Home is Best

These three pithy tales have a good deal of wit and warmth; their watercolor illustrations are especially appealing. In Home is Best, Bitty Bear has a hard time following his Mama's instructions not to go too far. Where, he wonders, is Far? As it turns out, Far is Froggie Green's pond, where poor Bitty takes an unplanned dip. Mama rescues him and a little mouse comments, ""Far and away, home is best.'' In Sleeping Over, Froggie Green finds it hard to get comfortable in Bitty Bear's spare bed; finally he spends the night in a toothbrush glass full of water. In A Close Call, Pink Piggy decides to take a dip in Goosey Dear's pond, forgetting that he doesn't know how to swim. No sooner is he back in his mud puddle than Pink Piggy has begun wondering whether he can fly. Lucas's gentle wordplay provides plenty of food for thought, while Ormai's bright, inviting pictures draw the reader into the animals' world. (2-5)