(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marijke ten Cate. Jack is desperate to learn if he has won the drawing contest he entered. Unlike readers taking in the cleverly detailed panoramic spreads behind him, Jack doesn't notice the madness that ensues when the wind rips the notification letter from a postal worker's hand. The premise is grand, although the ending is predictable.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Marijke ten Cate. When Lisa the raccoon asks for a kiss at bedtime, her flamboyant father offers her an amusing variety. "Do you want...a witch's kiss?...a butterfly kiss?...a grandma kiss?" For each suggested smooch, there's a different scenario, exuberantly portrayed in the double-page paintings. At last, Lisa protests she just wants a goodnight kiss, and Daddy is ready to oblige.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Illustrated by Marijke ten Cate. After knocking on the doors of all of his friends to invite them to his party, Evan the badger tells Pip the hedgehog that his is the very best door of all. When he can't think of a gift, Pip decides to give the door to Evan--who kindly returns it, saying it's the very best door "because you are my very best friend." Despite the slight story line, readers will be entertained by subplots revealed in the illustrations.

Reviewer: Anne St. John