OLD MOTHER HUBBARD

Cabrera's tempera illustrations always virtually bubble over with high spirits: her bold, saturated colors, broad brushstrokes and luscious, wet-paint surfaces bring to mind an especially creative and satisfyingly messy episode of finger painting. Although this familiar rhyme does not offer her the abundant possibilities of her Over in the Meadow, the title character comes across as a sweet, bright-eyed granny. The exuberant orange-and-white pooch companion comically rides a goat that resembles a bucking bronco and reads the news with élan. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)