(3) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Demarest. Lateef sells mushrooms and firewood in the village market, earning money to rent a bike. After he learns to ride, he wrecks the bike in a stunt but agrees to work to pay for the repairs and eventually earns his own bike. Illustrated in Demarest's warm, organic watercolors set in strong black outlines, this gentle, contemporary story shows a Nigerian boy pursuing his dream despite obstacles and poverty.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi. On a rainfield in Africa, Wind, Fire, and Rain hold a contest to determine who is greatest. When Fire gets carried away burning things and Wind is unable to stop him, queenly Rain saves the day and proves that "the gentlest is the greatest." Against surreal backgrounds of marbled-paper-and-photo collage, Wind, Fire, and Rain are portrayed as regal Africans in this pourquoi tale.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Claudia Shepard. Despite their mother's directives not to leave the village, Ade and Tayo cannot resist the lure of a nearby lake and its berry plants, but they soon find themselves cornered by a big water snake. Working together, the boys successfully outwit the snake, but not their mothers. This suspenseful short adventure, set in the Nigerian rainforest, is illustrated with boldly hued watercolors.

Reviewer: Jennifer Polshek