Publisher's Weekly recently reviewed Around the World with Mouk by Marc Boutavant (Chronicle), describing Mouk's world as a "Richard Scarry/manga mashup" (Children's Book Reviews, 11/23/09) There's more, including international travel to Finland and reusable stickers, but really, what else does one need to know? It's on the list. I also like the Boutavant-illustrated All Kinds of Families! by Mary Ann Hoberman (Little, Brown).

Speaking of Finland, PW also reviewed (same date) the reissue of Tove Jansson's The Book About Moomin, Mymble, and Little My (Drawn and Quarterly). A Moomin picture book? Oh...my.