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Three variations on the Cinderella tale lend themselves to riveting story hours and interesting comparison. The Korean Cinderella, illustrated in glorious color by Ruth Heller and The Irish Cinderlad, illustrated by Loretta Krupinski, both written by Shirley Climo, are joined by The Turkey Girl, a Zuni legend retold by Penny Pollock and illustrated by Caldecott Award winner Ed Young. Each story contains elements of the Cinderella tale: cruel stepmothers or villagers; the help of one or more magical creatures; a dance, festival, or, in the case of Cinderlad, the ominous "Day of the Dragon". Only The Turkey Girl varies from the happy ending of the familiar fairy tale. Each is excellent for study or sharing, taken together, they would make a fine basis for the study of fairy tale themes and variations. The Korean Cinderella (ages 5-9, pb) The Irish Cinderlad (ages 5-9, hc) The Turkey Girl (ages 6-10, hc)

Duck must do all the work while the fat, lazy farmer lolls in bed all day. Alarmed when Farmer Duck becomes exhausted from his labors, his animal friends stage a mutiny and drive the good-for-nothing farmer away. Text by Martin Waddell, complemented by Helen Oxenbury's paintings, make Farmer Duck a wonderful read-aloud, share-together book. If you missed it in hardcover, be sure to add the paperback to your personal library. (ages 3 and up, pb)

Throughout the seasons a family finds another way of viewing the same thing: "A weed is a seed that just doesn't belong in the place where it happens to grow. But a weed can be feed for a cold country mouse digging out of the wintery snow." A charming rhythmic rhyming delight that is fun to read, and fun to talk about. Parents and teachers will enjoy sharing this one with children. Written by Ferida Wolff, who says she can find many ways of looking at the same thing, and illustrated by Janet Pedersen, A Weed is a Seed (ages 4-7, hc)
Many children will recognize themselves in The Toy Brother by William Steig. Yorick has absolutely no use for his younger brother Charles until he is unexpectedly turned into a miniature version of himself after experimenting in his father's laboratory. Suddenly Yorick needs Charles - and Charles is the one in control! Although Yorick wants Charles to find the antidote to transform him to his normal size, Charles would rather build his toy-sized brother a play house and feed him crumbs. Older siblings take note! (all ages, hc) How long can you hide a moose? Benjamin is about to find out! Moose on the Loose is a short chapter book just right for early readers. Author Pamela Jane is after the hearts of vegetable-hating youngsters. When Max the runaway moose shows up in Benjamin's shed and loves to eat the vegetables Ben is supposed to eat for dinner, all seems right with the world. Caring for a moose, even a friendly one, may be more that Ben can handle. (ages 6-8, pb)

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs might be a perfect title for a book of scary stories, but it's also a great title for an amusing and suspenseful tale of young mice and their mentor, the Wise Old Mouse. Each day, the old one plans an interesting new experience for the young mice. Though he suggests a walk in the garden, a visit to the cornfield, or a swing on the long grass, the foolish young mice are determined to see the dark at the top of the stairs. As they near the top, they begin to doubt the wisdom of the journey. It's so dark at the top of the stairs! Author Sam McBratney (Guess How Much I Love You) and illustrator Ivan Bates team up for a mousely terrifying treat. (ages 4-8, hc)

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