Rain & Shine: Stories

The seven stories in this volume recount the escapades of a trio of siblings: Ned, seven; Nina, four-and-a-half; and Joshy, two. In one, the two eldest fear repercussions when they bury Joshy's silver spoon as part of a game of pirates and later are unable to find it. In another, Ned and Nina have some anxious moments when the turnovers Joshy has madestuffed not with raisins but with spiderscannot be distingushed from their own. Other subjects include a Halloween party, a game of hide-and-seek and an imaginary Beasty, which is Nina's friend. While these stories are well written and perceptive, the perspective and humor are often more adult than childlike. But middle-readers, for whom the language and format are suited, are apt to prefer situations involving contemporaries or older children, rather than reading about characters younger than themselves. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-10. (August)