Published by Dial Books

Summary:  The knight narrating the story is glad for the wall in the middle of the book.  It keeps him safe from the wild animals and the ogre that are on the other side.  As he talks, he climbs a ladder leaning up against the wall. Unbeknownst to him, but seen by the reader, water is rising on his side of the wall.  When he realizes he’s about to go under, the knight calls for help, and the ogre reaches over the wall and plucks him off the ladder. Although he’s safe, the knight panics, sure that the ogre will eat him.  The ogres laughs, saying that he’s a nice ogre and that his side of the book is fantastic. In the last few pages, the knight enjoys a ride on the backs of those “wild” animals, while a giant fish swallows a smaller fish on his original side of the wall.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  It may or may not be a political allegory, but readers of all ages will get a laugh at the knight’s cluelessness, while learning some important lessons about making assumptions and fears of the unknown.

Cons:  I’m tired of hearing about walls.

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Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Brought to you by the team that produced Penguin Problems, this book features a giraffe named Edward who doesn’t like his neck.  It’s too long, too bendy, too patterned, and a host of other problems.  He’s sure everyone is looking at him and tries to hide his neck with scarves and ties, or by standing behind tall rocks.  He admires the necks of others, like the classically-striped zebra or the heavily-maned lion. A turtle named Cyrus overhears him, and tells him how fortunate he is to have such a long and beautiful neck.  Cyrus has been trying to get a banana off a tree for a week; when he tells Edward, Edward is able to reach it in a matter of seconds. The two admire each others’ necks, and end up feeling a lot better about themselves, even highlighting their necks with bow ties.  42 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  There’s still plenty of humor, but a little more of a message here than there was in Penguin Problems.  The multimedia artwork is eye-catching and could be worked into a less on patterns.

Cons:  I read this book to two boys who I thought would find it hilarious.  They seemed to enjoy it, but never laughed.  It’s kind of a dry sense of humor, so some of it may be lost on the young.

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Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:  One day only…Lance Vance’s Fancy Pants Store is selling Potato Pants!  Potato is so excited he’s doing the Robot (okay, the Po-bot) before rushing down to the store to get a pair.  But when he gets there, he sees Eggplant inside, wearing his new Eggplant Pants! Yesterday Eggplant went rushing past Potato, pushing him right into a nearby trash can.  Potato is sure Eggplant will mash him again if he goes into the store, so he stands outside, watching all the other happy potatoes happily emerging in their apeeling new pants. Finally, he gets up the nerve to go inside, only to find that the pants have sold out, and when they’re gone…they’re gone.  A couple surprising twists bring about a reconciliation between the two vegetables, both of whom emerge well clad, at least from the waist down. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  This wildly goofy, high energy veggie tale will have kids doubled over with laughter.  There’s a little bit of a lesson in forgiveness and friendship at the end, but mostly it’s just a lot of fun.

Cons:   After getting to know this cute and friendly Potato, mashed potatoes may be off the table for me at Thanksgiving.

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