A boy describes his classroom's preparation for a visit by author Amanda Drake, who fields his question: will she write a book about her visit? In the end, readers learn that they're holding that very book. There's no denying the excitement generated by the story's lively art and original, although self-conscious, premise, but some of the rhymes clunk.

K-Gr 3-A Spanish version of the charming African folktale. When the animals wrongly interpret the actions of fellow creatures, Lion, the King of the forest, must step in to set matters straight. Surprisingly, it is the insignificant mosquito who is at the root of the calamity. In this fine translation, Blanco maintains the colorful, descriptive quality of the text. The Dillons' beautifully rendered Caldecott Award-winning illustrations are evocative of folk art and thus suit the text to a tee. This gorgeous picture book is equally appropriate for individual reading or reading aloud. A must-have.-Tania Colmant-Donabedian, Queens Borough Public Library, NY