MIMI

Little Mimi is a charming piglet with two favorite possessions: her bunny toy and her pet roly-poly bug, Frank. Mimi’s day includes storytime at the library, playing with her mother at the park and dinner at home with her parents. Shot through the tale is the mild anxiety caused by Frank’s disappearance; whenever Mimi remembers him, she looks for him, but he remains missing until she finally settles down for the night after a long bedtime ritual. The author, a child psychologist, shows in subtle ways her understanding of the inner life of the young child. She renders her captivating illustrations in multimedia three-dimensional relief, incorporating fabric, clay and wood, as well as found objects to create an altogether plush world for her stuffed animal-like characters, who display a remarkable range of emotions on their fuzzy faces. A satisfying plot, whimsical illustrations and a beguiling main character add up to a delightful treat that even younger preschoolers will enjoy. Baicker-McKee is an author-illustrator to watch. (Picture book. 2-5)