Pigs on a Blanket

Axelrod and McGinley-Nally (Pigs Will Be Pigs) once again deliver a comical caper cum math lesson as the scatterbrained Pig family escapes to the beach to beat the heat--or tries to. Although the cool ocean is ostensibly an hour's drive from their home, the journey takes a good deal longer, owing mostly to Mr. Pig's endless distractions and disruptions--and his decidedly dawdling nature. The clock ticks away mercilessly as he takes 45 minutes to find his bathing suit and even longer to find the car keys (in his pocket). Railroad crossings, rest stops and speeding tickets further conspire to shorten the pigs' beach time. But by exactly how much? Cleverly, Axelrod leaves the addition to youngsters, who may anticipate the ironic ending: once at the beach, the famished family spends so much time buying, eating and digesting a pig-sized lunch that it's too late for a swim. Their stunned expressions on learning this news are particularly diverting, as are other scenes of the plump porkers in their outrageous beach garb. A rebus-style countdown at the end will help kids tally just how many story minutes have ticked by. But some may prefer to skip the math challenge and go along for the ride, which, greatly enhanced by McGinley-Nally's waggish ink, watercolor and acrylic art, is well worth their time. Ages 4-8. (May)