PIE'S IN THE OVEN

A sweet celebration of family and friends. Grandma has made apple pies and they're in the oven. As the irresistible smells fill her rambling old house, her apple-cheeked grandson excitedly longs for his share (``Pie's in the oven,/My favorite kind!''). Relatives, the letter carrier, neighbors, friends, even an apple- red fire truck full of firemen are all beckoned: ``Pie's in the oven./You're just in time.'' Soon the house is full of good smells and chatter, milk is poured, plates and forks are set out, the pie is served. Guess who doesn't get any pie? Grandma presents the narrator with a little apple pie, ``Just for me!'' Meade's sky-blue outlined collages are childlike and appealing, as bright as hand- painted pottery and just as welcoming as the text. (Picture book. 3-7)