EMILY AND ALICE

The blossoming of a friendship, in three brief chapters to read aloud or alone. When Alice moves in next door, Emily invites her over for cookies—with some misgivings (``Maybe [she] doesn't want a friend with red ponytails and striped knee socks'') that are soon happily dispelled. On a sunny day, the two negotiate over playing in or out: Alice is caring for Baby Sam (a toy raccoon), who's ill; Emily declares herself a doctor and cures him, but they still have to sing him to sleep before Alice will go out. Later, they quarrel and make up. The dynamics are amusing and right on target; Stevenson's cheery illustrations of the smiling little girls, busily at play, are nicely accommodated on large, square pages. Appealingly upbeat. (Picture book. 4-8)