(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gerdien van der Linden. After his mother discovers five monsters under his bed, a young pig becomes increasingly annoyed at her for pampering them. When the monsters take over his bed, the clever piglet concocts a plan to turn the tables and get his privacy back. Pastel drawings illustrate this funny original tale.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paula Gerritsen. Whenever Lila runs out of bread, she wishes on a falling star. Each time, a bag of flour mysteriously appears at her door. Finally, as the long winter comes to an end, Lila makes a new wish with a surprising result. This quiet, gentle narrative is enhanced by its expansive illustrations, the details of which foreshadow the story's conclusion.

Reviewer: Allison Cole

(3) K-3 A sheep creates a lovely surprise for a giraffe in this witty wordless book. Sheep begins by weighing, measuring, and dying her own wool. Then she shears herself and takes the wool to be spun into yarn, which she knits into a long-necked sweater. Spacious illustrations in vibrant colors follow Sheep every step of the way.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marijke ten Cate. Jack is desperate to learn if he has won the drawing contest he entered. Unlike readers taking in the cleverly detailed panoramic spreads behind him, Jack doesn't notice the madness that ensues when the wind rips the notification letter from a postal worker's hand. The premise is grand, although the ending is predictable.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Translated by Nancy Forest-Flier. Illustrated by Sylvia van Ommen. The book begins with a quarrel between friends Sheep and Goat. Each delicately drawn short chapter further elucidates their complicated friendship with the resolutions often left beneath the surface for young readers to discern on their own. Van Ommen's simple, humorous line drawings make clear with the animals' two-legged stance that they have a lot in common with human critters.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marije Tolman. When Sara gets bored with her chalk, she convinces Tim to trade for his marbles. She's still not satisfied and keeps trading, each time making a claim (e.g., "This is magic chalk") that comes true although she never finds out. This tribute to the imagination is beautifully supported by finely crafted ink and watercolor art.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann