(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bernadette Watts. This story follows the voyage of five small pinecones as they fall from their tree into a stream and travel along the water to a river's ocean convergence. The story suggests changes in the bodies of water and surrounding terrain as the pinecones drift away one by one. Impressionistic illustrations in soft, seasonal hues add details that reflect the different landscapes.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Emmanuelle Burg. With so many brothers and sisters, mouse Muri wonders, "Who is Mama's favorite?" Imitating his siblings fails to garner Muri extra attention, but a dangerous cat encounter proves that Mama "loved them all the same." Though it's sentimental, the story is enhanced by illustrations of softly textured mice, each with distinctive identifiers such as a colored scarf.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Translated by Kathryn Bishop. Illustrated by Sarah Emmanuelle Burg. When a freezing fox cub looks for help in the hen house, only Little Chicken will come to his aid, despite being warned against helping a fox. At the end of the story Little Fox, in turn, saves his new friend from his predatory parents. Expressive, gently humorous illustrations lighten this sweet (but somewhat didactic) tale about acceptance.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty