(4) K-3 Illustrated by Feridun Oral. Because she's too old to live alone, rabbit Great Aunt Fanny moves in with her niece's family. This includes three bunny kids who adjust well to their cramped but lively new domestic situation. The illustrations of bunny family harmony recall the work of Clement Hurd, but the coming-to-terms-with-death story, while sensitive, lacks similar artistry: Weninger spells out everything that happens.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Translated by Rosemary Lanning. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. A reissue of Will You Mind the Baby, Davy? is unchanged except for the title. Rabbit Davy is not excited about having a new sibling, but he warms up to the baby when he has great success comforting her. The loose, expressive illustrations successfully express Davy's appropriately childlike emotions.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Translated by Rosemary Lanning. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. When young rabbit Davy wishes for someone who's always there to spend time with him, his grandparents surprise him on his birthday. They bring with them all the stories, games, love, and patience that only grandparents can offer a child. Soft watercolor and charcoal illustrations convey the warmth in the rabbit household.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Translated by Rosemary Lanning. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. When Davy and his rabbit siblings can't find the Easter Bunny in the woods, Davy surprises his disappointed siblings with gifts of his own. The illustrations' muted tones suit this simple Swiss import about generosity. Although Davy's fans probably won't mind, the plot leaves an important question unanswered--who left Davy's Easter gift? Younger readers may be confused by the abrupt ending.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Translated by Andrew Rushton. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. Davy and his rabbit siblings prepare for Mother's Day by practicing the behaviors detailed in their parents' book, The Well-Raised Bunny. The resulting lunch party delights Davy's mom and convinces the bunnies that good behavior is "not as difficult as it seems." The cheery watercolor illustrations and gentle humor help make the lesson go down easy.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Translated by Rosemary Lanning. Rabbit Davy knows what impresses Santa: helping one another, being kind, and sharing. After Davy divides his family's winter food supplies among some hungry woodland animals, the rabbits scrimp by until Christmas Eve--when Davy's friends arrive with food that will sustain them and provide a bountiful harvest next summer. Expressive charcoal line and watercolor pictures illustrate this satisfying story.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) PS Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. Young rabbit Davy wishes for someone who's always there to spend time with him. His grandparents surprise him on his birthday, bringing stories, games, and love. Soft watercolor and charcoal illustrations convey the warmth in the rabbit household. This smaller-format "Tuff Books" edition features rounded corners and sturdy, glossy pages.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. After Davy's grandfather's threadbare soccer ball loses all of its stuffing, the gang decides to take on the Big Bad Badgers in hopes of winning the prize: "a brand new ball just like the pros use." There's not much tension in this good-natured story of hard work and perseverance. Expressive illustrations show likable Davy rallying his pals to victory.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) PS Translated by Kathryn Bishop. Illustrated by Yusuke Yonezu. When Nori can't sleep, he pays a nighttime visit to four friends who generously offer items or ideas they think will help. Nothing remarkable happens in this straightforward yet cozy story that provides a gentle reminder that "Night-time is a growing time for children." Yonezu's illustrations are skillfully textured, and his round little animals are as warm and comforting as late-night lullabies.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) PS Translated by Kathryn Bishop. Illustrated by Yusuke Yonezu. Nori loses his beloved binky. One by one his animal friends find and use it inventively (e.g., Lottie Lamb uses it as a hair clip). At story's end, Nori reaffirms that he is a big boy and no longer needs it. Although the resolution is pat and the text stilted, the textured illustrations with expressive baby animals will delight preschoolers.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Roehe. Mouse Miko shares his birthday with his best stuffed animal friend, wrestles with his conscience after breaking a vase, entertains himself until it's time for his mother to wake up, and refuses to take a bath until itchiness forces him to reconsider. The intimate illustrations are engaging, and resourceful Miko is an endearing protagonist worthy of more-interesting story lines. Review covers these titles: Miko: Double Birthday!, Miko: "It Was Me, Mom!", Miko: "Mom, Wake Up and Play!", Miko: "No Bath! No Way!

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Roehe. Mouse Miko shares his birthday with his best stuffed animal friend, wrestles with his conscience after breaking a vase, entertains himself until it's time for his mother to wake up, and refuses to take a bath until itchiness forces him to reconsider. The intimate illustrations are engaging, and resourceful Miko is an endearing protagonist worthy of more-interesting story lines. Review covers these titles: Miko: Double Birthday!, Miko: "It Was Me, Mom!", Miko: "Mom, Wake Up and Play!", Miko: "No Bath! No Way!

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Roehe. Mouse Miko shares his birthday with his best stuffed animal friend, wrestles with his conscience after breaking a vase, entertains himself until it's time for his mother to wake up, and refuses to take a bath until itchiness forces him to reconsider. The intimate illustrations are engaging, and resourceful Miko is an endearing protagonist worthy of more-interesting story lines. Review covers these titles: Miko: Double Birthday!, Miko: "It Was Me, Mom!", Miko: "Mom, Wake Up and Play!", Miko: "No Bath! No Way!

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Stephanie Roehe. Mouse Miko shares his birthday with his best stuffed animal friend, wrestles with his conscience after breaking a vase, entertains himself until it's time for his mother to wake up, and refuses to take a bath until itchiness forces him to reconsider. The intimate illustrations are engaging, and resourceful Miko is an endearing protagonist worthy of more-interesting story lines. Review covers these titles: Miko: Double Birthday!, Miko: "It Was Me, Mom!", Miko: "Mom, Wake Up and Play!", Miko: "No Bath! No Way!

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Translated by Harold D. Morgan. Illustrated by Robert Ingpen. A homely but virtuous dwarf enchants a group of crystal-mining dwarfs with his gift for poetry, while a greedy, "stinky old troll" tries to do the same but ultimately sees his true disagreeable nature reflected back at him. Ingpen's art, which incorporates silver foil, captures the cave dwellers' craggy features and the rich, earthy colors of their mountain environment.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. Davy the rabbit, a middle child, feels unloved and frustrated. Realizing it's difficult to be "too big for some things, too little for others," his family throws an impromptu party to celebrate his contribution to their lives. The message about appreciating each family member is worthy although overstated. Expressive illustrations portray the ups and downs of family life.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Translated by Charise Myngheer. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. Some animals overcome their reservations about caring for two abandoned frogs when Mama Mouse pronounces, "It's simple. A child is a child." The message is spot-on, but readers may fixate on the abandonment aspect ("The two little frogs waited and waited, but Mama and Daddy Frog never came home") rather than the rescue. The textured, up-close-and-personal images are occasionally heartbreaking.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Anne Möller. This minimal, carefully constructed text begins with a child and a glass of water, expands to consider the earth, and returns to the child. Weninger explains that water is necessary for life, mentions the different forms it takes such as ice and snow, and expresses hope for a continuing supply. Textured, paint and collage illustrations help make this simple book accessible to very young readers.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) PS Translated by Kathryn Grell. Illustrated by Alan Marks. Pale, soft illustrations show young Ben refusing his mother's offer of a series of bed buddies: cuddly stuffed animals and even a live dog. His choice--a terrible stuffed devil--stands out in red, green, and brown, complete with pointed tail. Ben chooses the devil to "scare away the ghosts and monsters and keep [him] safe." Although it's abrupt, the unexpected ending gives this bland story a lift.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Translated by J. Alison James. Illustrated by Eve Tharlet. When their parents go out one night, rabbit Davy and his siblings are excited to be home alone--that is, until Daisy sees a ghost at the window. The siblings are self-sufficient (Davy suggests they scare the ghost away) and the suspense strong. Tharlet's rabbits sport especially espressive faces, and red-caped Davy, clearly the hero of the family, stands out in the otherwise muted illustrations.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth