The Lady with the Alligator Purse

``Miss Lucy had a baby, his name was Tiny Tim. She put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim.'' This silly rhyme features a joyfully portrayed cast of characters. The Lady's purse appears to be real alligator; its back opens up magically to produce pizza. The rest of the loony people include a goofy doctor and nurse and the intrepid Tiny Tim, who attempts to swallow a whole bathtub in one zany picture. The mayhem is rendered in a loose drawing style enhanced by bright pastel colors. The endpapers include charming folios of The Lady and Tiny Tim surrounded by a cheerful border of alligator purses. Westcott's own surprise ending is sheer delight, giving a brand-new shine to a favorite verse. Ages 3-8. (April)