Mr. Gumpy's Outing

John Burningham. Henry Holt & Company, $6.95 (34pp) ISBN 978-0-8050-6629-6

Learning can be fun, thanks to a quartet of board books. A kind fellow warns his fleet of passengers (both humans and animals) about proper boat etiquette in Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham. Charming pen-and-inks alternate with full-color illustrations to chronicle the growing chaos until the boat capsizes. Though Mr. Gumpy does not scold his cohorts, the gentle message is clear. ( June)

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