I DONT MIND BEING SHORT. Popadic, Slavica. Illustrated by Susan Rivait, Windsor (Ont.), Black Moss Press, c1986. unpaged, paper, $4.95, ISBN 0-888753-149-0. Grades 4-6 Reviewed by Maryleah Otto Volume 15 Number 3 1987 May The author of this book is only twelve years old. She has written a first-person account of several situations in which a short person would have difficulty. Each one is typical of a child's interests. For example, she wants to be tall enough to ride a ten-speed bike, see a video screen, or wear a great new outfit. Many of the activities would certainly be frustrating for a short youngster: reaching the drinking fountain, the doorknob, the tap, or the mirror. Although each situation begins with the words "I don't mind being short, but. . .," the final page carries the honest admission that "sometimes it's the pits." Visually, this book has little to recommend it. Susan Rivait's mainly black-and-white illustrations are rough, cartoon-style sketches, occasionally partly coloured in unattractive dabs of orange, blue, or brown, but they do manage to add a touch of humour to the flat text. Children who are over-sensitive about being short will appreciate this work, as will any child who can hardly wait until another year's growth will bring so much more of the world within reach. At $4.95, school and public libraries will likely find good use for this young writer's idea. Maryleah Otto, St. Thomas, Ont.