(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elena Odriozola. Babba Zarrah entertains the village children with stories as they sit on her woolen blanket. When she discovers that many villagers are in need of new clothes, Babba Zarrah begins knitting them new clothing from the (diminishing) blanket. Readers will enjoy this warm tale about the virtues of sharing. The colorful illustrations and cheerfully rounded figures stand out against wintry white backgrounds.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) PS Illustrated by James Ransome. A boy tries to guess what woke him: "It is the toad, I think, / in the pond / that makes the splash, / that makes the crash, / the toad, I think, on the log / in the pond." Little ones should enjoy the gentle verse and night-lit paintings that ultimately reveal the wind to be the culprit.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 1-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Brad Sneed. After Bruno the bear saves Henry's beehive, the two become friends. In two other episodic, easy-to-read chapters, Henry helps Bruno look for a place to live, and on a camping trip, Bruno helps Henry hide food from hungry bears. This isn't great literature, but kids will enjoy staying one step ahead of each tale, and the flat illustrations, boasting exaggerated proportions, will amuse.

Reviewer: Nell Beram