(3) K-3 Illustrated by Don Daily & Don Daily. This cloth bound edition of the classic story about a young girl who receives an extraordinary nutcracker for Christmas features pages bordered by ample margins and large, handsome illustrations. The art ably captures the story's setting, and its varied perspectives add drama to the tale. A toy soldier dangles from the end of the ribbon page marker.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Don Daily. In this adaptation of two southern folktales, young Callie Ann outwits the crafty, honey-loving Mistah Bear, who, disguised as a gentleman, comes courting her mother. Although the use of dialect seems contrived at times, the book is a worthy read-aloud. Oversized, humor-filled illustrations extend the text, and a source note at the back provides careful documentation.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith