(2) PS Biggs (the Everything Goes books; the Tiny Town series) brings his bright, cheerful illustration style and offbeat humor into outer space. Readers meet astronaut Randolph Witherspoon floating in a cramped space capsule. "'I'm bored and I want to take a walk,' Randolph complained...'Requesting permission to go outside.'" Ground Control's authoritative response, like that of many a parent, is to first list some chores: "Eat some lunch, get some exercise, and clean the place up a bit." With each task accomplished (in a series of entertaining illustrations), Randolph is now free to go. He follows Ground Control's advice to dress warmly and bring his camera--but is already out the door before the familiar reminder (presented in bold face): "Don't talk to strangers!" In space, a new buddy awaits--and none stranger--in the form of an alien who similarly loves selfies. They have a blast playing together until it's time to go back in. "You're late," admonishes Ground Control, but that doesn't kill Randolph's buzz as he types up his nightly report, eats dinner, and gets ready for bed, all with a huge grin on his face. "And he couldn't wait for tomorrow." Readers will relate, as Biggs's digital illustrations (cheekily described in the art note on the copyright page) picture space as a vibrantly colorful wonderland where new friends await and boredom is busted by simply exploring the outdoors.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(3) PS Tinyville Town series. Ellie just moved to Tinyville Town, and on her first day of school, she finds friendly, helpful people everywhere. The positive social interactions are reassuring for kids who feel nervous about attending school. Biggs's distinctive cartoony illustration style for this series (Tinyville Town Gets to Work!), with its diverse population of oblong-shaped characters, uses bright colors to reflect residents' happiness.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) PS As this entertaining civics lessons reveals, everyone in Tinyville has a job to do, and the mayor helps solve problems. When there is a traffic jam, he gathers the necessary people in town to come up with a solution: building a wider and stronger bridge. The digitally colored pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations show architects working on blueprints, construction workers driving vehicles, and admirable diversity.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Simon Abbott. Text by B.B. Bourne. This time Henry's in the driver's seat as he rides his bike all by himself around the block. He's delighted to find that his own "boring" block has much to offer: a hot dog stand, a construction site, a park, and, of course, vehicles, including an ice cream truck. Machine lovers and any beginning reader will delight in another cheery outing.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) PS The latest board book in Biggs's transportation-celebration series features a winning formula: Santa, vehicles, and silly preschool humor. The festive spreads showcase Saint Nick and his reindeer copilot traveling in style on land, over water, and in the air. The pictures pop with color; scenes are detailed but not too busy for the intended audience, who will delight in the visual jokes.

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

(2) PS Henry and his parents (Everything Goes: On Land; Everything Goes: In the Air) ride a car ferry to their island destination; along the way, they talk about the variety of boats they see. The pleasingly busy cartoon illustrations are packed with details and visual jokes. A two-page gatefold spread treats readers to a spectacular view from the ferry's top deck.

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

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Simon Abbott. Text by B. B. Bourne. Henry and his parents are on their way to a party when they encounter a fallen tree that's backing up traffic. Henry sees all sorts of vehicles (trucks, ambulances, backhoes) working together to fix the problem. Vehicle and machine enthusiasts will be delighted by the action-packed illustrations; the story has just the right amount of suspense for beginning readers.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) PS In Biggs's second transportation celebration (after Everything Goes: On Land), Henry and his parents walk through a busy airport en route to their flight. Their speech-bubble conversation touches on aviation history, modern airplanes, helicopters, hot-air balloons, and blimps. The cheery cartoon illustrations are chock-full of details and visual surprises. This accessible survey also serves as a handy what-to-expect introduction for young, less-frequent fliers.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Simon Abbott. Text by B. B. Bourne. When Henry wakes up he sees that it's snowing, therefore the perfect day to go ice skating. On the way, Henry and his family spot snowplows, tow trucks, and other vehicles helping out in the wintry weather. There's even a Zamboni at the skating rink! A perfect winter story for any beginning reader, but friendly vehicle-crammed illustrations will especially delight machine-lovers.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(2) PS Henry and his dad make their way through Richard Scarry–esque double-page spreads packed with colorful cars and trucks and things that go. They discuss (via speech balloons) the different modes of transportation, from construction trucks to buses to subways. Biggs's illustrations, with strong black lines and rich colors, feature lots of visual jokes and mini-stories. A smorgasbord for young motorheads.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011