Nothing Happened

Many of the original songs and stories for which children's performer Harley is known make playful spins on common events in kids' lives, and his first book does the same. Jack is determined to find out what goes on downstairs after bedtime, especially after his older brother, Will, taunts him with tales: ""We have a party every night as soon as you go to bed. My friends come and Mom's friends come and Dad's friends come and even your friends come."" So Jack hides a flashlight and a bag of peanut-butter crackers under his mattress and-after his parents retire to their room-bravely ventures behind the furnace in the basement, where, according to Will, there's a party room filled with food and games. What Jack doesn't find will surprise no one. Harley's narrative rambles somewhat but contains welcome doses of his trademark silly humor. Unfortnately, first-time children's illustrator Miya work is uneven. Figures are often stiff and oddly proportioned, and eagle-eyed youngsters are apt to notice that Jack's features and apparent age vary from page to page. Ages 6-up. (Mar.)