MEET MY STAFF
by Patricia Marx & illustrated by Roz Chast
A puckish view of organization, chores, and ill-favored activities. Walter, a man-sized boy in Chast’s illustrations, goes to great lengths to summon special helpers for completion of the mundane tasks everyone would like to delegate: Miss Peck kisses the potato-faced Aunt Winnie; Lima Bean Man “takes care of Brussels sprouts, squash, and radishes in salad”; and Mrs. Wrong, who fills in for Walter in the time-out chair. The story itself is a one-liner expanded into a litany that can be both funny and sophisticated. Chast’s trademark line drawings add more humor, and save the book whenever the text lags. Readers will find some chuckles, and occasionally guffaws, in Walter’s gift for ducking childhood’s many burdens. (Picture book. 6-9)