The Most Beautiful Kid in the World

From Publishers Weekly When Annie decides to dress up for her grandmother's birthday?to become no less than "the most beautiful kid in the world"?she rejects the ordinary outfit her mother suggests in favor of a truly unique ensemble. As her unsuspecting mother prepares the cake, Annie settles on yellow "flowery long underwear," a pink tutu, "white ruffled Sunday socks. And my red Rollerblades." She completes the look with improvised lipstick: "I open the peanut butter jar and spread some on my lips. Just as I finish, the doorbell rings. I'll get it!" Ericsson (No Milk!) has a canny appreciation of the girl's wish to look genuinely stunning (and to stay out of her mother's line of vision). The witty Meddaugh (Martha Speaks) is an ideal collaborator, her cartoons capturing the haphazard get-up and the gleam in Annie's eyes. The artist adds hopeful thought bubbles over Annie's mother's head, which picture her daughter in demure, color-coordinated costumes. Her illustration carries the impish conclusion: Annie opens the door to a grandmother who shares her sense of style. Ages 3-up. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 1?Irrepressible Annie is excited because her grandmother is coming for dinner and the girl wants to look her best. She certainly doesn't feel right in the dress and tights her mother has chosen for her to wear. They're all wrong! Mama finally agrees that Annie may change her outfit. And change she does: flowered long underwear and purple tutu are just part of her transformation. The child thinks she's PERFECT when she opens the door to welcome her guest. Her flamboyantly garbed Grandma pronounces Annie the most beautiful kid in the world. Youngsters inclined toward independence will relate to the girl as she rummages about her room creating her version of beautiful. They will also see the humor of a really cool grandma countering Annie's very proper mom. Cartoons in watercolors and colored pencils vibrate with enthusiasm and joie de vivre, adding expressive asides and kid-type sensibilities. Since Annie has chosen peanut butter in lieu of lipstick, the kiss she plants on Grandma's cheek, while Mama looks on with patient resignation, is the ultimate amusing touch. Great fun.?Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NECopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.