(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ron Brooks. The heavily etched, red-earth-toned paintings in this allegory give it a primal feel, as does the erratic hand lettering at times placed sideways on the page. The powerful, deeply disturbing story of how Magpie is rehabilitated by half-blind Dog after she's crippled in a forest fire, only to betray him over the false promises of Fox, will provoke a disquieting response among those willing to tackle it.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) PS Illustrated by Ron Brooks. In a different angle on the new sibling story, Rosie the hare looks forward to her brother's birth, but when he comes too early, she's scared to touch such a tiny newborn. Her father patiently explains in an overlong story-within-the-story that Bobby is slow and steady, just like a tortoise, but he'll be big before long. The design and artwork bear a strong resemblance to McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You, but the content is unique.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin