(3) K-3 Illustrated by David McPhail. In these twenty-six fresh, original acrostic poems about animals, one for each letter of the alphabet, a real voice is achieved, despite the enforced brevity of the poems ("Can't wait to be / Alone in the house. / The sofa looks comfortable" [Cat]). McPhail's illustrations--which almost always include children as well as the featured animal--have equal verve and individuality.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano