Bruno the Tailor

Part story book, part vocabulary builder and part how-to, Klinting's slender but zippy volume brings back the unquestionably busy beaver of Bruno the Carpenter. Here Bruno sets out to make himself a new apron, a task he performs methodically and successfully, despite a few minor mishaps that are easily resolved: he learns to be more careful after pricking himself with a needle and handily shortens and hems his apron when he discovers it's too long. Punctuating his crisp, simple narrative with empathetic exclamations (""Ouch!""; ""Oh dear!""), the Swedish author/artist effortlessly involves readers in his protagonist's efforts while increasing the tale's appeal as a read-aloud. His watercolor and colored-pencil art invests Bruno with a magnetic personality; whether the beaver is biting his tongue in concentration or grinning at the comforts of his washtub turned bathtub, his expressions are just right. Alongside illustrations affably chronicling Bruno's steady progress, labeled pictures identify the materials and tools used to complete his project. And for eager beavers interested in following suit, the book concludes with a handful of sewing tips and a small-scale apron pattern. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)