THIS IS THE BEAR AND THE PICNIC LUNCH

Leaving his picnic on the kitchen table, guarded by his toy bear, a boy goes off to get his shoes; meanwhile, the dog snitches the lunch and it starts to rain. Never mind: this boy knows how to make the best of setbacks--a new sandwich is soon made, and a picnic indoors can be even more fun. Using the galloping cadence but not the cumulative form of ""This is the House That Jack Built,"" Hayes turns this very simple story into a beguiling treat with her cleverly turned verse. Craig's delicately drawn setting, obstreperous dog, and expressive bear nicely counterpoint the rollicking text.