MY CHRISTMAS SAFARI

Pretitle illustrations imply that this cumulative safari is imaginary, suggested by a gift of toy animals the narrator receives. The journey—begun when, ``On the first day of Christmas my father showed to me: A green truck for our safari''- -is both companionable and exuberant. ``Three wildebeests,/Two leopard cubs...'' and so on join the throng, with all the animals engaged in new, amusing activities on each spread. In Alley's engagingly detailed pen-and-watercolor illustrations, the five curious baboons are particularly funny, while readers will also enjoy spotting and counting the playful little cubs and the other animals. The threat of ``Eleven lions roaring,'' allayed by ``Twelve elephants trumpeting,'' makes a dramatic denouement to this creative adaptation; then the child and her dad head back to their tent—and, back home, off to bed. (Picture book. 3-7)