TINKER AND TOM AND THE STAR BABY

Whimsical, fantastical—and even a little silly—this nighttime story from McPhail (The Puddle, p. 58, etc.) has plenty of child appeal. One night, Tinker and his bear, Tom, are gazing out the window instead of sleeping. A streak of light in the sky turns into a rocket ship crash-landing in their backyard, with a star baby inside. Tinker figures they need to get the dents out of the ship, refuel, and send the star baby back to its mother; Tom is quite taken with the little sprite and wants to keep it. Star Baby eats the cat’s food and sends the cat, the cereal, and later, Tinker’s dad, flying (gently) through the air; Tinker and Tom fill the rocket with odds and ends from the refrigerator and send Star Baby off, as is right. The rather surreal elements of the story are held in check by the reassuringly familiar surroundings: Boy and bear pad around the cozy kitchen, the garage sports a basketball hoop, five-pointed stars appear in the sky, a night light is on the stove, and cheese and carrots are in the fridge. (Picture book. 4-8)