THE SEED BUNNY

Selby (Beach Bunny, 1996) offers another affectionate and accurate portrayal of the bond between parents and preschoolers. Sam's front tooth is loose; according to his mother, Sam is growing and ``bigger bunnies need bigger teeth.'' If he wiggles and jiggles the tooth, she says, it will fall out and he can leave it under his pillow for the Seed Bunny, who will take it and leave a package of carrot seeds for Sam to plant and nurture while his tooth grows in. Sam hopes to sneak a peek at the Seed Bunny, but he works so hard to get his tooth out that he sleeps right through the visit. That doesn't stop readers from getting a glimpse. Sam is an endearing character who thinks and acts like a typical five-year-old. His mother hovers fondly and manages to stay one step ahead of him. Selby chooses a cheerful palette and winsome shapes resembling torn-paper collage to capture all the action—a scene of Sam riding a bike over a bumpy road is enough to set readers' teeth rattling, too. An ebullient take on an important rite of passage. (Picture book. 4-6)