Tick-Tock

This Swedish import offers a story-time approach to telling time. A sequence of 12 spreads (from one o'clock p.m. to midnight), involve four animal friends and their canine caretaker, Will. On the left-hand page a clock face appears with a bold red little hand pointing to each hour, the number in question displayed prominently next to it and a two-line phrase; opposite is an illustration in watercolors and smudged charcoal pencil. ""Tick-tock, it's three o'clock. When Hedgehog falls, we've all had enough,"" reads one passage, for which Will is shown comforting the flailing, red-capped creature as baby elephant, chick and piglet look on. By five o'clock, the friends get caught in the rain, at six they dress for bed and seven finds them brushing their teeth (what about dinner?) and ensconced snugly in bed. The remainder takes place post-bedtime, which means half the book focuses on the less active hours of the day. The spotlight then shifts to Will, who hourly administers to the needs of his sleepy charges until exhaustion finally overcomes him. Anderson's (Stina's Visit) muted palette is quite understated so that the illustrations tend to fade into the surrounding white space. Yet, the animal characters are endearing; and for those still learning to read a clock the old-fashioned way, this is an amusing way to enforce a lesson. Ages 1-3. (Apr.)