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No one is more surprised than 11-year old Martin when the Tyrannosaurus Rex hatches from what Martin thought was a fossilized egg. Feeding the growing dino and keeping him hidden becomes a major challenge. How Martin saves Rufus from a life in the circus with the help of an astute science teacher and his best friend, Audrey, make for a fast-paced, often humorous, and very satisfying adventure. For a gentler dino-come-alive novel, try Oliver Butterworth’s Enormous Egg (opens in a new window).

Stout Sam and his deckhand Pip live comfortably on their island enjoying whatever the sea washes to their shore. When they find a pig in a barrel on the beach, they name her Julie. Sam and Pip soon discover she has a special talent learned from pirates who want their treasure-locating pig back. This madcap adventure punctuated by full-color illustration is sure to make young readers laugh out loud.

The small bunny has 10 rules about being the best ninja there is. That is until he comes across a large bear that makes him appreciate the most important rule of all: all ninjas need friends! The ninja bunny and his buddies all look alike with the exception of the ninja’s outfit, adding to the humor conveyed in the illustrations and understated text.

Children come together to explore unknown territory depicted in delicate, highly detailed line illustrations that flow from page to page. Sharp angles in limited colors are used to focus the eye and require close examination to tell the story that is likely to change with each reader.

As it changes its appearance throughout the seasons, this plant also provides food for different birds and animals. But many people see poison ivy as a nuisance only for the itchy, sometimes dangerous reaction to it when they come in close contact with it. This attractive and informative introduction to poison ivy is handsomely illustrated with a brief but engaging text.

Silly verse about a range of topics is broadly categorized (e.g., “The Critterverse”, “My Peeps”, etc.), generally organizing the varied nonsense verse. Line illustrations add to the overall silliness, which culminate in an interview (of sorts) with the poet/artist. For example, when asked to describe himself, the poet calls himself: “A misfit sophisticate/I can’t get the gist of it…” who has a “…fondness/for words like ironical.”

Nina is afraid of the dark, doubly so when her nightlight goes out. But the light of fireflies brightens her solitary play until she releases the firefly back into the evening. Dark-hued illustrations use fine line, white space, and touches of red to enhance the drama of a very satisfying bedtime book.

Crisp color photographs of fruits and vegetables are presented. One of each is presented on the left of the double page spreads, while variations of the fruit or veggie (e.g., there are 12 different citrus fruits) are introduced on the opposing page. There is potential to introduce new edibles — perhaps at your local farmer’s market — while counting and playing with numbers.

Familiar tales such as “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Princess and the Pea” have been faithfully retold and dramatically read.

Bone, a stray dog, narrates the sometimes harrowing tale of how he finds a permanent home, effectively and evenly read.

Miss Drake, a strong-willed dragon, has a new pet, a girl named Winnie who thinks Miss Drake is her pet. When Winnie’s sketches come to life, can dragon and girl work together to put things right? Read in an appealing British accent, this is sure to delight listeners of all ages.

Farmer Tubb wants to sell Ace and his siblings when they reach eight weeks of age. Can Ace, a very bright porker, save them all?

Linda Blackmon was the youngest person to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement. An informal tone in an open, heavily illustrated format provides insight into the time and events, sure to spark discussion among readers.

In the early 20th century, an Irish woman named Mary Mallon worked as a cook. The New York home in which she operated was struck with typhoid fever to become the first of many incidents. The story of the cook who became known as Typhoid Mary is presented as a medical mystery which introduces the time and its history in a riveting narrative.

When a huge, rough man threatens King Arthur’s court, it is the honorable, brave Sir Gawain who accepts the challenge and faces the Green Knight for what is sure to mean death. The cadence of a storyteller is used to highlight the adventure and tension of this traditional tale of honor and chivalry.

A variety of body parts are written about in different poetic forms — some humorous, some rhyming — accompanied by a factual insert on what appears to come from a notebook. Illustrations are as varied and serve to open the format and to illuminate the information for an entertaining and informative look at body parts.

A poetic form called the “clerihews” was established in 1890. It’s the short form used to briefly present presidential factoids that are sometimes irreverent but always humorous and based in fact. Each four-line poem is accompanied by a black and while line caricature of the president to magnify the humor.

Adam Melon (better known as Melonhead) narrates the adventures he and his best friend, Sam, have during winter break. The boys stay with Melonhead’s grandparents in Paradise, Florida. Their exploits include deciding to get Sam an alligator with very funny — and potentially disastrous results.

An assigned pen pal correspondence between an American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe that started in grade school becomes a cultural exchange and a lifelong friendship. Sophisticated readers will appreciate the contrast between the cultures and how friendship can span great distances.

Frank Einstein must figure out an alternate source of power or succumb to his archenemy T. Edison’s exorbitant prices for electricity. In this latest of over-the-top funny Einstein series, actual science fact is couched in humorous fiction.

In 1924, four biplanes from the United States were the first to circumnavigate the world. The journey is presented through well-researched narrative in a handsome format and highly illustrated with maps, period graphics, and photographs. The epilogue concludes the amazing trip where it started — in Seattle, Washington — where a memorial to the flyers remains.

Serendipity Smith is the pseudonym used by Tuesday McGillicuddy’s mom. Serendipity is a famous children’s author who goes missing while working on the last of her adventure series. On their quest to find her mom, Tuesday and her faithful dog find myriad adventures involving writing, mystery, mayhem, and pirates in a breathtaking, satisfying, often humorous fantasy.

When the human to whom Angus (a brownie) is bound dies, he must leave his native Ireland to serve Sarah’s nearest relative. Serving an American girl named Alex means she must acclimate to having a magical creature and whose slovenly habits are in stark contrast to a cleanliness-obsessed brownie.  

Jack and Annie are transported back to Normandy, France, when Europe is in danger of falling to the Germans and the D-Day invasion is about to begin. Though necessarily simplified, this adventure gives an age appropriate introduction to WWII. “Track the Facts” concludes this “super edition” of the popular Magic Tree House series.