Granny is a Darling

A visit from Granny is something Billy eagerly anticipates; she'll sleep in his room. He debates whether or not he should let her know about the dark things that come into his room at night, and decides not to. It's just as well, for when Granny sleeps soundly, she snores, and that's just the noise which makes the scary things back off. Billy even lets out a couple of snores himself, just to finish the job, and his darkened room becomes a safe place. Denton, who illustrated Pam Zinnemann-Hope's Ned books, has a smooth narrative style that complements her softly colored pictures. Swirls of shadow and light delineate the scenes of Billy's fears, and Granny, with her hair net on and padding about in a long flowing gown, truly is a dear. Ages 4-8. (September)