(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dean Morrissey. Rollie, a small field mouse with big dreams, leaves home and discovers an ailing wizard. By finding a magical fish, Rollie restores the wizard's powers and protects the kingdom. The story has potential, but its resolution comes too easily. Lack of much conflict robs the small hero of any real achievement. Morrissey's luminous illustrations, however, are dazzling.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dean Morrissey. Bits of old toys and machinery have been melded together into an unusual conveyance--the Crimson Comet--that carries Nora and her brother, Jack, on a journey to find out why the light of the moon has disappeared. Mundane text is bolstered by the imaginative, painterly illustrations, which display an engaging mix of fantasy and realism.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Dean Morrissey. While visiting his grandfather, Paddy thinks he hears monsters at night. Pop devises a series of "monster traps," culminating in a huge room-sized contraption that does, indeed, trap the monsters--who turn out to be more cute and funny-looking than big and scary. The atmospheric oil paintings are more effective than the rather ordinary story that accompanies them.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 1-3 Magic Door series. Illustrated by Dean Morrissey. Tempted by the idea of returning to the parallel world she visited in The Moon Robber, Sarah stows away in Old Man Winter's wagon. When Kudgel, who wants to use the Weather Mill for dastardly purposes, captures Old Man Winter, Sarah teams up with young Jack Frost to stop Kudgel from completing his plans. Although better suited for a larger trim size, the paintings in this chapter book are attractive.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Dean Morrissey. This attractive gift book features a smooth abridgment accompanied by detailed paintings. Although the illustrations are rich and lush, there is a lack of emotion in the characters, particularly Scrooge. Occasional discrepancies between art and text are sure to be noticed by sharp-eyed readers.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 1-3 Magic Door series. Illustrated by Dean Morrissey. Characters from Morrissey's picture books appear in this chapter book. After going through a magic door in a toy shop, Joey, Sarah, and Michael help the man in the moon rescue the moon--which is really a flying machine--from a giant. The unusual adventure will grab the attention of readers, but Morrissey's detailed, photorealistic illustrations fare poorly on the book's small pages.

Reviewer: Anne St. John