JULIUS, THE BABY OF THE WORLD

            “Before Julius was born, Lilly was the best big sister in the world,” but of course “after Julius was born, it was a different story” – the usual tale of sibling displacement, anger, jealousy, and eventual acceptance.  A familiar topic, but Henkes’ delicately humorous narration – with its deft use of repetition reflecting Lilly’s growing exasperation with the attention and special treatment Julius gets – makes this an unusually effective presentation.  The expressively drawn characters – mice with very human clothing and domestic arrangements – are amusing and appealing.      (Picture book.  3-7)