THE RAT AND THE TIGER

Kasza (A Mother for Choco, 1992, etc.) depicts two friends successfully renegotiating an unequal relationship. Meek little Rat patiently endures his best friend always taking the role of the ``good guy'' when they play cowboys, his grabbing a tiger's share of any treat, and being sent for hard-to-reach flowers; but when Tiger kicks down Rat's block castle, it's the last straw- -fortunately. Rat angrily tells Tiger what a bully he is and refuses to make up until the contrite Tiger (he's nice, just oblivious) has taken his turn as the bad guy, let Rat divide a doughnut (unevenly!), and fetched him a pretty flower. Friendship is restored; but, lest it all seem too easy, on the last page there's ``a new kid''—a rhino—who seems to need the same lesson. Kasza's lively, deftly painted animals are as expressive as ever. An appealing package for an ever-important message. (Picture book. 3-8)