Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born

Actress Curtis's return engagement amply confirms the promise shown in her debut picture book (When I Was Little). A sweet and sunny look at adoption, the story is framed as a much-loved and clearly much-requested family tale, and rings true from beginning to end. Combining wit (""Tell me again how you carried me like a china doll all the way home and how you glared at anyone who sneezed"") with candor (""Tell me again how you couldn't grow a baby in your tummy, so another woman who was too young to take care of me was growing me""), Curtis deftly addresses the logistics of adoption in a matter-of-fact manner that radiates love and reassurance. Cornell, who also illustrated Curtis's previous books, again serves up whimsical, Roz Chast-like watercolors crammed with amusing visual asides: a jar of diaper cream sports the label ""Tub o' Lard""; a tiny bandage on a newborn's tummy carries the notice ""future bellybutton""; a little girl and her dog, tucked cozily into bed, wear matching curlers (the girl's in her hair; the pup's on his ears). It's hard to imagine a warmer celebration of the special joys of an adopted family. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)