BABY DANCED THE POLKA

A nimble tyke tangos his way out of naptime in this blithe, lift-the-flap book with sturdy laminated pages. Down on the farm, Mama and Papa repeatedly try to put Baby down for a nap: "Inside, Baby closed his eyes./ 'Sleep tight,' his mama said./ 'Your pa and I have chores to do./ You better stay in bed.' " But, as soon as Mama and Papa leave the room, Baby leaps up, shaking his groove thing with a different stuffed animal each time. "While Papa shaved his whiskers,/ And Mama washed her wig…/ Baby danced the polka/ With the polka-dotted...." The rhymed answer is hidden by a large flap, which depicts Baby dancing as his body masks his partner. By lifting the flap, readers reveal the impish infant dancing with an equally animated animal (in this case, a spotted pink pig). After abortive attempts to keep Baby in bed, Mama and Papa give in, and they all dance the night away, deciding, "We'll have the best ol' polka-fest/ In all of Arkansas." Beaumont's (Being Friends ) rhymes roll perfectly off the tongue, making the story ideal for reading aloud. Using paints, colored pencils and sketchy, black outlines, Plecas (Love That Baby! ) captures hilarious facial expressions and jubilant dance poses. This tireless toddler and his toe-tapping is likely to dance his way into readers' hearts. Ages 2-up. (Mar.)