(4) K-3 Illustrated by Normand Chartier. Inspired by the old Yiddish tale about the tailor who reconfigures his overcoat into smaller and smaller garments, the teller spins a purely American yarn about a cowboy whose pair of chaps eventually becomes a button. While a little heavy on the corn, the story should please young cowhands. The illustrations are undistinguished but energetic. Author's note. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Normand Chartier. Anthony goes berry-picking in hopes of finding a bucket of fruit to make jam--this summer without the help of his mother. When he can't find enough of any one fruit, his plans change. The text is too long and the watercolor paintings are more atmospheric than illustrative, but it's a good tale of independence and determination.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Normand Chartier. Prospector Ebenezer Overall is "savin' up for a rainy day" by hoarding "stuff" and burying his gold nuggets. When a rainy day finally comes to Dry Gulch, it's a real gullywasher, and the town is swept away--everything except for Ebenezer's hoarded supplies, which Ebenezer generously uses to help rebuild the town. Bold, exaggerated illustrations on double-page spreads add to the humor.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Normand Chartier. In this introductory look at animal behavior, Singer explains how fourteen different animals, from the whale to the honeybee, greet others of their kind. The simple text is full of interesting facts, and Chartier's lively watercolor illustrations realistically depict walruses displaying their tusks, chimps hugging, elephants entwining their trunks, bears circling each other, luminous fish glowing, and more.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen