I DID IT, I'M SORRY

The Buehners (It’s a Spoon, Not a Shovel! 1995, etc.) continue their mission to make learning decorum a giggle instead of a slap on the wrist. In page-long fables, animals such as Ollie the Octopus and Rateesh Rat get into situations that demand decisions, while multiple-choice quizzes allow readers to participate. When Ollie’s mother calls him for dinner, should he obey her, or stay and play? When Rateesh is feeling lonely, will hoarding or sharing his cheese endear him to rodent playmates? The letter of the correct answer is hidden somewhere in the lush illustration accompanying every tale, and some of these are difficult to find; regardless, the answers are provided at the end of the book. The illustrations must be pored over; observant readers will discover an intrepid bee in every take and plenty of hidden silliness: sheep-shaped clouds, a gummy-worm fish snack, Santa departing from the North Pole. Most children will have no problem discerning correct behavior, and some adults may wince in recognition at the black-and-white approach to ethics: It’s not right to lie about a child’s age at restaurants where those under five eat free. (Picture book. 4-8)