(3) PS Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. These fifteen short rhymes detail events in a baby's day (waking up, playtime, going for a drive with Dad, being rocked to sleep by Mom). Energetic rhythms and unexpected word combinations make this a joyful read-aloud. Painted in soft pastels on creamy paper, the endearing oil illustrations have a clean, retro look.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. An energetic boy happily plans his last day of school before summer vacation. He will be timely with his work, take fewer bathroom breaks, and forgo his burping at lunchtime--implying that these are normally troublesome areas. Retro-style oil illustrations capture the humor in the boy's reverie.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. When his repeated requests for a dog are denied, a boy asks for a pet dragon. "If you can find a dragon, you can keep it..." his mother says. The dragon he finds behaves badly, and his mother agrees to a dog after the boy tells her "Dragons do not like dogs." The retro-style illustrations lend an old-fashioned look to the slyly entertaining story.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) PS Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama. Charlie's parents say that Tex, his new, large toy dinosaur, is "too big" for most activities, but when it's time to visit the doctor all the other stuffed animals hide, and Tex is thrilled to finally be invited to go along. The story will engage preschoolers, though the text loses some of its momentum before the end. Retro artwork in pale colors contains humorous details.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander