(3) K-3 Illustrated by Luke Flowers. This collection of songs and poems by the iconic television host offers nostalgia for adults who grew up listening to his comforting, empowering messages. As well, the combination of imagination-encouraging silliness and reassurance that it's okay to feel sad or angry sometimes should resonate with a new generation of readers. Bright, cheerful illustrations complement the rhymes and free verse, best suited to shared reading. Ind.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Stabler spotlights sixteen notable names in the fields of space, nature, physics, and inventions. Focusing on his or her youth, each entry chronicles early education, interesting escapades, and challenges (such as racism, sexism, ableism, and school troubles), then briefly summarizes the person's major adult accomplishments. Syed's cartoonlike illustrations provide regular breaks and add comedy to the narratives. Entertaining as well as encouraging to passionate, outside-the-box young thinkers. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) K-3 Pop Classics series. Illustrated by Kim Smith. Elliott and siblings hide their new extraterrestrial friend until he can find a way home(E.T.). A young Dana Scully and scaredy-cat friend Fox Mulder encounter aliens while backyard camping (X-Files). Nostalgic parents will most enjoy these bland pop-culture picture books, a retelling of the classic eighties film and a takeoff on characters from the nineties sci-fi show. Smith's slick art cartoonishly depicts the iconic characters. Review covers these Pop Classics titles: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The X-Files.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Pop Classics series. Illustrated by Kim Smith. Elliott and siblings hide their new extraterrestrial friend until he can find a way home(E.T.). A young Dana Scully and scaredy-cat friend Fox Mulder encounter aliens while backyard camping (X-Files). Nostalgic parents will most enjoy these bland pop-culture picture books, a retelling of the classic eighties film and a takeoff on characters from the nineties sci-fi show. Smith's slick art cartoonishly depicts the iconic characters. Review covers these Pop Classics titles: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The X-Files.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) YA Recasting Prince Charming as Darien, dreamboat star of a cult sci-fi show's new reboot, and the prince's ball as "ExcelsiCon," Poston delivers a sweet, breezy "Cinderella" update. A cosplay contest offers heroine Elle a chance to attend the premiere of her beloved Starfield--with Darien. This sweet rom-com smartly serves up hidden identities, unabashed fandom, thwarted yearnings, and satisfying triumphs.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Doogie Horner. Stabler spins tales of influential experiences, challenges, and people from the childhoods of an odd assortment of famous authors, from Zora Neale Hurston to Jeff Kinney. Even if some of these anecdotes feel apocryphal, the stories are first and foremost entertaining, and Horner's goofy comics-style illustrations match the humorous tone. "Fun Facts About Other Famous Writers" are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Will Staehle. In this sequel to Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye, mechanical troubles, a witch with a grudge, and an evil double all beset Warren, the cheery proprietor of a traveling hotel in del Rio's Snicket-meets-Gaiman magical world. Vivid monochromatic (black, white, and green) etching-style illustrations adorn every page to great effect, amplifying the book's engaging blend of mannered whimsy, creepiness, and folklore send-up.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Young inventors Nick and Tesla find a new lead in the search for their missing parents. After discovering a traitorous agent, the twins are kidnapped and held hostage to force their parents to convert their solar-powered invention into a weapon. As usual, this sixth series entry achieves an enjoyable balance of mystery, humor, and DIY science projects. Two-color illustrations are included.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Doogie Horner. Anecdotal accounts of seventeen famous artists' early childhood experiences, many of which will be familiar to present-day kids, demonstrate that fame didn't come in a day. Stories are grouped together thematically, into sections focusing on poverty, unpopularity, the need for persistence, and the role of the natural world. Comics-style drawings throughout add humorous touches to the breezy narratives. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kim Smith. AHHHHHHH!!! Did they have to try to shoehorn the classic holiday film into a picture book format? Actually, the result isn't bad. The writing, which describes the indoor adventures of young Kevin, whose family members forget him when they leave town a few days before Christmas, isn't much more imaginative than stage directions, but Smith captures the film's holiday-glossy mischief.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Inventor twins Nick and Tesla Holt take a break from searching for their missing parents to visit the set of a superhero movie; when a saboteur's pranks threaten to shut down production, the duo teams up with their movie-crazy friends to investigate. Series fans will welcome the returning mix of related do-it-yourself science projects and lighthearted mystery. Garrett's illustrations add energy.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Doogie Horner. This browsable collective biography introduces middle-grade readers to sixteen mostly well-known, mostly male athletes (five are women), including Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Each chapter focuses on an individual's early years, using anecdotes to illustrate character, emphasize challenges, and humanize the sports icons. The cartoony illustrations help break up the accessible text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Julia Tyler

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Science-minded sleuths Nick and Tesla are still with Uncle Newt while their parents (supposedly) research soybean irrigation techniques in Uzbekistan; these second and third capers up the ante with robotics and spy technology. The books' humor is both smart and silly, and the mysteries are surprisingly complex. Garrett illustrates tense scenes as well as instructions for the twins' experiments, which remain inventive yet simple. Review covers these titles: Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage and NIck and Tesla's Secret Agent Battle.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. In this fourth zany science-centric mystery, a science museum hires Uncle Newt and his "kinda-sorta girlfriend" Hiroko to fix life-size robot replicas of famous scientists, which are dangerously malfunctioning. But twin sleuths Nick and Tesla and their friends discover that the malfunctions are foul play. Enjoyably chaotic black-and-white illustrations and the included do-it-yourself science experiments combine to make one impressive glove.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. Science-minded sleuths Nick and Tesla are still with Uncle Newt while their parents (supposedly) research soybean irrigation techniques in Uzbekistan; these second and third capers up the ante with robotics and spy technology. The books' humor is both smart and silly, and the mysteries are surprisingly complex. Garrett illustrates tense scenes as well as instructions for the twins' experiments, which remain inventive yet simple. Review covers these titles: Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage and NIck and Tesla's Secret Agent Battle.

Reviewer: Susan Graham

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Doogie Horner. This lighthearted romp focuses on amusing or unusual stories from United States presidents' childhoods. Anecdotes of facing down bullies, overcoming personal hardships, and learning from mistakes abound. Young history buffs and reluctant readers alike will relate to the humorous, comics-style color illustrations and the breezy narrative format. An appendix of brief, quirky facts about each president concludes the volume. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Martz. Straight man Abbott is a tall brown bear and befuddled Costello is a short white bunny in this picture-book adaptation of the 1930s comedy routine. Martz alters the text very little and includes speech balloons, panels, and changing perspectives to maintain the story's pace and add clarity for young readers discovering this famous baseball comedy sketch for the first time.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Alison Oliver. Photographs by Zac Williams. Sections named for pasta shapes ("Twisted & Twirly," "Wheels & Whatever") contain recipes that use common ingredients and simple techniques with the usual caveat about grown-up help. Appetizing full-color photos show final products. Pasta trivia, creative cooking tips, and "fun facts" are scattered throughout. A chart suggesting substitutions, such as ravioli instead of tortellini, is a clever addition. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series. Illustrated by Eugene Smith. Robert and Glenn find themselves trapped with several other classmates in Lovecraft Middle School during a Valentine's Day blizzard. Worse still, they need to defeat an evil substitute teacher and a throng of abominable creatures. The plotting is formulaic, but light horror and goofy humor, along with black-and-white illustrations and a gimmicky lenticular cover, may attract reluctant readers to this fourth installment.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Scott Garrett. When Nick and Tesla arrive at Uncle Newt's for the summer, the twins find a mystery at a long-abandoned house that can only be solved with science. Luckily, their unconventional uncle gives them open access to his laboratory. Along with cartoon-style spot illustrations, Garrett illustrates instructions for the twins' experiments so readers can do them, too. A zany, fast-paced romp for science buffs.

Reviewer: Susan Graham