(4) K-3 Illustrated by Pablo Bernasconi. A boy expounds on the virtues of a pet dinosaur, also offering tips on its care and maintenance (e.g., "It needs lots of water and lots of tummy rubs"). Humorous large-scale mixed-media illustrations enhance the straight-faced text. Inventively shaped and layered flaps appear throughout; some seem gratuitous, others expand the story's scope.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pablo Bernasconi. After pumpkin farmer José and his brothers toss some leftover seeds into a field, the seeds blow into the town, where they take root--and pumpkins take over. This big-hearted tale about doing right by other people is morally instructive without being preachy. The innovative collage and found-objects art features a cast that resembles Muppet people sporting human-hair wigs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram