CARLO'S CRICKET

Crickets, crickets everywhere, but where is Carlo's? It is the Festa del Grillo in Florence and Carlo's cricket, supposed to bring him good luck, has disappeared, sending him on a search and offering the author the opportunity to tour some of the sites she missed when he was on his way to buy it. The cricket finally turns up in the garden and Carlo is mollified by his parents' assurance that it would rather be free. The story is only an excuse to celebrate the occasion and see the city; if the text were shorter the purpose might pass--the tone is relaxed, the illustrations not too picturesque--but youngsters satisfied with the slight plot are likely to grow restless during the extended sightseeing.