The Hullabaloo ABC

As its title suggests, the energy level of this alphabet storybook runs high, thanks in part to Cleary's choice of verbs (""Flutter,"" ""Jabber,"" ""Rumble""), lively onomatopoeic sounds (""Kerchoo!"" ""Putt-putt,"" ""Toot-toot"") and animal noises (""Hee-haw,"" ""Quack-quack"") that lead off these 26 brief verses. Rand's (Knots on a Counting Rope) hearty watercolors endow the volume's clamorous crew--a spunky trio of siblings and the animal residents of their farm--with particular appeal. Ranging from panoramic views of a timeless rural setting to close-ups of kids and critters, Rand's pictures document the antic proceedings, until a thunder storm arrives and the children are summoned back to the farmhouse. Occasional lazy rhyme schemes (e.g., rips/trip; racket/whack it) and lapses in rhythm (""N for Noises,/ Clucks and cackles./ A hawk!/ It scatters the hens/ And makes them squawk"") trip the tongue. Still, Cleary teaches as she tells her story, and Rand's art is consistently diverting--a winning combination in a preschool read-aloud. Ages 3-up. (Apr.)