Kitty Camp by Drew Brockington (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, ages 4-8). In this follow-up to Puppy Bus, a girl accidentally gets on the wrong camp bus. She’s way more enthusiastic than the Puppy Bus protagonist, excited about camp in general and certain that camp with a bunch of kittens will be even better. But arts and crafts is a chaotic mess, the kitties would rather sleep than hike, it’s impossible to eat her tuna sandwich, and no one wants to join her in the pool. When she sees cats popping out of cardboard boxes, she gets the idea to build everyone a super-sized fort, and before long, she and the cats have found a bunch of ways to have fun together. “Kitty camp just took a little getting used to,” she decides as she boards the bus home. A cameo by the Puppy Bus boy and a surprise ending hints that there may be a third books in the works.

Based on the enthusiastic reactions I’ve had to Puppy Bus over the years (it’s my go-to book for kindergartners starting school), I can’t wait to share Kitty Camp. Those familiar with the ways of cats will get a kick out of seeing how they do camp. It’s a little late in the season now, but keep this in mind for kids going off to summer camp for the first time next summer.

This Book Is Dangerous! A Narwhal and Jelly Picture Book by Ben Clanton (Tundra Books, 44 pages, ages 4-8). The beloved graphic novel characters Narwhal and Jelly now have their own picture book, mostly featuring Jelly the jellyfish, who tells readers, “I don’t do dangerous,” after seeing the title of the book. As he swims through the sea, looking for an escape, he’s faced with all sorts of fearsome creatures, warning readers not to disturb them, then angrily reprimanding them when the animals come after him. His luck unexpectedly changes when he’s swallowed by a shark and discovers a jar of hot sauce in the shark’s stomach. Opening the jar results in a fiery shark explosion that sets Jelly free, only to lead him to the sounds of chewing from another sea creature. But–surprise!–it’s just his friend Narwhal eating a “dangerously delicious” waffle, and giving the book a sweet ending.

One can never have enough Narwhal and Jelly in the library, and this fun interactive picture book is a great way to introduce newly independent readers to the graphic novel series. Those who aren’t quite there yet will love this book on its own merits.