I'M NOT OSCAR'S FRIEND ANYMORE

In the words of Oscar's estranged friend, ""It only took about two minutes to make enemies with Oscar. But it will take forever to make up. Forever like never."" And so the boy speculates on how Oscar is suffering: He'll ""watch cartoons on TV and wonder why they are not as funny as they used to be. . . hope it's me whenever the doorbell rings. . . Come to think of it, I'll walk by his house and if he's lucky enough to be outside I'll let him make up with me. . . So where are you? . . . Maybe I'll give Oscar one chance over the telephone. . . Hello, Oscar. . . Five minutes? Okay. Good-bye."" There have been similar picture books on small boys falling out, but Sharmat manages the unacknowledged loneliness with perfect pitch.