DANCING IN THE WINGS
by Debbie Allen
illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Dial;ISBN: 0803725019;$16.99;2000

The illustrations capture the emotions of all the characters in this story in which perseverance and faith in herself help long-legged Sassy achieve her balletic dreams.

Suggested for ages 4 - 7
Subjects: Ballet | Dancers

THE NIGHT WORKER
by Kate Banks
illustrated by Georg Hallensleben
Frances Foster;ISBN: 0374355207;$16;2000

The construction site shimmers with light and seems magically larger than life to young Alex when he accompanies his father to his night job.

Suggested for ages 2 - 5
Subjects: Fathers and sons

WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE BOO-HOO BABY?
by Cressida Cowell
illustrated by Ingrid Godon
Scholastic;ISBN: 0439153115;$15.95;2000

Cow, duck, bear and dog try everything they can think of to soothe Baby’s prodigious tears.

Suggested for ages 2 - 5
Subjects: Animals | Babies | Bedtime | Friends | Games

OLIVIA
by Ian Falconer
Atheneum;ISBN: 0689829531;$16;2000

The delightful, feisty porcine heroine Olivia is constantly on the move, building towering sand castles, imitating Jackson Pollack’s paintings on her bedroom wall, or negotiating the number of books at bedtime.

Suggested for ages 4 - 8
Subjects: Behavior | Brothers and Sisters | Childhood | Pigs

GROWING FROGS
by Vivian French
illustrated by Alison Bartlett
Candlewick;ISBN: 0763603171;$15.99;2000

In their kitchen, a girl and her mother observe tadpoles develop into frogs from spawn they gathered at a pond. Life-cycle information and advice in smaller type appear in sidebars and around the edges of the sunny acrylic paintings.

Suggested for ages 4 - 7
Subjects: Amphibians | Frogs | Metamorphosis | Tadpoles

MAX
by Bob Graham
Candlewick;ISBN: 0763611387;$15.99;2000

Max’s parents, Madam Thunderbolt and Captain Lightning, are gently supportive when their Superbaby does not take to flying at an early age. Eventually, a baby bird in need of rescue gives Max a reason to soar.

Suggested for ages 3 - 6
Subjects: Aeronautics | Aeronautics

WEMBERLY WORRIED
by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow;ISBN: 0688170277;$15.95;2000

Wemberly, a small mouse who worries about everything, is only able to move beyond her fears when she realizes another child shares them. Watercolor and ink drawings express a multitude of emotions with a few deceptively simple lines.

Suggested for ages 4 - 7
Subjects: Fear | Mice | Preschool | Schools