(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Lacámara. When Sofía finds a card in her mother's purse that says "ALIEN," she is shocked. Did her mother really come from outer space? The unique premise successfully addresses the absurdity of how immigrants are labeled. English and Spanish texts make the story accessible in both languages, and Lacámara's colorful illustrations, which incorporate round-headed, friendly aliens, keep the conceit silly.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(4) PS Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. In English and Spanish, this adaptation of "The Wheels on the Bus" focuses on vehicles and the sounds they make. Although the rhythm of the song in Spanish occasionally stalls from extra syllables, the book is buoyed by the constant smiles in Cepeda's bouncy oil-over-acrylic illustrations, as well as the fun of the bilingual onomatopoeia. Sheet music appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elwood Smith. Old MacDonald has a farm; Señor Pancho has a rancho. You'll hear "cock-a-doodle-doo" and "peep" on the farm; Pancho's gallo says "quiquiriquí" and his pollito says "pío." But when the cow and una vaca get together: "Here a moo, there a muu. / Everywhere a moo muu." The energetic illustrations are a good match for the lively reworked lyrics, which include Spanish words and animal sounds.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Fabricio Vanden Broeck. Sturdy shoes and a familiar Hispanic nursery rhyme comfort Mario as he and his father make their way, by bus and by foot, from El Salvador to the United States. Colato Laínez's text has some gaps (why is Mario's mother alone in America? is Mario an illegal immigrant?), but Broeck's use of color and shadow yields powerful visuals that convey the difficulty and danger of the trek north.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. When José's undocumented mother is abruptly sent back to Mexico from San Diego, his father takes him across the border to visit her in Tijuana. The story, presented in both English and Spanish, sensitively reflects life for many immigrant kids. The text is a bit wordy, but Cepeda's illustrations, which focus on the loving family, will help keep readers engaged.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tom Lintern. The Tooth Fairy and her counterpart, mouse El Ratón Pérez, argue over Miguelito's tooth, which sparkles brightly in Lintern's illustrations. Ultimately, the two learn to work together and share the tooth. Colato Laínez's tale is message-y (honor your heritage; cooperate with others) but entertaining. The back matter about the folkloric figures is engaging. Spanish words appear throughout the text. Glos.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham