Horn Book Herald: November 2025

(3) K-3 In this picture book featuring the main characters from the Narwhal and Jelly series of graphic novels for transitional readers, jellyfish Jelly is frightened to be inside a “dangerous” book. Several close calls with sea creatures (and a cannon) force the cnidarian to muster courage to face “another hungry creature”--which turns out to be good friend Narwhal. Frenetic direct address to the reader, sound effects, text-size variations, and dramatic illustrations add to the energy of this entertaining introduction to these underwater characters for younger readers.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas Elliott. A villainous mushroom narrates his origin story, which began when he was passed over as a pizza topping in favor of a pineapple. Intent on revenge, the self-appointed “Mushroom of Doom” builds a mushroom army to carry out its retaliation. He narrowly misses being blended into slime juice...but will this brush with death change his ways? The silly story is accompanied by similarly goofy illustrations featuring a mobster-looking mushroom.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. On the eve of hibernation season, a well-meaning, if overbearing, owl attempts to coax Bear to sleep with a bedtime story. As with many a meta picture book, the action veers off from the expected: while Owl reads the calming words (“He yawned a big bear yawn. And opened his very quiet den”), the art shows what’s really going on: a band rocking out in Bear’s living room. Cartoon illustrations (done in “blood, sweat, tears, and Photoshop”) shift between peaceful wintry scenes and the rollicking inside of Bear’s domicile, complete with disco ball and party hats.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 These extraterrestrials do everything they can to delay leaving Earth. They “still have to put on their shoes” and “are busy playing a game.” When they suggest a sleepover (“It’s been soooo long since” they’ve had one), spaceships appear and beam them up. The scenario will be familiar to readers and listeners, and Gustavson’s humorous gouache, watercolor, and digital illustrations showing the mayhem the aliens cause during their stalling techniques ramp up the silliness.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton

(3) 4-6 Adventures of Invisible Boy series. In this graphic novel sequel, Stan and Gene, now able to control their invisibility powers, try to fight crime, but struggle to find any real action in their quiet town until Stan’s dad’s hardware store is robbed and a new villain appears. The humorous, action-packed plot relies heavily on the first book for context, making it hard for new readers to follow. However, the quirky characters, funny illustrations, and zany vibe will appeal to fans of lighthearted superhero adventures.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 1-3 Earl & Worm series. As in the first two books, three interconnected episodic stories are pitched perfectly to newly independent readers. Worm heads out to wish bird Earl a happy birthday, but snow and ice--and Earl’s sleeping in--frustrate her efforts. Earl gets up eventually; once Worm wakes up from her nap (she wore herself out shoveling, deicing, and waiting), she and Earl take selfies with Earl’s present. Finally, Worm works herself up worrying about Earl’s candle-blowing-out secret wish (“Does Earl want...a new best friend?”). The expressive cartoon illustrations convey emotion and add to the humor of the friendly text.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 A plain bagel wants to be something more, but all the other bagels seem content with being just one flavor. After a few false starts, our hero finds the perfect recipe and empowers others to think outside the poppyseed (or onion, or salt). Silberberg’s wacky food characters, rendered in bold, eye-catching digital illustrations, bring silliness to a message (beyond “you can be anything”--you can be “everything”!) that’s never stale.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) PS Illustrated by Cailin Doherty. “I need pants!” exclaims an enthusiastic orange fish. And also bunny slippers, and a tutu, and a diamond ring, and a raincoat (“It is very wet around here!!!”). The fish’s companion, a purple octopus, grows increasingly exasperated while explaining that the fish does not actually need clothes or accessories. But then the octopus has a change of heart. The lively illustrations, featuring the fish improbably but successfully wearing different items of clothing, add to the humor.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns