EDDIE: HAROLD'S LITTLE BROTHER

In his first book for children, former New York City mayor Koch teams up with his sister for a heartfelt autobiographical tale introducing their older brother, an athlete who excelled in all sports. "Eddie wanted to be like Harold," but Eddie's attempts to keep up on the baseball field fail miserably. When the other kids clamor to have Harold on their team, he initially insists, "If you want me, you have to let Eddie play too." But Harold eventually discourages Eddie from joining in, suggesting instead that they think of something he is good at and really loves. "Well,... I may not be good at sports, but I like to talk," Eddie says. The boy uses his talent to provide Harold and his teammates with spirited play-by-play wrap-ups of their games and, with practice, to win the school public speaking contest. The closing scene finds Harold listening to Mayor Koch making a speech; he answers Koch's signature "How am I doing?" with a "You're doing great!" The authors shape a satisfying sentimental story with an uplifting message. Warhola creates an engagingly scrappy group of youths in animated illustrations. His 1930s cityscapes contribute to a sense of an idyllic childhood, while honest depictions of the kids' facial expressions—first chagrined to play ball with Eddie, and later regaled by his play-by-play recaps—will be recognizable to contemporary readers. Ages 5-up. (Sept.)