(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jeanne B. de Sainte Marie. Dressmaker Marielle acquires her dream job when fellow mouse Madame de Sooree hires her to make dresses for her nine daughters. But when a sudden wind blows the dresses out the window, Marielle must face her fear of heights to rescue them throughout Paris, with help from her pigeon friend Pierre. Intricate illustrations bring this sweet tale's Parisian setting to life.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 This unusual book, wordless except for an introduction, highlights the art of painting by inviting readers to examine twelve acrylic paintings of birds. Each spread features a vivid full-page painting opposite nine enlarged details from it; each square is a composition on its own, allowing readers to consider elements such as brushstrokes, negative space, and color placement with a fresh eye.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Edward Gorey. Greengrocer and fairy-tale connoisseur Flemming Flinders heads off wearing "his best suit" in search of "fame and fortune." This quirky reissue--"one of...Gorey's original works in color" (according to the publisher)--will be appreciated by collectors.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 When a clever raven steals a dog's ball, the bird teases the dog further by flying low and enticing it into playing chase. Although the story is slim, viewers will have no trouble following the simple arc of action thanks to the small, square wordless book's handsome, expressive block prints in stark black-and-white except for pops of the ball's red.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 "Abstract Artist Alligator Always Aims Atrociously Askew." Deep purples, reds, and yellows dominate the posterlike art accompanying each wacky alliterative tongue twister. The animals are an engaging array--"X-ray fish" represents that challenging letter, while "viper" and "yak" take their places along with "umbrellabird"--and shenanigans include nibbling nachos and jumping over jalopies. Kids will enjoy creating their own wacky alliterations.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 A bee can wear a crown to feel happy, you can show your trust in a bird by removing your hat, and a missing spider can be located through a "web search." Nonsensical, bizarre, but oddly humorous poems accompanied by childlike paintings reflect the peculiarities of specific animals through human eyes. These twenty-two short verses will elicit some pondering--and some groans.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan