(3) PS Animals try to persuade a little fox to visit a newborn baby in a stable, but the fox doesn't have a gift and would rather play. Finally, a donkey convinces the fox that its presence is gift enough. Loosely painted, carefully rendered characters are placed within a snowy landscape. This homey take on the Nativity story delivers a warm tale of love and humility.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Violeta Dabija. Accompanied by dreamy illustrations combining traditional and digital techniques, readers explore the various forms rocks take on in the world. The smooth rhyming pairs are creative and wide-reaching, ranging from "Dinosaur bone / Stepping-stone" to "Food grinder / Path winder"; simple explanations at the end clarify some of the more abstract examples. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai

(3) K-3 Whenever antagonistic Red Cat and Blue Cat cross paths, "it was NOT good. Not good at all." But they are really just envious of each other's traits. The opposites eventually learn to get along (and accept themselves) by taking a walk in the other's shoes. The succinct text is quirky, and the primary-color-saturated illustrations ably express the cats' antics and bouncy movements.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai

(4) YA Atlanteans series. In this story set following a global-warming crisis, Owen is selected to attend Camp Eden in one of Earth's four BioDomes. The lies told by the camp's administration along with Owen's physical transformation (he grows gills) set him and his friends on a quest for the truth. Though not a totally successful dystopian story, the novel will still keep many readers intrigued.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai

(4) YA Ever-Expanding Universe series. Not only does Elvie Nara find herself pregnant with an alien baby, but she is also on an orbiting cruise ship filled with other pregnant teenagers hurtling toward the Earth. Elvie's voice is distinctively sixteen, but her colloquialisms occasionally bog down the narrative. Surprising twists are sprinkled throughout the story, making for an entertaining read overall.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ty Templeton. Writer Bill Finger is the unsung champion in the creation of the Batman character. Through Finger's own hardships, readers can witness the development of Batman's history. The illustrations add an appropriate comic-book tone and atmosphere to the story. A six-page author's note contains valuable information about Nobleman's research. Bib.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai