KEEPING UP WITH ROO

An interesting premise gets a didactic story and old-fashioned pictures. Gracie grows up on a farm following her Aunt Roo around and playing with her all the time. The two are “best friends,” despite the fact that “Roo was almost as old as Mama and Gracie was only five.” Roo’s enthusiasm for childlike games comes from her being mentally challenged, which remains unspecified throughout. However, subtlety is lost in the main plot arc, which shows second-grader Gracie embarrassed by Aunt Roo and ignoring her in front of a guest. Gracie soon feels guilty and brings the visiting friend to meet Aunt Roo, but the originally sweet relationship has turned into a lesson for readers. The graphite-and-oil illustrations recall Norman Rockwell and elementary primers. Self-conscious and humdrum. (Picture book. 4-6)