OPEN HOUSE FOR BUTTERFLIES

The charm of this verbal free-for-all cannot be disputed, but coming as a sequel to A Hole is to Dig, this second book by Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak to some extent lacks the spontaneous charm of the first. Based on the assumption that children delight in their own verbal jokes, Ruth Krauss defines various situations and words—"Pins never unfit you".., "a baby is so you could be the boss".., "a baby makes the mother and father—otherwise they're just plain people". Charming, funny, sometimes wise, the text supported by the irresistible diminutive drawings of Maurice Sendak will find an appreciative audience, in many cases, among the readers at whom it is directed, and, as frequently, will be championed by their parents.