Four by Helen Lester (2013)

Listen, Buddy. Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. 2013. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review Copy]

 Buddy's father had a beautiful big nose. He was a great sniffer. Buddy's mother had beautiful big teeth. She was a great chomper. Buddy had beautiful big ears. It didn't matter.

Buddy has a problem, a big problem: he doesn't listen. It doesn't bother Buddy a bit, though it annoys his parents greatly! But one day, Buddy finds himself in peril!!! Will he learn his lesson for good?!

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

Me First. Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. 2013. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review Copy]

Pinkerton was pink, plump, and pushy. He would do anything to be first, even if it meant bouncing off bellies, stepping on snouts, or tying tails. 

Pinkerton gets more than he bargained for in Me First. When asked who wants a sandwich, he is first to exclaim "Me first!" But when the sandwich turns out to be a sand witch, well, Pinkerton learns that selfish people are NOT fun to be around.

Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 5 out of 10

It Wasn't My Fault. Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. 2013. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review Copy]

Things did not always go well for Murdley Gurdson. He couldn't control the toothpaste. He fell into wastebaskets. And he dropped only valuable vases. Whatever happened, it was usually his fault. One day he went for a walk in his one too big new shoe. He had stepped out of the other one. He couldn't remember where. Before long someone laid an egg on Murdley Gurdson's head. 

Who's to blame for Murdley Gurdson's bad day? And Murdley is not the only one having a bad day. There is quite a story to be told. If you enjoyed Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo by Rosetta Stone, then you may appreciate It Wasn't My Fault by Helen Lester.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

A Porcupine Named Fluffy. Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. 2013. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review Copy]

When Mr. and Mrs. Porcupine had their first child, they were delighted. Now he needed a name. Should they call him Spike? No. Spike was too common. Should they call him Lance? No. Lance sounded too fierce. Should they call him Needleroozer? No. Needleroozer was too long. Prickles? Pokey? Quillian? Then together they had an idea. "Let's call him Fluffy. It's such a pretty name. Fluffy!"

One day Fluffy realizes he is NOT fluffy. He tries again and again and again to be fluffy. But he can't escape who he is; he is a porcupine, and porcupines are not fluffy by nature. He's quite unhappy until he meets a friend, a true friend, someone who understands. His friend? A rhinoceros named Hippo. They are a perfect pair!

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

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