Oozing verbal and visual glucose on every page, this parent-child episode will draw timorous toddlers like flies to marshmallow creme—just make sure they brush their teeth afterward. “All brand-new,” a shy lamb rejects in turn the friendly overtures of a “flouncy pouncy rabbit,” a “cheery crickety cricket,” a “jolly robin redbreast” and a “swooping old hoot owl.” Keeping his illustrations as simple as the text, Butler supplies for all shiny black eyes and, for the sheep, plushy fleeces, and places the creatures in a sunny meadow in which poppies float like little red hearts. A “bitty little mouse peeking round her bitty mama!” finally breaks down the lamb’s fear of strangers, and together the two new friends gambol—still “right beside their mamas!” “What fun!” Thompson concludes. Yes, let the wild rumpus start. (Picture book. 3-5)
