(4) K-3 Translated by David Henry Wilson. Illustrated by Katja Gehrmann. Sir Hothead, a diminutive but irascible young knight, decides that he's ready to fight a dragon, but when he runs into one, the young fire-breather is as unsuited to tussling as the boy is. There's too much text for such a simple tale, which over-relies on cuteness, but the illustrations, consisting of simple black lines and thick, uniquely colored brush strokes, are redemptive.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Marije Tolman. Small, colorful figures in expansive scenes of snow, two young siblings perform a Nativity play all for themselves. They greet the three kings--a smiling mama and, perhaps, grandparents, looking bemused by the gratitude for the "gold, franklin sense, and something else." This sweet, never-cloying story ends cozily, with everyone tucked in a sled, towed behind a snowmobile, and headed toward a brightly lit house.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Frauke Bahr. Stubborn Tanya refuses to comb her hair. She doesn't mind when birds take up residence there--but she does balk at the panthers and snakes. This cautionary tale is fairly by-the-book, down to its turnaround ending. The illustrations aren't surehanded, but kids will cackle at the depiction of Tanya's pre-epiphany hair and they'll ooh and ahh at the lenticular cover.

Reviewer: Nell Beram