readers build confidence.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(1) K-3 Toon Book series. Translated by Leigh Stein. In these twenty-seven single-page stories, Coudray creates a set of visual haiku for emerging readers featuring Benjamin Bear and a variety of his friends. The koan-like content suggests something akin to lateral thinking for tots--an introduction to fuzzy logic. The book is original, deep-down funny, and, most important, the adventures are steeped in the rare quality of imaginative kindness.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(3) K-3 Toon Book series. Toon Books continues its effort to attract new and reluctant readers through the comic-book format, using detailed and refined illustrations. Hayes supplies engaging stories about bullying and napping and how his diminutive teddy bear protagonist tries to avoid each. Patrick is adorable, especially when he's wet from the rain or "ROAR!"ing his little heart out.

Reviewer: Nell Beram