Trixie Ten

PreS-K—Trixie Ten has nine boisterous brothers and sisters. She categorizes them by the annoying noises they make-sneezing, burping, giggling, hiccupping-and decides that what she needs is some quiet. A day spent exploring field and stream teaches her that some creatures-rabbits, for example-have a lot more than nine siblings…and do you hear them complaining? Massini uses colorful fingerprints with appendages and hairdos for Trixie, her family, and many of the animal characters. Each page is attention-grabbingly different and well suited to the text. Even the printed words reflect the story's changing moods. While the plot isn't new and the resolution is simplistic, the personable style and energy of the illustrations make this a worthwhile tale of siblings and relativity.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY