LOUIE

A child's total captivation by a puppet show character is the subject of this small but touching story. When Susie and Roberto give the show for the neighborhood children, little Louie is fascinated by the mouse puppet and then transported by a second one, a green-faced baby-bonneted figure named Gussie. Louie holds Gussie after the show and, when Susie and Roberto take the puppet away, he goes home to a sad, sweet dream. He awakens to a happy ending though, for Susie and Roberto have set up a trail that leads to Gussie, propped on a newel post and attached to a welcoming "HELLO" sign clearly meant for Louie. If the older children's sensitive generosity is a lucky break for Louie, Keats' way of seeing through the little boy's eyes will inspire the same empathic understanding from his audience.