HARRIET DANCING

On her way to visit her friend Ivor, Harriet the Hedgehog encounters a group of lovely dancing butterflies. When she begins to dance with them, the butterflies retreat, saying, “Butterflies only dance with butterflies.” A crestfallen Harriet runs along to Ivor’s, tumbling down a hill of flowers on her way, and finally shows up at her friend’s door teary-eyed and petal-covered. Ivor offers to dance with Harriet, stopping first to roll around in the flowers himself, and soon many other animals, including the butterflies, ask to join in. Harriet welcomes them with open arms, declaring “Dancing’s for sharing with one and all.” While the prose is uninspired and the story line predictable, the messages of forgiveness and acceptance are always welcome. Church’s bold, brightly colored collage illustrations add some much-needed zest and dimension to an otherwise prosaic offering. (Picture book. 3-6)