(4) K-3 Illustrated by Etienne Delessert. Though he maintains that "I still hate to read," erudite fourth-grader Victor describes his secret passion for the books that unleash his imagination. This ode to reading can be heavy-handed at times, and some of the literary allusions are likely beyond the intended audience. The varied, often fantastical illustrations set against plenty of white space speak to the power of imagination.

Reviewer: Nell Beram