Joe's Cafe - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1-- When brother Joe is taking care of toddler sister Amy one hot afternoon, he soon pronounces her "a pain" and ignores her for his favorite game--making worm, spider, and snail treats to "sell" in his imaginary Creepy Crawly Cafe. But when Amy wanders off, Joe is in tears, and realizes what it means to be in charge. Happily, Amy is recovered, and reconciliation, repentance, and forgiveness take place before a family picnic. Those who have been "in charge" will identify with Joe's irritation, his frantic fear, and his relief. There are childlike touches in the story: Amy's innocent delight in making some flowers "all fall down"; her wriggling out of Joe's hug; Joe's excitement about the sale of his goodies; and his attempt to find his sister. The text is often interspersed with spot illustrations--sketchy ink outlines and watercolors that capture the muddy children and rumpled adults in a setting of lush green gardens and countryside. One effective double-spread angles the text alongside the trail of flowers, then skirts Amy as she walks along the path. Joe's helplessness in his search is suggested by his relative smallness against the rest of the neighborhood; facial features are simple but expressive. A reassuring book for individuals or group sharing. --Jane Saliers, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Joe, about six, is supposed to keep an eye on baby Amy, but Joe's so busy making mud pies and ``sloppy spider stew'' that he 2never notices when Amy wanders out the gate he shouldn't have left open. Panic--but an urgent search, with the help of the kindly neighbors in this English village, soon turns up the missing tot--whose penitent brother now realizes how much he loves her. Porter may not have Shirley Hughes's sure touch, but her well-observed watercolors for this engaging minidrama have a similar appeal. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.