LITTLE TRICKSTER THE SQUIRREL MEETS BIG DOUBLE THE BEAR

This rollicking tall tale, based on a story told to Kesey by his grandmother, was published twice, "in different form," in books for adults; this is its first appearance in a format that will also appeal to children. Both story and telling are splendid. Big Double is "HONGRY!. . .grumpy grouchy bedtime bigtime hongry. . .when I hit the hay tonight I got six months before breakfast so I need a supper the size of my sleep." In classic style, he catches and gulps down three other animals, the chase amusingly escalating each time; but the squirrel who has been watching turns the tables with a satisfyingly funny, appropriate trick. Moser contributes a dozen of his grand watercolor portraits and superbly crafted scenes, nicely touched with humor: a rabbit, grimacing and cleaning his ear with a parsnip; the bear, seen from a vertiginous perspective, hurtling downhill after the luckless rabbit. Kesey's frequent italics aren't essential, but they're expertly placed and remind the reader that this is the sort of lively, comical tale that demands reading aloud—a perfect picture book to share with older children.