(4) K-3 Illustrated by George McClements & Stéphane Kardos. Bonnie brings Forky to school, which inspires a "Craft Your Own Buddy Day" in her classroom. Forky teaches the newly created toys how to accept who they are. Inspired by Toy Story 4, the franchise matters more than the story, which is fine since the target audience will love it. The illustrations, fonts, and speech bubbles are an amalgam of styles, leading to a chaotic layout.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Flubby series. Flubby the cat won't do any tricks, no matter how much his owner Kami tries. Increasingly frustrated, Kami declares: "Flubby is NOT a good pet!" But when a thunderstorm begins, Flubby and Kami realize they need each other. The short, repetitive sentences are clearly designed for new readers. Minimalist illustrations humorously feature other animals doing tricks for their humans, while Flubby only says meow and falls asleep.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) PS Animal friends celebrate their differences; even though they don't do things the same way (i.e., "just like" one another), they nevertheless "just like" one another. Talents, physical traits, tastes, and preferences are all highlighted as ways of being unique--and loved. Very simple text uses repetition and rhyme. Clear watercolor and pencil illustrations allow the creatures' personalities, and their warm friendships, to shine through.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Marco Bucci. These bedtime books employ the familiar structure of wishing others goodnight. Santa says goodnight to each of the reindeer, elves, and toys, but Rudolph needs an extra reminder to turn off his bright red nose (Reindeer). And readers follow a variety of forest animals from rising to "sleepy time" in Forest. Rough but simple rhymes are coupled with blurry detailed illustrations. Review covers these titles: Good Night, Forest and Good Night, Reindeer.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Nancy Meyers. In Kayla and dog King's fourth beginner chapter book, Kayla loses her tooth at school and brings it home in her class's special tooth fairy pillow pouch. When Kayla discovers the tooth is missing, she and her friend try to solve the mystery. Narrator King's perspective makes an otherwise straightforward story much more engaging, while humorous illustrations reinforce the plot and further forefront King's doggie thoughts.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS This book features friendly animal pals demonstrating kindness and manners. The message is strong and age appropriate, but some of the specifics may require adult explanation ("be an ally") or assistance ("take a selfie with friends"). The confusing narrative structure puts the text into three formats: declarative lessons ("Praise someone's work!"), explanatory verses, and dialogue. Cartoonish pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations show the lessons in action.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi. Kurt wants to join his brother and older friends in fighting against Hitler Youth: he proves he's brave enough through his trumpet playing. This story of resistance in Nazi Germany keeps the focus on blues music, letting anti-Semitism be a backdrop rather than the focus. Thoughtful, intricate illustrations include swastikas and depictions of Hitler. An author's note provides more information about the real Edelweiss Pirates.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) PS This simple, straightforward story perfectly captures a toddler's struggle with emotional regulation when life feels unfair. After expressing his anger, Bear takes deep breaths, slows down, and naps, and then he can go back to playing. The pattern of his tantrum will be familiar--and reassuring--to children and parents. Gee's understated, colorful illustrations show the world from Bear's perspective.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Houndsley's and Catina's lives are turned upside down when over-the-top Cousin Wagster comes to visit and commands everyone's attention. In three short chapters, themes of friendship, self-confidence, and communication emerge slowly but thoughtfully, and the story has a satisfying resolution. Whimsical watercolor illustrations depict a human-like world inhabited by animals of all kinds.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sandy Nichols. Eli's zaida (Yiddish for grandfather) always brings him bagels on Sunday morning. When Zaida gets hurt and must stay home, Eli and Zaida's friends miss their weekly ritual, but Eli comes to the rescue, bringing everyone their favorites and earning the elders' praise. This sweet intergenerational story has illustrations reminiscent of a bygone era, but which convey a universal message about love, food, and tradition. Glos.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Translated by Lisa Rosinsky. Illustrated by Nathalie Dieterlé. In this French import's fictitious jungle where kangaroos, lions, alligators, and others incongruously coexist, all the animals are fighting. Little elephant Jojo, who carries an adorable pink parasol, pretends he lost his memory so the creatures will work together to help him. His clever tactics will delight readers, especially once they're in on the joke. The animals are somewhat abstract-looking in the humorous, colorful ink and colored-pencil illustrations.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Mr. Monkey series. In both comedic stories, Mr. Monkey gets into lots of trouble but ultimately prevails in his goals. The spare early-reader texts appear partially in speech bubbles. Mack's cartoony digital illustrations, a mix of vignettes and full spreads, help tell the stories and add elements of slapstick; Mr. Monkey and his antics take center stage, but there's notable effort at inclusion and multiculturalism in the human casts. Review covers these Mr. Monkey titles: Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Mr. Monkey series. In both comedic stories, Mr. Monkey gets into lots of trouble but ultimately prevails in his goals. The spare early-reader texts appear partially in speech bubbles. Mack's cartoony digital illustrations, a mix of vignettes and full spreads, help tell the stories and add elements of slapstick; Mr. Monkey and his antics take center stage, but there's notable effort at inclusion and multiculturalism in the human casts. Review covers these Mr. Monkey titles: Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake and Mr. Monkey Visits a School.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 I Like to Read series. Min's fellow-elephant friends are too hot to play. Min finds a creative solution to cool everyone off by engineering a machine to move water from a well to an empty pool. (Bafflingly, she doesn't use her trunk; and the presence of both a well and an empty pool in the savanna is unexplained.) Cheerful pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations show the clever elephant's design process.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Sydney Hanson. Through simple rhyming facts about animals' grooming habits ("Polar bear scrubs her face with snow"), children are encouraged to bathe: "How do YOU take a bath? Do you lick from head to toe...?" Approachable mixed-media illustrations in soft pastel hues demonstrate the similarities and differences. The lack of distinction between bathing and other grooming habits and behaviors ("Pig wallows in the mud...") is somewhat confusing.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Abigail Tompkins. In this hybrid potty-training/religious story, Noah and Naamah want the animals on the ark to be comfortable, and that includes having potties for all creatures. Everyone celebrates taking care of their bodies and learns that food goes in and waste comes out. Owl teaches a prayer, based on a real Hebrew prayer. Though the story is slight, the illustrations depict sweetly personified animals adjusting to their surroundings.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Thank yous have many purposes in this book, wherein animals and people find opportunities to express gratitude. The poetic text conveys a heartwarming message, despite occasionally awkward phrasing. Lushly colored and delicately rendered illustrations show kindness, inclusion, and happiness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Margeaux Lucas. In 1930s Germany, women's roles were clearly defined and being a rabbi wasn't an option. But Regina Jonas charted her own path and became the first female rabbi. This powerful picture-book biography deftly addresses sexism, anti-Semitism, and changing societal attitudes. The muted illustrations depict Jonas as a powerful and inspiring figure. An afterword provides historical context.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) PS Illustrated by Alison Friend. "Beaver was good at making lots of things," but he struggles to make friends. Raccoon has the same problem, and together they build a snowman to keep them company. Through teamwork, discovery, sadness, and relief, the animals realize they can be friends. The dialogue-heavy text is simple and clear. Cozy digital illustrations show the creatures on their journey toward friendship.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 I Like to Read series. Squeak the mouse enjoys his simple yet wonderful life inside a family's house. While the children do homework and play in the kitchen, Squeak explores their toys (and spilled food!). The text, effectively, relies heavily on repetition; many pages contain only the word squeak. The detailed illustrations depict the interior of a comfortable-looking home, supporting early readers through visual humor and textual cues.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth