Nosey Gilbert

Gilbert is an enormous Great Dane who chases some bees and ends up with a sting on his nose. He is trundled off to the vet, where even a biscuit doesn't calm him entirely. He does feel better, though, when he gets home. And this time, the buzzing of bees won't budge him, for Gilbert has learned his lesson the hard way. Pizer's illustrations give the tale a loping, lumbering tenderness, from Gilbert's first poke into the pot (the scene of the sting) to his cowering from the vet. Realistic art depicts backyard friends, Tabitha the cat and Henrietta the goose, looking on Gilbert's plight with both alarm and sympathy. Ages 4-8. (September)