“Pebble: A Story About Belonging” by Susan Milord

Every pebble finds its destiny. True.

“If You Give a Dog a Donut” by Laura Numeroff

Illustrated by Felicia Bond. Well, it’s nice to have a dog, or a donut, or whatever.

“When You Are Happy” by Eileen Spinelli

Illustrated by Geraldo Valerio. Valerio’s Chagallesque illustrations are very nice. Spinelli’s declarations though the book are very touching and sweet. Is it enough, though, to remember this book?

“Callie Cat, Ice Skater” by Eileen Spinelli

Illustrated by Anne Kennedy. Very sweet illustrations. In a culture so obsessed with raising winners of all sorts this nice voice reminds that joy of struggling to be good might be more important than the first prize.

“Kami and the Yaks” by Andrea Stenn Stryer

Illustrated by Bert Dodson. “Little Kami has lost his yaks…” A story known just too well, in variant with Sherpa boy and Nepal in a background. Illustrations are OK but nothing memorable in this story.

“Sophie’s Masterpiece” by Eileen Spinelli

Illustrations by Jane Dyer are lovely. A baby blanket seems to be one of the most popular themes (and objects) in children’s books. A fetish? A filler in flimsy imaginations? At least in Spinelli’s book the blanket is quite elaborate, unlike the story.