MR. Cuckoo

The wry view this French import takes of harried contemporary existence may speak more to parents than to children. A cuckoo introduces clock time to the forest, which changes the lives of the forest animals: ""They carefully wrote their appointments in tiny books, and even the very youngest animals had to learn difficult words like schedule and punctuality."" Once the cuckoo falls in love, however, he loses interest in marking time, and the animals are released from their structured lives. The tale does not concern itself with character development--the woodland animals are an undifferentiated crew, and the cuckoo and his rose-sniffing consort are generic--but witty touches elevate it above mere didacticism. Debut children's author Bloom uses sketchy watercolor-and-pencil illustrations--with blurred edges and pale washes--to add an airy, carefree charm. However, readers may be left wondering--what were those appointments that the bear and mole and rabbit were rushing to, and why does a failed clock automatically release them from those obligations? Ages 5-9. (Apr.)