(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Mould. Captain Beastlie has a hygiene problem: e.g., "'Only four days left till m'birthday!' he bellowed, rootling a glob of peanut butter out of his ear." For his present, his crew surprises him with a bath and new pirate duds. The book ends a bit too, well, cleanly, but the journey is droll, semi-gross fun, with craggy art that plays along.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Share-a-Story series. Illustrated by Neal Layton. Neil comes to appreciate numbers when he receives a watch that magically makes all numbers disappear. When they return after a numberless day, however, Neil's sudden grasp of all things mathematical is a bit too abrupt to be believable. The illustrations extend the concept with clever labels for un-numbered items like measuring cups ("full," "empty") or shoe sizes ("very long"). Tips for parents and activities end the book.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin