The Pillow War

Although not as cuttingly clever as Novak's earlier picture book capers (Elmer Blunt's Open House; Mouse TV), this tale of a snowballing pillow fight still shows evidence of the author's refreshingly quirky wit. Rhyming verse sets the boisterous story in motion, and boldly hued acrylic paintings cluttered with particulars will likely tickle young funny bones. When siblings Millie and Fred argue over who gets to sleep with their dog, Sam, the two grab their pillows and ""[fight] down the stairs/ out into the street,/ where their neighbors joined in/ with pillows and sheets."" As a growing cast of pillow-toting, pajama-clad characters battle over land, sea and in the air, preschoolers can search out the principals in each bustling spread and follow the amusing antics of a menagerie of animals caught up in the frenzy. After a large pile of pillows lands on Fred, a sympathetic Millie says they can take turns sleeping with Sam. But where's the pooch? An ironic twist ends this appealing bedtime romp. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)