(3) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Varley. An eager little pig, a supportive old goat, and a grumpy wild turkey stumble upon a rowboat. After overcoming their trepidation ("'Turkeys don't go in boats'...'Neither do goats'"), the three set out. Small Pig's enthusiasm buoys this cozy story illustrated with homey pen-and-ink illustrations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Leonie Lord. After a Super Hungry Dinosaur threatens to eat young Hal, his parents, and his dog, the boy takes a stand--and ultimately triumphs. Children who see their size as an obstacle will relish this fantasy. Reinforcing the kid-empowerment message, the cleanly antic art calls to mind the colored-pencil and crayon masterpieces created by youngsters.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Barbara Firth. Bee is a little frog who imagines she's a fierce dragon. When no one seems to care about this transformation, Bee hops off on her own. Just as she starts to feel lonely, Mom and Dad Frog find her in her hiding place. Waddell's reassuring text is hard to follow at times, but it is well paired with Firth's gentle watercolors.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) PS Illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. An old and gentle ox welcomes a series of stray animals into his barn for shelter. When Mary and Joseph arrive to give birth to their "little one," the creatures extend their hospitality. The gold, brown, and blue hues in the soft illustrations match the dreamy, repetitive text. Preschoolers will enjoy the warmth and love conveyed in this familiar story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) PS Illustrated by Jill Barton. In a warm tale, Duckling, his parents, and his loving extended family all await the day "their" pale blue egg reveals a new baby duck. Jealousy plays no role here; rather, inquisitive Duckling learns about his own birth and truly feels responsibility for and pride over his egg sibling. Barton's expressive watercolor and pencil illustrations are appropriately full of life.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(1) PS Illustrated by John Lawrence. Katy Mouse guides her little brother Tiny on his first expedition to the wheat field. Tiny gets lost playing hide-and-seek; there's a tender reunion, and then the best game: playing house in the formerly scary old boot that so alarmed Tiny while separated from Katy. Visually lovely, graphically distinguished, and perfectly cadenced, this warm-hearted adventure belongs in every library.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004

(3) PS Illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. An old and gentle ox welcomes a string of stray animals into his barn for shelter. When Mary and Joseph arrive to give birth to their "little one," the creatures extend their hospitality. The gold, brown, and blue hues in the soft illustrations match the dreamy, repetitive text. Toddlers will enjoy the warmth and love conveyed in this familiar story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) PS Illustrated by Sarah Fox-Davies. Frosted with snow while playing outside, three grizzly bear cubs, realistically drawn save for their smiles, have a little fun with their mom. When she says they look like snow bears, they say they are, and they don't know where her baby bears could be. With its soothing repetitiveness and mischievous young child stand-ins, this affectionate story has the right blend of security and excitement for its intended audience.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2003

(1) PS Illustrated by Barbara Firth. "'I wish I had someone to play with,' thought Harry. 'Someone not quick who has time to play with a tortoise.'" Don't rush through this thoughtfully paced book--like Harry Tortoise, it's worth slowing down for. The uncluttered illustrations give Harry lots of personality and the good-natured story emotional depth. When Harry finally finds a friend who appreciates the slow life, even speed demons will put on the brakes to cheer him on.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2003

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Barbara Firth. Big Bear lights several lanterns to assuage Little Bear's fear of the dark, but nothing will do until Big Bear shows his small charge that the reassuring light of the moon is everywhere. The comfortable bedtime story has appealing illustrations. This tenth anniversary edition contains a limited edition print.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) PS Illustrated by David Parkins. After hatching, Webster J. Duck searches in vain for his mother. While he meets several animals he thinks might be his mother, not one answers him with a "quack-quack," and he's in tears by the time Mother Duck arrives. While Webster's pitiful solo state and the joyous reunion are sentimental, the book features expressive illustrations with spring colors and appealing close-ups of the animals.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christian Birmingham. Charlotte asks her mother to tell her about the night that they found a lost kitten by the seashore. The unusual structure of the picture book, which is told completely in dialogue, brings the reader right into the intimate mother-daughter moment, and Charlotte's frequent interruptions to add details ring true. Rendered in chalk pastels, the illustrations include a mix of realistic figures and impressionistic backgrounds.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) PS Illustrated by Barbara Firth. One evening, Sammy leaves Tom Rabbit, his stuffed animal, on the wall by the back field. Tom Rabbit waits gamely, but as night falls, he becomes anxious and feels "all alone." Finally, at bedtime, an apologetic Sammy comes to fetch him. A few of the pastel-colored pencil and watercolor illustrations border on the sentimental, but they do depict the rural setting and the anxiety and comfort of being lost then found.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Penny Dale. Cuddly Bear hides for Joe's bedtime routine, and Joe asks his family members if they've seen him. They all suggest possible adventures the stuffed bear may be having, but Mommy finally finds him under Joe's pillow. While reassuring for some, others may prefer to skip Joe's routine and go straight to their own. The soft colored-pencil illustrations show both Joe and his family as well as Cuddly Bear's imagined activities.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) PS Illustrated by Penny Dale. As Rosie's mom gets the baby ready for naptime, four-year-old Rosie tells her all about her own "babies"--a plush bear and rabbit--who love to go to the park, make pies, and drive cars. Soft watercolors in cozy blue and brown tones set a homey scene and lovingly portray both the family relationships and the imaginary adventures.

Reviewer: Suzy Schmidt

(2) PS Illustrated by Barbara Firth. Big Bear is always nearby to share self-reliant Little Bear's toddler-like exuberance as he explores the forest and to catch him when Little Bear slips off a stone into the stream. Firth's warm pencil and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the bears' playful and loving relationship. Fans of the earlier books about Little Bear will rejoice to see another installment in this paean to familial love and security.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(3) PS Illustrated by Camilla Ashforth. As Holly's mother helps her take a bath and get ready for bed, the little kitten names everyone that she loves and lists the reasons why. Soft watercolors full of small details depict the scenes that Holly describes, while smaller vignettes show the cats going about their bedtime routine. While it doesn't stand out from the many featuring this theme, the book is nonetheless quietly comforting.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) PS Three bears fetch some honey, then lose it to a bully. They try again, and this time Mummy scares away the bully, and the honey goes into their tummies. Children will be satisfied with the rhythmic text and will appreciate the mother bear's solution to the bully problem. Expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations add zip to the simple story.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.