(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lynne Cravath. Feeling outdated, Santa changes everything--his hair, clothes, even his sleigh--but discovers that no one appreciates his improvements. In an amusing conclusion, Mrs. Claus reminds Santa that he has indeed changed: he's smarter now. Cravath makes the most of the tale's humor in her lighthearted illustrations of Santa trying out various fashions and modes of transportation.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by S. D. Schindler. Cackle Cook, preparing her Monster Stew, keeps sending the unwilling Igor out for missing ingredients: "An ancient ape's short armpit hair / A half-inch square of big brown bear...." Casual rhymes fit well with the story's smooth pace, and the items Igor retrieves happen to be in alphabetical order--but read this for the clever reversal at the end and Schindler's inventive, comically horrific art.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam