Wish Change Friend   Reading his books under a big oak tree--Little Pig couldn't ask for anything more... until the day he comes across three new words: wish, change, andfriend. Suddenly, his peaceful existence shifts, and he discovers that new words (and experiences) aren't so tough to adjust to after all. In this quirky little story by Ian Whybrow and illustrator Tiphanie Beeke an introverted pig ventures beyond his bookish safety zone and finds new friends. The fact that he can set out from his oak tree home and wind up in a cozy igloo with a penguin tells us just how far we can go when we wish for change. The lovely hazy pastels of Beeke's illustrations wash over...

ZOMO:This very clever African story retold by Caldecott Award winning illustrator Gerald McDermott struck my attention for his brilliant use of color and pattern. His clever writing skills, which held my attention from start to finish, were the icing on the cake. The story takes place in West Africa, where Zomo the trickster rabbit seeks out the Sky God and asks for wisdom. He is given 3 impossible tasks: he must bring back "the scales of Big Fish in the sea . . . the milk of Wild Cow and the tooth of Leopard." The clever rabbit tricks the three creatures into giving up these prizes, but returns to discover that the joke's on him. His newfound wisdom? To be...

Knuffle Bunny Trixie steps lively as she goes on an errand with her daddy, down the block, through the park, past the school, to the Laundromat. For the toddler, loading and putting money into the machine invoke wide-eyed pleasure. But, on the return home, she realizes something. Readers will know immediately that her stuffed bunny has been left behind but try as she might, (in hilarious gibberish), she cannot get her father to understand her problem. Despite his plea of "please don't get fussy," she gives it her all, bawling and going "boneless." They both arrive home unhappy. Mom immediately sees that "Knuffle Bunny" is missing and so it's back to the Laundromat they go. After several tries, dad finds...