WHAT'S ALICE UP TO?

A quizzical black-and-white dog wonders, ``What's Alice up to with that look in her eye? What's Alice doing with her father's necktie?'' He grows more and more perplexed as Alice, a determined and energetic five-year-old, moves furniture, makes phone calls, and carries the cat and an entire ant farm into the back yard. He's a little put out, too, at being so utterly ignored. This engaging mystery has a surprising ending for its canine narrator—he is the guest of honor at the birthday party Alice has worked so hard to put together. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations have arresting perspectives: Readers view scenes from the top of the stairs, under the bed, close up, and far away. The mystified dog expresses his feelings with his ears, tails, eyebrows, and tongue, and Alice's happy preoccupation with her project is evident on every page. Observant children will enjoy finding clues to Alice's purpose along the way. (Picture book. 3-8)