POT LUCK

When Sophie telephones, Gram urges her to come to dinner ``today''—but ``you'll have to take pot luck.'' Gram defines the term for Rachel, then (to Rachel's puzzlement) spends the day shopping, preparing a festive meal, and tidying the house. The two women—whose friendship goes back to Poland, where it weathered the period when the boys ``were all after Sophie first''—spend a happy evening chatting, Rachel comfortably included. Still, she's puzzled, so as she and Gram snuggle into bed, Gram explains: ``A woman like Sophie Paderewski...you don't feed last night's stew.'' Perfectly reflecting the household's aura of competence and coziness, Malone's scribbly pencil lines- -as pleasantly relaxed as Gram's disheveled hair as she bustles about her kitchen—are warmed with watercolors in delicately faded earth tones. A charming story, with spirited realistic dialogue that's especially entertaining read aloud. (Picture book. 4-8)