EASY READERS

Adler, David A. Don't Throiv It to Mo! 32 pp. Penguin isbn 978-0-670-01631-0 $14.99

(3) Illustrated by Sam Ricks. Penguin Young Readers series. Mo loves football, even though he mostly sits on the bench with Coach Steve. The other team doesn't think Mo, the youngest and smallest kid on his team, stands a chance to catch the ball, but Coach Steve has a plan. Simple text, an exciting story, a lovable underdog, and charming illustrations combine to make this easy reader a winner. KA

Bechtold, Lisze Buster the Very Shy Dog Finds a Kitten 32 pp. Houghton isbn 978-0-544-33604-9 $12.99 pe isbn 978-0-544-33605-6 $3.99

(3) Green Light Readers series. This book is separated into two chapters: in the first, dog Buster finds and befriends an abandoned kitten; in the second story, Buster introduces Tilly to his friends, and they try, somewhat unsuccessfully, to play. New readers will find this endearing animal story approachable; friendly, loosely rendered illustrations vary in size and layout with each page turn. KA

Björkman, Steve Look Out, Mouse! 24 pp. Holiday isbn 978-0-8234-2953-0 $14.95 pe isbn 978-0-8234-3397-1 $6.99 ebook isbn 978-0-8234-3336-0

(4) I Like to Read series. Sloppy, lazy Farmer Fred forgot to feed the horse; a mouse nibbling on the closed feed bag sets off a chain of events of other farm animals trying to catch Mouse. The cause and effect isn't entirely clear, though, and the book feels chaotic. The illustrations are action-packed and emotive, showing mean animals chasing a scared mouse and a junk-food-eating, couch-lounging farmer. MJS

Brown, Jeff Flat Stanley and the Very Big Cookie 32 pp. HarperCollins/Harper isbn 978-0-06-218979-0 $16.99 pe isbn 978-0-06-218978-3 $3.99

(4) Written by Lori Haskins Houran. Illustrated by Macky Pamintuan. I Can Read Book series. In this episode, Flat Stanley and his brother, Arthur, help Pete the baker win back customers when a neighboring town's bakery lures business away. As in the previous books, the plot hinges on Stanley's lack of depth; here, Stanley's contributions are mostly accidental rather than purposeful. Cartoonish illustrations accompany the accessible and mildly diverting text. KF

Capucilli, Alyssa Satin Katy Duck's Happy Halloween 24 pp. Simon Spotlight isbn 978-1-4424-9807-5 $16.99 pe isbn 978-1-4424-9806-8 $3.99 ebook isbn 978-1-4424-9808-2

(4) Illustrated by Henry Cole. Ready-to-Read series. Published fall 2014....