(4) K-3 Funny Bone Readers: Dealing with Bullies series. Illustrated by John Nez. This timely easy-reader series illustrates applicable ways for kids to deal with bullies, from standing up for friends (On-Again) to being yourself (Go, Billy). Relatable situations and mostly realistic dialogue help make the purposeful character-building stories go down easy. Each book's illustrations are bright and story-appropriate. "Big Questions" ("Why was Bear being mean to the others?") and "Big Words" (brief glossaries) are appended. Review covers these Funny Bone Readers titles: Bear's Bad Day, Go, Billy, Go!, How to Deal with Bullies, The On-Again, Off-Again Friend, Stella...Almost, and The Fable of the Bully Dragon.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) PS Illustrated by John Nez. Catching Mouse taking a cookie from Santa's plate, Cat calls out, "Stop, Mouse!" With Cat in pursuit, Mouse scampers off, not realizing that the kitty just wants to give him a little Christmas gift. Appealing illustrations with festive details and varying perspectives and a text composed of repetition and onomatopoeia ("scitter, scitter, scittter") make this a solid holiday storytime choice.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Abbott Nez. When the bronze animals on the Delacorte Clock start to "dance," Milo, a snow monkey in nearby Central Park Zoo, longs to join them. After his cage is left open he gets his chance; he's then horrified to learn he's been locked out. Metzger's rhyming text, while cheery, stumbles in places. Nez's cartoony illustrations have verve. More information about the Delacorte Clock is appended.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by John Abbott Nez. In each book, a kid visiting an out-of-state cousin receives state-specific gifts, one per day, during the twelve days of Christmas (both books include "skiers swooshing"). Chatty, overly explanatory letters written home to Mom and Dad expand the information; additional state facts are appended to the stories. The books' cheerful illustrations get ever more crowded as the presents accumulate. Review covers these titles: The Twelve Days of Christmas in Colorado and The Twelve Days of Christmas in Washington.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Yoko and Friends School Days series. Illustrated by John Nez. Yoko is afraid that if adults know she can read they will stop reading to her, and Noisy Nora can't help but talk about her birthday party at school even though some kids feel left out. Two more additions in Wells's easy reader series about life in Mrs. Jenkins's class are well-meaning and contain overt lessons. The art, aping Wells's signature style, gives the books a familiar feel. [Review covers these Yoko and Friends School Days titles: Read Me a Story and The Secret Birthday.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth