HOW I NAMED THE BABY

A new gambit in the waiting-for-the-baby game: after James volunteers to help think of the perfect name, he and his family discuss and negotiate a typical—and amusing—array of suggestions: James's ``Mapleanne'' (``a little too new,'' Dad demurs); Grams's ``fine old family names...Gomer, Ethel'' (``a little too old,'' says James). Biblical names, names with meanings that might prove inappropriate, names suggested by the passing seasons—all get due consideration in Shute's comfortably believable dialogue; but when the baby comes, the decision is easy: the month is June, and that's what she's called. The amiably realistic illustrations make this a book about the seasons as well. Lists of ``favorite'' names, and their meanings, from seven countries. (Picture book. 3-8)