Rosie Runs Away

Any child who has ever felt misunderstood or unappreciated will sense an instant kinship with Rosie, a winsome rabbit whose baby brother, Fat Mat, has taken over the household. In an effort to be helpful, Rosie carts her brother off on a mud pie-making and blueberry-picking expedition--with predictably grubby results. Mama, needless to say, is not pleased; Rosie is sent to her room to play, but elects instead to run away. From her vantage point just over the brook, Rosie thinks things over and decides that, even if Mama doesn't need her, Daddy and Fat Mat do. Upon her return, she finds Mama does need and love her after all. Macdonald's reassuring look at sibling rivalry is played out against the sunny backdrop of Sweet's idyllic, summery watercolors. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)