KNICK KNACK PADDYWACK

This old man is not what you expect, though his antics in Moss's creative adaptation are as ebullient as in the traditional version. Moss's playful variants to the verses add auditory interest (``...he played Five./ He played tip tap, TV live./ With a tip tap bunnyrap, give a dog a bone'') while, in her delightful illustrations, a new story unfolds: following some curious blueprints, a round-headed workman is making what turns out to be a spaceship from fly swatters, TV screens, old storm windows, tires, dog-food cans, etc. In the end (with a countdown, naturally), he's off to the moon. Meanwhile, ten dogs, their bones, and a lot of other countables have accumulated to be followed from page to page. A unique counting book; entertaining sf for the youngest; and just nifty good fun. (Picture book. 4-8)