The Mysterious Tadpole
(by Steven Kellogg, Dial $16.99 Score:) This is the 25th anniversary edition of a delightfully funny fantasy. Celebrating advances in printing technology and his own wish to add dimension to some of the characters, Steven Kellogg gives a new generation a more fully realized version of his well loved story of a boy and a magical tadpole that keeps growing and growing. Next, we hope Kellogg will write the sequel about the hatchling that Uncle MacAllister brings for Louis's next birthday! 5-9

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2003.

Ian's Walk:A Story About Autism
(by Laurie Lears/illus. by Karen Ritz, $14.95 Score:) Ian, who has autism, hears, tastes, and sees things differently from his two sisters. So a simple walk to the park to feed the ducks is anything but simple. Told in the first person by his sister, this tender tale captures the ambivalent feelings that a sibling must deal with as she also deals with her brother's special ways of experiencing the world. A reassuring tale for siblings. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: .

I Can Fly
(by Ruth Krauss/ illus. by Mary Blair, Random House $9.99 Score:) This classic Little Golden book has been enjoyed by several generations and now it's been upsized for added enjoyment. A whimsical story of a spunky little girl who believes in herself and all that she imagines. Told in rhythmic rhyme, toddlers and preschoolers will soon be "reading" the book and relishing the lively art. 2-5.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2003.

My Brother Sam Is Dead
(by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier, Scholastic $5.99 Score:) This is a Newbery Award winner from the mid 70's, set in the American Revolutionary War. Sam is the headstrong older brother and hero of young Tim, the narrator. But when Sam steals their father's gun and runs off to fight the British, Tim must deal with his mixed emotions as well as his father, who is a Loyalist and against the war. In a way, this conflict over war is not unlike the war protests of the past months over the war in Iraq... reflecting the fear and ache of loss. 10 & up.

Age: . Award Year: .