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.

Clifford, the Big Red Dog
(by Norman Bridwell, Scholastic $14.95 Score:) You've heard of tall tales? Well here's that well-loved, long-lived, all dog Clifford. Imagine he's 40 years old this year and his story is just as "right-on" the mark for first fantasies as it was when it first appeared. Here the make believe is so far-fetched that kids will see the humor of a dog that's big eough to ride and too big to hide! The anniversary cover is flocked with texture and sure to become a keeper to be shared maybe 40 years from now!

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2003.

Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole
(by Wong Herbery Yee, Houghton Mifflin $16 Score:) There are several connected stories about these two neighbors, Mouse and Mole, that play on the theme that we don’t all enjoy the same things—yet we can be friends. Learning that others have different tastes and needs for their comfort is a giant idea to children who are struggling with being and making friends. 4–7.

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

Bats at the Beach
(by Brian Lies, Houghton Mifflin $16 Score:) Ever wonder who goes to the beach when you are sleeping? Why, bats of course! In an amusing send-up, a family of bats arrive seaside, spread on their moon tan ltion and enjoy digging, singing and sailing on “wing-boats.” Told in lilting verse with charming illustrations, this is a summer’s night tale that flies!

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

Rainstorm
(by Barbara Lehman, Houghton Mifflin $16.95 Score:) A wordless adventure that finds a young boy alone and lonely in his home on a rainy day. He finds akey and tries all the locks he finds until it opens a chest that leads to an afternoon of adventure. Can be told in the child’s own words and ends with the possibility for creating more adventures!

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

The Wicked Big Toddlah
(by Kevin Hawkes, Knopf $16.99 Score:) In the spirit of a Paul Bunyan tall tale, this spirited oversized picturebook is brimming with a giant size baby and his dotting family. It’s a book that will make you smile from the first page to the last...but alas, the ending is something of a thud. That said, this is still a fun book of images to share. Maybe you and your child can take the last image and spin some new adventures for Toddie and his family. 4-8.

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

The Snaggle Grollop
(by Daniel Postgate/ illus. by Nick Price, Scholastic $16.99 Score:)

An amusing fantasy that comes under the heading of be careful what you wish for! Sam wants a pet. His parents have turned him down on dogs, cats and the usual requests. That is when Sam comes up with a Snaggle Grollop. Assuming such a creature would never appear, they approve and the rest is good fun as a friendly good-natured fantasy arrives. All goes well till that endearing pet gets lonely for a friend of its own. Meanwhile it has worked the magic of giving Sam a friend. A happy ending for all.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009.

It's a Secret!
(by John Burningham, Candlewick $16.99 Score:)

Ever wonder where the cat goes all night? Well, Marie Elaine did just that and to her delight she is invited on an adventure that she will never forget. An imaginative romp at a party for cats including none other than the Queen of Cats and a midnight feast. But when Marie Elaine’s mom asks why she looks so tired, she cannot tell because—It’s a secret! 4-8.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Let's Do Nothing
(by Tony Fucile, Candlewick $16.99 Score:)

When Frankie and Sal decide there is nothing to do, they decide to do exactly that—nothing! Well, maybe not “exactly” nothing. When they pretend to be statues in the park, poor Frankie gets covered with pigeons. When they become giant redwood trees it’s Sal’s dog that comes and raises its leg on poor Frankie. This is the kind of picture book kids find LOL funny, at least for the first reading. Maybe the next time round they can dream up some tricks to play on Sal. 5 & up.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.