(3) 1-3 Translated by Julia Marshall. In this volume (translated from the Swedish), Little Bear asks his mother for three bedtime stories and she lovingly complies, reciting tales of a Night Guardian, a little girl, and a man--each traversing a dreamy, neon-pink-hued forest before sleep. The textured colored-pencil scenes and Scandinavian atmosphere evoke a timeless nighttime world, appealing in its strangeness. The small, square trim size is perfect for cozy one-on-one sharing.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) K-3 Nighttime-averse frog Jeremy hears noises under his bed. When his skeptical dad tries sleeping in Jeremy's bed, he discovers that his son is correct, and the two investigate. This story is purposeful but doesn't skimp on familial affection. A marvelous visual: as would suit any frog family, a few inches of water cover the floors of their cozy, den-like home.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Tidy and companionable ink-and-wash paintings illustrate a tale about a bird who brings a new pal home to the obvious disapproval of his flock. This little story about the friendship between a seagull and a blackbird has an obvious moral or two to impart, but both prose and pictures are modest enough to bear them gracefully.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton