(3) K-3 Illustrated by Francesca Chessa. Lily loves to read and she finds the library to be an adventure. She meets Milly, a girl who hates to read and who loves to go exploring. Initially aghast, Lily realizes Milly's outdoor exploits are adventures too. Large-scale double-page spreads, warm, rich-hued, and vibrant, make this a good read-aloud for an audience of both book-lovers and the reading-averse.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Francesca Chessa. A rubber ducky, whose owner, Jane, laments that he "can't even squeak," falls out the bathroom window. His journey takes him all over town, but will he make it back to the bathroom safely? Will Jane still love him, despite his wonky squeak ("squoo, squoo!")? Chessa's emotionally rich illustrations show the protagonists in a sympathetic light, drawing readers into the story.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Francesca Chessa. After her parents announce they're having a baby, Emily makes a list of points, both good ("Its head is soft and snuffly") and bad, ultimately concluding: "When the baby comes...it will be baby this and baby that...and baby blah blah blah." Gentle reassurances convince Emily that being a big sister will be fun. Lighthearted mixed-media collages add great visual appeal.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) PS Illustrated by Francesca Chessa. In three vignettes promoting good hygiene, a wolf with dirty teeth, a sheep with unruly wool, and a smelly pig are shunned by their friends until they clean up. Although the text is weak, the quirky illustrations do much to soften the message. Strong brushstrokes in the paintings convey texture and movement, while scenes such as the wolf "playing" with his farm friends (he chases them) add humor.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan