Mama's Perfect Present

Mayhem? Mais oui! The rosy-cheeked children who searched Paris high and low in Where's Our Mama? are back--and this time they are on a quest to find the ideal birthday gift for their dear mother. Accompanied by a beguiling but boisterous dachshund named Zaza, the kids take to the streets, cheerfully oblivious to the chaos Zaza creates in their wake. After a visit from these young shoppers, cakes topple at the bakery, flowers fly at the florist and the shoes are in a shambles at the shoe store. At last the kids follow Zaza's lead to the perfect selection--something not store-bought, but homemade. Goode's uncluttered text is the framework for a Parisian adventure awash in authentic City of Light atmosphere. From signage to doorways to shop windows, her architectural detail hits the mark. The knobby-kneed protagonists radiate sweetness and their personable pet could melt any reader's heart. Goode's latest will leave young readers chuckling at Zaza's exploits and everyone else clucking an appreciative ooh-la-la. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)