ERNEST’S FIRST EASTER

It’s Ernest’s first Easter, so this bunny-in-training has just one house: Tommy’s. He gets in at the expense of only one flowerpot, but once in Tommy’s rather messy room, he is stumped for a good hiding place. Fred’s dog basket won’t do, and the other places he thinks of have all been used by previous bunnies, according to Fred. At last, he finds the perfect place—and Tommy’s protracted hunt (which succeeds with a little help from Fred) bears this out. Tommy’s thrilled, Ernest is proud and Fred is smug. All in all it’s an entirely undemanding story that really doesn’t do much, and its dialogue-heavy length belies its simplicity. All three characters are goodhearted, however, and Weldin’s bright, fuzzy-edged paintings are full of good will, too. (Picture book. 4-8)