The Knight Who Took All Day
(by James Mayhew, Scholastic $15.99 Score:) In this spoof, a not-so-gallant knight seems more concerned with his appearance than in saving his kingdom from a fiery dragon. It is a young princess who tames the dragon and goes off with the patient young squire to live happily ever after! Though some might wonder why. 4–8.

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

Cinderella
(retold by Barbara McClintock, Scholastic $15.99 Score:) After a trip to Paris, the artist used Versailles and the Paris Opera as the inspiration for the Prince’s palace, and the costumes and hairdos are from the time of Louis XIV. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2006.

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.

Little Bear, You're a Star!
(by Jean Marzollo, Little Brown $12.99 Score:) With a Greek chorus of birds running along the bottom of the pages, here is an amusingly light and airy spin on the Greek myth of Callisto and Arcas, and how the constellations Ursa Major and Minor came to be. As in her collection of Bible stories, Marzollo introduces children to some of the big stories with child-sized versions that are entertaining and memorable. 5 & up.

Age: 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.