The Dog Who Cried Wolf
(by Keiko Kasza, Putnam $15.99 Score:) Moka is a dog who loves his girl, Michelle, until she reads a story about wolves that inspires Moka to run away and be free. In his adventure with independence, Moka discovers real wolves and that home is not as boring as he thought. 4–8.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2006.

Pirate Girl
(by Cornelia Funke/illus. by Kerstin Meyer, Scholastic $15.95 Score:) When Captain Firebeard captures a little red-headed girl named Molly, he thinks he will get a huge ransom for her. But, alas, the joke’s on Redbeard when Molly’s mom comes to the rescue. “The Ransom of Red Chief” it’s not, but it’s a good yarn for young pirate lovers. 4–8.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2006.

Boo and Baa Have Company
(by Lena and Loof Landstrom, Farrar Straus $15 Score:) In a delightful comedy of errors, Boo and Baa, two resourceful sheep, try rescuing a cat up a tree. Boo finds himself out on a limb and unable to get down. A clever little story that builds on the concept of friendship. 3–6.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2007.

Take Care, Good Knight
(by Shelley Moore Thomas/illus. by Paul Meisel, Dutton $15.99 Score:) When the wizard goes off for a day, he leaves his precious cats in the care of three little dragons, not knowing that they do not know how to read his directions. An amusing story that proves how important it is to know how to read! 4–8.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2007.

That's What Grandpas Are For
(by Harriet Ziefert/ illus by Deborah Zemke, Blue Apple $12.95 Score:) Totally available, non-critical and willing, the star of this little fantasy does whatever is needed to light up the life of the narrator grandchild. After a long list of things Grandpa will do, the last part of the book shifts gears listing all the lovely ways the grandchild returns that affection. A little over the top, but it does celebrate the loving relationship that some are lucky enough to have between generations. Choose this or the Grandma version.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2007.

The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas
(by Sally Lloyd-Jones/ illus. by Michael Emberly, HarperCollins $14.95 Score:) If you have grandchildren, this is a book they need. An amusing instruction guide for how to pamper one’s grandparents, as in giving them your hand when you cross the street and allowing them to help build sand castles and knocking the castles down so they can rebuild them. Yes, this is good fun to share. 3 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2008.

I Love Grandma
(by Lizi Boyd, Candlewick $8.99 Score:) A sturdy book with heavy card paper that won’t rip when shared on a visit to Grandma’s. There is also a Grandpa, Mommy and Daddy version in the series. The young storyteller is a green frog who goes to Grandma’s when parents are away. It’s very much a here and now story of the ordinary things they do. Here Granny is on the silly side, so this is a light and entertaining little book for young listeners 2-4.

Age: Toddlers,Preschool. Award Year: 2009.