Beach Bunny

In this meticulous vocabulary-builder, advance planning helps a young rabbit enjoy his visit to the beach. Anticipating a day of swimming and fishing, Harold gathers, among other surfside sundries, a snorkel, a net, flip-flops and an inflatable ""floaty thing."" Selby (In the Still of the Night) pairs key words with streamlined illustrations against a carroty-orange backdrop, then reinforces their meaning by re-employing the terms and images throughout the story. At lunchtime, Harold's mother opens a picnic basket and reveals that she, too, is well organized: the bunny-pleasing menu includes ""carrot chips,"" ""carrot cupcakes"" and ""peanut butter-and-carrot-jelly sandwiches."" The illustrations--painted in broad, opaque strokes of creamy blue-lavender, golden yellow and salmon pink--offset the multitude of vocabulary words with visual simplicity. Selby's tale ends on a comforting note, in the style of another bunny book, Guess How Much I Love You: "" `Harold,' said his mother as she hugged him, you are the best beach bunny.' "" Ages 2-6. (Apr.)