(4) K-3 Illustrated by Joanne Fitzgerald. While the narrator's trapeze-artist mom practices on a bar suspended from the living room ceiling, his friends gawk and play dress up with circus costumes. At first the narrator feels upstaged, but finally he's drawn into the action. The premise is unique, and the watercolor images capture the kids' imaginative play, but it may disappoint some readers that the acrobatic mom isn't integrated into the scenes.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) PS Illustrated by Joanne Fitzgerald. This reissue is a collection of folktales by a seasoned storyteller. Lottridge took tales from all over the world and recast them simply enough for three- and four-year-olds to enjoy. They have a lovely rhythm, and Fitzgerald's pastel watercolors enhance the text without overwhelming it.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joanne Fitzgerald. After a sultan takes a diamond button from a rooster with prodigious swallowing power, the rooster must use his talents in unusual ways to outwit the greedy sultan and get the button back. Elegant watercolors set the story in the time of the Ottoman Empire. A note about the story gives some additional information about this Hungarian tale.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt