(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Himmelman. Mort, "a talented elephant," is torn when his father pushes him to excel at baseball while his mother wants him to study music. Mort becomes so overwhelmed, he accidentally uses his violin for a bat, and vice versa. Kraus's story gets off to a slow start, but ends with a humorous--if facile--twist. Himmelman's textured watercolors are expressive and playful.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Himmelman. An extended family celebrates the Days of Awe. Information about the ceremonies and traditions of both home and synagogue are featured as is the family's pride in Uncle Jake, who will blow the shofar at synagogue to signal the beginning and end of the holiday. Although the text is a bit syrupy, the watercolors are crisply executed and friendly in tone, and the author's note is particularly strong.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn