(3) K-3 Retold by John A. Rowe. Illustrated by John A. Rowe. A clown-nosed emperor and his menagerie of monkey attendants prance through this slightly shortened retelling of the classic tale of vanity. The fantastical art is full of eccentric and sophisticated detail, and the scenes of the emperor preening in front of a mirror in all his naked amplitude (rear view only) are very amusing.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by John A. Rowe. "I'll get my finger paints and paint this boring white wall. I'll paint anything I feel like." A young boy imagines all the mischievous things he could do if he exiled his mother to the moon. The book doesn't add any new twists to child-tyrant picture books, but the frenetic illustrations convey the rebellious tyke's impulsive energy.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by John A. Rowe. The cumulative Russian folktale begins with a lost red hat that provides shelter for a host of animals. A frog, hedgehog, enormous bear, and other creatures squeeze inside until a minuscule flea proves too large for the bulging hat. The book's design features gray typeface set against a stark white background and sophisticated, somewhat surreal paintings that may have limited appeal.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty