(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gwen Millward. Charming and amusing lyrical poems reveal the personalities of the bug residents of an abandoned garden. Ladybug loves to make mud angels, Horsefly pretends he is a real horse, and Bee wants to "just be." Sometimes alone, sometimes together, they play, work, and enjoy their garden home. The whimsical creatures are portrayed sweetly in the pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. When Squirrel (Squirrel's World) asks his friends to play, Mouse is too busy, Turtle is too slow, and Rabbit too set in his ways. But Squirrel makes them play anyway, with somewhat disastrous results. Later, he worries they're mad at him, but they ultimately have fun, fun, fun. Gorbachev's distinctive sketchy ink-and-watercolor illustrations enhance the amusing vignettes told with lively repetitive language.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sebastiaan Van Doninck. Aspiring young rancher Boyd fails to impress anyone with his slow-as-molasses "horse," Calliope. (Readers will see what, hilariously, none of the characters do: Calliope is a rhinoceros.) But after the cattle escape, Calliope demonstrates her lone talent. Boyd's blind loyalty to his underachieving--if momentarily triumphant--friend is downright touching, and Van Doninck's illustrations depict ranch life as equal parts scrappy and snuggly.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Benji Davies. On his way up the mountain to visit Granny Bett, who's feeling blue, Railroad Hank stops to gather gifts. But instead of the items Granny's friends offer (e.g., eggs, milk), Hank packs up a trainload of hens, cows, etc.; the chaotic cargo brightens Granny right up. Cheerful illustrations and a nice use of repetition keep this kooky tale on track.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ben Mantle. Mouse Murray lacks a carrot for his "Perfect Soup." A farmer offers him one if he'll haul logs, a horse will haul the logs in exchange for jingle bells, etc. Everyone (except grumpy Mrs. Wooley) agrees to help--for a price. The final individual helps without ulterior motives, though, and the cumulative story, with its cheery illustrations, ends with a satisfying twist.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kathryn Brown. As her parents prepare the wagon for a move West, pioneer girl Lydia can't bear to say goodbye to her grandma, who's staying behind. Grandma helps Lydia by giving her a book of stories, a prayer for the family, and lots of "kisses on the wind." Prairie-hued watercolor paintings illustrate the sentimental small family drama.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. Over the course of a day, hyperactive Squirrel tries, tries, tries to help Mouse, Turtle, and Rabbit, with varying degrees of success. In the last chapter, Squirrel disturbs his friends while attempting to say good, good, good night but does find a way to help Rabbit overcome his fear of the dark. Lively ink and watercolor illustrations underscore the animals' personalities.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. Annie finds a monster inside her new backpack. Not a scary monster, but a wisecracking, annoying one. However, when the monster makes confetti out of Annie's homework to create an Annie-Is-Great parade, Annie decides, "My backpack is silly and messy and big trouble. But I love my backpack." Uncluttered digital illustrations outline major events while displaying expressive faces.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. As Charlie and Grandpap plant the seeds for their watermelon patch, Charlie hopes for a wishing watermelon. All summer long as they fish and swim and tend the garden, Grandpap tries to guess Charlie's wish. Warm bordered paintings accentuate the affectionate relationship between grandfather and grandson.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin