(2) PS Illustrated by Rob, Jr Sayegh. "The time has come to send holiday cheer / to family and friends far and near." Outside an apartment building whose windows showcase holiday decorations (including Christmas, ­Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa), a woman is mailing something. On each subsequent spread of this informative and cheerful board book, left-hand pages show families celebrating their traditions (some religious, some secular, and even a nod to the interfaith "Chrismukkah") while right-hand pages display their holiday greeting cards. Sayegh's inclusive illustrations feature one child in a wheelchair and others from same-sex, opposite-sex, interracial, intergenerational, and single-parent families, all gathered outside as a community on the last spread. Happy all-idays, indeed!

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) PS "On Halloween, the cow says Boo." But who is the "someone out of sight" replying "Baa"? This ­nighttime-set board book stars the beloved animals and animal sounds from Boynton's ­classic Moo, Baa, La La La! and boasts Boynton's signature cartoon style. The follow-up works well on its own, though devotees of the first book (i.e., most toddlers) will delight in recognizing familiar characters and phrasing. The clueless cow contemplates the mystery, wondering, "Who might it be..." After a ­cacophony of familiar noises (meow, quack, snort, snuff, etc.), the cow climbs up "the tallest hill. / She calls out Booo! / Then all is still." Skilled narrative pacing makes the final spread especially satisfying, featuring an answer to the mystery, a well-earned reunion, and a "Happy Halloween to yoooou!"

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS i can read series. In 1985 Boynton followed up her popular 1982 board book The Going to Bed Book with a "larger and longer" picture-book version, which has now been redrawn with small differences in the art. Similarities to prior versions will be noticeable to avid viewers, but the picture-book format gives both text and art room to breathe and allows Boynton to include more of her signature animals. The redone illustrations are rich and crisp, and full of humor as always. The original picture book and this updated version contain additional text and drawings toward the end, featuring the animals climbing into one bed and two little rabbits singing about the animals' dreams (complete with illustrated musical score) before the final familiar lines rock a new cohort of toddlers to sleep.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(2) PS This is one of those rare occasions where the board book edition is an improvement on the (beloved) original picture book (rev. 11/12). Boynton has selectively collapsed and expanded spreads, tweaked color schemes, reversed the band's direction so they're marching left to right, made slight text enhancements (including using numerals), added a second pig child protagonist watching the parade pass their house, and appended a new final bedtime spread. All her trademarks remain, including a range of animal musicians, plenty of humor, a dynamic array of fonts, and pleasing read-aloud-ready sound effects ("BOOM-biddy BOOM!"). A Christmas parade worth watching and listening to all year long.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) PS Illustrated by Julia Green. In board book form, Burton and Green make merry about that Christmastime fashion staple, the ugly sweater. The brief (and slight) rhyming text, spoken by a handful of creatures, describes each one's look. Some lines are descriptive: "My Christmas sweater is merry and bright," says a reindeer sporting a green-and-red turtleneck festooned with ornaments and tinsel. Some employ wordplay: "My Christmas sweater is fa-la-la-llama-y," says a llama in understated red stripes, tangled up in lights. Per the jacket, this book is a "touch and feel" (but un-felt in the digital e-galley); the spirited illustrations, with their lightly textured backgrounds, are enough to put viewers in the party spirit.

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

(2) PS In the briefest of board books (originally published as a board book in 1996 as Get Dressed, Santa!), Santa gets all suited up for his big Christmas Eve trip, only to discover he forgot to do something first. "Oh no! He's got to GO!" So, off comes the raiment for a trip back to the bathroom. Phew. That's the whole story, but I'm guessing toilet trainees will find it hilarious every time. DePaola was the holiday's biggest fan, and his festive Christmas colors and bouncy rounded shapes are just right.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) K-3 When cat Spot notices a girl putting up "lost" posters, the cat dashes off in pursuit of missing dog Dot, and Spot's boy owner joins the girl in her endeavors. As in Spot, the Cat, wordless black-and-white cityscapes--filled to the brim with people, pets, vehicles, activity, life--ensue. All ends happily, with new friendships launched all around. A fresh and entertaining offering from a veteran picture-book creator.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(3) PS Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Halloween humbug Farmer Brown leaves candy on the porch, and hangs a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign on the door. After hearing strange noises outside, he trembles under the covers. However, we know that his animals are hosting a Halloween bash. Well-paced text and appropriately shadowy illustrations assure listeners that the only foul thing afoot is a costumed fowl. The brief, sound effects–heavy text lends itself well to this new board-book format.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013; September, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. If ever there was a pop song whose uplifting sentiment suits a picture book, it's this Beatles classic. And if ever there was a pop song whose lyrics look inane in a picture book, it's this one ("Love, love, love...”, etc.). Still, the jubilant illustrations of a bear moved to good deeds by the sound of music delivers the message.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. Black third grader Mia has been accepted into superhero training school so she can become a superhero like her parents. In the first three volumes of the chapter book series, Mia gets her own "supersuit," learns the difficult art of flying, and deals with losing both a race and her own shadow. The fun-filled, humorous stories are further enlivened by the abundant action-packed, comic-book-style illustrations. Review covers these titles: Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!, Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly!, and Mia Mayhem vs. the Super Bully.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) PS It's all in perspective when it comes to size, as demonstrated in this clever book. The first page opens on a hugely magnified ladybug, labeled "Big bug." Our view pulls back so we see the now-little ladybug resting on a "big leaf," all part of an ever-widening rural scene. Minimal text and richly colored illustrations add to the fun in this successful board-book edition.

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

(4) PS A rainy day has kitten Kat feeling low, so she writes the "Amazing Song to Make Things Better." When the rain stops, Kat practices her "amazing" song around the neighborhood. Digital illustrations with pastel colors, curves, and thick lines create a friendly animal baby–populated world. The simple plot lacks much urgency, but animal sounds and Kat's song (notation and lyrics included) make it suitable for storytime.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) PS Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Two bears "who hate to share" fight over a pair of undies (leaving one bare). A pattern is established in the rhyming text: items are presented to animals, but there are always more animals than items, leaving one animal upset. The goofy situations are made even goofier through Lichtenheld's digitally colored illustrations, which are crowded on the smaller pages of this board book edition.

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

(4) PS A polliwog observes a caterpillar for days to learn how to turn into a butterfly. What the polliwog doesn't notice--and the brightly colored illustrations clearly show--is that he is changing, too. The illustrations will engage a younger audience, but the board book's small size struggles to accommodate the long text.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: December, 1982

(3) 1-3 Craftily Ever After series. Illustrated by Xindi Yan. In book one (Bracelet), crafters Emily and Maddie expand their best-friendship into a crafting quartet. In Band, the four friends create their own musical instruments and form a band. Each friend has a different creative strength (coding, fashion, building, drawing). Simple plots, good-natured characters, an attractive premise, and accessible layouts with many illustrations should draw new chapter-book readers. Craft instructions included. Review covers these Craftily Ever After titles: Making the Band and The Un-Friendship Bracelet.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 Craftily Ever After series. Illustrated by Xindi Yan. In book one (Bracelet), crafters Emily and Maddie expand their best-friendship into a crafting quartet. In Band, the four friends create their own musical instruments and form a band. Each friend has a different creative strength (coding, fashion, building, drawing). Simple plots, good-natured characters, an attractive premise, and accessible layouts with many illustrations should draw new chapter-book readers. Craft instructions included. Review covers these Craftily Ever After titles: Making the Band and The Un-Friendship Bracelet.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) PS Illustrated by James Marshall. "See the piggy, / See the puddle, / See the muddy little puddle." Mother, father, and brother pig chide the little piggy--who, naturally, ends up in "the muddy little puddle"--for being "much too plump and little / To be in the muddy middle." Marshall's instantly recognizable characters bring Pomerantz's delightful verse to life in this board-book edition of an old favorite.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: June, 1974

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. Black third grader Mia has been accepted into superhero training school so she can become a superhero like her parents. In the first three volumes of the chapter book series, Mia gets her own "supersuit," learns the difficult art of flying, and deals with losing both a race and her own shadow. The fun-filled, humorous stories are further enlivened by the abundant action-packed, comic-book-style illustrations. Review covers these titles: Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!, Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly!, and Mia Mayhem vs. the Super Bully.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. Black third grader Mia has been accepted into superhero training school so she can become a superhero like her parents. In the first three volumes of the chapter book series, Mia gets her own "supersuit," learns the difficult art of flying, and deals with losing both a race and her own shadow. The fun-filled, humorous stories are further enlivened by the abundant action-packed, comic-book-style illustrations. Review covers these titles: Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!, Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly!, and Mia Mayhem vs. the Super Bully.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Based on the New York City Ballet production choreographed by Peter Martins, after Marius Petipa and George Balanchine. This picture book of the familiar "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale adds a few details unique to the ballet, such as the famous fairy-tale characters that attend Aurora's wedding. Docampo's illustrations take center stage as her whimsically elongated figures capture the unearthly grace of ballet dancers.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk