A whimsical and at the same time serious look at a difficult concept for children to master; courage is presented as everything from a tiny blade of grass poking through the snow to sticking up for your little brother to holding on to your dreams, and illustrated in Mr. Waber's usual playful and enjoyable style.




4. GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK
By Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Simon & Schuster, $15.95, ISBN: 0689845065

For unlimited hilarity and laughs, nothing beats the barnyard antics of Farmer Brown's clever Duck and animals; this sequel to last year's CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK, CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE, is another winner!





5. A HUG GOES AROUND
By Laura Melmed
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Harpercollins, $15.95, ISBN: 0688146805

Five kids, two parents, a dog, and a cat make up the happy family that is chronicled in this tale of a hug that is passed around from morning until night; told in cheery rhyme with engaging pen/watercolor illustrations.





6. LITTLE WOLF AND THE MOON
By Marjorie Dennis Murray
Illustrated by Stacy Schuett
Marshall Cavendish, $16.95, ISBN: 0761451005

A precious, self-reliant little wolf ponders some of the big questions in life and, through the seasons, comes to find his own answers to his unique relationship with the moon. Beautiful illustrations.





7. MARTA AND THE BICYCLE
By Germano Zullo
Illustrated by Albertine
Kane/Miller, $14.95, ISBN: 1929132352

An inspiring orange cow blazes her own trail in this original story of self-reliant Marta who builds and races her own bicycle; wonderful illustrations.




8. THE MAGIC HAT
By Mem Fox
Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Harcourt, $16.00, ISBN: 015010254

A magic hat blows into town one fine day and changes people into animals in a delightfully fanciful, rhyming story.







9. SAILOR MOO: COW AT SEA
By Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated by Ponder Goembel
Atheneum, $16.95, ISBN: 0689842198

Moo follows her dream of becoming a sailing cow, discovers challenges along the way, and finds true love; an irresistible story.








10. SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SAID THE SLOTH
By Eric Carle
Foreword by Jane Goodall
Philomel Books, $16.99, ISBN: 0399239545

The slow pace of the sloth is matched in the slow pace of the book, inviting readers in Eric Carle's own masterful way to appreciate a more leisurely and quiet approach to life.