Stuff

Edward, a bunny who is more interested in his "stuff" than his friends, isn't far from a Hoarders-style intervention%E2%80%94his house is packed with outdated calendars, toys, hideous lamps, and other miscellany. Edward's friends try to get him to pare down and come outside ("Come out of that stuffy house!" says his friend Marguerite, a cat) to no avail. The story unfolds clearly through Palatini's (Hogg, Hogg, & Hog) wordplay and economical storytelling, while Jones (Always in Trouble) adds plenty of humorous details to keep readers poring over the minutiae: one box contains "sneakers and fish heads"; a shelf groans under the weight of bowling balls, a safe, and a fridge; and Edward even has a box of tangled yo-yos stored away. It's not until a passing truck causes a stuffquake, trapping Edward inside and necessitating a rescue, that he has a change of heart. Not many children need convincing that playing with friends is better than gazing lovingly at one's possessions, but for those who do, this is a lighthearted nudge in the right direction. Ages 4%E2%80%937. (Sept.)