(3) 4-6 Horace Splattly: The Cupcaked Crusader series. Illustrated by Barry Gott. An amorous villain named the "Heartbreaker" is ruining recess at Blootinville Elementary by conjuring rainstorms over the playground. All the students end up in the library, forced to listen to the surly science teacher's boring epic autobiography. It's up to Horace to set things right. Fans of the series will enjoy this humorous, quirky, fast-paced installment. Cartoony black-and-white art appears throughout.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) 1-3 Horace Splattly: The Cupcaked Crusader series. Illustrated by Barry Gott. Blue shag carpet is taking over town, and Horace must save the day. His cousin, who inadvertently eats one of the power-giving cupcakes meant for him, lends a hand...as the Annihilator. There are some loose ends, but like the four previous books, this one is quirky and fast paced. Cartoony black-and-white art appears throughout.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(3) 1-3 Horace Splattly: The Cupcaked Crusader series. Illustrated by Barry Gott. On a school camping trip, Horace and friends investigate the sudden disappearance of their teachers, who have been abducted by Clownosauruses, strange creatures reputed to steal laughs from their victims. In his guise as the Cupcaked Crusader, Horace discovers that the Clownosauruses have gotten a bum rap and really aren't that bad after all. This over-the-top story is paced at hyper speed and contains plenty of silly humor.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 1-3 Horace Splattly: The Cupcaked Crusader series. Illustrated by Barry Gott. The evil Chef Nibbles has hypnotized the second-grade Lily Deaver scout troop into doing his bidding--namely to destroy all the grocery stores and restaurants, forcing the town to eat Nibbles' Snoodles and Cheaze. It's up to fourth-grader Horace Splattly (a.k.a. the Cupcaked Crusader) to save the day. Fans of the absurd will enjoy the kitsch drama. Black-and-white cartoon art adds to the silliness.

Reviewer: Mark Adam