Mrs. Goat and Her Seven Little Kids

When Mother Goat has to go to market, she warns her kids not to open the door to anyone: ``If you do, the Hungry Wolf will probably get in and eat you all.'' Sure enough, she departs and the dreaded animal is at the door, demanding to be let in. Recognizing his gruff voice, the kids reply that their mother has a ``squeaky little voice like music,'' which prompts the wolf to visit the music teacher for voice lessons. On wolf's second attempt, the wily kids demand proof in the form of a hoof: off stomps the frustrated creature to a local artist, threatening him into a paw alteration. A tail amputation is next, but the hapless goats are eventually fooled--and swallowed. When their mother returns to find only her littlest kid left alive, she makes short work of the overstuffed malefactor, and rescues her children from his stomach. Ross's characterizations bristle with comic individuality, and the drama of the various encounters is heightened by his vividly humorous, action-packed artwork. Ages 6-8. (Mar.)