Miz Fannie Mae's Fine New Easter Hat

Debut illustrator Chen makes a shining first impression with cheery, realistic watercolors of old-time country scenes and Sunday clothes. His paintings give a sense of place and community to Milich's inviting tale of an African American family and a surprising Easter miracle. Large-scale pictures emphasize the emotions of the sweet-tempered young narrator, Tandy, who with her jovial Daddy rides all the way into town in their horse-drawn wagon to select a fancy new hat for Mama. The straw bonnet, brighter than everything around it, is resplendent with lace and netting and topped with fruit, flowers and four speckled eggs. This final decoration gives the story a fetching spin and a pleasantly unanticipated ending. Milich (Can't Scare Me!) provides Tandy with a sharp-sighted insouciance: her Daddy has ""hands like bread baked too long"" and the hat worn by a fellow churchgoer resembles ""a flying saucer ready for takeoff."" Designed with a small typeface and a number of text-heavy pages, this volume may prove difficult for beginning readers. But its sunny spirit makes it a winning springtime treat. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)