(3) PS Illustrated by Ali Pye. On her first night at Miss Moon's Moonlight School, shy Mouse arrives early so she can hide. Miss Moon initiates a game of hide-and-seek, and the class learns that Mouse is exceptionally clever at hiding. Soon enough Mouse feels more confident. Digital illustrations picture the cozy schoolroom replete with animal-sized desks in this gentle tale perfect for a first-day-of-school read-aloud.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nadia Shireen. When loving, childless Mr. and Mrs. Deer find a "dear little baby," they try to care for it, but the baby just roars and roars. They call in friends to help, but when left alone with the baby, each disappears--"How very peculiar!" Quirky, expressive mixed-media illustrations reveal that the baby is really a little monster from the start of this silly story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church. Cowboy Coyote is lost and lonesome. Advice from the moon, a snake, and a bird leaves him a little worse off each time. Finally, a toad tells him to stay put and howl loudly, and "I'm sure you will be found." And he is. Church's textured illustrations give the lightweight story some heft.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jo Kiddie. "Disgruntled" with the messy farm, Louisa the pig writes the farmer a series of anonymous notes with improvement suggestions (Click, Clack, Moo, anyone?). When the accommodating farmer finally revolts, Louisa goes to the city but immediately finds the farm more tolerable. Humorous illustrations showing Louisa stealthily observing the farmer's progress bolster the story's less-than-original premise.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Russell Julian. Impractical Goat and levelheaded Donkey are best friends. In Outdoors, Goat agonizes over where to vacation, and Donkey helps him realize the beauties of home. In Sunglasses, Goat shops for items they don't need, and Donkey supports his friend despite his goofiness. The plot lines in these British imports are a bit treacly. Bright paintings effectively illustrate the friends' facial expressions. Review covers these titles: Goat and Donkey in Strawberry Sunglasses and Goat and Donkey in the Great Outdoors.

Reviewer: Abby Harper Kingsbury

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Russell Julian. Impractical Goat and levelheaded Donkey are best friends. In Outdoors, Goat agonizes over where to vacation, and Donkey helps him realize the beauties of home. In Sunglasses, Goat shops for items they don't need, and Donkey supports his friend despite his goofiness. The plot lines in these British imports are a bit treacly. Bright paintings effectively illustrate the friends' facial expressions. Review covers these titles: Goat and Donkey in Strawberry Sunglasses and Goat and Donkey in the Great Outdoors.

Reviewer: Abby Harper Kingsbury

(4) PS Illustrated by Mary McQuillan. "'Oh, you mucky piglets,' said Mama Pig. 'Tonight you will all have a bath.'" But her three piglets don't want a bath. So Mama adds bubbles, rubber ducks, and some scrubbing for "the best bathtime ever." Though the story is somewhat predictable and goes on a bit too long, it reads aloud well and the bright illustrations are full of energy.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lynne Chapman. The Big Bad Wolf, feeling lonely, vows to change his image and make friends by being useful, good, and noble. But no one believes he's reformed. The slight, silly narrative, accompanied by textured illustrations, follows the wolf as he's first rejected by Mrs. Goose, Mrs. Chicken, and Mrs. Duck and then welcomed when he finds and returns (instead of eats) Mrs. Duck's lost duckling.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Jay. On her seventh birthday, a young girl wishes that she could dance with a star. The heavenly bodies work together to grant the wish, and on her one-hundred-and-seventh birthday the girl, now an old woman, climbs up a massive tree and reaches her star. Overly contrived language mars an otherwise satisfying story intended to spark discussion of death. Soft illustrations enhance the magical mood.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) PS Illustrated by Alison Bartlett. When his friend Hippo dies, Monkey is inconsolable--until a new friend helps him see that what they have learned from Hippo will help them both. Though the book is overly purposeful, Puttock sets the right tone in addressing the grief that children feel and the pain of their loss. Vibrantly hued illustrations capture the appealing characters and their changing emotions.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin