NOBODY LIKES ME!

In her first book for children, Weldon (Wicked Women, p. 417, etc.) tells the story of an angry young fellow: Rex tears up a party invitation, snarls at his mother, and splashes his sister before taking refuge under his bed. He drifts off to sleep, where he finds himself an outcast in a variety of dreamscapes. It is his clothing that marks him as a pariah: Although he is dressed properly when he arrives at each event, his clothing shifts (or others notice its true nature) into his school uniform. When his mother finally retrieves him from under the bed, she notes Rex's shabby attire: ``How you've grown lately, Rex, and I haven't even noticed. I've been so busy with other things.'' For all the undercurrents of childlike concerns, the story will be obscure to readers; Rex's initial unhappiness may be the result of tight shoes, his belief that he's been neglected, or a bad day at school. The happy ending, with overdue warmth between mother and child, rings true, despite the confusing set up, and Mu§oz provides raucous illustrations of parties to which every child would want to be invited. (Picture book. 5-9)