Beastly Feast

A veritable banquet of vibrant images and jocular rhymes awaits readers in this irresistible picture book, Goldstone's first, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Lent (The Funny Little Woman). When the beasts decide to dine, a healthful and ethnically varied repast follows--""mosquitoes bring burritos,"" ""fishes bring knishes"" and ""mice bring rice"" (complete with chopsticks). The tasty, textured language will delight young children as they watch the parade of players with their props march across the pages. Lent layers handmade cut paper with printed patterns in a bouquet of delectable colors--salmon pink, pea green, blueberry, grape and mustard yellow. In one especially innovative spread, smiling blue fish roll boulder-like knishes while carrot-orange mosquitoes fly with burritos speared on their stingers. The early spreads introduce the dinner guests, each leading into the next (readers see the outstretched arm of a bear on the right, and turn the page to find the pear he palms), then, once the meal begins, the table starts to stretch (readers have only to revisit the cozy empty table at the opening). Chaos ensues as a puffin lands smack in the middle of a pie, a mosquito stings a fleeing antelope and mice cling to flying muffins. Animals, food, forks and text all go askew, until at last peace is restored: ""The feast is done./ The beasts are full,/ so everybody claps./ The armadillos bring some pillows.../ ...and everybody naps."" These collaborators cook up a scrumptious feast indeed. Ages 1-5. (May)