(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colleen M. Madden. In each of thirteen spreads, a boy describes his ostensibly benign behavior ("On the bus, I just stood up to see the fire truck"), which is reality-checked by an adult on the scene ("What if everybody did that?"). Madden's new illustrations effectively provide the faux-tragicomic visuals (e.g., the school bus tilts to one side) in this eye-opening case for personal responsibility.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley. For Danny's birthday, his family members promise him a pet. Thinking they know best, they get him the pets that they want. The design-marker and colored-pencil illustrations, including funny close-up perspectives, show why these animals don't work out, and Danny finally gets his wished-for turtle. Kids will enjoy anticipating the text's rhymes as they turn pages.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley