(3) K-3 Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series. Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(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

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Each time a boy gives his female classmate a gift (dandelions, a rock, etc.), he explains why it isn't to be construed as a valentine (e.g., valentines "come with buckets of roses"). Readers, like the girl, will see right through him and appreciate him all the more for his vulnerability, reinforced in mixed-media illustrations that have the conspicuous non-polish of children's art.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Little Duck prepares for the Valentine's Day dance by decorating the barnyard with balloons, streamers, lights, and hearts; and by making valentines for all the chicken, pig, and sheep guests. When Little Fox follows the decorations to the party, Little Duck welcomes the unexpected visitor with her last valentine. Lewin's lively--and appropriately glitter-filled--watercolor illustrations sparkle, lifting up Cronin's kindhearted message of embracing difference.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) K-3 Rather than practicing scaring sounds with his ghoulish buddies from Fright Club, Fran K. Stein cuts out pink heart shapes, and his grossed-out friends, via speech-bubble dialogue, wonder why. Eventually, the adorable, digitally colored graphite-pencil illustrations reveal Fran stargazing with his (Bride of Frankenstein–looking) sweetheart as he reflects on the true definition of love. Long's latest is unique, surprisingly thoughtful storytime fare for Valentine's Day.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Denise. The sweet luminosity of Denise's digital illustrations temper the sappiness of Pace's tale of Moose, Squirrel, Bunny, and Porcupine's plan to include Groundhog in their Valentine's Day celebration. But on February 2, even after they convince Groundhog that shadows aren't scary, he still opts to retreat for six more weeks: "it is cold up here." A slight story of possible use for Groundhog Day storytimes.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jeff Mack. One-eyed extraterrestrial Dewey is getting used to Earth, except that a bully makes fun of his speech. When Dewey can't pronounce love on Valentine's Day, the teasing intensifies until Dewey teaches classmates to say "I love you" in his alien language. As in Time for (Earth) School, Dewey Dew, issues of diversity and inclusion are explored lightly and with humor; Mack's cartoons communicate emotions fluently.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin Zimmer. On Valentine's Day, Mr. Goat determines to "show my first love how much she means to me"--with "ragweed salad," a "tasty" can, and "delicious rotten eggs." Saturated colors and wide-eyed, anthropomorphized characters evoke a Pixar sensibility; gross goaty details up the child appeal. That grown-up Mr. Goat's valentine is his mother is a sweet twist, befitting this confection of a tale.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Brett. Determined to celebrate Valentine's Day, Mrs. Bear sets "her alarm for February 14" and gets busy making valentines, retrieving treats, and trying to rouse hibernating Mr. Bear. The gentle story's surprise ending emphasizes the affection between the couple. Set against snow-white pages (sans what would become her trademark), Brett's detailed line drawings are enhanced with bursts of red and honey-brown.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Holiday Crafts series. Illustrated by Mernie Gallagher-Cole. Each book offers five or six simple craft projects that can be completed with ordinary materials by children of many ages (with adult help). The steps, which involve mostly easy cutting, gluing, and painting, are illustrated with drawings, some more clearly than others. Notes on the titular holidays are included. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Holiday Crafts books: Thanksgiving Crafts, Valentine's Day Crafts, Christmas Crafts, and Birthday Crafts.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Wes Hargis. A revolting breakfast cereal figures prominently in Ghost, as saucy narrator Agatha and her friends try to discover if a ghost is haunting their school. In Mud, Agatha's scheme to help a friend rejoin the soccer team becomes much more complicated than she planned. These light, fast-moving stories from the UK, profusely illustrated with comical black-and-white drawings, will attract fans of broad humor. Review covers the following titles: Agatha Parrot and the Heart of Mud and Agatha Parrot and the Odd Street School Guest.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Elephant Chloe Zoe joins in the Easter egg hunt and the classroom Valentine's Day festivities with "extra-special friends" Mary Margaret (crocodile) and George (giraffe). Mary Margaret finds Chloe Zoe's sought-after golden egg, but she shares the treats inside. When Chloe Zoe loses her special valentine for George, everyone helps search for it. Colorful, multi-patterned illustrations convey the tame holiday stories' cheery tone. Review covers the following titles: It's Easter, Chloe Zoe! and It's Valentine's Day, Chloe Zoe!.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS In Museum, the Pig family enjoys different exhibits, including dinosaurs and space. In Game, Peppa and family celebrate love and Valentine's Day. In Ducks, Peppa and George go on a duck-hunting counting adventure. Fans of the cartoon will be drawn to the cheery illustrations and the thin, mildly entertaining stories adapted from the TV show. Review covers these titles: Peppa Pig and the Day at the Museum, Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game, and Peppa Pig and the Lucky Ducks.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Green Light Readers series. Illustrated by Ed Briant. It's Valentine's Day, and best pals Petal (an elephant) and Poppy (a rhino) have a mystery on their hands: someone is showering them with presents and cards, but who? Beginning readers will take pleasure in spotting the answer long before Petal and Poppy do, thanks to the gently humorous illustrations. It's a sweet celebration of the holiday--and of friendship and gratitude.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Mia shakes up Stanton Middle School when she buys chocolate roses from the student council Valentine's sale and gives them anonymously to kids who aren't part of the in-crowd. Wild speculation about crushes and friendships leads to miscommunication and hurt feelings. It's a slight picture of early adolescence, but readers will recognize the uncertainty that new emotions can evoke.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Cupcake Diaries series. Each book (and the themed cupcakes within) are centered on a holiday--Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day--with the Cupcake Club friends strongly supporting one another through crises of varying degrees: the stress of a fashion contest (Mia's), the embarrassment of a facial injury (Emma's), and a non-reciprocated valentine (Alexis's). Tween readers will relate to the rampant emotions of middle-school life. Review covers the following Cupcake Diaries titles: Alexis's Cupcake Cupid, Emma's Not-So-Sweet Dilemma, and Mia's Recipe for Disaster.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Claudia Rueda. Cat (Here Comes the Easter Cat) can't think of anyone to grace with a Valentine, and annoying new neighbor Dog doesn't seem a likely candidate. Using this series' trademark format--offstage narrator addresses Cat, who responds with humorous placards--the book shows Cat's escalating plans against Dog. Ink and colored-pencil illustrations convey lots of information via Cat's facial expressions and other simple cues.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(3) PS In this wordless meta-story, a mouse "chews" a heart-shaped hole through a page (not literally, just an illustrated hole), then chews flaps into the page, which he folds to make a paper house. He's joined by a friend, and together the two gaze contentedly out of the heart at readers. Felix's dainty illustrations are as charming as ever in this newly designed edition.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Fairy Bell Sisters series. Illustrated by Julia Denos. In these episodes in the adventures of Tinkerbell's younger sisters, Clara's magical powers manifest themselves at the annual Valentine's Games and Sylva and Poppy, given a magical dollhouse by Queen Mab, quickly discover that sharing treasure is challenging, even for best friends. McNamara's playful narration balances the sweetness factor, and her characters' realistic imperfections will resonate with readers. Gently shaded sketches add atmosphere. Review covers these Fairy Bell Sisters titles: Clara and the Magical Charms and Sylva and the Lost Treasure.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Batman: Li'l Gotham series. Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen. Characters from the Batman universe--both heroes and villains--feature in holiday-themed stories. It's standard Batman fare, but the illustrations depart from typical American comics: instead of pen-and-ink, the muted panel artwork is rendered in watercolor and looks a bit like sloppy manga. While this gives the volumes something of a lighthearted air, the style won't appeal to purists. Visual prompts and questions are appended. Glos. Review covers these Batman: Li'l Gotham titles: Christmas and New Year's Eve, Halloween and Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day and the Lunar New Year.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo