(4) K-3 Illustrated by Doug Kennedy. A Tyrannosaurus rex egg hatches in a duck's nest. The "duckling" fails to fit in with his duck family and can't seem to befriend other animals (lizards, Stegosauruses, etc.). He's certain he'll never "belong anywhere" until--"STOMP! STOMP!"--a mama T. rex appears. The story, illustrated with cartoony characters, ends predictably and abruptly; the appended author and artist notes are more satisfying. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Doug Kennedy. Hee-Haw the donkey and mouse Chester yearn to be magicians, but the farm animals scoff at them. When a real magician's chest falls from a passing circus train, the pair practices all night and impresses the barnyard gang. Energetic acrylic paintings capture the friends' belief in their dream. The lighthearted story's cheeriness helps distract from the too convenient setup and ending.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Doug Kennedy. Pirate Pete's third adventure finds Pete and his parrot interviewing potential buccaneers for crew positions aboard his ship. The candidates look like pirates, but speak perfectly correct English, violating Pete's most important requirement for the job. The joke gets old, but the text is great for reading aloud, and bold full-page oil illustrations will delight all manner of pirate lovers.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Doug Kennedy. In this noodle tale, six silly fisherman spend the day out on the bayou trying to fish, but their foolishness keeps getting in the way. The setting and lavish Cajun dialect give the tale a strong regional flavor, while the cartoonlike illustrations of the fishermen's antics (which are observed by a frog, a turtle, and an alligator) play up the humor in this entertaining, ridiculous tale. An author's note suggests further reading. Glos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen