(4) K-3 Illustrated by Pat Schories. The titular question is asked of the forest by children rollicking through nature. A curious little green sprite appears as the forest's spirit, replying to the youngsters with a wish list for each season: "the spicy smells of fall," springtime "breezes off the melting river," etc. The saccharine celebration of nature is enhanced by Schories's feathery, pastoral watercolors.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cynthia Jabar. "What do we get for driving far? A crusty, dusty, dirty car." Two kids and an adult drive their car through a "scrubbly-bubbly CAR WASH!" From "soapy thunderstorm" to steamy rinse and dry, the passengers have a blast. Even those indifferent to cars will enjoy the book's taut rhymes and inspired images, which feature a hip car-wash attendant and a business whose entrance looks like a wide-open mouth.

Reviewer: Nell Beram