BILLY'S BEETLE

In a cleverly elaborated story with a cumulative element, Billy looks for the beetle that's escaped from his matchbox. All overeager to help is a group that becomes ever more preposterous- -with the addition of a dog on a very long leash, a hedgehog, a polar bear, an elephant, and even a brass band. True to his nature, it's the hedgehog that eventually spots the beetle—but by that time Billy himself is missing. The simple, deftly drawn illustrations convey much of the delightful humor here. There's a final twist involving a lost caterpillar, and a gatefold that expands to dramatize the satisfying conclusion. Small readers will also enjoy the fact that they can find the beetle on every page, crawling unseen from one character to another. Truly childlike and unusually entertaining. (Picture book. 3-7)