Miss Violet's Shining Day

Shy Miss Violent leads an ``ordinary'' life: daily work at the button factory, weekend walks in the countryside, a nightly cup of hot tea. Until, that is, she discovers music. From that day forth the young rabbit realizes that she needs music ``like breathing air.'' She practices the trombone whenever she can, sometimes all through the night, and the melodies playing in her head make her hum and smile at her neighbors. Overcoming her timidity, the naturally reticent rabbit heads off on tour with her band-Miss V and the Wild Alfalfas. Dainty watercolors capture Violet's transformation with pleasing understatement and charm. That Violet's goals are modest adds a solid layer of accessibility to the success story. An encouraging tale for Shy Vi's everywhere. Ages 3-6. (Feb.)