(4) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Harbour. Spoiled poodle Esme slips away from her owner, Mrs. B. Goldstein, in a city park. Esme is delighted with her freedom--until darkness falls. Luckily, streetwise mutt Samuel intervenes, and the two fall in love. Still, they must overcome Mrs. B.'s objections. Soft illustrations on creamy paper accompany the jaunty rhyme. It's a sweet story but geared more toward adults than kids.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Harbour. In this original tale a thistle in the garden turns into a baby for a sad and childless king and queen. The king and queen love the princess so much that they refuse to let her have friends in case she should be hurt. Only when she floats away like thistledown do they realize their error, and welcome all children into their garden. The pale, delicate, stylized pictures match the quiet mood of the story.

Reviewer: Ann A. Flowers