(4) K-3 A group of animals gathered in a warm stable on a snowy night welcome in a man and pregnant woman. When she gives birth to a baby boy, a "star appeared above the stable." The swirling pictures are abstractly rendered in a snowy palette, and young readers may struggle to interpret them. Still, this Italian import offers a subdued version of the Christmas story.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Benjamin Schipper. After a young boy's grandma tells him how to look for God in everyday life, Galatians' "Fruit of the Spirit" (scripture quotation appended) is revealed to him as he goes about his day in the city. Though the illustrations have a slick, overly cartoonish quality, they reflect a realistic urban diversity that works well with the ode to opening one's heart and noticing life's little blessings.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jemima Maybank. An informative and sometimes irreverent look at life and religion in the years when Jesus lived. Two-page spreads describe details about housing, clothing, transportation, work, religious practices, and punishment (multiple forms of crosses used in crucifixion are shown). While the print is small, the many illustrations, maps, diagrams, and charts should keep readers engaged. The absence of references and an index is unfortunate.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lucy Fleming. Serene double-page-spread paintings depict a diverse array of children and adults enjoying the fruits of the earth, the majesty of the night sky, rural scenes in different locales and seasons, and their relationships with one another in this nondenominational Christian-themed picture book. The text is comprised of English poet Pierpoint's 1864 hymn, set to music (notation included) by the composer Conrad Kocher.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Thea Baker. Addressing an unnamed person who died, a girl explains how she finds solace in keeping a memory box, "so I won't forget you." The book, which features gentle art with collage elements, is more of a coping manual than an artistic effort, but it might offer comfort to grieving children. Supplemental information for adults to help "children process grief" concludes the book.

Reviewer: Nell Beram