THE TWO O'CLOCK SECRET

When it comes to keeping secrets, Little Michael has a poor track record; but this time he's doing his best not to tell Dad that he's getting what he wants most of all for his birthday: Dad's brother, who has been away for two years in the Navy, will be here just in time for the family celebration. When Uncle Jim arrives, the reader also gets a heartwarming surprise: He's Dad's twin, so it's a double birthday party. In a simple, realistic text, Roberts does a fine job of building both the anticipation and the concept of keeping a secret, ably abetted by Kramer's cheery pencil and watercolor art depicting a lively and affectionate middle-class family. (Picture book. 3-7)