(4) PS Super Sturdy Picture Book series. Illustrated by David Walker. "Five puppies went out to play. Four puppies were big. One puppy was small." Domino can't keep up with the bigger pups, but when a ball gets stuck under a fence, his size comes in handy. The story is slight, but the springtime-colored paintings of bouncy puppies will appeal to preschoolers.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) PS Translated by Diego Lasconi. Illustrated by Shari Halpern. When puppy Titus arrives on a farm, he's not sure what he is supposed to do. Although he can't drive a tractor, go to school, or give milk, he realizes that what he can do is be a good watchdog. Colorful cut-paper and fabric collages illustrate the simple text. This bilingual edition allows Spanish speakers to enjoy Titus's adventures.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) PS Illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Through round cutouts we see pointy ears, shiny eyes, and other scary characteristics people fear about the Big Bad Wolf, but as the pages turn, we also see they're just part of being a wolf, and this one is a devoted father and husband. Kids will enjoy the amusing twist on a familiar villain, the effective die-cuts, and appropriately simple illustrations.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 All Aboard Reading series. Illustrated by True Kelley. An unrepentant cat spills milk, eats plants, and performs other acts of feline destruction to a constant but ineffective chorus of "bad, bad cat!" His family worries when he strays from home one day; when he eventually returns, they welcome back their "good, bad cat." The story describes realistic cat behavior but lacks charm. The cartoonlike illustrations provide clues to help new readers decipher the text.

Reviewer: Kathleen Smith

(4) PS Illustrated by Bob Kolar. The two titular pets live together and they fight like, well, cats and dogs--until one day they discover they can help each other, and they become best friends. Despite the pat resolution, the simply told tale exudes character and charm. Kolar's skillfully spare illustrations feature saturated watercolor figures with bleeded edges that give everything a fuzzy, energetic halo.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(3) PS Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Alex offers an intimate tour of his two homes, leaving the reader to assume, though it's never stated, that his parents are divorced. The simple first-person narrative keenly highlights those details important to children of Alex's age, while Denton's warm watercolor illustrations, familiar and rich in detail, extend the reassuring tone.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) PS Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. Charlie's parents say that Tex, his new, large toy dinosaur, is "too big" for most activities, but when it's time to visit the doctor all the other stuffed animals hide, and Tex is thrilled to finally be invited to go along. The story will engage preschoolers, though the text loses some of its momentum before the end. Retro artwork in pale colors contains humorous details.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marie H. Henry. A young girl decorates the Christmas tree, bakes cookies, and waits for Santa along with her animate toys. The toys are momentarily upset when it seems there are no presents for them on Christmas morning, until they unwrap a large wooden wagon that they all can share. The somewhat rambling story is illustrated with warmly lit but sticky-sweet watercolor paintings.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann