HIDING

The preschooler who narrates this story finds that whenever the situation appears out of control, there's only one answer: to hidebehind the couch, in the hidey hole under the stairs, under the dinner table, the bed, the bedcovers. When the child makes her mother angry by tossing her dinner onto the floor, she goes under the table to scold a naughty stuffed rabbit. The wicked rabbit looks properly admonished; throughout the cunningly crafted sequence of cutaway pastel illustrations, the stuffed animals react to the child's imaginative forays in a way that is thoroughly gratifying. The child admits that making a ``small sound'' is a good way to allow herself to be found, and readers can see that her dignity is intact. A wise, gently humorous book, perfect for all those who have ever attempted to run away and have been only too glad to have their plans thwarted. (Picture book. 2-5)