Rex and Lilly Playtime

Two sunny chapter books introduce Dino Easy Readers, featuring the antic and affable dinosaur siblings, Rex and Lilly. Each volume consists of three self-contained adventures, all of which end on a lighthearted note. Ably targeting beginning readers, the author uses controlled vocabulary and effective repetition as she describes such slice-of-kids'-lives escapades as Rex's first dance class, brother/sister one-upmanship at the swimming pool, the duo's well-intentioned but messy preparations for Mom's birthday celebration and the acquisition of the family's first pets. Bursting with radiant color and his inimitable genial comedy, Marc Brown's (the Arthur and D.W. series) copious illustrations make these books ideal choices for recent picture-book graduates. Ages 4-6. (Apr.)