MR. BELINSKY'S BAGELS

Mr. Belinsky made bagels. Bagels were all he made"" begins this cheery picture book tale of loving what you know, and knowing what you love. Mr. Belinksy's regulars come in daily for the bagels they want: onion, pumpernickel, poppyseed. But when a fancy bakery opens up across the street, Mr. Belinsky fears for his livelihood and turns to cookies and tarts, pies and strudel. The money rolls in but his regulars are crushed, and Mr. Belinsky isn't so sure of the path he's chosen. Joyfully he returns to his true love, bagel-making, and his customers are happy. The broad, flat planes of gouache illustrations face each page of text, and charming details abound: the ring on Mrs. Alperstein's ruby-manicured fingers; the ceramic water pitcher; the glimpses of yellow taxis and the Chrysler building. Best of all is Mr. Belinsky himself: a cherub with tufts of grey hair and a fuzzy moustache, round glasses, and pink cheeks. A tasty nosh, indeed.