All Fall Down

One might reasonably expect this board book from Barrett and Pham to riff on “Ring Around the Rosie.” But while a scene featuring that game closes out the book, Barrett celebrates lightly destructive fun of all kinds, whether it involves toy blocks, sticks and stones, or dinner: “Spoon potatoes in a mound,/ plopping green peas all around./ Plunk spoon and cup atop the plate./ Daddy reaches out—too late!/ All fall down!” Working in gouache, Pham offers a multicultural crew of kids who couldn’t be more excited about building things up and then sending them flying. Simultaneously available: Pat-a-Cake. Ages 2–5. Illustrator’s agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Jan.)