PEANUT

Mildred might want to make an appointment with her eye doctor. While on a visit to the park, she finds and adopts a lost “dog.” It’s an awfully strange dog, though: It has a long trunk, is gray all over and loves nuts. Mildred loves her new pet Peanut and is devastated when a visiting circus ringmaster claims the elephant as a member of his circus. Mildred goes to see the show and realizes Peanut is truly in his element, and she feels lonely until she sees a “kitty in the park.” This begs to be read aloud to youngsters so they can get the jokes. Alsenas is able to tell a complete, humorous and touching story with an economy of words somewhat reminiscent of the Olivia series by Ian Falconer. The illustrations may seem a bit cartoonish, but they fit the tenor of the story. Droll it is. (Picture book. 3-6)