Where's the Baby?

In this very funny sequel to The Very Worst Monster, Hazel, her mother and her grandmother find it easy to tell where the baby's beenhis trail of muddy footsteps, chocolately handprints and red paint is plain enough to follow. But where is he now? Readers will enjoy the mounting chaos and suspense as the family traces the baby's route from room to room until, finally, they find him in the least likely place imaginable. Along the way, glimpses of the babyhiding, peeking and cautioning the reader to be quietinvite participation in the hunt and complicity in the mischief-making. Both text and art humorously depict the family's varied reactions, from Hazel's increasing (and justified) apprehension to Grandma's fond but inappropriate remarks (""He's good at painting,'' she exclaims when they come upon one splashy mess). An innocent question``Where's the baby?''leads to a monstrously clever picture book. Ages 4-up. (March)