Blanket

Apple, who illustrated Sheep in a Jeep and Sheep on a Ship , has created a playful story of a child whose Blanket remains on the clothesline at bedtime, not yet dry. The child is as desolate as Blanket, who sags and droops on the line, drops of water falling from its corners. But the shirts, pants and socks also hanging on the line come to Blanket's rescue. With help from the wind, the dog and the cat, the clothes manage to free Blanket and deliver it into the child's hands. Joined by two raccoons, a skunk and the child's stuffed animals, all celebrate with a merry dance in the moonlight before the child climbs into bed with the dog, cat and, of course, Blanket. Apple's use of shadow and light give her pictures a dreamlike quality, making this a lovely bedtime book. Ages 2-8. (Sept.)