(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. "'Twas the thirteenth of November, a stormy night, / when the Thirteen bus hove into sight." Michael McMichael boards that scary bus (peopled by wide-eyed, monstrous-looking passengers and driver), intent on delivering Gran's pet, which is tucked inside a picnic basket. The rhymed text and dark, digitally painted pencil illustrations capture the balance between humor and sinister--a tone sure to please children seeking a scary picture-book story.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 History Pals series. Illustrated by Mark Fearing. When Nolan and Olive's time machine (Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom!) transports Eleanor Roosevelt to their home, the siblings learn much in the way of attitude and forbearance from the first lady. In addition to black-and-white spot art throughout, four graphic-novel-style flashback episodes from Roosevelt's life (explained further in the back matter) help incorporate historical information within the funny contemporary plot. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. After a boy ignores his mother's warning that crumbs attract pests, his messy habits draw a horde of goofy, destructive barbarians to the house. When mousetraps and exterminators fail, the boy cleans up his mess, finally compelling the barbarians to leave. Pencil and digital illustrations highlight the exaggerated cartoonish antics of the barbarians during the pillaging of the besieged family's home.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 History Pals series. Illustrated by Mark Fearing. What would Ben Franklin think about the scientific and social foundation he established if he returned to the U.S. today? The humorous answer, in an undemanding text with generous spot art, finds Ben transported to the home of two young siblings; he's out of step with twenty-first-century fashion but in step with libraries, fire departments, and widespread use of electricity. Appended with an informative author's note.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) PS Illustrated by Mark Fearing. Chickens attend a library's storytime in increasing numbers, causing chaos until the librarian finds a solution that works for everyone. Repetition and absurdity in the simple sentences should add mirth to group read-alouds; Fearing's cartoonish illustrations, packed with clever story-expanding details, reward attentive viewers with plenty of chicken and child antics.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. "Step 1: Choose a Super Name." "Step 2: Pick a Partner." While a boy follows his "Superhero Instruction Manual," readers follow the real drama: he goes from avoiding his fawning little sister to christening her his super sidekick. Equal parts heart, humor, and thrills, the book features art with old-school comics-style touches, including Ben-Day dots and all-caps action sound bursts: "KAPOW!"

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. Tommy can't stop bopping and bouncing around the house, exhausting his family members, who take turns "tiring Tommy out" (e.g., "mow the lawn--twice"). Despite his reluctance to try tap dancing, Tommy finds that the moves are perfectly suited to his energy. Exaggerated cartoons humorously capture Tommy's happy feet (and exasperated family), while the active-language text matches Tommy's constant motion.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. A surly gang of green beans kidnaps Martha's parents. She soon realizes, with a pinched nose, that to save them she must consume every last one of her least favorite vegetable. Witty text matched by humorously rendered mustachioed, marauding green beans will speak to any veggie-dreading child who has heard (and any parent who's said) "eat your green beans!"

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. When the Witches' Double Spelling Bee rolls around, young witch Cordelia thinks she'll be a shoo-in. Her skills are put to the test against thirteen-time winner Beulah Divine. Shannon's text engagingly demonstrates the relationships between words while Fearing's kinetic pencil and digital illustrations lend a Saturday-morning-cartoon quality to the characters and the comedic spell-casting action.

Reviewer: Russell Perry | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. Written by Jamie Michalak. This tongue-in-cheek "field guide" is a movie tie-in for Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer (Stink's trying to nab the creature); rather than standing alone, it will most likely appeal just to the film's fans. The book is broken into two parts: "The Secret World of Bigfoot" and "How to Find and Catch Bigfoot." Lively digital illustrations play up the silliness. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. Mama Alien sends her children off to find a planet of their own, warning against the Big Bad Robot. When the Big Bad Robot comes, Bork and Gork seek refuge at Nklxwcyz's sturdy self-made house. Funny details abound in Fearing's digital collage illustrations and in McNamara's text, which concludes with the aliens deciding to "phone home" to Mama for a bedtime story.

Reviewer: Ashley Waring | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Fearing. To warn readers, a disembodied narrator recounts the fatalities caused by this book's insatiable appetite. Though the payoff may not justify the ghoulishness for readers, the story contains the odd clever touch (e.g., to seduce victims, the book dons different dust jackets). The digital and collage art features a red book with suitably sinister eyes.

Reviewer: Nell Beram