RACHEL'S RECITAL

Mama has insisted on piano lessons, but itchy Rachel--unsupervised at her teacher's house--just can't concentrate during her practice hour. Rachel's panic as recital day approaches with her piece unlearned is amusing, as are her luck and cool quick-thinking when, performing simultaneously with three other pupils, she gets away with just pretending to play. A little improbably, unless Mama knows more than she's letting on, Rachel is rescued from more piano lessons when her mother, impressed by her stage presence and energy, decides to switch her to dancing lessons. In any case Green fills in the pauses and credibility gaps with affectionately light-hearted drawings of an early 1900s ethnic neighborhood.