Tiny Rabbit Goes to a Birthday Party

A young rabbit receives his first invitation to a birthday party in Wallace's (Little Bean) amiable tale. After phoning Pig ""to find out what happened at parties,"" the bunny models several costumes as he considers what to wear and frets about the ""perfect present"" (he opts for a large, empty box). The scared guest stays on the sidelines until a cat holds out his paw and bids Tiny Rabbit to ""Come and play!"" This is all it takes: the diminutive fellow joins in--and even helps the birthday mouse blow out the candles on his cake. Wallace's story may well give a needed shot of confidence to young partygoers. His wispy, childlike drawings capture endearing images: Tiny Rabbit covered with bits of tape and ribbon as he struggles to wrap his oversize gift; the nervous bunny riding on a bus to the event, sitting in the seat behind that occupied by the beribboned box; and the newly confident hero at home after the festivities, a pink party hat atop his head, making lists as he plans his own birthday. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)