(2) K-3 Illustrated by Qin Leng. Piper Chen loves to sing, from offering a morning song to the sun, to joining the chorus of frogs in the pond, to singing goodnight to the moon. Whether she's "practicing her whistle" or "listening to Nai Nai's homemade jiaozi pop," Piper finds music all around her. When she's offered the chance to sing a solo in her school's spring concert, Piper is initially excited and then gripped by stage fright, feeling as if "butterflies were having a dance party in my belly!" This isn't like singing to a stuffed animal audience. With compassionate guidance from Nai Nai, Piper learns to transform the fluttering butterflies into sources of strength and excitement. Leng's lively ink, watercolor, and oil pastel illustrations render scenes of Piper's interactions with Nai Nai and her classmates with tender detail, enhancing the story's emotional depth. While the outcome isn't in doubt, Piper's sincerity and the themes of courage and self-expression make this book an uplifting choice, inspiring readers to embrace their passions and face their fears with courage.

Reviewer: Weileen Wang | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) K-3 This second installment about T. rex Penelope (We Don't Eat Our Classmates, rev. 9/18) centers on the school talent show. Penelope loves to rock and roll, and using her "bravest purple marker," she signs up to perform--but her anxieties get the best of her ("Can dinosaurs even play guitar?" asks an unhelpful schoolmate). It isn't until Daddy Rex gives her a pep talk ("Being a T. rex is only part of who you are") and shows her a family photo album spotlighting her ancestors' varied achievements (including competitive eating and figure skating) that Penelope gets the courage to try again. Higgins employs thick lines and lush hues in illustrations "created using scans of treated clayboard for textures, graphite, ink, and Photoshop." Strong use of scale and perspective effectively emphasizes the otherness Penelope feels. A mixture of layouts and formats paces the visual narrative steadily, complementing the rhythmic and spirited text. Humorous asides appear in speech balloons, with dialogue adding depth to both story line and characters. The cast of humans reflects a variety of racial identities, physical abilities, sizes, ages, and religions. Endpapers feature a classroom clothesline display adorned with artwork made by real-life children (the author thanks them in the dedication).

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) 4-6 Olive feels left out when all her friends make plans for the fifth-grade variety show until she decides to use her own strengths to be the emcee. This full-color graphic novel makes smart use of panels and a friendly pastel palette. A sweet, Raina Telgemeier–lite story featuring supportive and realistic relationships among the diverse cast of characters.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Zoe Si. Fact-loving loner Wolfie and her creative, quirky neighbor, Fly, embark on their second imaginary adventure--this time, playing a concert and escaping a mob of their fans. Packed with silly story details (such as an uncle who retired from the toaster factory to paint pictures...of toasters), this lighthearted sequel to Wolfie & Fly is lots of fun. Black-and-white ink and watercolor illustrations showcase the characters' personalities.

Reviewer: Rachel Marsh

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Elizabet Vuković. In her third chapter book, Japanese American Jasmine Toguchi can't figure out a talent to display in her school's talent show until her mom introduces her to taiko (a Japanese drum). Jasmine remains a charismatic heroine as she diligently practices drumming and learns that having fun is more important than striving for perfection. Tidy spot illustrations capture Jasmine's dedication and exuberance.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(2) 4-6 This follow-up to graphic novel Invisible Emmie again alternates perspectives, with (Emmie's best friend) Brianna's story rendered via large cartoon-panel drawings, and artsy-dreamer classmate Izzy's in smaller, border-free vignettes. Izzy's grounded but sneaks off to perform in the talent show. Brianna, meanwhile, reluctantly steps in for someone at the show and connects with her drama-teacher mother. A twist reveals an emotionally rewarding surprise. Libenson captures middle-school dramas with candor, fast pacing, and relatable characters.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(3) 1-3 Craftily Ever After series. Illustrated by Xindi Yan. In book one (Bracelet), crafters Emily and Maddie expand their best-friendship into a crafting quartet. In Band, the four friends create their own musical instruments and form a band. Each friend has a different creative strength (coding, fashion, building, drawing). Simple plots, good-natured characters, an attractive premise, and accessible layouts with many illustrations should draw new chapter-book readers. Craft instructions included. Review covers these Craftily Ever After titles: Making the Band and The Un-Friendship Bracelet.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Amateur magicians (and alternating narrators) Duncan and Emma stumble upon a witch's wand and use its mystical powers for their sixth-grade talent show act. When a stranger seeks the wand for nefarious purposes, they must learn real magic from the witch to defeat him. Despite shallow characterizations and a too-neat ending, the story effectively mixes humor, danger, and magic. Grayscale spot art is included.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 1-3 Major Eights series. Illustrated by Émilie Pépin. In this appealing early-chapter-book series, four eight-year-old girls from diverse backgrounds create a band for a battle of the bands competition (Battle). In Big Break, vocalist Scarlet feels torn between competing in the talent show solo or with her bandmates. Though the illustrations look like television stills, that they're on every page works in tandem with the large font to entice young readers. Review covers these Major Eights titles: Battle of the Bands and Scarlet's Big Break.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Cordell. A brown-skinned girl with a "Rock n' Roll Soul" uses rhythmic, rhyming words to extol the virtues of music, from hip-hop to classical, as she prepares to wow the crowd at the school talent show. Cordell's loose pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations seem to vibrate with energy, a perfect complement to the onomatopoeia-filled text. A rocking and empowering read-aloud.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 1-3 Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley series. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Pig-tailed African American farm girl Libby approaches each animal-centric scenario--building a birdhouse, recusing a dragonfly from a spiderweb, teaching her goat tricks, and training her rooster to crow--with persistent problem-solving skills. Each transitional reader has five easy chapters filled with cartoonlike illustrations recalling LeUyen Pham's. The stories are facile, but young readers will be drawn to Libby's curiosity and can-do attitude. Review covers these Calico Kid: Libby Wimbley titles: Birdhouse Builder, Bug Rescuer, Goat Trainer, and Rooster Instructor.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lori Joy Smith. Multilingual best friends Annie, Lillemor, and Lilianne decide to enter the school talent show as a singing group. But Annie tests their friendship when she insists on making all the decisions ("because this whole thing was my idea"). Dunklee's realistic story about bossiness, compromise, and teamwork features a mix of simple narration and speech bubbles set against Smith's expressive, brightly colored digital art.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. In this creative, unsentimental "Gift of the Magi" tale, Mrs. Otter and her son, Emmet, hope to surprise each other with a store-bought Christmas present. Emmet puts a hole in Ma's washtub to join a jug band, and Ma hocks Emmet's tool chest for dress material, each hoping to win the talent show. Colorful illustrations of the close-knit animal community contain plenty of warmth.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Heather Ross. Young witch Grimelda (Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch) must find a way to transform her "NOT spooktacular" cat Wizzlewarts into something extraordinary enough to win the Spooktacular Pet Show (she struck out trying to "get a better pet"). Bouncy rhymes and lively digital illustrations accompany the young witch's antics as her "messed-up" spell-casting serendipitously leads to the perfect solution.

Reviewer: Emily Day

(3) 4-6 Swirl series. This season-themed series serves up relatable middle-school dramas involving a crush kept secret from a friend (Pumpkin), a crush on a friend (Peppermint), and having to cooperate with a frenemy (Cinnamon). But there are also richer community-focused subplots, such as saving an animal shelter from closing in Cinnamon. These quick novels invoke warm-and-fuzzy feelings, just like their namesake treats. Review covers these titles: Cinnamon Bun Besties, Pumpkin Spice Secrets, and Peppermint Cocoa Crushes.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Littlest Bigfoot series. In this sequel to The Littlest Bigfoot, twelve-year-old Alice searches for clues to her true, non-human identity; her Bigfoot friend Millie pursues her dreams of stardom in the "No-Fur" world; and Bigfoot-hunter Jeremy becomes reluctantly involved with a shady government agency. Although the revelation at the end feels particularly far-fetched, the characters and their struggles ring true, and action, suspense, and plot twists abound.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) K-3 Could you even give a book this title in the twenty-first century? DePaola's book about a boy who can't throw a ball to save his life but who enjoys paper dolls, dress-up, and (as he discovers to his delight) tap-dancing is as fresh and necessary as ever. While the muted turquoise and beige color scheme shows its age, the feelings are still just right.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) K-3 Andy & Sandy series. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. In this fourth installment, Sandy proposes the friends dance together in a talent show; Andy just has to follow her lead. But when the curtain goes up, Sandy freezes, and it's Andy's turn to lead. Simple page layouts, with few words and easy-to-interpret illustrations, make the text accessible to beginning readers. Andy and Sandy are perfect fictional buddies to encourage youngsters to try new things.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. In this second Smashie McPerter book, Room 11 is abuzz with preparations for the third-grade musicale. Smashie wants to sing; her classmate Charlene is doing hair. When Charlene's special styling goop disappears, Smashie's on the case. Mix in a math-based secret code and some playground gossip for another off-the-wall puzzle story. Copious illustrations highlight the story's humor--and Charlene's hair-tastic creations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Jim Paillot. Class clown A.J. and teacher's pet Andrea make their easy-reader debuts, complete with their usual wordplay, goofiness, and love-hate relationship. Andrea accidentally gets on the wrong side of a museum educator (Museum); A.J. worries that he lacks a school-appropriate talent (Talent Show). Illustrated with Paillot's caricatures (in full color), the slight stories will lure developing readers not quite ready for the chapter books. Review covers the following I Can Read Book titles: My Weird School Goes to the Museum and My Weird School Talent Show Mix-Up.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox