(3) K-3 Illustrated by Poly Bernatene. A clever frog takes advantage of two naive princesses who believe he will turn into a prince. They know this is true because they've read it in their fairy-tale storybook. But their sister, Princess Martha, relies on nonfiction for her information and exposes the frog's trickery. The vibrant digital illustrations will please princess fans, but the book's message about critical literacy also shines.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Poly Bernatene. Bradley Bartleby had "been born bad." His antics grow worse throughout the years, and Santa doesn't cater to him: every Christmas Bradley receives only socks. Bradley hatches a plan to capture Santa--using an absurdly intricate trap--and make sure "the fat fool" gets what he deserves. Bernatene's digital illustrations bring the troublemaker's beastliness to life in this cautionary tale disguised as a holiday romp.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Poly Bernatene. A piglet is mistakenly switched for a newborn princess. Believing a fairy has transformed their daughter, the king and queen raise the pig as a princess while a poor, loving farmer raises the real princess. The story, with its references to other tales ("Sleeping Beauty," "Thumbelina," "The Frog Prince") and deliciously absurd turns, reminds readers that wealth and advantage don't equal self-worth.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church. When autumn arrives, Pip, a baffled young squirrel, tries to return his tree's leaves to their branches. Thanks to Mom's explanation, Pip is reassured that the leaves will grow again. The story provides a child-friendly introduction to fall. Collage illustrations (some are a little blurry) featuring cute-as-can-be squirrels and warm blends of autumn colors play with a variety of textures.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Vanessa Cabban. Mole decides to visit his friend Rabbit. He digs a tunnel, picking up Squirrel and Hedgehog along the way. Upon arrival, Mole laments his lack of a gift for Rabbit until she reminds him that he brought her friends. Autumnal watercolor and pencil illustrations are full of cozy details, but the story's message is just this side of cloying.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Vanessa Cabban. When Mole encounters snow for the first time, he mistakes an icicle for a "magic diamond." Mole is disappointed to learn why the diamond melts, but his disappointment soon turns to joy when he and his friends experience a dazzling wintry sunset. Benign animal characters and soft winter scenes accompany this gentle but wordy story.

Reviewer: Marika Hoe

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Howarth. As young mouse Littletail and her father, Longtail, play together in the woods, Longtail delivers a message about growing up and how things change ("One day you will be too fast for me to catch"). There's nothing new about the clichéd sentiment, but Howarth's warm illustrations convey the loving father-daughter relationship.

Reviewer: Karen Watts

(3) PS Illustrated by Rebecca Harry. Ruby the duckling is always lagging behind her four bigger siblings. But because Ruby notices things that the others miss (like a dark storm cloud), she's able to save the day. This sweet story will be enjoyed by habitual dawdlers. The bright, soft-edged, and friendly illustrations are full of clever details for Ruby--and the reader--to linger over.

Reviewer: Karen Watts

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Deborah Allwright. Told in the familiar song's bouncy rhythm, the story heralds the arrival of a spunky cowgirl in pink pajamas. The lively illustrations are painted in a turquoise, purple, green, and orange palette. Wild West motifs abound; two fold-out pages that look like saloon doors open wide to welcome the heroine. Endnotes suggest hand motions for the song. Music is included.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) PS Illustrated by Vanessa Cabban. Tired of his "dark and dull" burrow, Mole, from Bringing down the Moon, gets help from Hedgehog, Squirrel, and Rabbit to find a "bright and beautiful" replacement. But after quickly testing and finding fault with his friends' suggestions, Mole learns that there is really no place like home. Cabban's cheerful watercolor illustrations infuse life into this overfamiliar but sweet lesson.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) PS Illustrated by Rebecca Harry. In a nest, all but one of five duck eggs hatch at the same time. Ruby eventually hatches, and she eats and swims "in her own time." Ruby doesn't lose any time learning to fly, though her parents worry that she'll never return. The sweet images and story may be precious, but the message that it's okay to do things at your own pace may reassure some.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) PS Illustrated by Adrian Reynolds. When a kite whisks Sam's father, a bevy of townspeople, and even some zoo animals into the air, only small Sam can keep his feet on the ground and reel them all in. Clever rhymes and a bouncy rhythm enhance the comically cumulative scenario, while bright, bold watercolors add dramatic perspectives and expressive characterizations.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) PS Illustrated by Vanessa Cabban. One night in the woods, Mole decides that he must have the moon. His attempts to capture it (tossing acorns, for example) disturb various animals, who insist that it's unattainable. This cheerful cautionary tale is told with economy and snap, and the watercolor illustrations, which present Mole's futile actions in storyboard format, will spark genuine sympathy.

Reviewer: Nell Beram