(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Junge. When zoo animals sneak off to the Ferris wheel next door, each has a distinctly unique view from the top. A crocodile sees his homeland of Africa, while a polar bear glimpses the North Pole. This tale about longing for home inadvertently raises an ethical question about capturing wild animals for zoos. Amusing illustrations filled with blues and yellows accompany the story.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Junge. "Does the ocean ever end?" An ant and an elephant attempt to see the other side, but a fish tells them, "the ocean ends right here," which then begs the question, "where does the ocean begin?" Limited-palette illustrations effectively bring the discourse down to earth, but the circular query will be too abstract for many picture book readers.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Translated by Charise Myngheer. Illustrated by Alexandra Junge. Tired of his young owner's messy, smelly room, Carlos the cat sets out to find a better home. He ends up in a tidy apartment with a luxurious bed, warm milk, and expensive treats. But the good life gets old, and Carlos starts to miss his former owner. The textured, painterly illustrations add humor to this somewhat preachy story.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) K-3 Translated by Marianne Martens. Illustrated by Alexandra Junge. Because her chick wants to hatch on Easter, Hilda the hen must figure out exactly what day that will be. Max the owl helps her keep track of time until Easter arrives--"the first Sunday after the first full moon that comes after the first day of spring." The illustrations give Hilda and her chick plenty of personality, but the story feels contrived.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert