KATIE'S ALLIGATOR GOES TO DAY CARE. Decter, Ann. Illustrated by Bo-Kim Louie. Toronto. The Women's Press, 1987. 24pp. paper, $4.95. ISBN 0-88961-116-5. CIP Pre-school to Grade 1 Reviewed by Janice Foster Volume 16 Number 5 1988 September The author uses her experiences as a day-care worker to create a picture-book that addresses the current issue of day care for the child when mommy and/or daddy work. Katie arrives for her first day at the day care with her best toy, Alligator. Although toys from home are supposed to remain in the cubby-hole, concessions are made for Katie's first day and together she and Alligator begin their new adventure at day care. Katie soon becomes so involved in the activities and new playmates that she accidentally forgets her toy in the water table. When the alligator is finally found, to her surprise and dismay, it has grown. The ingenuity of the day-care worker changes this situation into a positive learning experience for all the children. Alligator is given a new home in a big glass bowl full of water so that the children can watch him continue to grow. Although Katie has her reservations about leaving her toy behind, she is pleased that he has become part of her new life at day-care. Every parent and child who has experienced separation can readily identify with Katie's Alligator Goes to Day Care. The emotions and fears that the pre-schooler faces are dealt with in a realistic and caring manner. The story could serve as a good discussion tool between parent and child and would also be useful to day-care workers. The short, simple text on each page is enhanced by the expressive black-and-white illustrations. Although young children often prefer colour, the details of the pictures add such life and reality to the story that colour becomes secondary. There is definitely a place for books like this one that focus on current issues from a child's point of view. Janice Foster, Winnipeg, Man.