(3) PS Illustrated by Claire Keane. A curious duckling, separated from its family, finds a new home with a little girl until it's time to move on. The rhyming text sketches out a tender story of found, lost, and rekindled love, but the details are in the loose, classic-feeling digital illustrations; Keane successfully creates expressive and lovable characters.

Reviewer: Alia Jones

(4) PS Illustrated by Paige Keiser. From new baby to toddler, a child grows up guided by loving family members. This book is sweet and simple enough for very young children, but its message is clearly targeting sentimental parents. Pleasant rhymes create a lyrical, lullaby-like vibe, while watercolor and ink illustrations, in calm grays with pops of pale yellow, depict all the nostalgic activities of babies and toddlers.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Nancy Hayashi. Emily Pearl insists she's a big girl who doesn't need any help--that is, until "bedtime when shadows creep over the wall, / Emily Pearl feels a teeny bit small." Independent-minded readers will identify with Emily Pearl (though adults may find the repeated refrain, "I can do it myself!" to be grating). Soft-hued watercolor, pen, and colored-pencil illustrations highlight the gentle humor.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) PS Illustrated by Kevin Luthardt. A boy is finally tall enough to ride the Dino Coaster, and his dad goes along to calm his son's jitters. But when the boy wants to jump back in line, Dad is the one who's scared. While readers will guess the ending of this predictable story before the first drop of the coaster, Luthardt's acrylic illustrations are invigorating.

Reviewer: Amy Lee Bennett