I CAN’T TALK YET, BUT WHEN I DO...

An exclamation of affection for an older sister from a baby who can’t talk just yet, so readers will have to take the author’s modestly overcooked word for it. Tenderhearted watercolors accompany this love letter to an older sibling, in which the young recipient details all the fine qualities of the older child. “I can’t talk yet, but when I do, I’ll say thank you for helping to take care of me,” a baby mouse declares to its sister. Also for making the baby laugh, sharing toys, and helping the baby to walk, keeping an eye out for the child, and making bath time so much fun. Rader has sharply etched all the situations and keeps the text just this side of sickly sweet. Then again, this story is an exercise in the kind of reflection that often goes begging, one that points out the thankful instead of the hurtful. (Picture book. 3-5)