Tar Beach
(by Faith Ringgold, Crown $14.95 Score:) In this flying fantasy, Cassie Lightfoot takes off from her tar beach, the rooftop of her home in Harlem, claiming whatever she sees as her very own. Cassie wears the lights of the George Washington Bridge like a diamond necklace. Illustrations began as a story quilt that hangs in the Guggenheim Museum. 5-9.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 1993.

Freddy the Pig Series
(by Walter R. Brooks/illus. by Kurt Wiese, Overlook $23.95 Score:) Baby boomers who fondly remember their Freddy books will enjoy sharing these reissued classics. This season's releases are Freddy and the Dragon and Freddy and Mr. Camphor. Freddy, an oh-so-human pig, is given to excesses—sleeping too late and eating too much. His adventures have the pace and suspense that are exactly on target for young readers. Will be enjoyed as read-alouds with 5–7s and solo laugh-out-loud reading by 8 and up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2001.

Martha Speaks
(by Susan Meddaugh, Houghton Mifflin $13.95 Score:) A funny caper about a dog that starts talking after eating alphabet soup. In fact, Martha talks so much she gets scolded and clams up until one night her gift of gab saves more than the day. 4-8

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 1994.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
(by William Steig, Farrar Straus $12.95 Score:) Young Sylvester finds a magic pebble that grants him one wish too many. It is his devoted parents who free Sylvester form the magic. A not-to-be missed Caldecott Award-winning classic that speaks about love and interdependence and being careful about what you wish for-since they might come true. 6 and up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 1994.

Amos and Boris
(by William Steig, Farrar Straus $17 Score:) Few storybooks capture so well the meaning of friendship as this classic tale of a small mouse and a giant whale and how they help each other-one with his brain and one with his brawn. Don't miss the majesty of this memorable story that may remind you of Aesop's Lion and Mouse. 5-8

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 1994.

Where the Wild Things Are
(by Maurice Sendak, HarperCollins $15 Score:) When Max is punished by being sent to his room without dinner, her embarks on one of the most remarkable fantasy romps in children's literature. Some fours may enjoy this, but it's a better choice for slightly older kids who understand the difference between real and make-believe. 5 and up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 1994.

The Great Pig Search
(by Eileen Christelow, Clarion $15 Score:) When Bert's pigs escape he is surprised to receive a postcard from Florida that says, "Oink!" Bert and his wife Ethel head south, where Bert is determined to find his runaways. Too bad Bert needs glasses! A fun story in which kids enjoy sighting swine the hero never sees!

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2002.

The Magic Hat Spring
(by Mem Fox/illus. by Tricia Tusa, Harcourt $16 Score:) A magic hat blows into town and over a road where it lands on a man who turns into a toad. But that's just the beginning of the adventure as the hat turns nanny and baby into a kangaroo and a big old sleepy man into a jolly big bear. Fun for read-aloud rhyming fun that is likely to be learned by heart and chanted aloud by young listeners after a few readings. Tusa's big action-packed pictures are fun to explore.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2002.

Jethro Byrd Fairy Child
(by Bob Graham, Candlewick $15.99 Score:) Annabelle not only believes in fairies, she actually finds a family of them and invites them for a tea party. For some reason her mother and father are too old or busy to see them, but that does not stop Annabelle nor her little brother Sam. For those who believe in fairies, this is a charmer!

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2002.

Madlenka's Dog
(by Peter Sis, Farrar Straus $17 Score:) Any child who has ever longed for a dog will relate to this delightful fantasy. In a second journey around her neighborhood, the imaginative Madlenka goes to visit all her friends, showing them her pretend pooch. What a surprise! Each of them has a view of the kind of dog Madlenka should have and readers do, too with a lift of each clever flap! There's a glossary with the names of all the dogs shown in the book and the people in her diverse city. Don't miss the original Madlenka, in which she takes a tour around the world with her loose tooth. 4-7.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2002.