(3) K-3 An orange-haired child throws a tantrum after receiving a "silly-looking potato bunny" as a birthday present instead of the dwarf rabbit he's wanted "since forever." Despite the narrator's rage, the bunny is comforting and calm; the narrator apologizes, and "that's how...my funny bunny and I became friends for life." This French import's matter-of-fact text and color-saturated, scribble-like illustrations empathetically depict the protagonist's intense emotions.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 After the boy narrator finally bathes his unbearably smelly dog Alfred, the pooch won't play for fear of getting dirty. The child, missing his best friend, realizes Alfred was perfect before in his "own smelly way," and coaxes his playmate into becoming stinky again. Readers of this French import, with its energetic, scribbly illustrations, may chuckle at the vivid portrayal of Alfred's stench.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert