ROSA'S PARROT
by Jan Wahl
An exotic and lushly illustrated book about Rosa, slightly hard of hearing, and her mischievous parrot, Pico, who is supposed to assist her by repeating things loudly for her. However, sometimes for fun, Pico toys with Rosa. When a man comes to the door to sell some tomatoes to Rosa, Pico shouts out, “Not today!” Rosa wants tomatoes, so she puts on her hat and goes off to the market with Pico. When Pico meows at some dogs, pandemonium ensues, with tomatoes, flowers, and eggs everywhere. Rosa is angry, but not for long. The story is loosely plotted, with the locale providing an excuse for Howard to break out the brightest colors in her palette; the book is not strong enough for repeat readings, but preschoolers will be curious about what kind of havoc the impish Pico will wreak. (Picture book. 3-6)