cover image Patrick & His Grandpa

Patrick & His Grandpa

Geoffrey Hayes. Random House Books for Young Readers, $3.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-394-87287-2

With gentle wit and disarming simplicity, Hayes makes his mark on the new Great Big Board Book series in a tribute to friendship between generations. Patrick and Grandpa have some time on their hands before Mama Bear can join them for a picnic. Grandpa, who has an eye patch, a peg leg and a cane, asks Patrick to show him his favorite things. Patrick has plenty to show, from a trolley car with a bell, to doughnuts, bananas and a kite. When Mama Bear arrives, they all have lunch, and Patrick confides to Grandpa that his most favorite thing of all is ""spending the day with you.'' ``Mine too,'' Grandpa replies. Hayes's world, where a bear and a bunny share the seesaw and a grizzly old man gives away balloons in the park, is sweet without being sugarcoated. (18 mos.3 yrs.)