cover image Hi

Hi

Ann Herbert Scott, Scott Herbert. Philomel Books, $15.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-399-21964-1

Small as they are, children are apt to get (literally) overlooked, and hurt feelings may result. Such is the case with Margarita, the affable heroine of this slight picture book. On a trip to the post office with her mother, the youngster becomes increasingly frustrated when her repeated greeting is ignored--by girls ``too busy talking with each other,'' by a harried mother ``too busy taking care of her baby,'' etc. Finally the postal clerk makes Margarita's day with a hearty ``hi'' of her own, and the happy girl exchanges ``hi'' for ``bye'' as she leaves in her mother's arms. It's a simple scenario, but Scott captures a child's emotions nicely and Coalson's homey, true-to-life watercolors affectionately portray a diverse, multiracial cast. Ages 4-8. (May)