THE GUPPIES OF HILLY DALE HOUSE

Five half-pint realistic stories about a day-care group (the ``Guppies''), each genial episode making its small, wholesome point via demonstration: the toddler who naps in the morning is the only one who's wide awake at lunchtime; an inchworm is fun to hold, but will be happiest outside. Kids and teacher are at their best here: no spats or reprimands. Morgan's well-observed, sturdy little people are consistently cheery but not sentimentalized. An appealing, useful book. (Picture book. 1-5)