THE BAND OVER THE HILL

Mr. Manders and Edward James, a pair of bears who are father and son, have always wanted to be in a marching band. When they hear one coming down the lane, they run up to the attic and don a couple of splendid band uniforms that are conveniently stored there. Grabbing a bass drum and a toy trumpet they hurry off to join the band. Their difficulties in catching up to the band are punctuated by Edward James's pleas for his father to help him align the buttons and buttonholes on his small uniform so that they will be (as is required by a marching band) ``exactly right.'' Mr. Manders is too excited to pay any attention, but when the pair doze off under a tree during a rainstorm, mice get Edward James straightened out; later, Mr. Manders and Edward James triumphantly lead the parade. Cartwright brings resplendence to the page, trotting out bright red uniforms trimmed in gold braid; preschoolers will easily spot the source of Edward James's dismay. Isherwood's very forced, prolonged plot has an arbitrary feel, and while the child's preoccupation with his buttons is realistic, the father's single-minded pursuit, at his son's expense, appears unreasonable, and very nearly mean. (Picture book. 4-8)