The Blue Door. David McPhail. Illustrated by John O'Connor. Toronto, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2001. 32 pp., cloth, $18.95. ISBN 1-55041-6472. Preschool / Ages 3-4. Review by Lorraine Douglas. *** /4 Reviewed from prepublication copy.

excerpt:

Fox was in a hurry.

He ran to Rabbit's house.

"Where are you going, Fox?" asked Rabbit.

"I'm going to the city to visit my uncle," replied Fox.

"I haven't seen him since I was a pup."

"Have a good time," said Rabbit.

David McPhail is the popular author of over 80 children's books, including Edward and the Pirates, Mole Music and Pig Pig Grows Up. His stories often have a light whimsical touch, and The Blue Door is sure to tickle preschoolers' funny bones. In this sequel to The Sled, Fox invites his friend Rabbit to accompany him on a trip to his uncle's in the city. Fox doesn't have his uncle's address, but he knows his uncle lives behind a blue door. Of course, the two travelers get lost but then knock on a blue door. Badger cordially invites them in for tea and stories. Only later does Fox realize that Badger is not his uncle, and the two friends go off to find the right door!

     The text of this nicely paced story is mainly told through the conversations of the characters. The illustrations are very appealing in their soft cartoon style drawings of the cuddly animals. They are outlined in graphite with pencil crayon accents and harmoniously coloured. This story, although not a beginning reader, is in the tradition of the gentle "Frog and Toad" series by Arnold Lobel in which a personal foible causes a problem which is deftly and humorously resolved. Perceptive readers will also enjoy a little joke in the illustration of Rabbit reading the "McPhail Travel Guide" and the numerous pigs (a favourite character of McPhail ) in the illustrations.

      This is a nice addition to the picture book collections in school and public libraries and for preschool story time themes of friendship and colours.

Recommended.

Lorraine Douglas is the Youth Services Coordinator at the Winnipeg Public Library.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright � the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

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