I'M A JOLLY FARMER

Once again, an illustrator finds a novel way to rehearse familiar animals. The blonde tot here imagines her fubsy big dog as a horse pulling her cart, an elephant she can ride, a lion to be tracked, and more; alternate spreads depict first her play activity with the dog, then the scene she is imagining. But the story of Red Riding Hood seems too real ("" 'What big teeth you have!' I say. I wish I hadn't come today...I wish I'd stayed at home to play"") and the last of Lacome's boldly childlike illustrations shows her there, ""with Fred,"" who is getting a hug as his very own self. Simple but thoughtfully constructed; just right for the youngest.