DON’T SAY THAT, WILLY NILLY!

Willy Nilly is no Epaminondas in this cartoonish, contemporary version of the old classic. When Willy Nilly’s mom sends him to buy cabbage for dinner, he says, “YUK!” She retorts, “No, you must say YUM, YUM, WHAT A LOVELY DINNER.” On his way to the store, Willy Nilly says exactly that to the garbage man who advises him to say “GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD GARBAGE,” which Willy Nilly then repeats to the neighbors moving away. Willy Nilly proceeds to misapply the comment from each person he meets to the next one; the park keeper, a parrot, Granny Macaroon, a window cleaner and finally to a baby reaching for a tower of cans in the grocery: “HEY, LOOK OUT!” bringing things full circle. Each time Willy Nilly is admonished and given a new reply, he says, “GOT IT!” in large type like the responses. Colorful, exaggerated illustrations play up the absurdity, especially the white marble-eyed people and Willy Nilly with cauliflower ears and large head in his shorts, socks and sandals. This modern spin lacks the charm of previous versions, making this moderately silly variation only for those who haven’t heard the original. (Picture book. 4-7)