By Helen Foster James, Ed.D., Kathleen Krull and Peter Neumeyer, Ph.D.

Diary of a Worm, by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Harry Bliss, HarperCollins, 2003, $15.99. Life as a worm is not easy - but it is hilarious. You try dancing the hokey-pokey with the body of a worm! An entertaining picture book and an age-appropriate introduction to diaries.

Little Quack, by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson, Simon & Schuster, 2003, $14.95. Readers and listeners will enjoy counting and adding, one at a time, as each of the five little ducks ventures into the pond for his or her very first swim. Even Little Quack finds the courage to join his mom and siblings in the pond.

Olivia ... and The Missing Toy, by Ian Falconer, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003, $16.95. Irrepressible piglet Olivia - commanding, assertive, zestfully imaginative and as impulsive as a child - loves the color red, puts her loving parents to the test, and ends up where she began: snugly under the covers.

Rosie's Roses, by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole, HarperCollins, 2003, $15.99. Rosie the raccoon has a bouquet of four roses for Aunt Ruth's birthday, but they mysteriously disappear, one by one. What will happen when she arrives at her aunt's house with nothing but the bouquet's rainbow ribbon? Children will enjoy counting along with Rosie and the alliteration of the letter "R."

The Twelve Days of Kindergarten: A Counting Book, by Deborah Lee Rose, illustrated by Carey Armstrong-Ellis, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2003, $14.95. Following the lilting rhythm and cumulative design of The Twelve Days of Christmas, we go through the first 12 days of kindergarten with joy, wit and understanding.

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