A BALL FOR ALL

Weninger and Tharlet’s troupe of slightly handicapped field creatures returns for a third lesson; this time they learn to share. Max Mouse (who has one short leg) is playing ball with Molly Mole (who, of course, is nearsighted) and Freddy Frog (who has trouble hearing) when their ball flies up and is snatched by Rico Raccoon. Rico has a reputation for trouble, and he runs off with the ball. The group follows him, but gets no response at his tree. The next day they go back to ask his mother for help, and the ball rolls down the hallway behind her. Rather than take it, ruminative Max calls to Rico and invites him to bring the ball to the field the next day to play along. Sure enough, Rico comes and joins the games. American toddlers might be confused that Rico is not a ring-tailed raccoon like those they are used to, but rather a tuft-tailed, masked rodent. Still, this is a fine tale, even if it’s nothing new, from the creators of the Davey series. (Picture book. 2-7)