JAMIE'S TIGER

Jamie loses his hearing when a party balloon pops just after he's recovered from German measles, and if that doesn't make readers unduly apprehensive about balloons and German measles it might have the desired effect of helping deaf children feel less handicapped and hearing children understand those who must learn to talk with their hands and listen with their eyes. Jamie does well, teaching his friend finger talk so they have a ""secret code"" in school, and becoming a ""terrific"" dancer when he learns to feel the piano rhythm from the floor. He even gets new bongo drums, which has the other kids flocking round. De Paola's easygoing kids help make Jamie look regular and his story undidactic, but neither text nor pictures transcend their practical function. To apply as indicated.