DON'T FORGET THE BACON!

This might not be the most visually striking of Pat Hutchins' highly inventive picture books, but it might well be the most mirth provoking. There's recognition too in the mental mix-ups of a little girl who is sent out for ""six farm eggs, a cake for tea, a pound of pears, and don't forget the bacon""--but who, distracted by the passing scene, gradually turns the first three items into ""six fat legs, a cape for me and a flight of stairs,"" and then to ""six clothes pegs, a rake for leaves and a pile of chairs."" Returning home with this unlikely market basket she does remember, and substitute, the requested items--except that ""I forgot the bacon!"" With the bright, mobile pictures providing all the narration needed and the only words the little gift's recitation of the changing shopping list, it's a certain story hour ice-breaker.