JOSIE'S BUTTERCUP

An extended rhyme on the pattern of Mary Had Little Lamb invites the reader to guess and guess again about, Josie's little dog, Buttercup: first her (?) color, then her disposition, then her ""special game."" ""Is it pulling Josie's laces, hiding bones in cozy places.... Is it bouncing on the bed? On the rosy-posy spread? Is it bouncing on the bed? No, oh no indeed!"" It is chasing butterflies, which gives Evaline Ness the opportunity to display some handsome specimens--and that's the only bright spot in a hopelessly silly book.