A HAT FOR MINERVA LOUISE

The cheerfully mixed-up hen (sort of a Peterkin-in-feathers) who was introduced in Minerva Louise (1988) makes a welcome reappearance. It's snowing, and, while other hens snooze, Minerva Louise goes out to explore the cold, white world and look for something to keep her warm. The fun here is in her misconceptions: A coiled hose isn't a scarf, as she supposes, but what she notices is that it's too big; a flower pot is not a hat. Outdoors, everything seems to be wearing a white hat. The hen finally finds a ``hat'' that matches the snowman's—actually, since it's a pair of mittens, there are two parts to it. Not to worry—one for the head, one for the tail. Much of the humor here is in Stoeke's bright, simply drawn illustrations, in which the silly hen pursues her quest with a comically bland certitude. Sure to evoke giggles of superiority from young listeners. (Fiction/Picture book. 2-6)