(3) 1-3 Little Goddess Girls series. This early chapter-book series by the Goddess Girl series creators is a Greek mythology/Wizard of Oz mash-up. Young Athena is swept up in a storm and transported to a land where her nemesis, Medusa, wants her magical sandals. Hestia, Zeus, and Persephone have supporting roles along the "Hello Brick Road." Energetic black-and-white illustrations match the text's lively tone. Glos.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sakshi Mangal. On busy spreads, cartooned "seed students" learn from teacher Ms. Petal how each of them grows at its own rate and into its own type of plant. One "little lost seed" (an acorn) eventually learns he's both like the other seeds and ultimately different. A hokey but effective enough kindergarten botanical lesson that can easily be applied to a child's own development.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) PS Illustrated by James Dean. A hammer, screwdriver, pliers, saw, and tape measure attend school in this rollicking rhyming book. "We may be small, but our skills are cool. / Let's go build on them at our new school!" After trial and error, the tools learn to cooperate and build something useful: a toolbox. Playful verse combines well with Dean's signature bright illustrative style, giving the tools personality and spunk.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by James Burks. One rainy day, Ava and her enormous purple cat, Itty Bitty, are sent outside after wreaking havoc playing indoors. When she discovers Itty Bitty can't tolerate wet feet, Ava figures out a silly but effective way to help him out. Playful language spices up the narrative, while exaggeration in the action-packed illustrations complements Itty Bitty's larger-than-life presence.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by James Burks. Ava and her huge purple kitty, Itty Bitty, check out the fire station's open house in their first easy reader. Unfortunately, Itty Bitty chases the firehouse dog, sets off an alarm, and gets stuck partway down the fireman's pole. The text is somewhat choppy, and softly contoured figures often appear frozen mid-pose. Still, it's a jovial outing with fire-safety lessons built in.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 Illustrated by James Burks. Ava finds an "itty bitty" kitten left in a box, takes him home, and hides him (her parents have a no-pet policy). Itty Bitty grows to an alarming size and is soon discovered, but when he saves Ava's infant sibling from falling down stairs, her parents are swayed. Cartoony illustrations and lots of internal rhyme ("furry purry, snuggly huggly") keep the tone playful.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Magoon. Three knights are "guarding the castle / for their illustrious king" on Christmas Eve. When Santa tries to deliver presents, these well-intentioned protectors of the castle take a defensive stance. A fierce (not really) battle plays out with Santa catapulting sugarplums and more as he "storms" the castle. This rousing medieval "Night Before Christmas" parody jingles with wordplay. Cheeky illustrations brim with good cheer.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(3) 1-3 Heroes in Training series. Illustrated by Craig Phillips. Lead by Zeus, the young Olympians continue to battle King Cronus and his Creatures of Chaos. Their quest in this ninth book involves rescuing Artemis, who's being held captive by the Titan Crius. Close calls, fast-paced action, and cliffhanger chapter endings will keep fans engaged, as will the series' lighthearted tone and humor. Occasional black-and-white drawings highlight key moments.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Dani Jones. These beginning readers provide simple adaptations of famous Greek myths, with slight alterations making the stories age-appropriate (e.g., the Cyclops gets poked in the eye, not blinded). Although the books are easy to read, much of the drama is lost in the texts' simplicity. The cartoony color illustrations are quite charming and keep the mood lighthearted. Pronunciation guides assist readers with Greek names. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Do Not Open! and The One-Eyed People Eater.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Dani Jones. These beginning readers provide simple adaptations of famous Greek myths, with slight alterations making the stories age-appropriate (e.g., the Cyclops gets poked in the eye, not blinded). Although the books are easy to read, much of the drama is lost in the texts' simplicity. The cartoony color illustrations are quite charming and keep the mood lighthearted. Pronunciation guides assist readers with Greek names. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Do Not Open! and The One-Eyed People Eater.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) PS Illustrated by James Dean. "Boom Truck Tall / helps Boomer crash a wall. / They go / crash, / bang, / boom!" A series of occasionally disorienting rhymes describe the work of father trucks and their lookalike apprentice offspring. The illustrations (by Pete the Cat's creator) have a studied coarseness about them and will please kids and parents alike.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Dani Jones. This entry-level adaptation of the famous Greek myth geared toward beginning readers is easy to read, but its simplicity results in a bare-bones treatment. The illustrations are cartoony and somewhat uneven: King Menelaus looks appropriately grumpy and Helen both coy and sultry, but the action scenes are a bit wooden. Pronunciation guides assist readers with Greek names.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Goddess Girls series. In book thirteen, Athena outdoes herself, creating a new labyrinth for King Minos in which her fellow Mount Olympus Academy students get stuck. In the fourteenth, Iris finds herself in high demand as the school's messenger and wondering if her crush returns her affections. Fans of the entertaining mythological fantasy series will enjoy the latest adventures of the likable middle-school goddesses. Review covers these Goddess Girls titles: Athena the Proud and Iris the Colorful.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) 1-3 Heroes in Training series. These books continue the adventures of the young Olympians, who are battling King Cronus to fulfill their destinies. In Typhon, the group fights a giant and frees a captured Olympian. In Apollo, the heroes must outwit more Titans to collect the golden aegis. These installments maintain the series' lighthearted tone and humor; occasional black-and-white drawings contribute a classical tone. Review covers these Heroes in Training titles: Apollo and the Battle of the Birds and Typhon and the Winds of Destruction.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Goddess Girls series. This "super special" installment is another treat for fans of the Goddess Girls series. Athena, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Artemis start their own Olympic Girl Games to rival that of the annual boys-only games. Unique for the series, the story is told from alternating points of view of all four goddesses. Readers will enjoy the lighthearted, action-packed plot and the girls' lively competitive spirit.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) 4-6 Goddess Girls series. In book thirteen, Athena outdoes herself, creating a new labyrinth for King Minos in which her fellow Mount Olympus Academy students get stuck. In the fourteenth, Iris finds herself in high demand as the school's messenger and wondering if her crush returns her affections. Fans of the entertaining mythological fantasy series will enjoy the latest adventures of the likable middle-school goddesses. Review covers these Goddess Girls titles: Athena the Proud and Iris the Colorful.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) 1-3 Heroes in Training series. Illustrated by Craig Phillips. The adventures continue for the young Olympians, who are battling King Cronus and the Titans to fulfill their destinies. Here, Zeus and company encounter some Amazons, confront an oracle-eating python, and add another Olympian to their group. This seventh installment maintains the series' lighthearted humor and lively pacing; occasional black-and-white drawings contribute a classical tone.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 1-3 Heroes in Training series. Illustrated by Craig Phillips. This eighth book continues the adventures of the young Olympians, who are battling King Cronus and his Creatures of Chaos to fulfill their destinies. Here they contend with terrifying giant spiders and a huge web in the sky. This installment maintains the series' lighthearted tone and humor; occasional black-and-white drawings contribute a classical vibe.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Goddess Girls series. Aphrodite is determined not to let the goddess of strife and discord, Eris, interfere with Ares's (Eris's younger brother and Aphrodite's crush) thirteenth birthday party. But that's easier said than done, especially when Eris's latest scheme could potentially drive Aphrodite and her best friend, Athena, apart for good. The fifteenth fun-filled romp of the likable middle-school goddesses will satisfy series fans.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by David Gordon. "Digger's teeth / bite the ground. / Crunch, crunch, scoop! / Tracks skid around." Familiar construction vehicles in bright colors shove, lift, chug, and push "all day long." The rhyming text describes the activity; eventually the illustrations pull back to show children playing with toy trucks in a sandbox. The simple text and engaging illustrations should draw in new readers. Two sticker sheets are included.

Reviewer: Kari Allen