cover image There's No Such Thing

There's No Such Thing

Dara Goldman. Putnam Publishing Group, $12.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-399-22193-4

The cuddly, cartoon-like bears that debuted in Goldman's The Hiccup Cure return here to participate in a snipe hunt, a commonplace practical joke. This time Molly pulls the prank on Sam, an unsuspecting toddler who is savvy enough to ask the right questions but still ends up in the thick of the hunt. ``I've never heard of a snipe,'' says Sam; ``There's no such thing.'' And of course there isn't, but in the end the clever lad ends up tricking the trickster. As playful pets join in the fun, preschoolers will love being in on the joke, though a bit of explanation may be required. The whimsical pictures--complete with three possible likenesses of snipes--and quick-paced text might almost convince tykes of the existence of this elusive creature. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)