The Fixits

As confident as they are klutzy, Ed and Tom Fixit arrive on the scene to help out two children who broke their mother's favorite plate. Dropping the plate and gluing the broom to the floor are just the beginning: soon the Fixits have reduced the entire house to rubble. Mazer (The Oxboy) skillfully counterpoints the increasingly ludicrous disasters and the Fixits' consistently blithe reaction: ""Accidents happen. We can fix it."" Readers will likely empathize with both the anxious narrator and his gleeful younger sister--who, when the roof falls in, exults, ""I can fly my kite in the living room!"" Meisel (Engine, Engine, Number Nine) packs his animated artwork with funny touches, such as Tom Fixit's puzzled scrutiny of a wrench and the dog dancing around with an umbrella as a pipe spurts. This boisterous book will have readers wincing and giggling by turns. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)