(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Two renowned picture-book creators trace the journey of a wooden rocking chair in this affecting immigration story based in part on Wells's family lore. Wells begins with Sam, her great-great-grandfather. Born in Bavaria, Sam has a gift for carpentry. Discouraged in this pursuit by his rabbi father, he leaves home for New York City, finding work as a bookkeeper for a German family. When that family's son is born, Sam builds a wooden rocking chair with the word willkommen inscribed on the back. To honor the birth of his own son born a few years later, Sam adds the phrase for welcome in Hebrew, later also adding it in English. Next, the chair is a wedding gift for an Irish seamstress, so the word fáílte, Irish for welcome, is added in brass letters. Then, it providentially lands in the possession of others (two Dominican nuns, a Haitian doctor, and a young Somali girl) who have fled their homelands and found America to be a safe refuge. Each new owner has the word for welcome added in their language, connecting the families' experiences and creating a powerful narrative thread. The late Pinkney's jewel-hued watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations capture this atmosphere of acceptance and warmth, bringing readers even closer into the story. The immigrants' feelings are evident through their body language as they gather with loved ones around the chair, itself beautifully replicated in the art. An author's note further explains Wells's inspiration and provides more historical context; an illustrator's note describes Pinkney's artistic process and influences.

Reviewer: Emmie Stuart | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(2) PS Felix & Fiona series. In the guinea pig pals' fourth book (Felix Stands Tall, et al.), cautious Felix steps out of his comfort zone again, here at a Chinese restaurant. Particular about food, Felix has "no need to try anything new." Cheered on along the way by Fiona, Felix eventually eats "twelve new things!" Wells's friendly illustrations gently portray Felix's concerns about the unfamiliar without allowing them to overwhelm the story.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) PS "The night wind / has taken / the moon for / a ride." A little bunny goes through a nighttime routine, including dinner, bath, storytime, and bed. Wells's color-saturated mixed-media illustrations bring her lyrical, gently rhyming text to life. The familiar activities play out under a dappled night sky, offering closure to the day.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Guinea pig Fiona (Fiona's Little Lie) can't wait for the volcano she built with bestie Felix to "erupt big-time at show-and-tell." Unfortunately, she waits too long to go to the bathroom, causing her own embarrassing natural disaster. Usually confident Fiona is mortified; it's sensitive Felix's turn to offer friendly encouragement. Wells's comforting watercolor and pencil illustrations focus on the positive (not puddles).

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) PS This endearing mouse family's fifth book highlights a new hiccup in Sophie's development: she cannot bring herself to say expected social niceties in public. Sophie has good intentions, but social transactions are unbearably awkward. Ink, watercolor, and gouache art in soft pastel hues supplies plenty of humor but also deftly captures Sophie's internal struggles. As usual, smart and stealthy Granny implements a successful solution.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(4) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. Illustrated by Andrew Grey. Sitting on the bus alongside older sister Ruby, an ever-smiling Max happily goes to school. Max's day in Miss Bunty's class is filled with the expected activities (painting, recess, naptime, dress-up), which could be comforting to new-to-schoolers but isn't narratively thrilling. Largely absent, too, is Max's big personality, which fans might miss. Grey's illustrations are a close, but more digital-looking, approximation of Wells's style.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) PS Sophie helps her mama prepare for her aunt's birthday party by making chocolate kisses, but she's afraid there won't be one left for her to eat. Familiar childhood worries are gently explored through this kind mouse family, though the resolution--a female relative pretends to be on a diet--sends an unintended message. Comforting, pastel-colored illustrations warmly complement the story.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Ruby and Louise are playing school, but their mischievous students Lily and gorilla suit–wearing Max aren't following the rules and lessons (shown in mini lift-the-flap books). The two pranksters eventually test Lily's Volcano Kit, and the otherwise pitch-perfect story ends rather abruptly post-explosion. Via varied layouts and perspectives, Wells's pastel-colored ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations expertly capture the lively (and consequence-free) day.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) PS Fiona forgets that she's Felix's Birthday Elf at school, and instead of being honest, she makes up stories and blames others for the lack of cupcakes. Everything works out neatly, and the lessons about lying, friendship, and self-control are effectively conveyed through engaging dialogue and word choice. Colorful, friendly animals fill the pages, and the thought-balloon vignettes of Fiona's lies add humor.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS This ode to parenthood follows a mother bunny and baby through important moments in the baby's life. The simple rhyming text, told from the child's perspective (e.g., "Make me steady. / Make me strong. / Let me know my right from wrong") is clearly intended to appeal to parents, though Wells's soft, warm illustrations successfully convey the rabbits' love for each other.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) PS Felix (Felix and the Worrier) and more-confident Fiona win first prize for their singing-and-dancing pixie act at the Guinea Pig Jubilee. Felix's pride is short-lived, however, when he's teased at school. With Fiona's invisible Magic Protection Suit, Felix finds the courage to "stand tall." Wells's reassuring watercolor and pencil illustrations keep the tone light in this anti-bullying narrative. Endpapers feature costume sewing patterns.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) PS Mouse-child Sophie (Sophie's Terrible Twos) welcomes her new baby sister home in Jellyfish language; she growls in Hyena language. Her distracted parents don't listen: "use your words!" Then Granny greets Sophie in Martian--and Sophie doesn't need the disruptive behavior. It's Sophie's words that finally calm the howling baby. Sophie and Granny's special relationship comes across warmly in both text and pictures.

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

(2) PS On her second birthday, Sophie wakes up crabby. Nothing makes her happy: not a pretty dress from Mama, not sparkly fairy wings, not Daddy's Birthday Blueberry Pancakes. Wise Granny knows just how to channel Sophie's beastly behavior: "How about a sabre-toothed tiger suit?" Tiger Sophie feels fierce and powerful, which puts little-girl Sophie in a much better mood. Wells's good-humored illustrations nicely highlight her characters' emotions.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(3) PS Kitty Yoko and Mama head to the airport to fly to Japan. Pre-readers will enjoy decoding all the symbols on various signs along with Yoko--for the correct airline, luggage carts, restrooms, and so on. When she loses Mama, Yoko follows signs for the police and the two are reunited. Wells's gouache and collage illustrations are as appealing as ever.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) PS Max isn't excited to be a ring bearer, so he stashes his Gob Smacker in his pocket to play with. When the toy ejects the wedding ring, Max, Ruby, and Louise consult Grandma's cell phone map to track it down. Wells's beloved characters are their usual entertaining selves, and readers will enjoy navigating through the timely adventure via maps under "iBunny" lift-the-flaps.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(3) PS Little guinea pig Felix eats too many "chocolate blimpies" and doesn't feel well the next day. His mama tries chamomile tea and fresh air; finally, she takes him to see Dr. Duck. Originally titled Felix Feels Better, this board book edition's title puts the focus on Felix's nervousness about going to the doctor. Wells's comforting tone and warm illustrations will reassure little patients.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Fox Stella and her parents live in a mobile home, the Starliner, that meets all their needs. This peaceful life snags when a gang of weasels mocks Stella's home and hurts her feelings. Something magical happens as the Starliner, hitched to Daddy's truck, flies through the night sky toward new neighbors. Packaged within silver starry-sky endpapers, the words and mixed-media images work effectively together.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(2) PS When Mama tells Sophie, "No throwing supper," does Sophie behave? Of course not. She dumps a second bowl of mac and cheese. "Time-out for Sophie!" Like-minded preschoolers will find an ally in this spirited mouse-child, who revels in her gleeful transgressions. As always, Wells portrays her character's developmentally appropriate behavior with genuine respect and affection.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jim LaMarche. In the summer of 1949 in western Nevada, thoughtful fifth grader Ivy starts a pet care business. Ivy's three clients and their animals broaden her world and her relationship with others in remarkable ways. The vividly evoked rural setting tends to overshadow the book's historical period, but the moving story, told from a third-person limited perspective, brings the characters to life.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(4) K-3 Kindergators series. After kindergartner Miracle has a series of meltdowns, teacher Miss Harmony has her students brainstorm ways to calm her down ("We need to put on our thinking caps, everyone!"). Though as well-meaning as her first Kindergators book, this story is misguided: is it really children's responsibility to mollify a tantrum-throwing classmate? Wells employs bold collage illustrations that enlist colorful fabric swatches.

Reviewer: Nell Beram