GEESE FIND THE MISSING PIECE

PLB 0-06-026221-4 Geese Find The Missing Piece (48 pp.; $14.95; PLB $14.89; Aug. 31; 0-06-026220-6; PLB 0-06-026221-4): The school room gets a whole new look and sound with the Maestros’ engaging blend of witticisms and art. In rhyming riddles, readers witness a menagerie of animals participating in various activities: polar bears learn their ABCs, ducks play with blocks, penguins wield rulers. So, “why is Panda’s picture hard to see? She uses very faint . . . paint.” The use of an uncomplicated vocabulary enhances the accessibility of this I Can Read, while bold type for the rhyming words successfully aids readers in experiencing the creativity of language. Brightly hued, whimsical illustrations playfully complement the text. A lighthearted exploration of word games; the puns are refreshingly original and the humor is genuine. (Picture book. 4-8)