TAKE CARE OF ME FROM A TO Z

Setting a new standard for whiny neediness, an unseen narrator presents an alphabetical series of demands, beginning with “Adore me,” and continuing on through “Kiss me,” “Notice me,” “Warm me” and “eXcuse me” to (with a picture of two figures on a bicycle) “Zip with me!” Though the brightly patterned, handmade plush animal dolls that pose in different configurations on each page exert plenty of visual child appeal, much of the urging—“Dine with me,” “Get in touch with me”—comes off as being delivered by a fretful spouse or an elderly parent feeling ignored by ungrateful offspring. Still others aim for cute hipness that can only fall flat with the presumed preschooler audience: “Buzz me” (a cell phone vibrates urgently), “Friend me” (ugh). Unsurprisingly, the dolls are available for sale on Oles’ web site. Far more fruitful bids for attention abound, from Runaway Bunny to Suzanne Bloom’s A Splendid Friend Indeed (2005). No eXcuse. (Picture book. 3-5, adult)