At the suggestion of one of our subscribers, I read some picture books by this husband and wife team. Audrey's simple text, and Don's delightful illustrations dovetail perfectly:

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub: King Bidgood loves to bathe, and his page cannot coax him out of the tub. Various members of the court attempt to entice him out of the water with other activities, only to end up in the tub with him. Don's illustrations add to the hilarity of the story as each nobleman gets soaked. Their faces are particularly expressive, contributing immensely to the tale.

The Napping House: Reminiscent of the old lady who swallowed the fly, Audrey's book takes the reader to a home full of tired creatures. Beginning with Granny, everyone ends up in bed on a lazy, rainy day. As always, Don's illustrations capture the spirit of the moment, even the look of surprise on the animals' faces as they are awakened. Preschoolers will love trying to remember the order of events as they recite the story themselves.

Quick as a Cricket: Don's colorful and warm illustrations accompany his wife's metaphors in this playful picture book. Each page captures the preschool imagination and lends itself to discussing the characteristics of various animals. The young boy depicted in the images resembles the animals he imitates and demonstrates the many sides of his personality.

Jennifer Minicus is a mother and teacher currently living in Ridgewood, NJ.

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