Steven Kroll

Thomas is delighted to draw Gretchen's name to be the recipient of his valentine at school, but then he worries that she does not like him.

"Kroll introduces four notable groups referred to by their enemies as barbarians: the Goths, the Huns, the Vikings, and the Mongols. In each case, he looks at the lives of common people within the group, their religious beliefs, their leaders, their history, and the results of their attacks on other civilizations"--Amazon.com.

A brother and sister squirrel appreciate each other more after being exposed to their really naughty cousins at Thanksgiving dinner.

A family of mice enjoys the doll house and furnishings that Rachel receives as gifts on the eight nights of Hanukkah.