Oonga Boonga

Nothing can make baby Louise stop crying--not patient rocking by her parents, not a clean diaper or a warm bottle, not even Grandpa's little jig. But when brother Daniel comes home from school, leans over Louise's crib, and utters the magic words, Oonga Boonga or Bonka Wonka, Louise is, suddenly and wonderfully, all smiles. This is a warm, funny celebration of the one-of-a-kind, intuitive bond between baby and big brother or sister. The understated text provides a perfect jumping-off point for Stevenson's exuberant touch, which ranges from broad comedy (adults cavorting to rock and roll in a vain attempt to distract the baby; the tears that spring in veritable torrents from the baby's eyes) to more subtle humor (the family dog's scrutiny, from his safe perch on the couch, of the inexplicably noisy bundle that is Louise). Ages 3-8. (Apr.)