(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Monescillo. Mary Wrightly is polite (maybe excessively). When shopping for a birthday gift for her little brother, her meekness results in others snatching up each toy she spots; satisfyingly, she ultimately speaks up and lands the perfect gift. This soft-spoken story uniquely underscores both the importance of manners and of (politely) standing up for oneself. Monescillo's pastels are as sweet-natured as the protagonist.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) PS Illustrated by Maria Monescillo. A family's preparation for Shabbat is told through simple pairs of two-word sentences: "One house. Many rooms" (as the family cleans); "One car. Many people" (as visitors arrive). The repetitive, gentle text conveys the family members' love for one another--the day begins and ends with kisses--and the watercolor and digital illustrations bring out the warmth of celebration.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Monescillo. Little pirate Charlotte Jane likes "to get all the juice out of my days!...Sleep is for landlubbers." Or so she thinks until staying up all night takes the swashbuckle out of her. When she grudgingly succumbs to bed, the "juicy" side of bedtime is revealed: dreams. Hearty text is well paired with digitally enhanced watercolors showing a household heavy on the pirate decor.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden