(3) K-3 Illustrated by Catherine Stock. While Papa dances through France to picnic with the king, his pants grow worn and, to the family's embarrassment, split in royal company. Easing the situation, the king decrees that all shall disrobe to undergarments. Jaunty rhymed text and colorful pen-and-ink, watercolor, and collage illustrations evoke the joyous movement of dance.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) PS Illustrated by Leo Landry. This book highlights the differences and similarities between two brothers as they have fun together all year long. The text can be awkward, sometimes fitting words in just to complete the rhyme ("My brother's short with stompy feet. / I'm tall, not small. I like to eat"). Clean watercolor and pencil illustrations showcase the siblings' cheerfulness as they enjoy each other's company.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Randy Cecil. "Skinny-legs-tall" Willie is looking forward to taking her raft out on the river for the first time, but her silly relatives show up and sink it with their well-meant but ridiculous offerings. Instead of a watermelon or bicycle, all Willie needs are hugs and kisses for her trip. The text is full of figurative language that adds to the humor, and the illustrations aptly portray Willie's foolish but lovable family.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(3) PS Illustrated by Akemi Gutierrez & Akemi Gutierrez. In this rhyming text accompanied by sprightly gouache paintings, a little girl observes all kinds of animals taking their naps, from penguins in the snow to koalas in their eucalyptus trees. With her faithful puppy, she follows the animals from sea to desert to farm and back to home where she finds the best bed of all--a parent's lap on a cozy couch. The many animals that she finds in the book are seen as toys, scattered around her living room.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chad Cameron. George Hogglesberry, an alien, is so nervous about fitting in at his new Earth school that he can't tell up from down, keeps losing his ears, and accidentally turns himself into inanimate objects. When the fall play comes around, everyone worries that he'll ruin it. Wilson's story, although somewhat unfocused and poorly paced, is full of likable characters, and Cameron's soft, textured collage paintings add to the warmth.

Reviewer: Mark Adam