(3) K-3 Illustrated by Francesca Chessa. After her parents announce they're having a baby, Emily makes a list of points, both good ("Its head is soft and snuffly") and bad, ultimately concluding: "When the baby comes...it will be baby this and baby that...and baby blah blah blah." Gentle reassurances convince Emily that being a big sister will be fun. Lighthearted mixed-media collages add great visual appeal.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni. What if you climbed a giant sunflower in the backyard and met a girl in the clouds who took you on cloud adventures? The whimsical story (which ends with the boy returned to earth, but on the threshold of a secret door leading into the ground . . . ) encourages creative play, but even more enjoyable are the acrylic illustrations, radiantly colorful and employing imaginative perspectives.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sally Percy. Horace has everything a hippo could want, but he's unhappy because his dad is always busy. Resorting to drastic measures, he sets a hippo trap. Luckily, the two then have a wonderful day playing together, and Horace is a happy hippo once more. Amiable illustrations warm the less-than-subtle tale, although the resolution isn't particularly practical for similarly unhappy humans.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin