(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ivan Gantschev. Santa tells the forest animals why he celebrates Christmas by recounting the story of Jesus's birth. The text is sentimental but readable, and the connection made between the modern gift-giving celebration and the ancient story is one that many families will appreciate. Gantschev's paintings, using simple shapes and subdued colors, are soft and approachable.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by Ivan Gantschev. After an avalanche separates snow leopard cub Siri from her younger brother, she is caught in a steel trap while searching for him. Freed by a game warden, Siri makes her way home to the snow cave where she finds her brother waiting. Illustrated with soft pastel watercolors, this somewhat wordy and anticlimactic story includes factual information about snow leopards.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo