UNCLE ROLAND, THE PERFECT GUEST

In terms of both text and pictures: a just-passable variation on the theme of the eccentric, disruptive relative beloved by kids. Father's visiting, slightly nutty brother Uncle Roland, in short, has no particular personality: there would be no way, from the text or the pictures, to precisely or meaningfully describe him. And all we really have by way of a situation is mother's exasperation vs. the kids' pleasure and father's forbearance. Still, some of the forms that Uncle Roland's nuttiness takes--like punching the bottoms of chocolates to find the kind he wants, or teaching the four kids to play tunes with their noses--will undoubtedly have innocent-mischief appeal. (Other forms, like offering to do the dishes and then leaving the kitchen a mess, are nonsensical even in this context.) And mothers will be relieved to discover that Uncle Roland's visit lasts only a week.