The Cat and the Fiddle and More

As a tribute to Mother Goose, Aylesworth has taken rhyme writing to new lengths in this zippy picture book. The prolific wordsmith has fashioned a collection of ``Hey Diddle Diddle'' ditties that begin with such phrases as ``Hey fetter fetter'' or ``Hey sunny sunny'' followed by an appropriately sportive verse. The satisfyingly silly outing has pans and pots, combs and brushes and socks and boots (among other things) running away with each other. An ideal complement to the rollicking text, Hull's grainy, textured pastel paintings--his first for a children's book--are almost frantic with action. Vibrantly hued tables, chairs, brooms and rakes bat their eyelashes as they dance across the crowded, borderless pages. Youngsters will relish the energy here and may--as the final verse suggests--tackle rhymes of their own. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)