These new books are as fantastically illustrated and beautifully written as they are important. Each contains lessons about manners, greed, appreciating nature and loving your surroundings.

"Stella's Starliner" by Rosemary Wells; Candlewick Press; 32 pages; $15.99.

Stella lives in a silver AirStream trailer in the woods with her mother and father. The fox family enjoys their bare bones lifestyle, making pancakes in their tiny kitchen, fishing on Sunday afternoons and anticipating bookmobile visits. Stella becomes confused when a band of weasels pass by and call the Starliner a tin can and an old trailer, and call Stella poor.

Stella tells her mother about the stinging words, and Mom tells Stella to imagine they're flying through the Milky Way. Actually, the Starliner drives to visit friends, who live in a nice, big wooden house. The kids who live there are thrilled to play in the trailer, telling Stella she must be a millionaire to live in a silver house.

Wells' carefully worded, lighthearted text tells a sparkling story about how one person's old tin is another's silver palace. It's a lovely lesson in making the best of what you have.

"No Slurping, No Burping!: A Tale of Table Manners" by Kara LaReau; illustrated by Lorelay Bove; Disney-Hyperion; 40 pages; $16.99.

Part of the Walt Disney Studios Animation Studios Artist Showcase, this quirky tale comes from the illustrator of Disney's "Toy Story: Ride 'em Cowboy!" and some of their Little Golden books. The visual development artist succeeds in evoking a 1950s feel here, with pages straight out of a Disney short from that era.

LaReau's funny story of two kids who have to mind their father's bad manners turns the tables on who's in charge of politeness. Father yells at the table, slurps, burps and tries to stuff too much food in his mouth, all while Evie and Simon nicely admonish his actions. Father cleans up his act, however, when a special guest, his mother, arrives for dinner.

A hilarious take on family dynamics (even proper Grandma yelps with delight at the chocolate cake), this Disney wonder is a nonpreachy, unique manners primer.

"The Littlest Giant: The Story of Vamana" by Joshua M. Greene; illustrated by Emma V. Moore; Mandala Children's Classic; 32 pages; $16.99.

Set in colorful India, this classic myth tells the beloved tale of King Bali, who wants it all. He listens to his wicked advisor who tells him to grab up as many power and riches as he can, and Bali's kingdom grows huge. Still, he wants more, until he's visited by a tiny sage who changes Bali's way of thinking about greed and power. The childlike visitor, now the Supreme Vishnu, Lord of All Worlds, grows to huge proportions, and back down again, to teach Bali invaluable lessons.

The small friend, Vamana, teaches Bali that tiny things can mean even more than massive ones. Vamana is pleased with Bali's sincerity in his lesson learned and gives him back his kingdom.

Zesty, colorful illustrations and an easy retelling of an ancient Sanskrit story make "The Littlest Giant" worldly, friendly and wise.

"Little Pear Tree" by Rachel Williams; illustrated by Jenny Bowers; Big Picture Press; 12 pages; $14.99.

More than ever, preschoolers today need calming breaks from busy lifestyles. This sturdy, midcentury modern wonder invites young children to dive into its relaxing, nature-filled pages. Kids tempted by the bright, flashiness of iPads and video games often need to fall into the refreshing charms of old-fashioned books.

Flaps shaped like snowflakes, acorns, leaves and butterflies hide insects and animals that make their homes near a little pear tree. Seasonally organized, Bowers' irresistible book begins when "Winter puts the world to sleep and blankets all with snow," but soon, "Brilliant flowers burst and sing to wake the little pear tree. The tiny seed shoots bravely out as spring sets nature free."

Eventually, the little pear tree grows, and the circle of natural life continues. Incredibly appealing in a retro way, Bower's book is a delectably lovely respite from noise of all types.

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