THE CHICKS' TRICK

Mrs. Heckle and Mrs. Peckle are hens, but readers don't need to be country dwellers to recognize them. From morning until night each brags about her child, certain that the other's chick cannot be nearly as special. While the hens argue, chicks Sweet Pea and Napoleon become friends and devise a plan for bringing all boasting to a halt; they trick the mothers into crowing about the other hen's offspring. The illustrations are as cheerful and straightforward as the text, and though replete with details, have a looser line than Bassett's previous work. A book that is generous in spirit, and snug to the finish. (Picture book. 4-8)