(3) K-3 Translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. Illustrated by Olivier Tallec. From his perch on "his island," a boy imagines solutions to problems he sees (such as famine: "What if we lasso the clouds and bring rain to the desert?") as painterly art interprets his musings. The premise of this French import may sound twee, but the ending delivers a wallop: all along, the boy has been trying to decide whether to be born. (He decides yes.)

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Translated by Daniel Zolinsky. Illustrated by Stéphane Poulin. After a bully ridicules his small "zizi," gradeschooler Martin fears he'll never have a chance with it-girl Anais. Lenain's stated reason for writing the book was to discourage male preoccupation with "manliness," but the topic of penis-size anxiety vis-à-vis snagging a hot babe won't resonate with the intended audience. Regardless, readers will root for Martin, a pint-size nebbish in glasses and tie.

Reviewer: Nell Beram