Honey...Honey...Lion!
(by Jan Brett, Putnam $16.99 Score:) An African folktale about a honeyguide bird and a honey badger who usually work together. But one day the badger fails to share and the next day the clever bird leads him to a less-than-sweet treat. 4 & up.

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

The Gingerbread Girl
(by Lisa Campbell Ernst, Dutton $16.99 Score:) A year has passed since the fox outsmarted the Gingerbread Boy. When the lonely old couple decide to try again, they create a spunky Gingerbread Girl who leads them on a merry chase, proving that history need not repeat itself! 4–8.

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

Pancakes for Supper!
(by Anne Isaacs/illus. by Mark Teague, Scholastic $16.99 Score:) Broadly based on the Little Black Sambo story, this has none of the usual baggage. Unlike recent retellings, it is not a conscious PC rendering. Here, the heroine falls out of her parents’ wagon and cleverly avoids being eaten alive by giving each of five wild animals a piece of her clothing that they believe makes them most attractive. When the five disagree on who is the best, they end up in a chase that turns them into maple syrup. You guessed it—young Toby and her parents use that sweet ending on their pancakes. A keeper. 4 & up.

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