Next! Please

From School Library Journal PreS-K-Doctor Hopper, a fuzzy blue rabbit, and Nurse Rex Barker, a soft brown dog, work in a toy hospital, where they care for their fellow stuffed animals. Doctor Hopper mends each patient and then yells, "Next! Please." In one busy day, she and Rex sew on a bear's missing button eyes, fix a sheep that is becoming unraveled, put a wheel back on a horse, and repair a dog's nose. Unfortunately, there is nothing the doctor can do for Sawdust Cat, who has lost her smile because she has "bald patches from being-cuddled so much." However, when Rex tells the cat how lucky she is to have been loved so deeply, her frown turns into a smile. The coworkers end the day by relaxing with tea and cookies and wondering what tomorrow will bring. Inns weaves humor and fun into the boldly colored illustrations. In one scene, Nurse Rex quickly knits Doctor Hopper's scarf into a swatch of material to mend Woolly Sheep, just before the doctor goes to look for it. There are numerous double-page spreads, bright background colors, and large figures, making the book appropriate for group sharing. Young audiences will enjoy visiting this quirky animal hospital.-Meghan R. Malone, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.