Samuel Drew Hasn’t a Clue

“Samuel Drew strolls into sight” in a colorful mid-century cityscape, pulling “behind a splendid thing/ a giant parcel tied with string.” Channeling Madeline with dot eyes, a smart outfit, and an air of purposeful nonchalance, the child seems unconcerned with the contents. However, the package catches the attention of a flock of pigeons, a fox, a dog, a cat, and others, who follow Sam and muse upon the contents with excitement: “What’s in your parcel, Samuel Drew?/ We need to know! Give us a clue!” Barrow’s playfully unfussy drawings bolster Dawnay’s jaunty rhyming text—with each prediction, the haphazard (and hungry) crowd passes a parallel shop. The growing parade arrives at the park, where Sam has a birthday feast and opens the package, revealing an item that will be familiar to readers of a previous title by the collaborators, A Possum’s Tail. A gently energetic romp for the preschool set, inviting participation and perusal. Ages 3–up. (Mar.)