(3) K-3 Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. In their fourth outing, Vampirina and her kooky-spooky family play in the snow. As usual, the deadpan text offers helpful tips--this time on sledding safety, proper snow-monster building, and other typically wintery activities--while the watercolor and ink illustrations show all manner of friendly fiends having fun together. Visual subplots (e.g., Vampirina's previously too-cool-for-snow-day big sister making a love connection with a teenage yeti) enhance both characterization and humor.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(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 LeUyen Pham. In their third book, the ballet-loving vampire girl and her family attend a "Moon Monster Madness" beach party. Vampirina and her fellow fiends welcome an apprehensive human boy and his parents--whose true (lycanthropic) nature is soon revealed--and the festivities culminate in a dynamic four-page-gatefold dance contest. Pace's text plays it straight as characterization and abundant humor shine in Pham's expressive watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) PS Illustrated by Lorna Hussey. Young pig Pigloo, "an explorer," plans to find the North Pole using his new sled. The watercolor and graphite illustrations, as well as hints in the present-tense text, make it clear this mission involves Pigloo's imagination. Humorous asides--"He has stores (that's what explorers call snacks) in his backpack"--add to the sense that young listeners are in on the joke.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) K-3 Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. This Vampirina Ballerina follow-up finds the young vampire planning "the best sleepover ever" for her (human) buddies. Despite its efforts, the family's true nature eventually comes out, resulting in a delightful collision of worlds. This book's humor is a bit more subtle than the first's, coming primarily in the counterpoint between Pace's wryly straight-laced text and Pham's illustrations full of cheerful chaos.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2013

(2) K-3 Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. A young vampire begins dance lessons (at night), works hard, perseveres through doubts and missteps, and eventually makes a successful debut performance. Aside from a few vampire-student-specific tips (watch the fangs; don't trip on your cape), Pace's encouraging text reads like an advice book for any young dancer. Pham's illustrations steal the show, offering plenty of visual jokes for both vampire fans and balletomanes.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2012