No Thumpin No Bumpin No Rumpus Tonight

In the wee hours of the morning, Benjamin and Elephant prepare a surprise birthday breakfast for the boy's mother. Elephant makes a special cereal concoction: ``Then I plunk a hunk of cheese! Mush the mustard! Pour the peas! Add some rice, and then for spice I think we need some pickle juice . . . '' Holding a jar of jelly in his trunk, Elephant next assembles some sandwiches, but in the process knocks over a bag of oranges, which tumble to the floor. Things deteriorate fast when Benjamin and Elephant begin to play catch with the oranges. Soon the kitchen is awash with juice--and Benjamin's mother is awake. But the two manage to get everything cleaned up and breakfast served--despite a great deal of thumpin', bumpin' and rumpus. A capricious rhyme enhances Patz's lively story. Unfortunately, muddy colors diminish the impact in a number of the amusing paintings that illustrate the tale. Ages 5-8. (Feb.)