(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steven D'Amico. Determined to remain the center of attention, Suki gets competitive with visiting cousin Mirabella, who prefers to stay clean and play games that don't revolve around Suki. Things get ugly when the two bunnies tussle over a single flower crown. Cooperation is the easily digestible lesson--luckily the digitally colored charcoal illustrations imbue the characters with enough personality to offset its impartment.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) K-3 Suki the bunny's irrepressible, rambunctious behavior leads her into danger. Her loud, unrabbitlike voice comes in handy when she needs to call for help. The story achieves a satisfying balance; it celebrates Suki's enthusiasm while casting a vote for caution and (sometimes) quiet. Expressive, unfussy illustrations, with sturdy black outlines, give the rabbits plenty of personality.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Ella the elephant has a day of adventure--she loses her hat, sails across the bay to catch it, gets caught in a storm, and lands safely on another island where she makes new friends. Though the text is choppy, this fourth book about the cheerful elephant has the same comfortably old-fashioned, vaguely Mediterranean look and feel as the others.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Shy elephant Ella is back for her third adventure and his time she's preparing for the school talent show. Despite her best efforts, Ella can't pinpoint her special ability until she--predictably--receives applause for her work organizing the event. Illustrations à la Madeline-meets-Babar are painted in deep, muted colors, infusing Elephant Island with old-world charm.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) K-3 Young elephant Ella, who is new to town, wears her grandmother's hat to school for luck. Unfortunately, the big red derby inspires teasing from bully Belinda. Predictably, the hat comes into play when Belinda needs rescuing, but Ella is adorably plucky, and the gracefully rendered setting of Elephant Islands is a worthy nod to the Babar books.

Reviewer: Nell Beram