Happy Hippo, Angry Duck: A Book of Moods

With her familiar brand of gentle absurdity, Boynton creates similes that ascribe moods to various animals. "Hello, Little Person!/ How are you today?" greets a concerned-looking bear. Part of the book's pleasure is that Boynton doesn't rely on clich%C3%A9d animal personifications: "Are you happy as a hippo?/ Or angry as a duck?/ Maybe sad as a chicken?/ (%E2%80%98Can you sadly say, "Cluck Cluck?" ')"After the characters tell readers, "Well, I hope you are happy./ But if you are not,/ you have friends who will help you./ We like you a lot," even kids in the stoniest of moods will feel the effect of this pick-me-up. All ages. (Aug.)