Ollie Forgot

In Arnold's first book since No Jumping on the Bed! , young Ollie's forgetfulness gets him into a lot of trouble. When his mother sends him to the market, he repeats loudly, ``A joint of beef, a wedge of cheese, a loaf of bread, too, if you please.'' But when a storm blows up, Ollie can only recall: ``Rain, rain go away. Come again another day.'' Repeating this verse to a farmer angers the man, for his fields need the rain, and he repeats a rhyme that hopes for downpours. Ollie repeats this rhyme, infuriating a man who is thatching his roof and wants sunny skies. Thus is the nature of Ollie's confusing and somewhat frightening trip to town. The short text, with numerous whimsical verses, moves along at a bouncy pace, reflected in Arnold's blithe watercolor and pencil illustrations of the folk who inhabit a small old world village. Ages 4-8. (September)