(3) PS Illustrated by Mark Birchall. It's the first day of school in these two books. Python can't keep himself from squeezing his classmates, and Puma is a biter...but both animals learn a gentle lesson from their new friends. An expressive cast of animal characters will help children recognize and cope with common new-school issues. The books' diminutive size will appeal to toddlers as well as to the intended preschool-age audience. [Review covers Be Gentle, Python! and No Biting, Puma!.]

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) PS Illustrated by Mark Birchall. A four-year-old girl is very mature about many things but still wets her bed at night. One night she dreams of an adventure with a mermaid, and the mermaid tells her not to worry--she will outgrow the bed-wetting. The rhyming story ends with a note for parents from a pediatric urologist. The singsong text and sweet but bland illustrations are not distinctive enough to move the book beyond bibliotherapy.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Birchall. Everyone loves Chimp's new purple overcoat, except for Chimp: it's too long, too hot, and too scratchy. So he works a trade with a kangaroo for a shorter, softer, yellow coat. Everyone hates it, except for Chimp. His happiness outweighs popular opinion as he beams that it's "the right coat for me." The type is difficult to read, but the bright, cartoonlike illustrations capture Chimp's individuality and self-confidence.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) PS Illustrated by Mark Birchall. With simple rhyming couplets and spunky pencil and crayon artwork, a little girl is shown participating in everyday activities and emotions. Not until the last spread is it revealed that she uses a wheelchair. While the basic just-like-me-and-you story line lacks originality, Susan's occasionally naughty behavior and consequent punishment is refreshing.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) PS Illustrated by Mark Birchall. Parrot chatters so much that the teacher can't even read a story; Penguin refuses to let anyone else take a turn on the slide. In both situations, their frustrated classmates take matters into their own hands. Young children will be able to relate to these common childhood behavior issues. The books' diminutive size will appeal to toddlers, as will the expressive cast of animal characters.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin