(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow. Kindly monster-child Maximillian Villainous isn't living up to the Villainous family creed. His mom says that if he wants to keep his new pet (and would-be sidekick) bunny, the duo must succeed at one of three villainous tasks. The resolution to this square-peg-in-round-hole identity farce is devilishly clever, and the art showing the creepy-cuddlesome Villainous clan in slightly off-kilter color combinations is ghoulishly good.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow. The Bunny Bus hops about town, shuttling animal friends dressed in their Easter finery to a parade. Along the way, the overcrowded bus suffers mechanical problems, which leads to cooperative if confusing problem-solving: the animals clean the bus and that fixes it. Still, rollicking rhyming text and illustrations in the bright hues of early spring combine for a cheery, celebratory (and secular) Easter read-aloud.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(4) PS Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow. For those who enjoy pet names, here's a treacly but peppy rhyme created around them. "You're my peek-a-boo, my sneak-a-boo, / my laughing-till-you-squeak-a-boo." Throughout the ups and downs of the day, two doting fox parents invent affectionate names for their child--reassuringly, even when the youngster misbehaves. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations augment the story.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert