Stepping up from picture books to chapter books this summer? These fantastic new reads combine illustrations with chapter book layout, perfect for second-to-fifth graders.

"Mouse Bird Snake Wolf" by David Almond; illustrated by Dave McKean; Candlewick Press; 80 pages; $17.99.

Child psychologists say it's good to expose grade-school-aged kids to limited themes of grown-up issues, adversity and strength. This dramatic, advanced picture book stars three children who must fill in the gaps in a world created by the gods. The gods created mountains, forests, seas, beautiful flowers, people and beasts, but now they just have tea, boast among themselves and nap. Harry, Sue and Little Ben notice some empty gaps in nature, and set about to create "a mouse-like thing" out of wool, petals and nuts and then a bird, a snake and finally a scary wolf.

The children realize they've overstepped their humanly boundaries when the wolf temporarily eats the older two children. All the while, the gods rejoice in the new creatures and realize they don't need the "wolf-like creature."

Incredibly imaginative and thought-provoking with somewhat bizarre yet beautiful illustrations and a thoughtfully odd story, "Mouse Bird Snake Wolf" is sure to be an award winner and is smart for kids with a penchant for quirky, mature tales.

"Stick Dog" by Tom Watson; Harper/HarperCollins; 190 pages; $12.99.

Subtitled "a really Good story with kind of Bad drawings," this comical tale begins as the boy writer explains his lack of artistic skill and tendency to create stick drawings. He then weaves an action-jammed tale about the adventures of Stick Dog and his friends Poo-Poo, Karen and Mutt, which involve chasing squirrels and tails in circles and lots of creative ideas about how to confiscate humans' hamburgers off a grill.

A fun, lighthearted, zippy read, peppered with comic, stick drawings, Watson's tale fits perfectly in the same genre as the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "Big Nate" and "Captain Underpants" series.

"A Narrow Escape: The Lobster Chronicles 2" by Jessica Scott Kerrin; illustrations by Shelagh Armstrong; Kids Can Press; 132 pages; $15.99.

Kerrin's "The Lobster Chronicles" trilogy for 8-to-12-year-olds captures the vintage appeal of small town life as three boys react when a giant lobster is caught in a trap. In this second in the series, (which can be enjoyed even without book No. 1), not-most-popular Norris Fowler finds himself in charge of his teacher's prized plant collection while she's away.

Capturing perfectly the excited speak of second and third graders, Kerrin touches on the importance of grade school spelling bees, dodge ball tournaments, classroom pet deaths and the importance of taking care of a teacher's belongings. Throw in the town's cannery, a much-coveted captured lobster and Norris' grandfather's cronies at the Sunset Manor retirement home, and the result is a kid-friendly, brief but absorbing romp full of summery zest.

"Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever" by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee; illustrated by Tony Fucile; Candlewick Press; 80 pages; $15.99.

The fun comic bookish "Bink & Gollie" series is probably more picture book than chapter book, but it is an award-winning triumph starring two girls — one very short, one very tall — with a quirky cool relationship. In this third in the series, Gollie believes she's related to royalty, Bink tries to assemble a "Stretch-o-Matic" machine so she can get tall enough to reach the peanut butter and both decide to collect gold stars.

Witty, mischievous, entertaining dialogue between the so-different pals, plus lively artwork, make "Bink and Gollie" a fun series full of zany character plots. Oh, what an ode to the quirky power of friendships!

"Following Grandfather" by Rosemary Wells; Illustrated by Christopher Denise; Candlewick Press; 58 pages; $14.99.

Wells' latest magical story touches on the subject of loss and the pain of absence, as mouse Jenny thinks she spots her beloved grandfather turning a corner and sitting on a park bench. Jenny runs after the familiar silver whiskers and follows them into the sea, only to almost drown. Magically, the little mouse feels strong, unseen arms deposit her back to the edge of the beach and into a melting sand castle. After this, Jenny never sees Grandfather's whiskers again, but when she misses him, heads to the beach to remember.

Beautifully written with lots of vignettes from Grandfather's life in mid-20th-century Boston, Wells' ode to family love is gentle and satisfying. Denise's mostly black and white illustrations add an old-fashioned, homey feel to the tale's aura.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.