(2) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Patton. In this rhyming tale of goats going somewhere, the fun is in the journey. Five goats want to deliver a bouquet and a cake to Granny Goat for her birthday, but they hope to avoid the troll under the bridge. They cross the river by canoe instead, which of course brings mishaps of its own—and perhaps they should have gone the traditional route, since it seems by the end that the troll wasn't so scary after all. The story will feel familiar to those who've heard the one about those three other goats, but this bouncy rhyme (cleverly crafted, with occasional meter missteps) has plenty of new action: rapids, a capsized canoe, a dramatically sinking cake. The digital illustrations are dynamically composed and have plenty of details to notice; red bubble letters for exclamations and sound effects and judicious placement of the text add even more visual interest. "They frosted and wrapped. / They plotted and mapped." And, in lines descending like a staircase, "Then / down / to / the / dock / they / trippity- / trapped." Trippity-trap your way to this book for storytime...and don't take travel advice from goats. (They're probably just trolling you.)

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yee Von Chan. Three animal friends, Squirrel, Mouse, and Hare, prepare the Little Burrow for Christmas. Mouse finds an ill swallow in the snowy forest, and the trio rescue and nurse the bird back to health. Delicate color illustrations picture the friends' altruistic efforts of offering their gifts (coneflowers, warm cap) to aid in Swallow's recovery; she rewards them with a sweet song.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) PS Illustrated by David McPhail. "Who loves the messy pup? / 'Come on, dear, I'll help clean up.' Mama loves her little pup." This question-and-answer rhyming text reassures young ones that even though they can be messy, grumpy, loud, or naughty, they will always be loved and cared for. The tone of the soothing text and warm mama-and-child illustrations is just right for bedtime.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) PS Illustrated by Kay Chorao. An intergenerational family of eight bunnies is ready for vacation but not for traveling. When their one suitcase won't shut, they wear the extra clothes--but "such a harebrained plan won't do!" Eventually they do manage to get out the door. Told in occasionally forced rhyme, the story is bolstered by Chorao's engaging illustrations.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) PS Illustrated by Kay Chorao. Busy double-page spreads filled with springtime colors illustrate this tale about counting and cooperation, as eight bunnies hop, skip, and jump their way into the garden, then back to the kitchen to make a stew. Although the cheerful rhyme falters in places, the bunnies' evening picnic makes a satisfying end to the story.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Denis Roche. In this amusing and informative counting book, each language's original characters, transliterations, and phonetic spellings are provided, giving the reader a three-dimensional approach to each set of numbers. Clean, bright, action-filled illustrations help convey the culture of each language. A useful map and language key is included at the back.

Reviewer: Elizabeth G. Uhlig