THE BIGGEST, MEANEST, UGLIEST DOG IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

Small in size, modest in air, and not without charm in its imitative fashion, this tells of Jonathan's fear and avoidance of the big mean ugly dog next door. But one day the dog sneaks up on Jonathan in the sandbox and Jonathan discovers that he only wants to play. Watson's tan and peach-colored pictures, with their snug little houses and rounded doll-like little figures harking back to Lois Lenski, give this common scenario an old-fashioned look that works with the story's reassuring gist. And her rakish, tongue-lolling dog provides the requisite spark of energy.