When the Big Dog Barks

Curtis's debut picture book could be just the ticket for timid or overprotected children, but it's unlikely to engage readers with even mildly robust constitutions. Whenever the young narrator ventures too high on the monkey bars, passes a big dog on the street or worries about staying with a sitter, she can count on Papa and Mama to rescue or comfort her. And when a stressful day winds down, her attentive parents always remember to leave a light on for her during the night. Although Curtis lists some common fears of preschoolers and although she assumes a consistent, reassuring tone, the sheer number of concerns she introduces is a bit overwhelming and paints her protagonist as an excessively--and unattractively--fearful child. Avishai's (A Visit to the Big House) colored-pencil scenes show strong parental hands hugging, holding or protecting the child. However, the artist, like the author, tends to go overboard in expressing the narrator's feelings: the tone descends from soothing to cloying in short order. Ages 3-up. (Mar.)