MR. MIACCA

Dickens' London in little, with Tommy Grimes' mother admonishing him not to go out of the street or Mr. Miacca will get him, and Mr. Miacca approaching around the corner; wizened Mr. Miacca himself, clapping Tommy into his bag, taking him home for supper (""You're rather tough...but you'll not taste bad boiled""); jolly, plump Mrs. Miacca, beguiled by the promise of pudding instead; Tommy, scampering off, caught again (""he couldn't always be good""), and the final fillip--a Victorian sofa leg chopped off by near-sighted Mr. Miacca instead of Tommy's own. All this deliberately designed and richly detailed for long, close looking--a crisp, comical story extended but not overwhelmed by the vibrant illustrations of the current Caldecott winner.