Little House by the Sea

Blathwayt's thoughtfully detailed, cool-toned artwork imaginatively expands the story told by his lean text. Windowless, doorless and missing part of its roof, an abandoned house provides a home for a veritable menagerie of creatures, including a stray cat, a bevy of field mice and the rabbits who nibble in the overgrown garden. The animals' peaceful existence changes, however, with the arrival of the house's new owner, a pair of builders, a variety of earth-moving machines and plenty of building materials--all of which (and more) can be seen in a wonderfully busy double-page spread. A series of pictures shows the work in progress (along with its attendant clutter) and the puzzled reactions of the animals and birds. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion when the man who owns the now tidy cottage welcomes back the displaced creatures. Ages 2-6. (Mar.)