(4) K-3 Mr. Owliver loves being night watchman at the Animaltown Art Museum, communing with such masterpieces as Van Goat's Dr. Goatchet. One night, the animal subjects go missing from the paintings: "Where were they?!" Everyone's gathered to surprise Mr. Owliver for his birthday. The art parodies are amusing; back matter sets the record straight. It's unfortunate that reproductions of the originals aren't included. Timeline.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lisa Woods. Young Mabel is a professional bedtime shirker. But when her mom tells her that "the Queen of the Fae [fairies] won't visit until you close your eyes," Mabel surrenders. Her mom channels the voice of the fairy, whose words, illustrated with fantastical imagery, are inspired by a Romeo & Juliet soliloquy. But Shakespeare this is not, as there's little in the way of a story here.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Chester and Meredith rally their fellow Chesapeake Bay oysters to do what oysters do: filter the water to grow healthier plants that will feed their underwater neighbors better. The chipper anthropomorphized mollusks' concern and goodwill saves the "crying" grasses. It's all too much, but the collage-style, natural-hued illustrations evoking an aquatic environment are nice; a series of clear overlays is a highlight.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 With a go-big-or-go-home title, this saccharine call to arms suggests earth-friendly and altruistic things industrious kids can do in one day. The feel-good ideas, such as bringing cupcakes to a sick or lonely person, planting a tree, and donating clothes and toys, require an equally energetic adult, but this well-intentioned book--with kinetic collage art and upbeat rhymes--will be a springboard.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Linda Shute. In a tight, lucid narrative, Jones details Captain John Smith's two-thousand-mile Jamestown-based exploration of the Chesapeake Bay during the summer of 1608. Derived largely from primary source material, the exciting account is illustrated with soft-hued drawings and sketches. It's also enlivened by spot-art vignettes of wildlife creatures whose speech balloons help clarify events and add occasional humor. Reading list.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian