CELESTE AND CRABAPPLE SAM

Crusty old Sam seems to be as sour as a crabapple, but the fact that he keeps a dog, Zack, a pet pig named Poppy, and— curled companionably under the porch roof of his seaside shack—a large snake, suggests at the outcome that he has another side. Sure enough, he's no match for Celeste, visiting next door with her Grandpa Hammond. The little girl begins by making friends with Zack; cheerfully disregards Crabapple's sign (``Beware of rattlesnake''), pointing out that rattlers don't live by the sea; and pursues the old man's friendship with such unquenchable zeal that, step by step, she wins him over—as nicely evidenced in Christelow's pen-and-watercolor art as well as in the adroitly phrased dialogue. In the end, Sam comes over to Grandpa Hammond's for a fish fry, bringing his own catch (``Can't let this girl eat store-bought fish, Hammond''), his pet boa constrictor (``Rattlesnake'') draped around his neck, and even a grin for Celeste's grandpa, who's been his antagonist (and friend) since childhood. An energetic and entertaining tale, deftly pointing out that a gruff manner may be overcome with persistence, and may mask real affection. (Picture book. 5-8)