Eleanora Mousie in the Dark

Four books offer a light look at the trials and tribulations of young Eleanora Mousie. In Eleanora Mousie in the Dark, she lies in bed worrying about imaginary monsters and strange noises. Mama comes in, and with her reassurance comes sleep. Bedtime For Frances tells the same story much more persuasively: Frances learns to overcome her problem on her own, whereas Eleanora needs her mother's help to the end. Parents are nowhere to be found when Eleanora Mousie Catches a Cold; she calls Doctor Duck herself. That she caught the cold in the rain is only hinted at. And the continued presence of the doctor before and after she sleeps and dreams doesn't really make sense. At the end of each of these volumes is a ""Don't Forget'' section of ways to deal with problems. For example, kids who are afraid of the dark can ``Make a `shadow play''' on the wall. Morris's stories and suggestions are rather uninspired and don't merit the $8.95 price tag. Though Young's sprightly colored-pencil pictures are quite endearing, they deserve more focused stories. Ages 3-6. (October)