(1) 1-3 Illustrated by Emily Hughes. This third Charlie & Mouse book spotlights Mom's approaching birthday. Over four chapters, the siblings "help" Mom make pancakes, Dad takes the kids shopping for the perfect present ("Does Mom like tape?" "Everyone likes tape"), and party preparations humorously go awry before the surprise happily comes to fruition. Hughes's graphite and Photoshop illustrations convey lots of affection for this relatable family, including its everyday harried moments.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) PS Frank Asch Bear Book series. One Saturday, the pajama-wearing members of the Bear family enjoy their pancake breakfast so much, they decide to wear pajamas and eat pancakes all day. Their contagious enthusiasm inspires a town-wide celebration of Pancakes in Pajamas Day, with a bicycle parade and a party on the town square. The animals sport an amusing variety of patterned pajamas in Asch's signature flat, clean-lined illustrations for this cheery tale.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Seymour Chwast. Henry goes on a pancake-making spree, and businessman Arthur J. Jinker markets him as the Pancake King. But when Henry starts to miss his family, his pancakes suffer and he walks away from fame. The bold Yellow Submarine–style art, with stylized people and mildly psychedelic details, alludes to a whimsically off-kilter world, but the overlong text doesn't have appeal. Recipe included (luckily).

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 "Chico Bon Bon had never seen a pancake do so much damage" is the irresistible beginning to tool-wielding monkey Chico's latest story. Chico's challenge: party-throwing elephant Clark is wrecking the kitchen as he cooks. Fortunately, Chico has his tools...and his wits, which he uses to stop maniac muffins on the loose. Monroe's tidy art is as marvelously straight-faced as her text.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 It's cat Findus's birthday, and Pettson, his eccentric elderly-farmer owner, is intent to make him his customary cake out of pancakes, which leads to a comedy of errors involving a sleeping bull. As in Findus Disappears!, Nordqvist takes his time, giving equal attention to the plot and the cat-human friendship. Also attentive are the illustrations, featuring bushels of country-life details.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Adapted by C. A. Krones. In this story, adapted from a TV teleplay, George and readers learn how maple syrup is made: from finding the right kind of tree to collecting and boiling the sap. While the text and illustrations are poor substitutes for the original books, the straightforward information has kid-appeal. The beloved character's fans will enjoy the lesson. Activity and quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) PS Illustrated by Susan Swan. In another seasonal concept celebration by this team (Cheers for a Dozen Ears) a family visits the local maple sugar farm to watch Mr. Sweet boil sap before they all eat pancakes at his farmhouse. Each spread features one or two colors (e.g., "pink cheeks," "silver pail," "amber syrup") that are highlighted in the festive but lumbering rhymes and pleasing collage-like illustrations.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Previously published as picture books, these beginning readers contain "slightly different text[s]." To make a pancake, Jack must cut wheat, grind grain, gather an egg, and so on. Rooster's journey to see the world is cut short when his traveling companions bail on him. Carle's striking illustrations and the approachable (though dull) texts will encourage new readers. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Pancakes, Pancakes! and Rooster Is Off to See the World.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Lumberjack Paul and his ox Babe love pancakes so much that they take a cross-country adventure in search of "their pancake fortune." Their obsession shapes the American countryside--for instance, they create the Rocky Mountains by nibbling on a mountain range grown out of sun-cooked pancake batter. Luckhurst's brightly colored, humorous folk art pops in this outlandish twist on a tall tale.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. Adika invites many friends to share his family's small supper of pancakes. His mother is sure they will not have enough food, but each guest brings something to add to the meal. The colorful, delicate illustrations include many details of village life and convey the warmth of the story. Facts about Kenya, native animals, and a recipe are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth