I CAN

One of two simple books contrasting a preschooler with his toddler sister. Here, the older child lists things he can do—``I can dress myself...swim without water wings...stand on my head...climb into bed''; each time, ``She can't.'' In a nice concluding reversal, this also applies to seeing ``monsters in the dark'': He comments that ``She needs me,'' but the picture suggests that he's the one comforted by snuggling into her crib. Me Too (ISBN 1-56458-198-5) is a series of admiring descriptions of her brother by the toddler, again doing her best to keep up. The relationship of the two and depiction of their differing capabilities is realistic, while Winter debuts with beautifully observed illustrations, warm and engagingly funny. It's too bad that, with four options, she chose the stereotypical combination of a competent older boy and younger girl, forever following. Still, an attractive, authentic picture of early childhood. (Picture book. 2-6)