A SUNDAE WITH JUDY

This is almost a very good book, but there's a slight aura of too well-intentioned, something good for you air that children are apt to spot for themselves. Don't sell it as a fast action story, but as a pleasant tale of a busy, full life, as Judy, 11-year old plump daughter of a candy-store owner, goes to school in New York's Amsterdam Avenue area, helps in the store, studies music, goes to her club, introduces a Chinese girl as her best friend, is Master of Ceremonies in an entertainment to raise money for an unfortunate neighborhood family, plays Cupid for her boy-conscious older sister, and has a bang-up get-together at her home, with sundaes all around. There is need for city stories of contemporary life- and this is adequate but not inspired.