Daisy and the Egg

In this sequel to Come Along, Daisy!, the winsome duckling is eagerly awaiting a sibling: Aunt Buttercup is sitting on an egg of Mama's as well as three of her own. But even after Daisy's cousins make their unprepossessing appearance (""Yuck! He's all wet!"" Daisy exclaims when the first one hatches), Mama's egg remains intact. Daisy takes on the task of keeping it warm and is eventually rewarded: with a ""Pip! Pip! Pip!"" her younger brother struggles from his shell. Simmons's softly hued marsh is an uncommonly inviting venue, rendered in perspectives that suggest both the expansiveness of nature (Mama and Daisy rush across an open stretch of water toward Aunt Buttercup) and the intimacy of family life (reeds and cattails provide a cozy enclosure for the eggs and the drama of their hatching). And Daisy's engaging energy, optimism and affection shine through her actions, expressions and very posture. However, at points Mama seems oddly detached from her own egg (""Some eggs just don't hatch,"" she says casually, agreeing to join Daisy's vigil only ""until morning"")-a discordant note that diminishes the tale's overall childlike sensibility and warmth. Ages 3-7. (Feb.)