Best Children’s Books of 2013

By Michael Slack. Holt/Ottaviano, $15.99 (32 p.)
Not since Dumbo has there been such an appealing elephant. Elecopter—a hybrid elephant/helicopter—soars above the African savannah, patrolling the skies with her fire-hose nose at the ready. When a wildfire breaks out, Elecopter saves a rhino, cheetah, some baboons, and a giraffe—until all are aboard, nothing will stop her. / Rev those rotors! Go, Elecopter! Slack’s colorful collages are a knockout. Ages 2-5.