Nicholas Cricket

Joyce Maxner. HarperCollins Publishers, $4.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-06-443275-7

In PW 's words, ``Joyce cleverly evokes the dimly lit speakeasies of Hollywood. Monocled, zoot-suited insects frequent Nick's Cafe where . . . a turtle sports a top hat, and at dawn `the Bug-a-Wugs grow sleepy and still.' '' Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

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