(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christine Mannone Carolan. Lovable Booster Bogg the dog is a free spirit who cannot be contained. When mean Mr. Green brings up the leash law, the townsfolk figure out how to circumvent this regulation. The verse has the lilting rhythm of a ballad, and the playful illustrations add to Booster's personality, but readers don't learn why it's so important to maintain Booster's independence.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Daria Tessler. A boy named Henry looking for fire entices a grumpy dragon to produce some for him. The way Henry manages it--by making the dragon laugh--provides some giggles for readers. A few stumbly rhymes detract from the narrative flow. Textured mixed-media illustrations show the budding comedian trying out his best material. (The dragon turns out to be a fan of physical comedy.)

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Who is planting sunflowers along Pudding Street? Nobody can figure it out, except the canine narrator--and the reader, who'll quickly spot the bird that appears in nearly every illustration, stealing sunflower seeds and "planting" (actually dropping) them. The bright yellows and oranges in the illustrations match the tone of the cheery narration. An author's note explains how seeds get planted in nature.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tony Weinstock. Francine and her little brother Max are experts at imaginative play. Max, however, is growing tired of being support staff: captive to Francine's pirate; pack mule to her explorer. When Max suggests putting on a circus, his bossy sister must learn cooperation to pull off the greatest show on earth. Weinstock's playful, brightly hued acrylic illustrations bring Ferreri's fanciful world to life.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Where can you find fairies? What kinds are there, and how can you make them happy? Saxton answers all sorts of questions about these wee folk in short chapters, providing additional information and quotations in sidebars. Mixed-media illustrations, often with colorful abstract backgrounds, are overly synthetic-looking.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley