cover image THE BEST PICNIC EVER

THE BEST PICNIC EVER

Clare Jarrett, . . Candlewick, $15.99 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-7636-2370-8

At first, it looks like Jack's al fresco lunch in the park is going to be strictly a mother-son affair. But no sooner does Jack say, "I wish there was someone to play with," than a cheery giraffe appears. Jack asks Giraffe to lunch; the animal accepts, "But first—let's play!" Jack sits astride Giraffe and the two go "gallopy, gallopy through the tall grass" while Mom finishes setting up. Jarrett (Catherine and the Lion ) sets her colored-pencil drawings against expanses of white space—only Mom and the picnic blanket feel especially grounded—and the pictures have the spontaneity and joie de vivre of a classroom art project. A few scraggly marks serve as grass, while enthusiastic squiggles constitute clouds or a tree's crown; the curvilinear form of the giraffe captures the energy and length of his stride. Jack and Giraffe meet a succession of other playmates—a trumpeting elephant ("tootley-toot-toot"), a leaping leopard ("lollopy, lollopy") and a tap-dancing tiger—and when Mom finally has the spread ready, it's everything a kid could wish for: hot dogs, pizza, chocolate cake and strawberries. With simple-hearted whimsy and celebratory, imaginative spirit, Jarrett lays out a treat, too—a picture-book banquet few readers will likely resist. Ages 2-5. (June)