Eeney, Meeney, Miney, Mo

The popular toe-counting rhyme is given expanded dimension by the quirky illustrations of this jingly jungle walk. Eeney, Meeney, Miney and Mo are four little guys who seem to have wandered off a set for Star Trek . They all have matching sets of red horns, two of which serve as ears and one as a nose. As they prowl the jungle in their vivid red space suits, they seem to pick up telepathically on all sorts of mischief. On their madcap race, they collect a tiger, an elephant and a humming monkey that chews banana bubble gum. Unable to keep up the frantic pace, the animals finally holler, ``Eeney! Meeney! Miney! Mo! / It's time for you to let us go!'' In spite of occasionally faltering verse, this happy romp provides lots of aimless fun and frivolity. Utilizing deep hues enhanced with crosshatch shading, Galli's ( Inside Noah's Ark ) unusual character sketches bristle with good humor. Ages 3-8. (Oct.)