Read Aloud Treasury

Veteran compiler Cole again teams up with Calmenson ( The Laugh Book ) to produce a lively and surprisingly inclusive treasury. Directed to the preschooler, the collection is varied enough to match the developing interests and abilities of children through their early elementary years. Beginning with favorite nursery rhymes and well-selected poetry (Aileen Fisher, Robert Louis Stevenson, John Ciardi, Jack Prelutsky and Myra Cohn Livingston are examples), it moves on to 13 fine read-aloud stories and closes with fingerplays and pre-reading selections. Some of the most valuable items include five stories reprinted with their original illustrations: ``Little Bear Goes to the Moon'' from Little Bear , Sylvester and the Magic Pebble , Angus and the Cat , Corduroy and ``The Very Tall Mouse and the Very Short Mouse'' from Mouse Tales. Also included are new versions of perennial favorites (``Three Billy Goats Gruff,'' ``Little Red Riding Hood,'' ``The Gingerbread Man'' and ``The Three Little Pigs''). Schweninger's full-color illustrations complement and enhance the positive and inviting tone of this collection. All ages. (September)