Beverly Billingsly Takes a Bow
(by Alexander Stadler, Harcourt $16 Score:) Beverly dreamed of becoming a star, but at try-outs for the class show, she freezes. But never mind. Beverly, encouraged by her father, determines to be the best shrub in the show. She not only succeeds, she saves the show! 4–8.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Unique Monique
(by Maria Rousaki/illus. by Polina Papanikolaou, Kane Miller $15.95 Score:) Day after day Monique tries new ways to look unique despite her uniform—ways that bother the teacher and inspire her friends. One day she gets a new look that the school can’t ban . . . orthodontists are going to love this one! 8 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2004.

When an Elephant Comes to School
(by Jan Ormerod, Orchard $16.95 Score:) Though Elephant seems rather large to be starting school and though he is a bit unsure of how school will be, in no time at all Elephant and his classmates and teacher are having a wonderful time! A happy romp that makes school look too good to miss! 3–6.

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

Museum Trip
(by Barbara Lehman, Houghton Mifflin $15 Score:) A wordless gem of an adventure. On a class trip to the museum, a boy gets separated from his group. While looking for them, he finds his way into a small room. There he finds a collection of mazes on display and is transformed to fit into the mazes. As the young reader finds the path through the mazes he and the boy save themselves and leave the museum triumphant. In fact, the young hero of the story and the museum guard both wear the same golden medal. Another winner from the author of The Red Book. 5 & up.

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

Yoko Writes Her Name
(by Rosemary Wells, Hyperion $15.99 Score:) Yoko is excited to be going to Kindergarten, but when she gets there she is not so happy any more. Her writing in Japanese is seen as scribbling by classmates who tell her she will not graduate. Not to worry. This is a good one for talking about misinformation that often creates the kind of needless worry Yoko has in this little drama. As always, Rosemary Wells’ artwork adds much to the little story. 3-6.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2008.