THE MONEY TREE

In January, Mrs. McGillicuddy observes an unusual shape out in the snow. By March it's an extraordinary tree that, in May, bears a profusion of U.S. currency. She shares it with a few children, whose parents arrive in June to share the bounty—the first of what becomes an invasion of people motivated first by ``special projects'' and finally by simple greed. By December, it's all over: the leaves are gone, and Mrs. McGillicuddy is preparing to use the tree for her fire. In his mellow, beautifully drawn illustrations, Small reflects the text's understated tone by focusing on the continued serenity of the good lady's house and garden and her pleasure in her dogs, birds, and flowers—rather than on the not-so-gentle satire implicit in this offbeat parable. Handsome and thought-provoking. (Picture book. 5-10)*justify no*