(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. In three linked stories, mice Mildred and Sam send their babies off to school. The babies dream of great adventures and always return safely home. The stories aren't that exciting, but new readers will appreciate the slow and gentle pacing, the clean page design, and the cheerful illustrations.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. In "Little Mouse Dreams," mice Mildred and Sam's babies keep dreaming of adventure; in "Something New," Mildred and Sam prepare them for their first school experience. Both halves of this Mildred and Sam sequel are about independence, but largely from a parent's point of view. Still, the soft-focus but detailed illustrations of the diminutive cast are felicitous.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Mouse Mildred feels that her burrow is too small. After her husband, Sam, notes the risk at each new spot that she suggests (e.g., an owl will get them if they move to a tree), Mildred has a scary corroborating dream. Finally, Sam enlarges their burrow--just in time to become a father. Despite a strange Freudian detour about a mysterious packet of seeds, the story, featuring delicate illustrations, is coherent and satisfying.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 A reprobate animal (who looks like a cross between a fox and a goat) gets in touch with his nurturing side when, much to the chagrin of his hooligan friends, he takes in a group of fuzzy blue caterpillars. Although Toestomper's gang calls themselves the Rowdy Ruffians, all the animals appear more cuddly than threatening in this engagingly offbeat combination of crude and cute.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann