SQUEAKY CLEAN

Mrs. Pig entices her three bath-phobic children into the tub with bubbles and toy ducks and "splooshes" (" 'Please sploosh ME!' says Piglet Two"). In fact, she's so successful that she catches them "sneak, sneak, sneaking" out after bedtime with the aim of getting so dirty that they'll need two baths in one night. McQuillan (The Get Well Soon Book) works in large simple shapes and cheery colors; the strokes of her paintbrush create a subtle woven pattern for extra visual interest. She has a field day with her characters' rosy plumpness—the sight of Mrs. Pig trudging off to the bathroom with her piglets tucked under her arms is certain to elicit giggles. Departing from the somber theme of A Ladder to the Stars, Puttock's prose favors brisk, rollicking rhythms, and when the three piglets speak, the squeals are nearly audible. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)