(2) PS Illustrated by Celia Krampien. This pre-bedtime caper, set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," cleverly showcases a precocious and charming sibling trio immersed in creative play. The story opens with a classic film noir trope--a spotlit secret agent receiving a clandestine message; however, in this case our agent is a young boy in pajamas, and the message is delivered via paper airplane. The mission (aptly titled "­OPERATION LOLLIPOP!") appears to be the brainchild of the boy's twin brother--and, like most spy stories, necessitates gadgets, intrigue, and a rendezvous. A variety of well-designed page layouts drives the narrative, including double-page spreads and smartly sequenced comic panels that enhance Bigwood's spare, singsong-y rhymes. Only after the fedora-clad agent sneaks past his unsuspecting parents, sets up a tripwire trap, and eludes the family dog is the lollipop secured. A completely satisfying double-cross by the twins' younger sister builds to a sweetly comical conclusion in which--spoiler alert--the lollipop ends up in her possession. Krampien's illustrations are clear, cartoony, and boldly outlined. Additionally, her expressive colors, moody lighting, and keen attention to background details add both narrative and visual depth. A playful title for readers looking for a little action and suspense (and welcome casual diversity) in their bedtime story.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(3) K-3 How Is It Made? series. Close-up color photos illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw material (sugar, nectar, sap) to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is Cotton Candy Made?, How Is Honey Made?, How Is Maple Syrup Made?, and How Is Root Beer Made?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS "Most marshmallows don't grow on trees / or come from storks / or even Mars." An even-tempered narrative describes marshmallows' everyday existence ("They celebrate birthdays. / They watch TV," etc.), which sounds uncannily like that of humans. The illustrations are hand-built scenes employing marshmallows, cardboard, and everyday objects, which support the book's irreproachable message that beauty can exist in oddity.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Kenneth won't accept Little Penguin's apology for eating his lollipop. Little Penguin asks readers to make funny faces to cheer Kenneth up. A new lollipop solves some problems but creates others. The digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations juxtapose icy seascapes with goofy expressions and antics. Silly text in a bold, elongated font and slapstick illustrations combine for a humorous take on friendship and ownership.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Aventurine is a young dragon with a brave--and impulsive--spirit. She escapes her suffocating family cave only to drink magic hot chocolate that turns her human. As a girl, Aventurine finds her true passion apprenticing for a chocolatier. The sensory elements of this unique fantasy are well realized, from what it feels like to develop human muscles to the lush richness of hot chocolate.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) K-3 Otter Keeper, an adult, asks his charge, Otter, to share her Easter loot with her stuffed-animal friends. As with the other Otter books, what works--vibrant art and, here, Garton's attentiveness to children's difficulty sharing (Otter takes back her candy because "it was mine")--is undermined by bland, sometimes cheesy writing.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 How Is It Made? series. Close-up color photos spill across the gutter to illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw agricultural material (cotton and wool, cacao beans, milk, peanuts) to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is a Sweater Made?, How Is Chocolate Made?, How Is Ice Cream Made?, and How Is Peanut Butter Made?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Migy Blanco. The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair introduced many wonders, but fictional attendees Lillie and Aunt Mae are focused on an electric candy machine that spins sugar into fluffy threads of "fairy floss" (what we now call cotton candy). Candy-colored illustrations are a bit garish and the telling somewhat over-sweet, but this picture book introduces an appealing little bit of history. Reading list.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maggie Caton. On the ocean floor, lonely Blobfish dreams of a life full of excitement, friends, and "delicious treats." To that end, Blobfish proclaims, "Deep-sea party! Bring a treat to share!" and inadvertently begins a wild game of telephone that spans the entire planet--and beyond. The conclusion is sweet (literally) and satisfying, and animated illustrations in candy colors bring the squishy pink protagonist to life.

Reviewer: Kayla Cottingham

(3) 4-6 In this latest series installment, Stick Dog and his ragtag group of fellow strays want Halloween candy. Can the dogs blend in with the human trick-or-treaters? As the strays propose a variety of harebrained ideas, wise Stick Dog gently redirects them to sweet success. Black-and-white stick-figure drawings add to the laughs and highlight the dogs' friendship.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jeff Newman. Using their weekly allowances of five quarters each, James and Danny try for the lone silver racer inside the gumball machine at Mr. Wright's store. Newman's ink illustrations, with strong swaths of gumball-bright colors and loose black outlines, create a retro feel. The nostalgic book harkens back to a time adults will understand, but the late author's dialogue-driven text also speaks to today's kids.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) PS Illustrated by Joyce Wan. Peep, dressed as a pink butterfly, can barely handle the excitement: "Trick-or-treating is going to be so much fun!" But Egg (now a chick after Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching) says it is "too scary...I'm not trick-or-treating." Bold colors, thick lines, and strategic use of white space and panels enhance this preschool-friendly tale about overcoming fears (and receiving candy).

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(3) 4-6 This energetic sequel reunites Miles, Daisy, Philip, and Logan, the twelve-year-olds who won the Life Is Sweet factory's candy-making contest by creating a musical candy bar (The Candymakers). Now, a tour to promote Harmonicandy results in the revelation of a fifty-year-old secret. As in the predecessor, alternating viewpoints provide insight into motivation and character. Mystery, adventure, and chocolate: sure-fire sweet spots for readers.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Whatever After series. In their latest fairy-tale adventure, Abby and Jonah land in the story of "Hansel and Gretel." Those folkloric siblings--ringers for Abby and Jonah--escape through the magic mirror, leaving Abby and Jonah to be captured by the kid-eating witch. Like its predecessors, this installment is funny and a little scary, and it delivers a gentle lesson, this time about appreciation.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) PS Love Monster greedily prepares to devour the entire box of chocolates he's found on his doorstep, but a "queasy-squeezy feeling in his heart" stops him. When he instead opens the box to share with friends, he discovers a lovely surprise they've left for him inside. Etchings with rough black lines and soft pastel coloring help convey the sweet story's when-you-give-you-get sentiment.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) 1-3 Notebook of Doom series. The members of the Super Secret Monster Patrol are at it again when they find mysterious footprints in the ground and random piles of candy everywhere. The trio suspects several monsters, but the kids eventually discover the real culprit of the destruction: the massive P-Rex ("Piñata-saurus Rex"). This fifth laugh-out-loud story includes black-and-white illustrations that will keep readers in stitches.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(2) K-3 This absurdist version of French folktale "Drakestail" stars a farmer duck who is wealthy in jelly beans. When a little-boy king "borrows" his jelly beans, Duck sets off to get them back. Along the way he makes some odd yet helpful friends. Gerstein's pen-and-ink, acrylic, and colored-pencil illustrations employ a cheerful palette, with scribbly lines and dialogue bubbles.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. In this meticulously crafted sequel to Mr. and Mrs. Bunny--Detectives Extraordinaire!, Madeline wants to save enough money for college; Mrs. Bunny, done with sleuthing, wants to be queen. Somehow these two radically different desires result in both of them taking an ocean liner across the pond (Madeline's parents have serendipitously inherited a sweet shoppe in England). Much inspired lunacy and madcap adventure ensues.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Liz Pichon. This cheerful but slight spin on a classic tale reimagines Jack squandering his family's dwindling money on a big bag of glittering jelly beans. Descriptions of jelly bean feasts may appeal to sweet-tooth readers, but the story offers little new substance. Still, kids will enjoy ogling the eye-popping, rainbow-hued illustrations in which Pichon sweetly captures the familiar characters.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) PS Animals eagerly buy Red Panda's candy apples (though it's hard for him to let the treats go). When only one is left and both Duckling and Bushbaby want it, Red Panda offers the extra one he set aside for himself. Sweet little faces messy with red candy residue and the theme of reluctant sharing lend appeal and tension to an otherwise tame tale.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden