The Lady Who Put Salt in Her Coffee: From the Peterkin Papers

Victoriana reigns in Schwartz's illustrated excerpt from the 1867 classic, The Peterkin Papers . In this story, Mrs. Peterkin unthinkingly puts salt into her coffee, instead of sugar. Mr. Peterkin and the children call in a chemist to correct the flavor, and then a herb woman, but both of them fail to alleviate the coffee's terrible taste. Of course, ``the lady from Philadelphia'' saves the day when she suggests they simply brew a fresh cup of coffee. Raucous 19th-century-style furnishings, fabrics and costume outfit this tale, which is beautifully suited to the picture book format. The art expresses the comic personalities of each adult with a remarkable use of posture and form; the children mostly look on the proceedings with adoring bewilderment. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)