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WIPE YOUR FEET by Daniel Lehan

WIPE YOUR FEET

by Daniel Lehan & illustrated by Daniel Lehan

Pub Date: Feb. 1st, 1993
ISBN: 0-525-44992-2
Publisher: Dutton

A much stronger second by the author-illustrator of This is Not a Book About Dodos (1992), again sporting with the creative process—particularly with the relationship between subject and picture. Nancy hangs a painting of a dozen brightly colored animals in her bathroom; next morning, there are footprints on the bathmat. Intrigued, she goes to the zoo to look at feet and then to the library for a book on footprints. Home again, she hears scurrying; now there are prints everywhere. Undaunted but firm, she issues an ultimatum: ``I don't mind your playing...but only in the bathroom. And you must ALWAYS wipe your feet! You can wipe them on the bath mat when you first come out of the painting.'' Like nice children issued fair guidelines, the animals are happy to comply. Lehan's stylish design, bold color, and simple but expressive forms are sure to appeal—as will recognizing the different prints and noticing how the animals change position in the painting. An offbeat story with sly good humor and a genuinely childlike point of view. (Picture book. 4- 8)