(3) PS Illustrated by Jonathan Nelson. In Diné (Navajo) culture, the First Laugh Ceremony "expresses the parents' hope that their child will always be friendly, kind, and caring." This story about a baby growing up in the city but with grandparents on the Navajo Nation offers a not-often-seen glimpse of contemporary Native American life. Pencil, ballpoint-pen, and Photoshop illustrations contrast urban and rural living. Appended notes include other traditional baby celebrations.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 It's Mr. Peanuts's turn to visit Cousin Squirrel in this Christmas-themed follow-up to The Secret Life of Squirrels. Once again, a bland and conflict-free story plays second fiddle to the appealing (if odd) art: a back page explains that there is no digital manipulation in the vivid color photographs of real squirrels engaging with dollhouse-scale props arranged, and often created, by Rose.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Before Cousin Squirrel visits, Mr. Peanuts tidies house, makes the bed, takes a bath, and bakes a cake. Together they eat pancakes, go for a wagon ride, play chess, picnic, and more. Wild squirrels interacting with miniature objects in domestic settings make for amusing photographs that, together with an appended behind-the-scenes look at how they are made, somewhat compensate for the thin plot.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden