Ursa's Light, written and illustrated by Marcero, introduces readers to a charming little bear aptly named Ursa.  From the beginning the double play on words is readily apparent. While her classmates are busily engaged in playground amusements, Ursa is fixated on the heavens above. She has a dream: she wants to fly.  Not one to be deterred, she observes, calculates, tries, fails, refuses to accept to defeat, and tries again and again. There must be a way to realize her dream. Eventually she finds a way.  Not in the manner she initially envisioned.  But she finds a way.

The pages are chock full of details:  Ursa's eyes always seem to be looking up; inserts of pages from Ursa's notebook; a brother named Orion; and a shirt emblazoned with the message "Live Delibearately."  The color pallet is bold, with plenty of black punctuated with strong shades of rust and gold. ​It fits Ursa perfectly.

Meet Rosie and her beloved puppy Crayon. Once again Marcero has selected an appropriate name. This pet colors Rosie's days, making each one vibrant. Initial pages feature colors that reflect Rosie's relationship with the pup, "tickled greens and fluttering yellows." One day Crayon is gone. Text does not specifically mention death, but it is implied. Color leaves Rosie's world. With a tear-stained face, she puts away her crayons and the dog's collar. Eventually she sets aside her grief and helps locate a lost kitten. Color returns to her life in the form of friendship with the missing kitten and its owner. A tender story of grief and healing. ​

Rosie and Crayon effectively employs color to convey emotion.  Layout design is equally important to the story. Life with Crayon is busy, filled with a plethora of details. When Rosie is bereft, there are vast amounts of empty space on the page.  Observant readers will discover charming little details: R+C carved into a tree and letters for the title page  formed from crayons.

Who knew that Cinderella could become a foray into the world of fractions? Corey Rosen Schwartz knew.  Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale is delightful little riff on the traditional story featuring not one, but two mistreated sisters: Cinderella and Tinderella. Chores are divided in half. They appear to share everything, from supper to a bed. But they do not share the same dream. Will their fairy godmom be able to extricate the girls from their life of servitude and grant each girl the wish of her heart?  Will there be not one, but two "happily ever afters?" Well, this is a fairy tale, so some extraordinary magic on the part of this godmom makes it happen. Schwartz tells this fractioned tale in clever couplets. Double good. Double fun.

End papers feature halves of sandwiches and oranges as well as pairs of shoes and gloves. Marcero ups the fantasy element with vibrant colors, including the sisters' bright red hair. Handsome Prince Charming has some serious moves and dances the night away with both girls.  Not to be outdone, Tinderella dips Charming, proving these girls can "dance with the stars." ​

Are you ready for a mystery filled with delicious puns? If so, make room on your shelf for 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story.
Private I of the Al F. Bet Detective Agency is stunned when new client 6,  barges into his office, begging for help.  He announces "word on the street" is that 7 ate 9. Now he fears that 7 is coming to get him. Private I is on the case. He tracks down 7, 8, 11, and even B the waitress; searching for clues as the whereabouts of 7 and 9. ​​At the book's conclusion, the mystery is solved and all ends well. Observant readers will anticipate what is coming and quickly figure out what happened to the missing digit.
​"I have solved this numerical nonsense."

​It is nearly impossible to keep track of all the clever puns packed into every page. Tara Lazar hits a mother lode of them here. "I knew about this 7 fella. He was odd." "But if 7 was gone, then where was 9? It didn't add up." MacDonald's visual puns will keep readers glued to the pages, looking for more clues. (Check out waitress B in Cafe Uno, who has the scoop. Be sure to take note of today's special.)
Kudos to the designer who selected the color-coded numerals sprinkled throughout the text. 

This story begs for multiple readings and is perfect for a read aloud. The tale could serve as a script for a delightful Readers Theater. Help youngsters make a few simple props to add to the frivolity. It works well for math class (make a list of all the references to numbers, create a cast of number suspects with a description of each number), a lesson on puns, and of course creating mysteries with a twist. Thanks Tara and Ross for this most entertaining picture book. Word and number play has never been so much fun!