(3) 4-6 In this companion to Morpurgo's Greatest Animal Stories, the popular English author selects twelve classic "magical" stories, mostly tried-and-true folktales and all European except for the Japanese "Yoshi the Stonecutter." With many different retellers and illustrators, beginning comments from Morpurgo before each story, and a handsome open format, this collection is good for both storytime or individual reading.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Evoking vintage sci-fi posters in its graphic design and large format, this sprawling introduction alternates focus between real robotics history and functions and fictional bots such as R2-D2 and Transformers. Each busy two-page spread features a different topic within the expanding technological subject, and captioned photographs act as signposts in a visual tour of the robot world. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This straightforward series gently describes difficult realities of the world through examples and language that will resonate with young children. Each volume explains why or how situations such as war or acts of racism might occur, the "people who help," and how children can better understand the issues and process associated anxieties. Soft, emotive art underscores the reassuring tone. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Children in Our World titles: Global Conflict and Racism and Intolerance.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This straightforward series gently describes difficult realities of the world through examples and language that will resonate with young children. Each volume explains why or how situations such as war or acts of racism might occur, the "people who help," and how children can better understand the issues and process associated anxieties. Soft, emotive art underscores the reassuring tone. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Children in Our World titles: Global Conflict and Racism and Intolerance.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 The popular British author chooses seventeen retold stories from Aesop, Andersen, international folklore, and other sources. There is a totally original story about Noah's Ark by Geraldine McCaughrean; Morpurgo himself adapts Prokofiev's children's symphony "Peter and the Wolf." Each selection includes a short introduction. Illustrations in various styles (and by many different artists) make the enjoyable anthology handsome as well.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Fergus Barnaby, a young bear, lives with his parents on the first floor of an apartment building. While packing for vacation, Fergus must collect various items he's loaned his friends in the building. Detailed, beautifully rendered illustrations show Fergus repeatedly travelling up and down to different floors. A textured cover and an unusually tall, narrow trim size add to the book's appeal.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 In her sixth adventure, Ella Bella wanders into a lesser-known ballet, La Boutique Fantasque (a.k.a. The Magic Toyshop). In the shop, Ella Bella and the magical toys save a romantically involved pair of can-can dancing dolls from being sold separately. Mayhew's colorful, sparkling illustrations capturing the clutter and curios of the fantastical shop compensate for the predictable story. An endnote discusses this unique ballet.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) 4-6 Real Lives series. Illustrated by Paul Calver. Women covers courageous females who "challenged society's ideas about what women can achieve"; Heroes includes both men and women "whose deeds and words made the world a better place." Both books include thirty-six one-page profiles, each facing a pop art–style portrait of the subject; the attractive layouts use bold, bright-colored backgrounds. These introductory collective biographies could spark deeper research. Ind. Review covers these Real Lives titles: Fearless Women and Unsung Heroes.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Real Lives series. Women covers courageous females who "challenged society's ideas about what women can achieve"; Heroes includes both men and women "whose deeds and words made the world a better place." Both books include thirty-six one-page profiles, each facing a pop art–style portrait of the subject; the attractive layouts use bold, bright-colored backgrounds. These introductory collective biographies could spark deeper research. Ind. Review covers these Real Lives titles: Fearless Women and Unsung Heroes.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. Using relatable language and explanations, this volume sensitively explores the plight of refugees and migrants. The coverage includes why and how people leave their home country, refugee camps, asylum seekers, and the complicated process of determining where a refugee will ultimately live; suggestions for how to help are also provided. Kai's muted, reassuring illustrations enhance the lucid prose. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This compassionate exploration of poverty uses gentle, age-appropriate language. Kai's muted illustrations blend well with relatable explanations of how and why people end up suffering from hunger and poverty and the effect this has on families. The lucid text also discusses the ways in which charitable organizations provide aid and makes suggestions for how young readers can help. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Explore 360 series. Illustrated by Somchith Vongprachanh. Readers learn about ancient Egypt through the lens of the life, death, entombment, and archaeological discovery of the famous Egyptian pharaoh. While the book provides a wealth of information and historical background, Tutankhamun-specific discussion only appears midway through. A multitude of pictures, text boxes, and sidebars make the pages feel cluttered but are nonetheless valuable for bringing the history to life.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 In this basic introduction to Greek mythology, short sections provide information on various gods, demi-gods, creatures, and human heroes. The layout is eye-catching though somewhat busy. The included photographs, sketches, and paintings are excellent, but the inelegant computer illustrations don't mesh well with the rest of the presentation. The book also lacks any back matter to highlight sources or further reading.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) PS Illustrated by Nicola O'Byrne. At Sam's Sundaes, five hungry creatures order flavors like blue cheese (for mouse), fish finger (for cat), a cone full of worms (for chicken), etc. When Gorilla arrives and asks for plain old vanilla, his order ends up being big enough to share--and not as simple as he'd thought. The singsongy rhymed text is paired with colorful, cartoony illustrations--some delicious-looking.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Somchith Vongprachanh. The famous ancient Roman city, destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, is explored both in the book and through an included CD-ROM. Many of the better-known and preserved locations within the city are discussed in detail, with illustrations and photos of the sites and artifacts bringing the city to life but cluttering the spreads. The "virtual 3D tour" offers limited interactivity.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 In the fifth book featuring Ella Bella, a magic music box transports the young ballet student to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, where she follows Puck and helps him cast a mischievous spell to re-ignite Titania's love for Oberon. As before, the lackluster narrative isn't as engaging as Mayhew's fanciful, detailed illustrations. An author's note provides background on the Bard and discussion of Mendelssohn's music composed for the play.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Twin brother and sister solicit stories from their grandfather, Papa Chagall, who entrances the kids with a string of vignettes that combine to give a persistently chipper overview of the artist Marc Chagall's life (more substantial biographical information is inside the back cover). Anholt's loose-lined art captures many of Chagall's motifs and embodies the levity of much of his work; actual reproductions are worked in.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gerald Kelley. Springing from the true story of how London street performer James Bowen found, healed, and bonded with street cat Bob, this book presents one possible backstory for the orange kitty. Handsome cat's-eye-view paintings follow Bob from bewildered, hungry, and frightened to happy and in safe company, proudly wearing his now-signature scarves. A photo collage of the real Bob and James is included.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS Illustrated by Dorothy Stott. Only the narrator differs in these sweet, identical stories (same appealing art, familiar situations, sturdy pages, and small trim size) about a new sibling. In each, the older sibling expresses excitement and frustration, awaits a time when being older starts to be fun, and then finds the ability to soothe the baby--all leading to love and acceptance. Review covers these books: Hannah Is a Big Sister and Henry Is a Big Brother.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) PS Illustrated by Dorothy Stott. Only the narrator differs in these sweet, identical stories (same appealing art, familiar situations, sturdy pages, and small trim size) about a new sibling. In each, the older sibling expresses excitement and frustration, awaits a time when being older starts to be fun, and then finds the ability to soothe the baby--all leading to love and acceptance. Review covers these books: Hannah Is a Big Sister and Henry Is a Big Brother.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee