MINERVA LOUISE AT SCHOOL

That inquisitive hen (A Hat for Minerva Louise, 1994) is back, in fine feather. She goes exploring early one morning and discovers a wonderful ``barn.'' Preschoolers will recognize it as a school when they see it, but not Minerva Louise. In fact, the perspective in the text is utterly hers, while the pictures show all the facts. The ``farmer'' hanging out the laundry is really a janitor raising the flag, ``stalls'' are classrooms, and the wonderfully decorated ``nesting boxes'' are children's storage cubbies. One of them has an ``egg'' in it (a baseball in a mitt). The simple, brightly colored illustrations provide all the personality this tale needs. The story has a delightful moment of truth at the end: ``She knew she'd go back to the fancy barn some day . . . because it was such a wonderful place to get new ideas.'' Minerva Louise's goofy perceptions and enterprising spirit are sure to tickle listeners at story hour. (Picture book. 2-6)