(4) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by Maja Dusi­kova. In a reversal of the stereotypical monster-under-the-bed story, Mona, a monster who lives in a "chilly attic," can't sleep for fear of scary children under her bed. When the children actually appear, both parties get over their fears quickly and become fast friends. The predictable and flat story is nicely illustrated with attention to homey (both monster and human) details.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Maja Dusi­kova & Maja Dusikova. When Rachel, the shepherd's daughter, hears of the birth of Baby Jesus, she finally knows what to do with the special silver bell that she found--offer it as a gift to the baby, along with one of her father's lambs. Misty art illustrates the sentimental picture book, but unfortunately, the pedantic ending, which tells the modern reader to listen carefully for the sound of the bell at Christmas time, seems tacked on.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) K-3 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by Maja Dusi­kova. The night before her favorite tree at the local pond is to be cut down, Sarah has a dream about the tree's spirit. The next day Sarah's father helps her plant a twig from the tree, which soon begins to sprout leaves of its own. This Swiss import switches gears unexpectedly, from the sad-looking ghostly tree spirit to realism, but otherwise the text is appealing and is competently illustrated in earth tones.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by Maja Dusi­kova. Despite tales of dangerous creatures on the other side of the river, Raccoon and Little Fox cross over into each other's territories unharmed. While visiting, they discover the history behind the scary tales. The history seems contrived, but the fablelike book, with its cast of friendly looking animals, makes an effective point about fear of the unknown.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maja Dusi­kova. Softly muted paintings reverentially illustrate this simple interpretation of a traditional Christmas carol, written in Austria on Christmas Eve in 1818. Expressing the carol's universality, the setting changes from a mountain village to a desert encampment to the North Pole, but the book begins and ends with baby Jesus in the manger. Music and all lyrics are appended.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by Maja Dusi­kova. When Granny's old canary dies, she reminds Will and Molly that the bird will live on in their memories. Later, when Granny dies, the children realize that as they look at pictures and tell stories about her, Granny will also live on. The otherwise sensitive illustrations are marred by the fact that they show a parakeet rather than a canary.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley