(4) PS Illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. Based on "The House That Jack Built," this festive cumulative tale features children, a snowman, a reindeer, an elf, and more all running after "the mouse (squeak, squeak) / That lived in the house (creak, creak) / That Santa built (clap, clap, clap, clap)." Though rough-looking, the cheerful collage illustrations incorporate the many story elements; the noise-filled text is almost chaotically energetic.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marita Gentry. In this Appalachian tale, Maw Maw needs "sody sallyraytus" (baking soda) for biscuits. She sends her family members, warning, "Beware, beware of the big bad bear!" And each time the bear eats the person. Finally, a squirrel outsmarts the bear and gets Maw Maw back in the kitchen. The text has a pleasing rhythm, though the repetition grows tiresome. The amateurish, muddy illustrations are unfortunate.

Reviewer: Meredith M. Sittman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. According to Aztec legend, when Sun God refuses to share his chocolate, Wind God turns himself into a blue frog to tell people the secret of the cocoa bean. De Las Casas's retelling is accessible but stilted due to awkwardly incorporated Spanish-language phrases (repeated in English). The cut-paper illustrations, while unfinished-looking, have some appeal. A recipe for Mexican hot cocoa is appended.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) PS Illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. Based on "The House That Jack Built," this cumulative tale comes complete with suggested read-aloud sound effects: "This is the cat (meow, meow) / That lived in the house (creak, creak) / That Witchy built (clap, clap, clap, clap)." It isn't very imaginative but could be fun for Halloween. Not every picture's a hit, but there are some creative elements to the cut-paper art.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. Young readers are lulled to sleep with the onomatopoeic sounds of bayou wildlife. The swamp orchestra--featuring mama and baby animals--swells to a crescendo then subsides with a chorus of "hush, hush." Textured cut-paper and collage illustrations feature exaggeratedly wide-eyed critters--a humorous but too-cartoony touch. Glossaries of wildlife and vegetation are appended.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky