While special treats baked for school are a part of the story, it is the interaction of Lilly with her teacher that is central and poignant in LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE. The twist in the anticipated outcome and the deep richness of Chato's voice are memorable. Dreaming of a mouse feast, Chato and his cat buddy think up and stir up a delicious meal with Spanish flavor, only to be greeted at the door by the mice and their special guest.

In hospitable fashion, Chato invites his new neighbors to dinner. Food is also center stage in CHATO'S KITCHEN. The giggles of Pete and the listeners increase as Pete is kneaded, stretched, spread, baked, and (almost) sliced. In PETE'S A PIZZA, Pete is in a terrible state, and it is his father who has the wisdom to humor him back to his usual self by making Pete into a pizza pie. Listeners will appreciate the interplay of Grandpa's adventure with Kate's dream and the relationships of the fantastic foods. In PICKLES TO PITTSBURGH, Judi Barrett revisits the wonderful world of Chewandswallow, featuring immense foodstuffs, and from this world distinct characters emerge. The relaxed pace of this recording provides the time to savor these memories.

Similar car trips, greetings, spreads of food and conversation, and bulging houses will spring to mind. In THE RELATIVES CAME, the annual summer trip is fondly remembered. Each character becomes a vivid part of the listener's imagination. Special relationships between characters are the stuff of engaging stories.

Pete's a Pizza by William Steig