DAWN AND THE ROUND TO-IT
by Irene Smalls & illustrated by Tyrone Geter
Like Ann Herbert Scott's Sam (1967), Dawn wants someone to share an activity with her; but Mommy is too busy, Daddy has a meeting, and her older brother and sister have plans to meet friends. Each is willing do what Dawn suggests, but only ``when they get around to it.'' Woefully, Dawn turns to her sucking finger and blanket but then gets a delightfully creative idea: Making four pictures featuring circles, she gives them to her family. ``It's a round to-it!'' she tells Mommy, ``Now can we play?'' Fortunately, like Sam's, this African American family immediately takes the point and responds with good humor and evident love. The way Dawn takes the initiative in solving her problem is wonderfully refreshing, and Geter's bright, broadly rendered paintings reflect the characters' feelings with unusual sensitivity. A warm family story that should be around for a long time. (Picture book. 4-8)