(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marco Bucci. Pig Norbert is in training (he practices flutter kicks in the mud, etc.) to swim the English Channel. Alas, he has overlooked one detail: he doesn't know where the English Channel is located. A tale of personal perseverance, complete with terrific illustrations of the supremely unbuff Norbert working out, becomes one of community spirit when his animal friends create "Norbert's Channel"--locally.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colin Jack. A boy slips into the zoo before opening hours only to find that when a fox snatches the zookeeper's keys and releases all the caged animals, chaos ensues. The silly narrative serves as a platform for a counting book from one to ten, with zebras, beavers, and elephants included in the menagerie. Exaggerated digital illustrations have a lot of verve.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty