Muskrat, Muskrat, Eat Your Peas!

Muskrat's goofy extended family is keen on peas. The planting, nurturing, harvesting, shelling and cooking of peas has been a family obsession since the beginning of spring. All summer Muskrat helped, putting up poles, chasing away bugs, weeding and even serenading the peas with his Uncle Buster (who happens to be a moose). The height of the season's festivities is a family dinner where the group finally can feast freely on their harvest. But Muskrat balks, and his family is scandalized. ``I don't like peas . . . '' murmurs the little animal. ``Our peas?'' `` These peas?'' they ask. ``Peas make me sneeze,'' explains the dejected creature. His understanding family puts personal preferences aside and prepare a big dish of spaghetti for him. Wilson winsomely portrays Muskrat in soft colors--this fellow is brimming with animated good humor. His family--represented by many animal species--is just as charming. Little comments and asides made by the animals are included, cartoon-style, adding an extra dimension of fun to the already exuberant group. This book will be very much appreciated by any parent or child who has to deal with food dislikes. Ages 2-5. (June)