Picnic

The illustrator of Time for Bed, Ned and Let's Go Shopping, Ned returns with a solo effort. Jeremy and Alison want to go for a picnic in the park. But Jeremy's father is too busy, and Alison's mother says ""No!'' Since the children can't go by themselves, they decide to shrink their parents and take them, too. The four of them have a lovely picnic, and when it's time to go, the children carry their very tired parents home. This is a story children will appreciate for the roles of benevolent power Allison and Jeremy assume over the adults. Denton's pen-and-wash illustrations have an exuberance and delicacy that match the lighthearted tone of the text; in these she carries through the themes of fun and caring. Ages 4-6. (March)