OWEN

Owen loves his blanket "with all his heart.'' "Fuzzy'' goes where he goes and likes what he likes—"grape juice, chocolate milk...'' Leaning over the back fence, nosy Mrs. Tweezers "fills his parents in'' on various cures for Owen's affection—the "Blanket Fairy'' (Fuzzy survives safely inside Owen's pajama pants); the "vinegar trick'' (Owen finds a new favorite corner to cuddle). Meanwhile, he continues to share every experience, real or fanciful, with his beloved rag until, when it's time to begin school, his understanding mother transforms Fuzzy into handkerchiefs that Owen can carry—and hang onto or politely touch to his nose—wherever he goes. Once again, Henkes's engaging characters are mice, depicted with wonderfully warm humor and subtlety; their gentle negotiations and perfectly tuned dialogue are entirely human. A delectably amusing look at a true first love. (Picture book. 3-6)