"GOOD RHYMES, GOOD TIMES"

A poet known for his theme-based anthologies (Small Talk, p. 469, etc.) collects nothing but his own work in a pretty picture book. A few new poems--including ""Mother's Plea,"" ""Split,"" ""Winner"" and the succinct ""Winter"" (NEVER/quarrel/with/winter./It/ALWAYS/wins.)--join with old favorites, including the title piece, exhorting the joy of reading, ""Valentine Feelings,"" ""Sing a Song of Cities,"" ""Behind the Museum Door,"" ""Puppy,"" ""Overnight at the Vet's,"" ""Cat's Kit,"" and more. Lessac's vivid multicultural urban landscape is as accessible as Hopkins's enthusiastic verse; adults will find this a pleasure to read aloud, with its celebration of events important to children: the loss of a tooth, a new puppy, or a Valentine from someone special.